Escort / cortina / capri / and a cosworth lump

[TISPKJ]

Hi Guys, Appologies if the wrong place to post but seems plenty of interest in these on here recently .... happy to move to fast ford section or similar if objections.

Posting on behalf of my brother who has for sometime been contemplating getting a Mk1 or MK2 escort in need of work and restoring, think he has missed the boat now with limited funds available so have suggested maybe looking at Cortinas and Capris as well.

Purely by chance he has kind of been given a cosworth sapphire 4x4 less a few panels and bumpers but mechanically is all there and we believe it to be a good runner.

Question and some guidance please, I know it is a fairly common mod to fit the cosworth engine into an escort and assume same regards cortina and capri, is the 4x4 gearbox same as the 2 wheel drive model and a relativaly easy fit or is it different ?
Will the cossie bolt straight to the std old style ford box and if so what one is best ?
Is it worth considering a MK3 shell (yes I know they are fwd) ?

Any other options thoughts on the end vehicle ? (not over keen on the Dax / westfield idea) is it worth considering an RS200 copy ?

Just throwing it out there for some feedback and comments as to what to do with the cossie and running gear that wont cost a fortune to build.

Thanks

[aeropilot]

Yes, worth considering a Mk3 shell. There used to be quite a few rally fabrication firms that used to sell a 'kit of parts' to convert a Mk3 into rwd layout, back when the Mk2 Escort shells were getting tired and bent, and people used to reshell a Mk2 rally car into a converted Mk3 shell.
Mind you, Mk3's are getting thin on the ground these days as well, but infinatly cheaper to buy.

Ripe for building a RS1700T replica

[PAUL500]

The YB cosworth is esentially a 2 litre pinto, so if you chose a car running either a 1.6 or 2 litre pinto then the swap over will be a lot simpler.

[S0 What]

If you RWD a Mk3 escort you get into all sorts of IVA areas ? pluss finding a non rusty shell is just as hard as a Mk2 unless you chop up a mint low spec one ?
A cortina would be the cheapest base to start from and an easy swap as most were 2.0 pinto already but not up there in the handling stakes with the scort or capri, at least not without a lot of work, there are quite a few cossied cortinas and capris about even a few cortinas with the sierra IRS installed, well worth a go for road holding over the cortina rear end

The 4X4 box is a no go really in a non modded capri or cortina as the transfer case needs a much wider tunnel and of no use unless you are going 4WD ? best option is a 2WD T5, the standard 2.0 pinto box wont last long unless you strengthen it with a few specialist bits internaly and externaly to take the torque spikes.
Have a search on oldskoolford or passion ford for cossie conversions, there's allways Steve Taylor (performance classics) whos been doing these conversions for years (at least 20) in both 16V and 24V V6, he's based in Essex

[TISPKJ]

Thanks guys some useful info, I was into my capris back in the day so that would be an interesting route for me, I also really wanted a Gartrac G6 was it ? Basically a 2.8 injection Capri stuck into an xr3i, very similar to the RS 1700 above as I recall, I have seen the odd rwd rally mk3 advertised as well at times would be ripe for a conversion.
How about an anglia :-)

[aeropilot]

TISPKJ said:

How about an anglia :-)

Like this one....

[martin mrt]

Mk3 Escort gets my vote, I don't know what it is, but I just really really like them

[final_edition]

You'll find plenty of info here. Some very knowledgeable on there.

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/

[james280779]

I had an old Mk1 capri which was converted to take a rover v8, not too much work.

Also had a TVR S1 which had the old ford 2.8, I swapped that out for the 2.9 cossie. Aside from wiring looms the only real issue was clearance as the TVR chassis is alot smaller.

I think with the older fords there is so much room under the bonnet that it wouldnt be too difficult. When I bought my 911 the owner also had the cossie turbo in a mexico. I think it was about 450 bhp; he was selling at as it had become unusable. Looked great though and I saw it on the classifieds a week or so ago again but its gone so its been sold at least twice in the last year.

[TISPKJ]

Anglia looks great, what a giggle that must be !
TVR s3 could be good option, or maybe a scimitar, never thought of the ford engined options open.

[Hooli]

S0 What said:

The 4X4 box is a no go really in a non modded capri or cortina as the transfer case needs a much wider tunnel and of no use unless you are going 4WD ?

I saw the 4x4 conversion done to quite a few cars in 'Fast Ford' back in the day, the normal route was weld the van/anglebox/escort/pug 205 (yes really!) onto a cut down sierra floor.

[quiraing]

Hooli said:

S0 What said:

The 4X4 box is a no go really in a non modded capri or cortina as the transfer case needs a much wider tunnel and of no use unless you are going 4WD ?

I saw the 4x4 conversion done to quite a few cars in 'Fast Ford' back in the day, the normal route was weld the van/anglebox/escort/pug 205 (yes really!) onto a cut down sierra floor.

The Sierra Cossie engine has also found it's way into Talbot Sunbeams and Vauxhall Chevettes. They must be great fun to drive, short wheelbase and a LSD. Google them for pics and info.

[Fleckers]

aeropilot said:

Like this one....

loving this Anglebox

[Caddyshack]

I have a Cossie yb 4x4 in my 205

[deltashad]

I'm starting to like the Sierra. Probably because they're getting rare. Would it not be a good idea to restore it?

[Caddyshack]

Have a look on Passionford forum if you do decide to as that's the place for advice and part,

You are right, they are getting rare and people break them for parts all the time as they seem to be worth more in bits...that should make decent ones go up in value.

[mph1977]

cosworth and FWD Escort shell = 'Royal Nail'