So making some progress.  The (mostly) budget theme continues.
Using as much as I can from my spare parts collection
 
Front suspension.
 
2 lt struts, cleaned up and gusseted.

 
Bought some adjustable platforms from Carl at Smckaperformance. I have some left over 225lb springs so will use them.
 
Bought some camry shocks on sale from Supercheap ($8 an insert!!) will cut down the tubes and shorten the struts. Have some old roller bearing mk2 cortina tops. front legs = done.
 
Camber 
The cortina roll tops don't alloy for camber adjustment and I don't have any tops. So opted to modify the crossmember.

 


 
 
 
 
 
 

Needed some more caster so modified the sway bar mounts. I read differing reports between 20-25mm so went in the middle with 22.5mm :) 
 
Cut the mounts off. Filled the hole with some 3mm flat bar. Then welded them back forward and dressed the welds. Pretty simple job really.
 
Also started cleaning up some old 13x6 wheels as I need to run road legal rubber.
 




 
 
 
 

Rear suspension is basic.
 
I will fit some lowering blocks that I already have and some tramp rods I never installed before purchasing a 4 link.
 
I think for the limited power I have and its use that will be fine.
 
Also another score from the Supercheap clearance line. $10 Toyota shock absorbers!
 
Also fitted front lights and grill and rear bumper and taillights.
Mocked up the first cleaned up rim..  They look good.

 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The front end is all done and back in. Just have to finish off the shells to I can fit some rubber. Looks like the front lips On the arches may need a trim due to the new found caster. I ended up fitting my 2.2 quickrack. Will see how the steering feels otherwise diy electronic steering is realatively cheap.

Went with 1" blocks On the rear. Still need to weld on tramp rods.

Last thing to do is build an exhaust. I think I've enough bits lying around. Time and weather permitting a may get it done this weekend. (Unfortunately I can't make small ford Sunday.... 😭)

Realised I haven't posted anypics from the motorkhana. Will have to dig some out. All went well and had a blast. Everyone was very welcoming and interested in an old 'new' car. Did have a few minor issues though, as can be expected from a last minute (finished midnight the night before) build. Alternator wasn't charging and when I went to fit my wheels I discovered one of the struts was bent!
Anyway, have re checked the front end, fixed a few niggly issues, loose bonnet and boot, and re did another pair of front struts. I've been collecting materials ready for any 14 day quarantine, where hopefully, might get to properly paint it.

Wow, almost a year on and not much happened. 
 
Covid lockdown kinda put an end to all the fun.
 
Fast forward to this year and suddenly motorsport is back on the calendar,,, so, drag out the old girl again a week before hand and give her some love.
 
Fitted up some 45 webers I had, (which unfortunately resulted in over fuelling down low, sounded good at revs though), strut brace, catch can, some capri (rs) 13x6 alloys, moved, modified and replumbed the hydraulic handbrake and generally went around the car and tightened bolts that either had come loose or in some cases weren't there at all....
 
The car had a few issues, over fuelling down low, hydraulic handbrake came loose however went better than the first outing, (with less rattles.... :) )
 
The car has always been a throw together using a collection of the many, many spare parts I have stashed away. It's great fun as it's not 'pretty', so I'm not too precious about it.
 
At the moment I'm torn between 2 new engines for a bit more oomph... again, using most parts I have laying around or getting the best bang for buck on a budget.
 
I've a sierra manifold/ecu/loom -  so may go low boost turbo on existing..
 
or.....
 
I have a c20xe calibra head here, with rwd gearbox. Looking at 2.0, 2.2 or 2.4 bottom ends from the GM family II engines,,,, 
 
Should be interesting.....  I'm leaning towards the bigblock redtop...just for something different.
 
And because everyone loves pictures...
 
 

Great little budget banger there, 👍
Go with the XE Redtop mate, some proper grunt comes from them as long as it's Coscast version. I've wanted to Vauxhall XE an Escort since they came out (early 90s) but you know what the purist anoraks are like... They are a better head design than Zetec meaning more power for less work 👍😁

Yes Marty, it's the coscast version. Closest thing I'll ever have now to a cossie in any of my escorts.

I'm looking at a few bottom ends at the moment, either 2.2 from a Vectra or Frontera, 2.4 from a Rodeo, or 2.0 from one of the many 2.0 options. Looking at the sumps, rodeo, Frontera and deawoo are all rear sump so I think with some carefully engine mount placement and maybe a trim of the cross member, I'll be able to get away with a factory sump. (Can't yet Tig, so making/moding an alloy sump is beyond me)

I have a rodeo 2wd gearbox which will mate to GM family II pattern bellhousing.

I would think a 2.2 or 2.4 block with redtop head on webers or gsxr tb's should do close to 200hp without too much trouble?

The head I have is from a turbo calibra (mild cams) so I might need to fork out for some regrinds.

Still getting a giggle out of this car.. lots of comments and people can't work it out. 4 door, with a full cage, and yet has bits they wouldn't expect, like rs alloys and engine mounts. The more I think about it, a budget, big block red top would suit the car perfectly....

Shaun.

If you get the rodeo 2.4 it'll most likely need a freshen up. The aus made Astra came out with 2.2 but wasn't much on the regular 2.0.
Edit.. rodeo also came out with a 2.6..

Yep, but the 2.6 wasn't the family II GM compatible engine. The latest Ra rodeo's have the c24se, and before that the c22 which the redblock head will swap straight on to.... Unfortunately, yes, they are usually high KMs. Will do some searching.