Ok, i have a mk3 capri 2.0 (pinto) and its a bit... lacking in power.
im open to any engine swap, for some brute force and power, to back up the "muscle car" looks.... and to have a bit of fun

BUT i have a budget lacking of funds!
what are the cheapest options for more power. Engine change or keep with the pinto?

from this, if its keeping with the pinto... what should i be looking for for that extra bit of... OOMPH

 

Depends how much power you want ?, a cheap mod for is the usual carb/cam/exhaust swap, if needing it a rebore to +90 with V6 pistons gets you close to 2100cc, and a big improvement, ported heads work very well on these,(start with injection head).
I had a 2.1 pinto in my sierra auto, with 32/26, modded head by the nutty professor, ie ROLAND HAYES(HT Racing), got 40mpg and it would eat my xr4i for breakfast.
tabetha

 

Cheapest power hike will be a 2.9 from a granny, Ł100 for the donor car (pluss you'll get that back in scrap), 2.8i engine mounts, gearbox, rad and fuel tank and your sorted, wont do the handling any favours but then neither did the 2.8
160 BHP thats 60 up on the pinto for about Ł300

 

or use the 24v granada engine....200vhp in standard form. Will all bolt up in a capri..i've seen one done and it wasnt that involved.

Your looking at a total of about 600 quid to get it in and running including the donor car.

Got to be best bang for buck engine conversion on a budget in your case.

Dan

 

I'd agree with sillyfezzaMK1. Retro ford mag is doing a feature this month with how to convert one into a capri. Looks fairly simple apart from the loom part.

 

The loom part scares a lot of people....It's actually a piece of piss if you know what you're doing.

If your in the midlands I can put you in touch with someone (mobile auto electrician) who will do it VERY cheap and it'll only take 2-3hrs if you have the full loom from the donor car.

Cheers
Dan

 

oooh, could be a nice idea, whats the fuel consumption like on the granny engine?
and isnt the loom just a case of masking tape and a pen, take it out one by one labelling it up on the block and just taking my time about it?
ooh i think im off to whsmith later this afternoon then retro ford here i come

 

wot about a red top loads of people are puttin them in fords

 

Best budget move would be a 2.8i swap from another Capri or the 2.0 EFI engine froma Granada/Sierra.

 

only thing with that is is i may aswel buy a 2.8 and save myself a hassle+hope it has a LSD!!
also be easier for insurance... it actually comes as that as standard lol

 

ive got the 2litre laser with an old transit pinto engine in it (god its gutless) ive got a 4 into 1 manifold a twin choke weber off a granada its putin about 90 bhp at the mo as the inlet and outlet are restricted but i av the stage2 race head which will boost it to 140 ish bhp

i do have an idea to but a 3.5 rover v8 with a twin turbo conversion on it