2019/04/09 16:48:59
Wiggy333
Why the Sylvia crossmember Blue74. Is it for power steering or something similar. Will you need engineering with it?
2019/04/09 16:49:21
blue74
Yes Wiggy, all the mods will need engineering. The main reason for the Silvia suspension is to increase the track as I plan to use Cologne arches. The standard Capri track can't be widened legally by more than 25mm overall so the wider Silvia suspension will widen the track sufficiently however I will have to choose wheels wisely to suit the Capri era. Nothing worse than a car that looks like a Hot Wheels car! Any wheel ideas would be appreciated.
Power steering Ford 5 stud pattern and a lower scrub radius is a follow on benefit of the conversion also.
The front cross member is now tacked in place and I have started on mounting brackets for the caster rods mount. They look a bit agricultural at the moment however as they progress I will neaten them up.
I endevour to use the Capri's existing mounting points for these also. Although I like mods I plan to have the whole suspension conversion reversible if someone decides to down the track. 
 

 
Now the suspension is mocked up it's time to put some wheels on and get it on the ground to check the wheel alignment and tyre to guard alignment (thanks spud for giving me some dimensions to start from), before fully welding everything.
 

 

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2019/04/11 11:02:16
blue74
Wheel alignment came up OK however would like a bit more caster. the Silvia's have about 6° I have 2 - 3°. I will get some adjustable strut tops should sort this out. Although the Capri only has about 1°.
Width wise came up pretty good, now to align the used Cologne arches on poor fitting fiber glass guards., will be fun.
I didn't want to cut up the original steel guards and would prefer to bond similar materials where possible. I don't have any choice for the rear though.

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2019/04/13 19:38:45
Wiggy333
Awesome work. Where are the guards from?
2019/05/04 08:30:59
Jackdr22
hey man good build I'm looking at doing the same thing to my Mk3 Capri with the Silvia front end only I'm doing the Silvia rear end as well. I would be keen to have a chat and pick your brains if you're ok with that? and also just wondering if you got as far as to put in a collapsible steering column in there as required by VSB 14, I'm just looking at that myself now there's quite a few options out there but I want to get one that removes all the ancillary controls and put them on the stalk.
Jack
2019/05/05 16:58:04
Wiggy333
For rear arches the 2600rs had fiber glass bonded to the rear wheel tubs. Saw one on the weekend so it’s doable and how the cologne 2600 was sent from factory. Owner pointed out the finger prints clamping the fiberglass to rear wheel wells.
2019/05/07 00:11:45
blue74
Thanks Wiggy, it would have been good to get to the Capri 50th anniversary to see that car, I did see some pictures of it from the weekend.
Jack, I haven't got much further than what you see in the pictures. Is it because you want to increase the track you need to use Silvia suspension? Fitting the rear independent suspension would be nice however a lot of work including cutting a section out of the chassis. I have to be realistic, I would never get my car finished if I went down that route however it is tempting.
I haven't decided what column I will use for mine, I did keep the S13 one however it is missing a couple of parts and it may be easier to look for something else. As for switching on the column, most columns that are collapsible will have the combination switch on it.
Make sure you do a forum post of your Capri's progress when you get to it.
All I have done in the last couple of weeks is make some brackets for the camber rod mounts and have joined the front mount brackets to the cross member. This will tie it all together as I have a 4 cylinder shell and it doesn't have the strengthening plates on the chassis rails. It also gives me a place to attach the sway bar mounting brackets.
 
 
 

 
Gave the S13 lower control arms a clean and lick of paint then fitted S15 ball joints to them, these are needed to suit the S15 knuckles.
 

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2019/06/11 23:15:05
blue74
Over the last couple of weeks slow progress has been made.
I have aligned the front cologne arches using items from my "building tools", namely the plumb bob.
 

 
The arches were then glued to the guards with resin before sections are removed from the inner guard and the join glassed together. I have been doing this in sections, reattaching the guards to the car for curing so the shape stays where I need it.
 

The bonnet has also had it's GT bonnet pin holes filled and smoothed.

 

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2019/06/11 23:33:53
blue74
Last week I went to the local wreckers armed with some measurements from the Capri and my tape measure and came home with an EL Falcon steering column. I kept the S13 column however it is too bulky where it goes between the pedals and through the firewall to work with the Capri.


 
With upper and lower brackets made the Falcon column is now bolted to the Capri just needing the intermediate shaft to be fabricated to work. Some of the reasons I chose the EL Falcon column are it has a compact shroud, is a good length and thin, has height and reach adjustment and has modern switching on the stalks except for headlights and most importantly it is collapsible to please the engineer.
I have also bought a steering wheel boss for my more period Sass wheel although don't have a picture of it yet.

 


 
What do you folk who drive Capri's think of the standard Capri steering wheel height? would you prefer it to be higher or lower or is it good where it is?
I could go up higher if I relieved the column into the under dash bracket, however have left it where it is for now using the blue brackets I made and tacked together that can be seen in the picture.
 

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2019/07/03 22:28:34
blue74
So, I wasn't really happy with the steering wheel height so removed it all and recessed the large bracket under the dash that supports the pedals and column to allow the column to sit closer to the dash surround. It fits quite nicely now and looks like it should be there. It will also suit my driving position more as I am a bald headed upright, bent elbow kind of driver rather than a flat cap, seat back type, although it is adjustable for them also.
 

 
Made an adapter to mate the two steering shafts together, aligned the shafts and tacked together.

 
I want to make the car a bit old school looking so wanted to keep my old SAAS steering wheel and horn button however, the Ford badge had seen better days. Tried searching for a new one however was unsuccessful so had some time tonight and gave it a polish with 1200 then buffing compound. Came up OK although like everything it will be covered in dust several times before I get to use it!

 

 

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