Birkin S3 IRS Ford Duratec
Sovereign Autos in Adelaide have recently taken delivery of a number of Birkin S3 kits for customers. However they have also opted to construct two kits in house as display and show vehicles. One of these kits for agent Adam Serafini will feature the new Ford Duratec 2.0 litre power plant, close ratio Type 9 Ford gearbox and Subaru differential. The car will be fitted with carbon fibre gaurds, a carbon fibre centre console and Birkins optional twin naca duct nosecone. A host of other Birkin motorsport accessories including Birkins FIA spec roll cage and Birkins optional race seats will ensure it is adequately equipped for any future track days. Stay tuned for more information on these upgrades as they land in Australia. A goal weight of sub 500 kilos will make this car very quick.
During the course of this build, updates will be regularly posted so stay tuned for updates!
Why Duratec?
The Ford HE Duratec 2.0 is a Ford/Mazda global engine partnership which will provide a fantastic platform within a kit car. With an abundance of power and torque coupled with the significant numbers of these engines being sold in Ford Focus and Mazda 3 models makes this engine a sensible option and gaurantees large numbers of these engines will become available in the future for propsective kit car enthusiasts. Already developing a cult following overseas because of its light weight and ability to make big power relatively easy it has sporned an abundance of tuners developing and providing parts for these engines.
The following 3D video animation gives purists an insight into how these engines are produced.
Duratec Assembly
Engine Arrives
Early this year a Ford Duratec power plant was sourced from a 2006 Ford Focus which was written off after heavy accident damage. A meager 6,000 kilometres on the clock this motor is currently being prepped for fitting to the Birkin S3 chassis. This picture illustrated was taken after it was
collected from Meridien Motorsport. Some obvious differences to Duratec’s you may have seen on the web previously are that this motor has fly by wire throttle and coil on plug arrangement. These motors are fitted to Australian delivered Ford Focus vehicles from 2006 onwards.
The Duratec stripped of ancillaries for cleaning and preparation. Intake side depicted. Oil filter housing removed for fitting aftermarket or custom adapter. Thermostat housing to be modified to utilize Birkin cooling set up.
Lightweight deep skirt aluminium cylinder block. Exhaust side now depicted. The Ford factory sump will be removed and a dry sump or aftermarket wet sump will be fitted.
Front of engine. Transverse engine mount to be milled off. Crank pulley removed for machining. Note lightweight factory cam gears.
Close up top of head and cams. Chain driven camshafts and oil pump drive. Camshafts 5 bearing journals 8 lobes.
Duratec crank pulley has now been machined down. You can see how much was removed in the foreground. About 1 inch was cut off the original crank pulley which powered ancillaries not used on the Birkin. Also pictured are the water pump pulley, injectors which push into the head and coil on plug arrangement.
Alloy front timing cover has now been removed to machine off the transverse engine mount. Over 20 bolts secure the timing cover to the engine, a little different to the old 20 valve.
Continue through to Adam's second page
