Hi all thanks for all your comments on my new car this will continue under projects as im stripping it down.

I would like to put in a V6, is it as easy as replacing the struts, cross member gearbox and diff. Will I require an engineering cetificate (Perth)

The car is currently an auto are there any traps when converting to a manual.

Just so I can start looking arround for parts. I saw a 3L V6 for sale or $1000

Regards
Mark B

Why dont you just put a v8 in it and be done with it.Probably be cheaper and easier than converting to a v6.

Mark,

That Capri you have is a very nice find and its an excellent example of an original unmodified Capri - it would be a bit of a shame to do the mods in my opinion. I also believe you may lose a fair bit of value in the car if you do so. If you really want to do an engine upgrade I would suggest getting a nice recon 2lt pinto,with a bit of work you could get 150HP from it which would be the same as a stock V6. it would be a much cheaper option and would be easier to convert back to original spec. That way you dont need to mess around with brakes/suspension. The re-sale on a 4cyl which has had a V6 put into it is not very good, and anyone who knows their Capri's will always be able to tell. Its only my opinion, we should catch up soon, i'd like to see your new Capri.

BTW - can you send your e-mail address to Perthcapri@bigpond.com so I can contact you for the next Perth Capri cruise.

regards Paul

Mark if I was going to do an engine swap I would be doing what Hotboostgt suggested & put a Windsor in it but I do understand why you want to go the V6 path but I do believe that would harm the resale value of the car & after having seen the car I think the car is a really good example & would also be great as is but with a manual or maybe even a Zetec or Duratech powerplant would also be a lot of fun.

Kev.

I haven’t made up my mind yet I was just checking out what was involved. I do agree that it is an unmodified Capri but a 1600 auto and not even a GT – not very exciting. I need to change the gearbox and motor and would also fit ventilated discs to it, there is not a lot more for the V6 – but this is why I posted it on the forum just to get some more ideas way up the good and bad points.
With the V8 I would prefer not to need engineering papers not after a race car, and currently my diesel work car is much quicker than the 1600 auto.

Regards Mark B

I am in the middle of putting a Pinto with a 5 speed in my 1600.I thought that to put a V8 in the upgrades list was very long,and for ME the important thing is to have a car that I can drive now not spend the next ? years building it. In saying that I started with a fairly good body straight with only a little rust, but still my financial manager (wife) took a deep breath when she saw the bill for the engine rebuild today.I found this site ( http://www.jagqld.org.au/Bulletin/Nuts-n-bolts.htm#Top )a good site to start on,although it is about Jags the a lot of the information is general especially the Reviving; not restoring section
Sorry if I got carried away good luck

John

I have to disagree with the others. Original 1600's arent and will never be collectors items so originality in a 1600 adds very little value. As for a v8 the capris are too light in the back end for that much power and weight if you want a sensible daily drive.

To change to v6 you dont need new struts, just heavier springs, bigger brakes and will have to modify the gearbox mount and the transmission tunnel for your shifter. Not sure about front cross member. You will need v6 tacho. As it wont be original anyway you might as well go for a 5 speed. Most v6's that are supposedly original dont have matching numbers anyway.

Even without being an original, a done up v6 will have better resale than an original 1600. If you do a nice job it will be worth more than some of the shabby original v6's.

Your other option is to do up the $1000 V6 and make the 1600 the donor car, especially if it has matching numbers.

Just my 2c.

quote:

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Originally posted by GTV6

Most v6's that are supposedly original dont have matching numbers anyway.

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I'm not trying to have a go at you GTV6, but I just have to disagree here. There just isn't any evidence available to support this kind of statement. I'm also not sure that an original 1600 will never be a collectors item, I think they already are to an extent.

Apart from that, each to their own.

Cheers
Jamie

quote:

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Originally posted by coolbeer6

I would like to put in a V6, is it as easy as replacing the struts, cross member gearbox and diff.

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I've not done this conversion, but you could possibly get away with just changing cross member and diff and leave the auto box in. I'm not entirely sure, but if you went down this road you may just need a V6 flex plate and torque converter for your auto to be compatible with the V6 engine. If you're definately going the manual g/box route, then go a 5spd.

If it was my car though, I'd leave it all original and restore it that way.

Cheers
Jamie

quote:

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Originally posted by whooligan

Hell no! For once I actually agree with Jamie.[:I]

I don't think not having a matching number V6 capri makes it any less original than one that hasn't has it's block replaced. Most cars over the space of 40 plus years will have replaced their motor ( be it the same type) or improved.

As for the 1600 auto....my first capri was exactly that and it was like being married to a hot looking nun. Nice to look at but totally usless for the purpose you wanted it for. I wasted thousands of dollars and nine years on that biatch only to sell her for $100 to a drag racer.

I say rip that Kent habit off her and find the loose womantiest Essex maid's costume you can find. The old v6 in standard form sounds 10 x better than the hottest x-flow you could ever build. They were designed for go karts and in my opinion that's all they are good for....and taking grannys to the shops, bless them.

When all is said and done, it's your car and you have to be happy driving it.

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I should slightly clarify my statement, but not that I want to stop agreeing with you Glenn.

If you want to get technical, the most original car would have it's original engine, g/box, air filter, blinker globes etc etc, but I agree a V6GT with a different engine is still a V6GT.

Since Glenn and I are agreeing so much, I'd also like to echo his statement that it's your car, you should do what you want to it. My 1600 Deluxe isn't original anymore (I have the parts to take it back)but I like it the way it is, and am rebuilding it that way. If I had my time again, I'd probably ditch the Kent and go for a Ford twin cam engine of some sort (Duratec, Zetec etc).

Cheers
Jamie