Capri Engine Swap

[JC]

2l pinto engine on the Capri is getting a bit poorly. Gathering some info to help me make a decision on what to replace it with. Interested in opinions as to why I should or should not consider any of the options above, especially factors like:

-POWER! (ability to overtake noobs that don't know how to drive in a safe yet swift () manner)
-Ease of install
-reliability
-fuel efficiency
-expense (bang for buck)
-complicated fabrication/custom parts/chassis modification or strengthening
-incompatibility with existing things (axle ratios, fuel tank, crossmembers, exhaust, rad etc)
-driveability (ie not curse word to drive around stuck in traffic etc)
-engine sound

Oh, and also if there any other good options I've overlooked. Lots of pinto sort of options on there as I have a fair amount invested in pinto parts already, some of which haven't even got put on yet, including bike carb manifold and zx9r carbs, complete megajolt setup inc a turbosport alloy pulley/trigger wheel, new radiator, janspeed stainless exhaust.

[composimmonite]

It's got to be a V8 at least You could follow the route taken to build the Perana version.

[Copey]

I wouldn't waste time in a pinto turbo setup, or tuning an na one for that matter, i had a full on race spec engine that had hundreds poured into it and it still wasn't quick enough, to the point a zetec on twin 40s wasn't far off the pace, got a ca18det engine in mine, donor cars are getting harder to get at a decent price, the engines can be reliable enough, check the sxoc for some tips on making it more reliable, a lot of the problems stem from oil clogs and subsequent starvation to the bottom end, cossies i would avoid, stupid money and they aren't the most reliable things in the world once you start with the mods, duratecs and zetecs are a good option, cheap to buy, especially a zetec, nowt to stop you buying one, slapping on a turbo, if it goes bang then buy a new engine, obviously new internals would be ideal, but they can take about 6psi as standard and remain reliable, 2.9 24v are a good engine, but some parts are hard to source now and can be expensive, not much scope to tune, but they do have decent bhp and torque as standard, especially in a light Capri, but mpg isn't gonna be great, a v8 would be awesome, but again...mpg would be fairly poor!

[Rob M]

I know its a bit outmoded and old fashioned but Id seriously consider tuning the Pinto.
A nice cam, freeflow manifold/system, maybe twin bike carbs and a 5 speed conversion will give you a good, quick and reliable daily that will not require major work to the car or for you to break your back doing it.
TBH, its a bit of a nonsence looking at all this V8, V6 stuff because you would be just as well keep your eyes open for an utter basket case of a 2.8 to reshell with your car and, unless you truly think that having massive amounts of horsepower makes you very well endowed, then a standard 2.8 set up will tick almost all of your boxes anyway.

[retrowrongun]

Just leave this here



Cheap enough to buy and without stretching its early 90,s legs will easily see 350bhp and a lot more torque

Fit snugly in a Capri without much messing also

[bobblegut]

My money would go on a v8 . Ford v8 , parts are so cheap its unbelievable . That means you can get a good as new fully rebuilt engine for less than what you would pay for some other 2nd hand engine with no idea when it will pop .

Fuel economy is not really a issue , most of those engines will drink juice as well , and at least you will have torque so no need to thrash it all the time .

And you get the sound!!

2nd choice would be cossie if you can get a known good engine .

[JC]

Jul 19, 2014 13:06:58 GMT Rob M said:

I know its a bit outmoded and old fashioned but Id seriously consider tuning the Pinto.
A nice cam, freeflow manifold/system, maybe twin bike carbs and a 5 speed conversion will give you a good, quick and reliable daily that will not require major work to the car or for you to break your back doing it.
TBH, its a bit of a nonsence looking at all this V8, V6 stuff because you would be just as well keep your eyes open for an utter basket case of a 2.8 to reshell with your car and, unless you truly think that having massive amounts of horsepower makes you very well endowed, then a standard 2.8 set up will tick almost all of your boxes anyway.

I'm not after crazy amounts of hp, but I do want more, and a decent chunk more at that. 2.8 cologne is out, they're meant to be hard to get any more power out of, and it's a lot of work to change over for only 150 odd bhp. Have all that stuff on the existing pinto (except the bike cars - they're not on yet) and it doesn't seem like enough. Would have to be a bit more modified I think.

Have read a bit about yours in the past Copey, most likely what made me think of it as an option! It's gotta be one of the harder options on the list to achieve though, and I'm not all that skilled at this stuff.

[bobblegut]

If you want more grunt why not get a v6 essex built up to a good standard ? They are cheap to buy a base engine and 180bhp is not to hard , with lots of torque . And easier fitting than v8 . And sound good.

[chairchild]

the essex is however, one hell of a boat anchor. Barely manages 20mpg in stock form, let alone tuned. Does sound quite nice though

Another call for v8 or v6 of some description too - the tuned 4 banger just won't have the "wow" factor when you hear it coming. What about the jag/Ford v6 AJ30? According to wikipedia:

This engine is used in the following vehicles:

2000–2009 Jaguar S-Type, 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) and 216 lb·ft (293 N·m)
2002–2009 Jaguar X-Type, 231 hp (172 kW; 234 PS) and 209 lb·ft (283 N·m)
2009–present Jaguar XF, 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) and 221 lb·ft (300 N·m)

[bobblegut]

Not to mention the rover v8 . I have seen good 4.2 s going for less than £400 with all ancilliries ,injection , ecu , loom . Or ditch that and fit a holley carb . Lighter than a pinto and i don't think its hard to do .

[penski]

Jul 19, 2014 15:38:12 GMT chairchild said:

the essex is however, one hell of a boat anchor. Barely manages 20mpg in stock form, let alone tuned. Does sound quite nice though

Another call for v8 or v6 of some description too - the tuned 4 banger just won't have the "wow" factor when you hear it coming. What about the jag/Ford v6 AJ30? According to wikipedia:

This engine is used in the following vehicles:

2000–2009 Jaguar S-Type, 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) and 216 lb·ft (293 N·m)
2002–2009 Jaguar X-Type, 231 hp (172 kW; 234 PS) and 209 lb·ft (283 N·m)
2009–present Jaguar XF, 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) and 221 lb·ft (300 N·m)

S type AJ30 is what you need for that one - already longitudinally mounted and comes with a manual box...

Also the aj30 is not the same as the ford duratec v6. The jag lump is all alloy and has solid buckets instead of hydraulic lifters...

*n

[SmokeEm]

All depends on Budget really. HPE Pinto for me!

[JC]

Not sure on budget really, have a bit of disposable at the moment, but otoh it could always go towards something more useful. Under a grand ideally, but could be convinced to go a bit higher if it were worth it.

[JohnK]

I personally, absolutely love the sound of the Cossie YB especially on full chat. But, unless you want to spend silly money buying one and making sure it's right, I'd leave it.

V8 would be my next option.

[kram]

Cossie YB Turbs will give you a big grin everytime you drive it and good on fuel , i know as ive had a few cossies and one in my (present) van for 5 or 6 years ..............or V8 wise go small block Chevy a lot cheaper than a ford V8 and cheap for tuning again had many and got one in my ''A'' pickup though in time ill Cossie the ''A''....

[mt2man]

What about a Nissan VA v6? Could be twin turbo assuming you want manual? Even non turbos are pretty quick! And that's in a 300zx which is a fair bit heavier than a Capri, non turbo engines can be picked up for under a couple hundred

[v8kitten]

If changing to a v8 on a budget, factor in the cost of an uprated axle and propshaft aswell as rear suspension set up. No good having all that power n torque if u can't use it! Personally I'd stick with the pinto and put bike carbs on, a big cam and a bit of head work, good quality exhaust manifold etc. Plenty of torque can be had from a pinto on a budget.

[bobblegut]

Axle will be fine - atlas .

[v8kitten]

I broke the shafts in my atlas axle with an Essex v6, and they're not as torquey or powerful as a standard Ford or chevy v8.

[bobblegut]

Really ? must have been giving it some stick then....