Capri on a Budget

[SirronTM]

I'm looking for a 1.6 or 2.0 litre Capri since the insurance is too high for me for a 2.8i.

They seem to be short supply in Yorkshire and the Midlands so I'm thinking about the possibility of dropping a smaller engine in a high mileage 2.8i chassis.

Question 1: Are 1.6/2.0 litre pintos readily available? (if so, where from?)

Question 2: Would changing the engine actually make the insurance cheaper or would it just be classed as a modified 2.8i? (making it even more money ¬¬)

Thanks!

[cfoxyc]

Just a thought but could be worth looking into getting a classic car policy, with a mileage limt, Ive heard of people insuring 170bhp BMWs for £200 a year!

[SirronTM]

Thanks - good suggestion, unfortunately it looks like you need to be at least 25 for classic car insurance and I'm not.

[Rich's Granny]

I believe Pinto's especially good ones are in big demand and short supply. Folks use them for various classes of racing, the later '205' spec. 2 litre blocks in particular are very sought after. It may be easier to find yourself a bodily challenged but mechanically sound MK3 Granny and use it as a donor. Being heavily involved with the club I've been offered a few lately for not a lot of money. We're into MK1'S & 2'S so don't generally follow up on MK3'S, but they are out there.

As suggested before have a look into classic insurance policies you might find one that does it for younger people, Capri's are old enough now. I have my MK2 2.8 Granny on a classic policy with unlimited mileage for £120. But.....I am 45 and I've owned the car for 20 years. I only use it for shows etc. in the Summer now. The cost of insurance is all a bit of a racket anyway. You'll probhably pay more on a normal policy to insure a 2.8 Capri just 'cos it's a 2.8 than you would a modern hot hatch with an engine half the size that is producing a similar bhp figure. I know what I'd rather have and it aint a hot hatch.

Edited by Rich's Granny on Saturday 9th January 12:59

Edited by Rich's Granny on Saturday 9th January 13:00

[Rich's Granny]

another thought.......

later MK3 2 litre Granadas had the injected twin cam engine which would be an easy swap complete with the gearbox as long as you find a manual one. I'd bet there would be hardly any difference to the 2.8 V6 in terms of bhp too cos its a much later development. More economical too.

[dazfocus18]

get the 2.8i save the money on doing the swap and get ur mum or dad as the driver and u as the other driver u will save 200-400

Edited by dazfocus18 on Saturday 9th January 19:04

[SirronTM]

Good idea, I'll look into 2 litre granadas, thanks.

Unfortunately I can't really make one of my parents the main driver as I'm not living with them currently - insurance companies will use any excuse they can find to invalidate your policy.

[woolly7]

if you change the engine my bet would be on them loading the preimum as you thought.