African Muscle Cars - Forum

ok so this is my second project car. my first car was a opel kadett GSI. don't think u guys wil be interested in this but here's the link anyways http://www.opelownersforum.co.za/forum/ ... t=ibanezrg. problem with that project was money and i had to rush it after i had an accident with my other car.

so now after selling that car and buying a Polo TDI.... i was in need of something with a little more power. searched a few weeks and decided to buy a Ford Capri and fit a V8 in it. Like with the opel i need some help from the guys who know how its done. so i bought this 1971 capri, originaly this was the 2000GT, the guy i bought it from fitted a 3L V6.

now what i need to know is:

-what engine will work best? ford 351 or 302 ?
-what gearbox?
-what diff?
-what radiator?

now i know that i'll have to mod the steering rack, can i mod the original one or is there a replacement ?

the rubbers that hold the front and back windscreen in place seem brittle, where can i get new ones ?









now i've stripped the car and started to cut out the rust and welding some metal in from a beetle roof that i still had lying around.

Hi, welcome

Some answers:

IbanezRG wrote:-what engine will work best? ford 351 or 302 ?

302 Windsor, because it is the smallest and lightest, and has been done plenty times before

-what gearbox?

* 4 speed Ford top loader - practically indestructable, uses standard parts - only 4 gears
* Toyota Cressida - very strong, 5 nice ratios - needs non standard parts
* Tremec T5 - cheap, plentiful, uses standard parts - does not take abuse, bit is fine with a fairly stock motor

-what diff?

* Clone a Perana diff. Borg Warner center (used on many South African cars and bakkies) Capri 3 litre tubes and hubs - needs custom sideshafts
* Narrowed Borg Warner (from those many ZA cars)
* Stock 3 litre axle - will live behing a mild V8 if not abused
Don't be tempted to use a 9 inch, unless you are building a big power car. Although indestructable they are big and soak up quite a bit of power.

-what radiator?

Look at a Perana - anything of similar size. Electric fans make life much easier

now i know that i'll have to mod the steering rack, can i mod the original one or is there a replacement ?

If you use a Mustang camel sump (two humps) you don't have to touch a thing it all just fits.

the rubbers that hold the front and back windscreen in place seem brittle, where can i get new ones ?

Available from the UK - search for user 'Jumblemaster' on ebay.co.uk. Excellent product and excellent service. Don't waste your time with any other either from the UK or in ZA. Back rubbers are expensive! About £50 now. Unless your back windscreen rubber is totally rubbish, just replace the chrome filler strip, and hide it under a louvre. DON'T lose the little aluminium corner pieces for the trim - virtually unobtainable, and so expensive.

thanks a lot for the answers

as for those alu trimming corners .....i've got one

Hi Ibanez,

All Johns' advice is spot on, he has a Perana rep of his own.

The 302 will have all the power you will need in a Capri body and they're relatively cheap to build.

If you need any advice as you go along just ask.

Good luck with the build.

Cheers

Paul

Thanks paul.. At the moment time and money is slowing me down a bit. But I will certainly need the advice !

Thanks

Denis

IbanezRG wrote: ......money is slowing me down a bit. ...........
Thanks

Denis

Hi Dennis - speaking of 'slowing down' I notice you haven't addressed the prospect of wanting to stop the car yet?

Front brakes?

When you do - give me a shout!

ta Chris

Good point Chris, you can only go as fast as you can stop!!

Yes I forgot to mention upgrading the brakes. Will certainly give you a shout ! Thanks chris

For now I'm just gonna do all the body work first and save some money for the other stuff

still busy with bodywork.. car is stripped, did a lot of cutting, welding and grinding. will start with filler this week. i'll upload some photos of the progress soon.

T5 gearboxes are not cheap and not plentifull... Maybe in the UK not in SA...