So,
After my car took a pounding and cracked various parts of the engine (cylinder block, sump etc and already spending £450 on a new sump and fitting). I have been told that the cylinder block has a crack in it. So a weld or a new one on that plus fitting etc. Then it was going to get some work done by DVA in March (Upping for 140 ish BHP to 190).
So my question is do I keep the K series and fork out the money to get the new block and works (around £1.5K then the work by DVA £2-2.5k) so roughly 3.5 - 4K or do I put in the car a Duratec R, Zetec or Zetec r? What is the difference?

Edited 'cos I was very dumb!

No its not. Both the Zetec and K Series have the exhaust on the passenger side. Its the Duratec and Sigma that have the exhaust on the drivers side.

As for cost I have a 2 litre injected Zetec Blacktop in mine. Great engine. Totally reliable. About 175 bhp. Base engine was brand new for Raceline and after selling the bits I didn't want it stood me at about £500. Injection bits were about £2000. Fitting bits were probably another £1500. Total £4000 plus anything I have forgotten.

But to fit it in a K car you would also need a bellhousing (probably another £400 for an alloy one), a new prop (since the engine/gearbox is further forward in a Zetec car - same place as a x-flow) and a new bonnet.

Much as I love the Zetec I would say fix the K series.

Doh!

How dumb of me!!!

If you look around, on Seloc, BC and suchlike (eBay) you will probably find a decent tuned K 1800 for way less than you're talking about. I've known 200bhp+ K engines sell for under £3000 minus the exhaust but with a dry-sump.

That way you could simply stick it in, and sell your old K for bits.

Sorry to hear you need a new engine

In my opinion, two things worth considering are:
1. The Zetec although a great engine does have an iron block so will weight more than a K series and
2. Generally speaking Caterhams are worth more in a standard(ish) form, so I suspect when you come to sell it will be worth more with the originally supplied type of engine in it.

That is true but in normal use you would never notice it.

I'm sure you are correct, it is unlikely I'd notice a few pounds more over the front wheels.

Especially with 14 stone of me over the back ones