A Capri conundrum
Discussion
I currently own a 2.8 Injection Special, in really good condition and I absolutely love it. However I have always had a hankering for a 3.0S (Mk3), mainly for the Essex engine. Apart from the obvious, is there really much difference between them?
I know the 2.8 is technically a superior car and it would be considered to be a step backwards to go to a 3.0, but does anyone have any experience of driving both 3.0's and 2.8's and could offer any feedback on which was the better car?
Or maybe I should just transfer the LSD and 5 speed box from a 2.8 into a 3.0s and get the best of both worlds!
I know the 2.8 is technically a superior car and it would be considered to be a step backwards to go to a 3.0, but does anyone have any experience of driving both 3.0's and 2.8's and could offer any feedback on which was the better car?
Or maybe I should just transfer the LSD and 5 speed box from a 2.8 into a 3.0s and get the best of both worlds!
I had a 3.0S, bright yellow. Fabulous car in a straight line. Lovely to drive.
As for the 2.8...can't really help, I went in my mates Tickford Capri, from what I remember (long time ago) it was bonkersly fast, not sure about the handling, just went on the motorway to Liverpool.
Sorry can't be of any more help but for what it's worth, of those two, I'd take the 3.0S all day long, much cooler and i think the styling is nicer.
As for the 2.8...can't really help, I went in my mates Tickford Capri, from what I remember (long time ago) it was bonkersly fast, not sure about the handling, just went on the motorway to Liverpool.
Sorry can't be of any more help but for what it's worth, of those two, I'd take the 3.0S all day long, much cooler and i think the styling is nicer.
I owned a Mk 3 3.0S from new in 1978, white with recaro seats. £4250...still got the original invoice....
Lovely car, made famous by Doyle and Bodie in "The Professionals"....
Not really much difference with the 2.8. (which was slightly faster)..both highly desirable now...(If you can find a rust free example)
Lovely car, made famous by Doyle and Bodie in "The Professionals"....
Not really much difference with the 2.8. (which was slightly faster)..both highly desirable now...(If you can find a rust free example)
I totally understand your thinking; I always wanted a Mk111 3.0S (with 'fishnet' Recaros and sunroof) but never found the right one.
I settled for a 3.0 Ghia auto, and also had two 2.8i's.
In standard form the 'injection' had better grip, handling and brakes.
What it lacked, of course, was that charismatic torquey Essex power unit.
A 'standard' 3-litre (if you can find one) will sound great, but will 'let go' much sooner than a 2.8i.
A 3.0s with the 'stance' of the later car, 7" Minilites and some proper brakes would be my choice.
I settled for a 3.0 Ghia auto, and also had two 2.8i's.
In standard form the 'injection' had better grip, handling and brakes.
What it lacked, of course, was that charismatic torquey Essex power unit.
A 'standard' 3-litre (if you can find one) will sound great, but will 'let go' much sooner than a 2.8i.
A 3.0s with the 'stance' of the later car, 7" Minilites and some proper brakes would be my choice.
My first car was a capri, way back in the later 1980s.. as were the following ten! A mixture of 3.0, 2.8i etc.
I still own a mk2 3.0S today.
In my opinion, the 3.0 is slighter quicker that a 2.8i due to the 4-speed box but overall a much more raw experience.
The 2.8i was afterall an update to the 3.0 with fuel injection, lsd, 5-speed box, vented brakes, leather etc.
Depends what the OP is looking for really, but for me its the 3.0 everytime just for the slightly more hairy chested approach of the 70s.
I still own a mk2 3.0S today.
In my opinion, the 3.0 is slighter quicker that a 2.8i due to the 4-speed box but overall a much more raw experience.
The 2.8i was afterall an update to the 3.0 with fuel injection, lsd, 5-speed box, vented brakes, leather etc.
Depends what the OP is looking for really, but for me its the 3.0 everytime just for the slightly more hairy chested approach of the 70s.
Well, where do I start?
Personally think a well-modded 3.1 std-looking (but lowered with 7" RS 4-spokes) Essex V6 3-litre S over the standard 2.8i every time, but there are lots of well-modified 24V Granada-Cossie V6 powered cars and lots V8 Capris out there too. There are also factory-approved Mk1 V8s. And the rare Mk1 RS3100.
Some folks prefer 4-cylinder versions like Mk1 1600GT XLR or mid 80s 2.0 S. Or even the, errrrrm, . . . 2-litre V4.
Depends what u want.
There was an interesting Capri thread on PH couple of months back, worth Search on here if you're into Capris - its "Mk1 3-litre Capris, how many survive?". Theres 17 pages of it.
Personally think a well-modded 3.1 std-looking (but lowered with 7" RS 4-spokes) Essex V6 3-litre S over the standard 2.8i every time, but there are lots of well-modified 24V Granada-Cossie V6 powered cars and lots V8 Capris out there too. There are also factory-approved Mk1 V8s. And the rare Mk1 RS3100.
Some folks prefer 4-cylinder versions like Mk1 1600GT XLR or mid 80s 2.0 S. Or even the, errrrrm, . . . 2-litre V4.
Depends what u want.
There was an interesting Capri thread on PH couple of months back, worth Search on here if you're into Capris - its "Mk1 3-litre Capris, how many survive?". Theres 17 pages of it.
I owned a 2.8i Capri from new in 1983, cardinal red. I had an LSD fitted from new, before they were fitted as standard.
I loved it, it was a great cruising car, we drove down to Menton in the south of France in 1984, 100 mp thingies all the way, 22mph, never missed a beat.
I also had a go in a Tickford version, which was a lot quicker.
I had a go in a mates 3.0 s Capri not long after, the 2.8 IMO was a far superior car, the suspension was much better sorted.
No doubt a suitably modded 3.0 can be as good, all I can go by is in standard form [ apart from the LSD ]
I purchased my 2.8i from Hartford Motors in Banbury, as I knew the Dealer principle well [ we rallied against each other ] he told me a story about the local police, who just so happened used 2.8i Capri’s as un marked police cars at the time.
He got a call from the local plod who drove the 2.8 semi complaining that the rear of the car was “unstable” He went out with Mr Plod in the 2.8, and sure enough, at illegal speeds, the Capri was “loose” at the rear end, as Plod was a “trained” traffic pursuit officer, he strictly would not cross his arms whilst going sideways, and they nearly had a rather big accident!
My mate, who is a rather handy driver, told him to stop, they swapped places, and he drove back to base, with the easily induced overstear.
Cue, back at based, a check around the Car, only to find the rear tyres were bald
I loved it, it was a great cruising car, we drove down to Menton in the south of France in 1984, 100 mp thingies all the way, 22mph, never missed a beat.
I also had a go in a Tickford version, which was a lot quicker.
I had a go in a mates 3.0 s Capri not long after, the 2.8 IMO was a far superior car, the suspension was much better sorted.
No doubt a suitably modded 3.0 can be as good, all I can go by is in standard form [ apart from the LSD ]
I purchased my 2.8i from Hartford Motors in Banbury, as I knew the Dealer principle well [ we rallied against each other ] he told me a story about the local police, who just so happened used 2.8i Capri’s as un marked police cars at the time.
He got a call from the local plod who drove the 2.8 semi complaining that the rear of the car was “unstable” He went out with Mr Plod in the 2.8, and sure enough, at illegal speeds, the Capri was “loose” at the rear end, as Plod was a “trained” traffic pursuit officer, he strictly would not cross his arms whilst going sideways, and they nearly had a rather big accident!
My mate, who is a rather handy driver, told him to stop, they swapped places, and he drove back to base, with the easily induced overstear.
Cue, back at based, a check around the Car, only to find the rear tyres were bald
I will gratuitosly post my You Tube clip of my 2.8 from back in the day,I dare say most of you will have seen it already.
http://youtu.be/yvlKJYnCfJE
http://youtu.be/yvlKJYnCfJE
I Wanted a mk3 3.0s in Stratos Silver like Bodie's from The Professionals with the tartan/fishnets but the price premium from a 2.8 was too much for something that is probably/arguably an inferior car so I got a Stratos 2.8i instead which I love dearly have been all round Europe in and will keep forever.
If you're not too attached to your Capri and can budget for the change then get it sold asap and take the plunge,you can never tell until you've owned one for 6 months so give it a go rather than wondering!
I wouldnt want to start dropping 2.8 bits into a 3.0s, I know its a widely done thing with Fords and Capris in particular but it doesnt seem right to me otherwise you might as well drop a 3.o in yours stick on some graphics and call it a 3.0s.
On a side note I've been fancying a 3.0 Ghia for a while,there used to be loads for sale when I wasnt looking for them but they seem to of all dis-appeared,been doctored into "its a genuine 3.0s guv,yeah they were all autos with a vinyl roof" or gone silly expensive!
If you're not too attached to your Capri and can budget for the change then get it sold asap and take the plunge,you can never tell until you've owned one for 6 months so give it a go rather than wondering!
I wouldnt want to start dropping 2.8 bits into a 3.0s, I know its a widely done thing with Fords and Capris in particular but it doesnt seem right to me otherwise you might as well drop a 3.o in yours stick on some graphics and call it a 3.0s.
On a side note I've been fancying a 3.0 Ghia for a while,there used to be loads for sale when I wasnt looking for them but they seem to of all dis-appeared,been doctored into "its a genuine 3.0s guv,yeah they were all autos with a vinyl roof" or gone silly expensive!
It's been many years but I well remember driving a 2.8i (LSD version) not long after driving a 3.0S non LSD and thinking that the 2.8i was much the better car. I think the original 2.8i was a great looking car, especially in the metallic silver with silver wolfrace alloys that all the first ones seemed to come in (old W reg). I still remember the original magazine advert in 1980 showing the tailgate 'Goes like <lightening flash>'
I searched high and low trying to buy a 2.8i in 1985 but the ones I saw were all either thrashed or knackered. Sorry, I'm rambling due to being half pissed, 2.8i every time if it was my money.
I searched high and low trying to buy a 2.8i in 1985 but the ones I saw were all either thrashed or knackered. Sorry, I'm rambling due to being half pissed, 2.8i every time if it was my money.
Hooli said:
wested said:
The 2.8i was afterall an update to the 3.0 with fuel injection, lsd, 5-speed box, vented brakes, leather etc.
Totally different engine isn't it? or are you referring to the whole car, at which point I'd agree with you.2slo said:
The 2.8i didn't get leather (1/2) lsd and 5 speed until it's revision around 1985. When it was introduced in 1980 it had tartan cloth recaros, a 4 speed gearbox and an open diff.
Correct. I had an '82 2.8i and it was as spec'd above. The 4 speed was also slightly quicker to 60 as it only required 1st and 2nd gears.I would go for the 3.0s every time, I didnt like the engine in my 2.8i, you had to rev it a lot to get it going, and the 5 speed box had strange ratios, it all felt too long gears (it was a cruiser so...)
Havent driven a 3 litre, but the 3 litre essex sounds better than a cologne, and it is easy to tune it beyond the power of the standard 2.8i.
wouldnt turn down either right now to be fair !
I've got a little 2 litre S but its too slow as standard. Hmm 'improve and modify' or save pennies and get a v6 again... (neither as a baby is on the way, doh
)
Havent driven a 3 litre, but the 3 litre essex sounds better than a cologne, and it is easy to tune it beyond the power of the standard 2.8i.
wouldnt turn down either right now to be fair !
I've got a little 2 litre S but its too slow as standard. Hmm 'improve and modify' or save pennies and get a v6 again... (neither as a baby is on the way, doh
)As I said before, a std-looking well-modded lowered 3.0S on polished 7" RS-4-spokes is now a classic.
Lots can be done to engine & suspension & brakes on a standard-looking car. Don't know how it would compare to latest coupe cars of this type and don't care, it was enjoyable car to own. Looking out for another project and know exactly how I want it done.
JHS 15T, Oyster gold 3.0S, wish never sold it. But u never know whats next!
On a separate note, Oyster gold is a ridiculous name for a paint-colour. How about Lobster red? Or Grass green?
Lots can be done to engine & suspension & brakes on a standard-looking car. Don't know how it would compare to latest coupe cars of this type and don't care, it was enjoyable car to own. Looking out for another project and know exactly how I want it done.
JHS 15T, Oyster gold 3.0S, wish never sold it. But u never know whats next!
On a separate note, Oyster gold is a ridiculous name for a paint-colour. How about Lobster red? Or Grass green?
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