v8 conversion on a capri and other questions

[summoner]

Howdy!

I am looking at building myself a track day/tarmac rally capri and basing it on the perana (sp?) from South Africa. I am curious, how hard is the conversion of a capri to v8 and what sort of things are required?

I am thinking the cross member needs to be changed and engine mounts, does the engine need a different sump? Can the v6 5 speed and diff handle it or is a 9" and another gearbox required? (im at a loss on old ford gearboxes).

Also, can old panels be used on newer bodies? ie: I pickup a Mk3 body can i retrofit Mk1 panels (would be going for early classic category).

Any advice would be useful

[cortina-mk1]

Castlemaine rod shop will sell you all the engine mounts, chassis connectors, headers, gearbox mounts you need for the conversion

Windsor, Clevelands and chevs are a very common conversion for 1969 onwards capris

Oil pans are made in many different configs depending on what engine you run
see hi energy also




.

[summoner]

cool thanks for that info. How about suspension? Stronger shocks/springs needed up front to handle the weight of the bigger engine?

[whooligan]

Body panels are generally not compatible btwen Mk 1 and Mk 2/3.....If you've got any Mk 3 panels, send them my way.

The V6 (essex) never came out with a 5-speed in this country and is a totally different bolt pattern to the V8. You need a top-loader or a T5 from an XR8.

A 302 Windsor is not much heavier than a V6, so heavy duty V6 springs are a minimum. Most people convert to 5-stud and there are kits available for this. Better selection of wheels available for 5-stud.

My V8 project has a cut down Borg Warner diff from an early Falcon. I wouldn't stick with the V6 diff as parts and ratios are limited and are liable to break with double the power going thru it.

[bcnyah351]

you can make the engine mounts and gear box mounts your self eg engine mounts cut off the rubber part of the mout and turf it but keep the part that bolts to the eng line the eng up in the eng bay to the original v6 mounts and drill a hole in the v8 mount with the rear cross member get a steel plate about 100mm* 200mm and drill four holes in it 2 for were it bolts to the box and 2 for the mount if you have big hp make some brackets up to bolt from the head to the chasie the auto elec place in caslemaine make the exhaust up for the rod shop so go to them not rod shop cheeper that way but you will need a high tork starter as the standard starter will not fit this is all l did to fit a 450 hp clevo into a td cortie you just need to spend some time lining the eng up but you will need to run a diffrent box useing this way of doing it you can run a falcon box but will need to cut up a tail shaft about 75mm off a falcon one GOOD LUCK and keep us posted on the build

[mr scotto]

i have a v8 engine and gearbox x member,twin 21/2' system,bronco sump (no pick up) and 3 core rad to suit 302w into a capri for sale

[302Capri]

PM and email sent.

[GlenW]

A mate of mine had a MK1 with a 302 in it, worked a bit with a single rail 4spd box and 8" diff. Ran mid 13s.

A lot of people are using Hilux diffs these days - might be worth looking into. Theyre bulletproof and have heaps of ratios.

[XA Sean]

One of the mates has a 572 cube BB chev in his....... : ran an 8.4 off the trailer on its first run

[max_torq]

I have fitted the hilux diff. Use the 4WD model the width is the same. The axles have to be machined to fit discs, and convert to 5 stud. The brackets are ground off and the brackets from the capri axle are welded to it. Nice strong 31 spline axles good racing ratios!

[Cam Poll]

Hey mate
I was wondering if you had any spare front struts out of carpi you would be willing to sell? Thanks mate