I am very confused over this whole 'capri is better' thing so please enlighten me.
The 2 ltr and the capri (according to Quadrant, Bilstein supplier) they are the same part number insert so besides the bigger bearing what other massive advantages do people get all excited about.
I hear that the capri struts are stronger in the stub axle, thicker tube but if you are on the road or circuit when does that extra strength become worthwhile? I understand that they are shorter but if you are doing the coilover conversion that doesnt matter.
So besides not having to replace the wheel bearings more frequently what other positives are there to warrant getting the capri struts? Do they give more camber (insert front end word of choice here)? Does the car steer better? Do they make the car faster?
If it comes down to strength what is the benefit of going from one 25YO item to another 30YO old item. I guess the capri one would last better for being stronger but wouldn't both components be marginal?
So if I get my 2lt struts, get them gusseted, coil over converted, shortened, & whack some new bearings on where else would I be lacking? Would it be the 1st set of ripple strips I hit at speed or is it only really of concern when hitting pot holes in the bush at speed?
Maybe I need to open my eyes more...help me out with some nice technical stuff..!

Cheers

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject. I think I'll stick the 2L struts in.

Thanks guys.

You can also space out the steering are on the capri struts, so you can run a big brake kit.

Capri hubs have wider offset than 2lt. Bolt on steering arms make it easier to change bump steer characteristics.

Mk1/2 Cortina's have the same stub axle as capri and I crack one about every 2 years on Group N Lotus Cortina. They are crack tested and shot peened at least once a year.

If you can afford it you should be buying new struts.

OK great, that's what I needed to hear. Thanks very much for the tip.

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Originally posted by Mickas

You can also space out the steering are on the capri struts, so you can run a big brake kit.

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BOOM! Spot on - 330mm rotors and Brembos, these did not fit with 2L struts. I was sticking with 2L struts until I hit a snag and the rotor was going to touch the steering arm. The capri strut and removable steering arm allowed the combination to fit, though it did not require any spacing at all...So this is the only reason I changed...

quote:

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Originally posted by Blunny1

I am very confused over this whole 'capri is better' thing so please enlighten me.
The 2 ltr and the capri (according to Quadrant, Bilstein supplier) they are the same part number insert so besides the bigger bearing what other massive advantages do people get all excited about.
I hear that the capri struts are stronger in the stub axle, thicker tube but if you are on the road or circuit when does that extra strength become worthwhile? I understand that they are shorter but if you are doing the coilover conversion that doesnt matter.
So besides not having to replace the wheel bearings more frequently what other positives are there to warrant getting the capri struts? Do they give more camber (insert front end word of choice here)? Does the car steer better? Do they make the car faster?
If it comes down to strength what is the benefit of going from one 25YO item to another 30YO old item. I guess the capri one would last better for being stronger but wouldn't both components be marginal?
So if I get my 2lt struts, get them gusseted, coil over converted, shortened, & whack some new bearings on where else would I be lacking? Would it be the 1st set of ripple strips I hit at speed or is it only really of concern when hitting pot holes in the bush at speed?
Maybe I need to open my eyes more...help me out with some nice technical stuff..!
Cheers

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I'm a bit confused myself as to why people say 1.3L struts should be thrown away. The only difference I can spot is the M16 brakes on the 2L struts. But the leg OD, coil OD, and strut insert OD are all the same, and so is the distance between the top & bottom hats (210mm)


So the whole reason escort owners upgrade to 2L struts is simply because of the bigger brakes??

No no no,the OD of a 2 litre strut is rougthly 51mm and a 1.3 leg is 46mm may be less may be more as i've only ever had 2 litre struts but they are smaller in OD then a 2 litre strut anyway.
I'm sure some one on here will know the correct OD size of a 1.3 strut.

Troy

Correct, 1.3 and 1.6 have smaller ID OD and spring platforms.

The other than bigger brakes, is a larger diameter shock (more fluid).

Shaun

And in Mk2 Escort format the 1.3/1.6 struts even had the smae M16 calipers and brakes that the larger 2Lt struts did...

Not sure where you got the idea 1.3/1/6 struts are the same as 2Lt, as putting them side by side you can easily see the difference...