hi all
just got me self a 1600cc x flow engine to replace my bec setup the engine is in need of a complete rebuild so have taken it apart and found that it is in need of a rebore and crank regrinding and so on . the block and crank now at my local garage and have just been informed that as it has been done at some point it will need to have +90's the max for x flow engine . what I would like to know is what sort of bhp I could expect from that with a bike carb conversion and some other custom parts . the block is a 711m ba . the car is just for road use .
regards ian

Having previously had one of these engines, I recommend that you open an account with Burton-Power.com, for when you go shopping for bits. As you surely will.

Check the head - has it been fitted with hardened valve seats?

Depends on the head and cam and whatever other internals you upgrade as well to take a higher bhp or rev range.

125 would be a good aim. It would be cheaper to buy a stock zetec. I'm doing the same with a 1300 crossflow and keep asking myself why!

Mine has just been resealed and rolling road tuned. Mine too is the 711m block.

Mods are:
Flat top +90 Pistons
Flat head
1mm adusa head gasket
Light port and polish
Big valves(can't remember the exact size) head has been modified to accept bronzes valve guides
VW 1.8t valve stem oil seals, swapped from those crappy umbrella type seals
Kent 244 cam and vernier pulley
Duplex timing gear
Double valve springs and steel rocker shaft
Balanced rods, pistons, crank and 5kg flywheel
ARP rod bolts
Weber 40's with 36mm chokes
Ignition run by an omex100 ecu and ford coilpack.
It made 140bhp, 130ft/lb at the crank. This was with a dragging handbrake which I didn't know at the time.

There is also more power to be made with adjusting the cam timing but as it runs so well now, there was no point changing it. The dyno operator who is very experienced with the Xflow reckoned over 150bhp was easily achievable.

Mine doesn't have hardened valve seats, hasn't been run with lead replacement since the engine was built in 2006. Valves seats are still perfect with 10000+ miles. Valve clearances haven't moved either. If it ever does become an issue then I will whip the head off and get it done but as it stands, it's extra, un needed expense.

Burton power are very good and carry the majority of what you need in stock. Great if you have a problem too.

To be brutally honest though, if at all possible, sell the Xflow and drop in a zetec. A far better engine from the off and £100 will buy another one should it go bang! This is what I should have done. My headgasket alone was close to £100......

Edited to add, it does sound good though!
https://youtu.be/ZeEI0GSj5nY

[Edited on 14/7/16 by Adamirish]

I'm afraid I'm in the same camp as the rest - I have a 1660cc x-flow that I like very much. But, if it breaks, it will be replaced by something more modern.

It's hard to argue against the fact that a stock modern engine can produce as much power as a tuned x-flow!

The one thing that's in the x-flow's favour is that it's incredibly easy to work on, and doesn't have really tight tolerances. Oh - there's also the fact that it's physically a very small engine, as opposed to the OHC Zetec that's a fair bit taller.

I also like the noise of a x-flow on full throttle!

Some people have silly ideas about tuning the X-flow. It is a lovely engine, but outdated. I ran one for years in my Formula Ford for hill climbing and sprints. It was always driven flat out. An easy tune is to use the big valve mk 2 escort head and a bcf3 cam, plenty for fast road use. Sadly, I blew it apart in France and when I came home I fitted a low mileage 2 ltr black top, cost removed and delivered £150 . I fitted it with a set of R1 carbs and a dry sump system, ity has the same bolt pattern as the x-flow and bolted straight to the Hewland. It has been running for the last 5 years without any problem.......

Yes tuning a xflow is expensive but sticking in a zetec it seems is far from as cheap as just buying the very cheap lump! I costed it all up before rebuilding mine and yes its a nasty amount to spend on a old engine but from whaat most people say and what i totted up its still half what a zetec costs.ok less power and stock rather than tuned but still.

I am a Xflow user, and do not have any reason to change, when I built my locost, it was based on the 1300 xflow, so the bonnet line to nose is very low and even fitting a 1600 block, that is 3/4 " taller, caused big problems

For that reason alone, a zetec or any other decent engine WILL not FIT, without having a stupid bulge in the alui bonnet, and ruining the perfect lines, the car currently has, I had measured several times to source a twin cam that would fit
the only one that was any were close was the Lotus twin cam, and that would of fitted ish, but whats the point, its only a 1500 xflow with a twin cam head, and puts out the same power as a 1700 xflow, and even more unreliable

Aside from this, my current 1660 xflow, with a 270 cam, is not a slow car, and on SKCC runs, it is pretty well known, that despite my old engine setup, I do not have any issues keeping up with some pretty fancy machinery

For me, they are very simple to work on, and cheap, every part is available, and as said earlier Burtons power stock every variation of parts to suit

They sound fabulous on full chat,
there cheap to fix and upgrade

However, if I had the room to fit a zetec, or any other newer engine, I would, but for now "xflows rule"#

steve

The only engine I've seen that's similar in size to the x-flow is the Toyota 4-AGE - that's a very small package. Trouble is it's getting a bit old these days, and requires a fair bit of work to mate up to an easily available gearbox like the Ford Type 9. Spares are probably a challenge as well.

Turbosports forum for some very experienced opinions and huge knowledge
I may be acquiring a Crossflow Fury shortly and am already looking at the Zetec options

hi all
thanks for all replies I only got the x flow as it been a simple engine . as I am no grate mechanic but used to play with x flow's as a teenager . i did try to get me head round using a modern engine but was not sure on the way to go from fwd to rwd or what was needed so thanks again for your comment's regards ian

When i was thinking of spending £500 on a X-flow head.. I had to stand back and think...
And .. £200 later a 2.0L Zetec was fitted it into a small low line body - Ron's build yer own...
no more oil leaks - 155bhp - very happy bunny..

Zetec |Inside