Engine differences in ZX2

[Huggy07]

Hi-new member here- I have 98 ZX2 manufactured 6-97 DOHC Zetec and with 177,000 miles has noticeable engine drivetrain noise.Runs good good gas mileage and will go 3500 miles and not drop more than a pint of oil. Noisy only when Idiling- Im wanting to switch to a newer low mileage engine and go the header and airbox route and possibly a chip for performance and MPGs. Im afraid my engine is too wore for the new additions I would like to make. when calling a salvage yard Im told only years 98 99 engines only- Im willing to exchange electrical and sensors off old engine but didnt want to change heads or anything like that. Is there anyone out there that could give me some insight as to what i would have to do to swap into maybe a 2000 or newer engine-Thx Denny

[ZX2Fast]

All the ZX2 engines are the same. The only real difference to worry about is the later models use different timing belt idler pullies so you'll have to order the later model timing belt kit if you ever have to do the timing. They also changed some of the electrionics in the later years. The later models didn't use a fuel temerature sensor but it doesn't matter. They also used some different body electroics but for the sake of swapping engines it doesn't matter. Just use the wiring in the car and you'll be fine.

The ticking you hear at idle might just be the injectors. The fuel injectors are very loud. They are a sharp, metallic click.

These engines are tough bastards. I'm pushing 180,000 miles on my factory engine and I've been running it boosted at 8 psi for two years. I run even with SRT-4's so it is decently quick and I still pull 175+ psi compression on all cylinders.