Ok I would like some input, finally deciding that I want a project car, maybe i will race it, not sure, but anyway these are my ideas, so if anyone can give me links to sites that could help me, or throw in ideas, costs, anything would help.

I am gonna start of with a basic mkII flat front, whatever i come accross, so is there any difference in the chassis between the mex, rs2 and the say a 1.6 ghia or l,gl?? either way im gonna strip it and have it all seem welded some info on strengthening points will be good??.

I will put a full cage and some buckets in it, pretty bare inside im thinking, definately wont be an ed car so the fun factor is highest priority with a possibility of getting involved in any races if thats possible but defo some track days.

will get some steel wheels, adjustable spax or bilstein shocks, was also thinking of getting a lsd so some info on the rear axle would be good?? i beleive you can fit a 2.8 special capri rear axle?? should be able to find one at a breakers, they already have the lsd as i remember. If not then some other info on diffs?

Engines?? ok well my past experience I had a nice 2.1 pinto with twin 45s, high profile cam, racing dizzy, cant remember full spec but i did just about everything possible, it was a fast car at the time. So what other engine could you go with? i seem to remember people telling me the fiat mirafiori twin cam 2ltr engine would fit?? but never tried that myself. Dont wanna go the cossy route, probably too expensive

Also about boxes, I remember fitting a 5sp sierra box into one, we had to bash out the bell housing a little, but it did fit, not sure if better off going with the 4sp or what?? any ideas??

Any ideas on what all that would cost?? i know no one can really guess, but some rough ideas, im pretty sure can get the basic car cheap enough, major moneys probably gonna come with engine, box, exhaust, suspension.

open to ideas and suggestions anyone ever done one of these?? recently i mean?

thx

 

ok maybe i was wrong about finding a cheap 3 door lol, it will end up costing me as much as the scoob by the time im finished at this rate!!

 

Best of luck with deciding mate, there are so many options, and as always cost is big limiter.

Best engine in my opinion 2ltr 16v Vauxhall, although a proper job 250bhp is £000's but are bullet proof (I know peeps who have blown every other engine you could possible fit in a mk2, but the VX one survivies).

mk1 and mk2 escorts seem to be back in fashion, ebay seems to be going through phases, loads on last month, few this month.

Should get a bare shell for a couple of hundred quid. (my good condition mk1 mexico bare shell was £300 3 years ago)

 

the only difference in standard shells and rs ones is the reinforced strut tops and rear tie bars on the axle which can be easily fitted, try and get a automatic shell if you can find one cos the tunnel in those is huge, don't panic if you can't find one cos their very rare in 2 door even though i've managed to own 3 over the years!! engine wise go for a vauxhall xe engine or a steel 2 litre pinto, bilstein suspension is your best bet, princess 4 pot calipers work great and are quite cheap, go for a straight cut box cos their the best ratios and aren't that expensive to buy but definitely fit a 5 speed, the capri axle will go on there but only certain types, the diff ratio isn't any good on a escort and the lsd isn't tight enough, depends on what your using the car for but a 4.6 crownwheel and pinion works well with a 2 litre and 5 speed box, thats the setup i've always had on my road rally cars and it makes them very quick and fun to drive.

 

wow great info thanks for all that, what car did the vauxhaul engine come out of? and are we talking about adding extras to teh loom once you put this in? extra wiring?

I remember the straight cut box, they always had a distinctive whine to them, that sounds good.

thanks again

 

what u guys reckon to this??

seems like its all done ready, will need a nice new engine sorting and maybe a few more quid spending on it but all in all gonna work out ok i think?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...category=27377

 

that sounds ok mate, loads of work already done so its a good starting point, the vauxhall xe engines are in astra gte 16v, cavalier gsi's or calibra 16v's but make sure its the xe engine not ecutek which are newer. the mods on that car which are turretted and 5 linked are great and makes the car handle loads better, all my escorts have had this done to them.

 

is there alot of work to do with the wiring loom?? or any at all??

what would one of them cost recon? and what would you do it once you had one of those engines?? like cams? flywheels lightening?

what sort of bhp can you get out of one??

thanks

 

Here is what i consider an excellent base car for the project http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...category=29755 , this will go for silly low money and needs what looks like minimal welding, he seller seems to be being honest about its shortcomings, this will put polishing crowd off. My shell needed new footwell, replacement panels were £12 each I think, I also added some homemade extra thickness, my footwells are 3 skins thick now, more so where the cage bolts through.

Body preparation wise, as already been posted. Big tunnel is No1 job, without it gearbox is a sod to fit / remove. Then fit Anti-tramp bars, Turret the rear suspension, Watts bar, this I believe is 5-linking, it gives the rear axle 5 things holding it in place to the shell.

You can pick us Astra 2.0l 16v engine for about £600 in standard with most ancinaries, make sure you get the computer brain that does the injection unless you plan on fitting twin 48 webbers and an aftermarket ignition system. I have seen fully prepared ones go for £5000 - £8000.

I company called A-frame engineering in Lancashire I know manufacture a bellhousing to convert to rear wheel drive and get a TranX gearbox mated and it will fly.

I made my own wiring loom for my mk1mexico as the existing one had been chopped and spliced to hell in 30 years, and they seemed too thin for the ampage of my equipment. A post-historic rally car does not have many electrical items to wire up. You can get reels of many different colours so that you can avoid the usual trick of having mostly red wires for everything.

There is the old Ford Rally Preparation manual still in circulation, I have a copy, although I think it is mainly geared at mk1’s most things would be relevant to a mk2 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...category=27377

I hope you get sorted with a shell and keep us updated.

 

If you are building a Mk2 Escort then have a look at www.classicandrallyspares.com

Especially look in the workshop section to see Mk2 rally cars being built and see how the shell preparation is done.

They can also supply ALL parts to build your Mk1/2 with and offer free advice too.

Well woth contacting if your building a MK2 !!!

 

i got a good 16v astra redtop engine with the cosscast head on it. it has all the ancinaries, loom ecu etc. was in my old astra, took it out for the same reason as you. to put in my old mk1, sold that and now moddin my scoobs. the motors yours for £400. the fitting kits can be bought from QED, bout £500-600. run it on twin 40s, or if youve got the cash put it on throttle bodies. all makes for a very quick car. 07813032292 s/wales

 

i contacted that rallysite, but they never got back to me with a quote, that car sounds like a good deal mate, but im to busy with the new evo i just bought right now, so project mk2 has gone on a back burner for next few months till this is sorted out, then ill bring this thread up from the dead, thanks for all the input guys