.... BTW: We have a very nice std bore 711m block I'd be willing to sell for only $5k, that's $2500 less than a unit listed elswhere on the thread.
Lawrence,
If you're refering to the $7,500 price I mentioned for somebody's engine Ivey had at this shop, that was a complete ready to race engine.
Although it can get more absurd. Art Smith had what he claimed was the highest HP FF engine every built for sale about 8 months ago. He only wanted somewhere around $12,000 for it. I don't think he ever sold it.
Between the FIT and the new Ford block, FF will be a successful class for another 40 years!
.... what would a stronger block do for the car? They aren't a stressed member like FF2K.
Lawrence
The Pinto engine in the F2000 cars are NOT a stressed member. The engine has forward mounts to the bulkhead and is bolted to the transaxle. The transaxle is rigidly bolted to frame rails and passes the suspension loads directly in to the frame.
The Zetec engine was introduced to F2000 (FC) a few years ago to address engine life problems with the Pinto. The Pinto has never been allowed upgrades such as newer piston/rod geometry to improve bore life nor a new crank. Although a $4,500 aluminum head is now available (geez). Pinto's need a rebuild about every 1,500 miles (about $4,000) with a head refresh at 800 miles (about $700). That is about 11 race weekends in ICSCC racing. The FF KENTS with all the good stuff in them are good for about 2 years of racing in ICSCC.
The Zetec is a great step forward in FC but, it's very difficult to convert 'most' older cars. Unlike the FIT for FF, the Zetec is a physically bigger engine then the Pinto. The conversion to Zetec even on cars where it can be done runs around $16,000 with engine, parts and frame mods.
It does provide a HUGE improvement in life cycle for the engine. About 4 to 5 years of serious racing in the F2000 pro series where, they put just about enough miles on their engines PER WEEKEND (including test and tune days) to put a Pinto in the time window for a rebuild!!