Thinking about restoring an Orion
09-07-2009, 02:42 PM
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Thinking about restoring an Orion
We've got a ford Orion looking very sorry for itself on a G plate diesel, my dad used to run it but it hasn't been on the road for a fair while sitting in one of our fields.
I was having a mooch about and had a look underneath it, boot, bonnet and under the carpet and bugger me it's in good condition... but the paintwork has badly oxidised.... which isn't too much of a problem with a bit of wet and dry plus a t-cut.
I wouldn't have looked at it twice a few years ago, but it's growing on me now because there can't be many left on the road and i'm starting to appreciate retro cars more than I did in my yoof.
So i've got the choice of restoring this or a E30 325i...
I'm no ford buff so i've got a few questions to get it where I want it, since I want something at least comparable to the 325i speed wise.
1. Engine/gearbox-wise what are the easiest options for around 150bhp, I would prefer to stay away from turbo since I don't want the hassle of locating an intercooler.
2. I think it's got drums and piss poor discs on the front, i've read that 2wd discs on the front and 4wd calipers is as good as i'm going to get for bang per buck... but what can I do about the rear? I was thinking maybe buy the rear end off a RST breaker, which is the easiest option?
3. What's the best option for suspension on this car, I don't want to spend more than 500 but I would like front and rear strut braces.
4. Can I fit a mk3 front end and bonnet, will I need the wings too?
5. The 5 door interior is pretty naff (but in very good condition), is there a better trim level I can put in there?
6. Where is the best place to get parts from in the U.K OEM/performance for this model?
7. Anyone know of any good build/restoration threads/sites?
Cheers lads
I was having a mooch about and had a look underneath it, boot, bonnet and under the carpet and bugger me it's in good condition... but the paintwork has badly oxidised.... which isn't too much of a problem with a bit of wet and dry plus a t-cut.
I wouldn't have looked at it twice a few years ago, but it's growing on me now because there can't be many left on the road and i'm starting to appreciate retro cars more than I did in my yoof.
So i've got the choice of restoring this or a E30 325i...
I'm no ford buff so i've got a few questions to get it where I want it, since I want something at least comparable to the 325i speed wise.
1. Engine/gearbox-wise what are the easiest options for around 150bhp, I would prefer to stay away from turbo since I don't want the hassle of locating an intercooler.
2. I think it's got drums and piss poor discs on the front, i've read that 2wd discs on the front and 4wd calipers is as good as i'm going to get for bang per buck... but what can I do about the rear? I was thinking maybe buy the rear end off a RST breaker, which is the easiest option?
3. What's the best option for suspension on this car, I don't want to spend more than 500 but I would like front and rear strut braces.
4. Can I fit a mk3 front end and bonnet, will I need the wings too?
5. The 5 door interior is pretty naff (but in very good condition), is there a better trim level I can put in there?
6. Where is the best place to get parts from in the U.K OEM/performance for this model?
7. Anyone know of any good build/restoration threads/sites?
Cheers lads
Last edited by remus; 09-07-2009 at 02:47 PM.
09-07-2009, 06:03 PM
#2
sideways all the way!
We've got a ford Orion looking very sorry for itself on a G plate diesel, my dad used to run it but it hasn't been on the road for a fair while sitting in one of our fields.
I was having a mooch about and had a look underneath it, boot, bonnet and under the carpet and bugger me it's in good condition... but the paintwork has badly oxidised.... which isn't too much of a problem with a bit of wet and dry plus a t-cut.
I wouldn't have looked at it twice a few years ago, but it's growing on me now because there can't be many left on the road and i'm starting to appreciate retro cars more than I did in my yoof.
So i've got the choice of restoring this or a E30 325i...
I'm no ford buff so i've got a few questions to get it where I want it, since I want something at least comparable to the 325i speed wise.
1. Engine/gearbox-wise what are the easiest options for around 150bhp, I would prefer to stay away from turbo since I don't want the hassle of locating an intercooler.
2. I think it's got drums and piss poor discs on the front, i've read that 2wd discs on the front and 4wd calipers is as good as i'm going to get for bang per buck... but what can I do about the rear? I was thinking maybe buy the rear end off a RST breaker, which is the easiest option?
3. What's the best option for suspension on this car, I don't want to spend more than 500 but I would like front and rear strut braces.
4. Can I fit a mk3 front end and bonnet, will I need the wings too?
5. The 5 door interior is pretty naff (but in very good condition), is there a better trim level I can put in there?
6. Where is the best place to get parts from in the U.K OEM/performance for this model?
7. Anyone know of any good build/restoration threads/sites?
Cheers lads
I was having a mooch about and had a look underneath it, boot, bonnet and under the carpet and bugger me it's in good condition... but the paintwork has badly oxidised.... which isn't too much of a problem with a bit of wet and dry plus a t-cut.
I wouldn't have looked at it twice a few years ago, but it's growing on me now because there can't be many left on the road and i'm starting to appreciate retro cars more than I did in my yoof.
So i've got the choice of restoring this or a E30 325i...
I'm no ford buff so i've got a few questions to get it where I want it, since I want something at least comparable to the 325i speed wise.
1. Engine/gearbox-wise what are the easiest options for around 150bhp, I would prefer to stay away from turbo since I don't want the hassle of locating an intercooler.
2. I think it's got drums and piss poor discs on the front, i've read that 2wd discs on the front and 4wd calipers is as good as i'm going to get for bang per buck... but what can I do about the rear? I was thinking maybe buy the rear end off a RST breaker, which is the easiest option?
3. What's the best option for suspension on this car, I don't want to spend more than 500 but I would like front and rear strut braces.
4. Can I fit a mk3 front end and bonnet, will I need the wings too?
5. The 5 door interior is pretty naff (but in very good condition), is there a better trim level I can put in there?
6. Where is the best place to get parts from in the U.K OEM/performance for this model?
7. Anyone know of any good build/restoration threads/sites?
Cheers lads
2,think rst's had drum brakes?
3.not gota clue
4.as above
5.recaro's would go in out of a erst i think
6.not gota clue
7.not sure of any of them but orionmojo on here got a turbo one,he might be able point you in right direction.
good on you for saving one
Last edited by kosman; 09-07-2009 at 06:04 PM.
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