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

 

id go for the orion, so to answer your questions, i think these are right but correct me if im wrong

1 series 2 rst gearbox and 2l silvertop with a few tweaks for 150, (130 as standard)

2 i dont know if you want dics or not on the back but...rst has got drums aswell on the back but you can get conversion kits for disks on these cars

3 spax suspension, struts braces from omp or the likes

4 mk3 front end will fit but im unsure as to weather its the kit or full wings etc

5 rst turbo seats and dash should fit in easily enough

6 i have no idea where to get arts from though, demon tweakes may sell alot of the modification parts you need but ebay or here would be a good bet for the O.E.M. parts

7 some good restoration threads on here, and pictures aswell of orions,

hope this helps a little

 

all depends on why u wanna do it?to make money?try something new?orions bits are everywhere, and thankfully share most parts with the RST!!

dont fit disks on the back, unless u like facing the wrong way, fit some cossie 4x4 calipers and cossie 2wd disks on front, much improved!!

spax or konis as with strut braces, the back one can be hard to fit, as the seats cover the tops so getting a bar tht fits can be a pain.

to make it mk3 u will need the bonnet, front panel, wings, grill ect

interior wise, ghia stuff is the nicest with a set of recaros in front

ive built more onions then ive had hot dinners,love em,someones got to

 

I've just realised 2wd discs are 285mm and I want to use 14" alloys, what's the best setup I can use behind them?

 

tell ya what do the bmw and give me the orion to restore lol

 

series 2 rst brakes, with good pads calipers and brakelines, you should be fine

 

How much do they normally go for and what do I need?

The way it's going i'm gonna end up doing both lol!

 

lucky git having an orion to restore lol

 

If you boys want a mint Orion, my old man's is up for sale....27k miles from new, one owner....if you want to know any more PM me