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Author: Subject: Build or Buy ?
interestedparty

posted on 31/7/02 at 06:45 AM Reply With Quote
quote:


take your time over a donor - its likely to be a long project - dont rush the important bit of getting the right donor!

steve


Steve is absolutely right. Getting the right donor is essential.

John





As some day it may happen that a victim must be found,
I've got a little list-- I've got a little list
Of society offenders who might well be underground,
And who never would be missed-- who never would be missed!

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ChrisW

posted on 31/7/02 at 10:49 AM Reply With Quote
All the Manta's I've ever seen have been RWD but I'm no Vauxhall expert.

W reg Escort should be mk2 (I used to have one on a W plate).

If not, use a Sierra (not the mk1 tho) and buy my 'spare' live axle!

Chris





My gaff my rules

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Marcus

posted on 31/7/02 at 05:48 PM Reply With Quote
If the Escort is W reg, then it MAY be a Mkll if you're very lucky - ask if hatchback, if yes then MKlll - no good.
Astra front wheel drive anyway so forget it.
Manta can be done, but the GT/E engine is heavier than pinto (and more powerful).
If you buy all three, you may have the start of an interesting project.... Astra engine bolts up to Manta gearbox, Manta axle, uprights, steering column, steering rack, propshaft, hell don't bother with the Escort at all!

Marcus

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stephen_gusterson

posted on 31/7/02 at 06:26 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Steve,

Wasn't the Manta RWD?

and weren't 'W' reg Escorts Mk2s? I know V's were (page 32 the "book")

I say this for three reasons:

1 - They both may well be suitable
2 - Just to argue with you
3 - To increase my number of postings




The manta likely was, but its one of those cars that had several types, and i was trying to say if you use it, few others have so little support available.

the 'bustle' booted mk3 escort WAS around in W and I know I had a company mk2 escort at V reg, so I guess that was about the change over year. There are a lot of mk3 still around, so i took it to be likley one of them - didnt he mention fwd?

and in my haynes book it gives 105hp for the carb and 115hp for the injection. then of course theres the twin cam, which looks good for a std 125hp.


However, if i were in the states, that merkur 2.3 turbo looks a nice choice!


ATB

steve


no arguments!



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semi42

posted on 31/7/02 at 09:21 PM Reply With Quote
manta had gone and the escort was a mk3


so i'm still looking!

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chrisg

posted on 31/7/02 at 09:58 PM Reply With Quote
W was the transition year from mk2 to mk3 Escort,not many W reg mk 2's tho.....

Cheers

Chris





Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!

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stephen_gusterson

posted on 31/7/02 at 10:32 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
manta had gone and the escort was a mk3


so i'm still looking!



On spending 2 and a bit years reading lists like this, i recon that the easiest build route, if you follow the book, is use a cortina - got most of the bits you need. If its one with a xflow, even better as it appears to be one of the lower engines and helps the bonnet line.


One car that might give you nearly all you need, and plentiful in scrappies is a capri. Right kinda rear axle, wrong kinda front ones, and if you get an earlier one with a xflow, even better. I am sure there are others on here with better info.

If i were building a book car, i would spend 500 quid or so on a decent compatible donor - you will get it back in time saved.

Spent 260 quid on my granada donor, and was rewarded with a 2 owner 12 year old car with certified 70k on the v6 engine. Saves a whole loaded engine work.

Check this list next may when i hope its on the road, and see if I got screwed or not!




atb

steve

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semi42

posted on 1/8/02 at 05:59 AM Reply With Quote
Do Ganada's make good donors then for the main components ie engine, box,back axle, steering rack & column.
A former fast ford freeak friend has told me to keep away from the v6 as its a heavy lump with poor power to weight ratio and to stick with a Kent x flow or OHC pinto.
my problem seems to be that as I'm living near the coast,and the fact that the Council grits the roads when the temp drops by ½ a degree there aren't many older cars knocking about.

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stephen_gusterson

posted on 1/8/02 at 08:01 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Do Ganada's make good donors then for the main components ie engine, box,back axle, steering rack & column.



Essentially, the mk3 granada has the same mechanicals as a sierra! Its just the body thats different, and I guess the track might be a bit wider. As far as the hubs are concerned they are 5 stud as opposed to sierras four, but if you use adaptes for the mcpherson strut to make them into 'cortina like' ones, there's no problem. or you gould get front 5 stud hubs from a mk1 or 2 granada.

The diff is the same, as is the type 9 box and the engine. Steering column and shaft too - the rack needs shortening whatever you use.


quote:



A former fast ford freeak friend has told me to keep away from the v6 as its a heavy lump with poor power to weight ratio and to stick with a Kent x flow or OHC pinto.




Well, thats debatable. The V6 is shorter than a pinto, but along with the pinto is quite tall. this might upset your bonnet line.

The other issue with a V6 is that they often have auto boxes. I bought a 2.4 L V6.

If you went that route, get a cologne engine - as fitted to granda later models - D or so on. They have better manifolds and are more reliable than earlier essex.

As far as weight is concerned, they are heavy. I guess about 35% heavier. But then that extra 45 hp over the pinto gets that back and more.

However, im not building a book car. If I was in your position, i would consider an 89 on sierra or granada with the twin cam 2 litre - its got 125 hp.

Whatever engine you use, beware of the height. A xflow seems to be the lowest. A locost can look wrong if you stretch the dimensions of this compact car too great - or you will have to have bulges in your bonnet.

if you want to see a v6 installed, look in

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/locost

if you look in the photos section, in my named file, (you need to register) there are pics there.

atb

steve

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