Discussion
Just to answer a few questions from the Monaro section of the forum....
DevilYellowCV8, the rear suspension is single leaf with superflex bushes and Leda adjustable dampers. I also fitted an A-frame location kit from Capri Club onto the Ford 8.8" axle and the handling is suprisingly good. With the previous SmallBlock Chevy it was certainly a handful in the wet, but I guess most powerful rear wheel drive cars are. In the dry however. the grip available under hard acceleration surprised many passengers and was actually very good. Of course it would spin if provoked but used with restraint, was very fast. With full trim, tank of fuel, toolbox and on normal street tyres it would run 12.8/108mph in the 1/4 mile.
This LS1 is a different matter though. Very smooth, vibration free running and instant throttle response.......at least on the way to its MOT.....which it failed!
Too much brake pedal travel(I knew that really) and incorrect pressure to rear brakes (too much). I had m/cylinder issues before with the large rear brakes on the 8.8 axle and it seems I need to look into the whole problem again. However I`ve got so much DIY to do around the house that it`s going to be some time before I get the opportunity to fix it once and for all.
DevilYellowCV8, the rear suspension is single leaf with superflex bushes and Leda adjustable dampers. I also fitted an A-frame location kit from Capri Club onto the Ford 8.8" axle and the handling is suprisingly good. With the previous SmallBlock Chevy it was certainly a handful in the wet, but I guess most powerful rear wheel drive cars are. In the dry however. the grip available under hard acceleration surprised many passengers and was actually very good. Of course it would spin if provoked but used with restraint, was very fast. With full trim, tank of fuel, toolbox and on normal street tyres it would run 12.8/108mph in the 1/4 mile.
This LS1 is a different matter though. Very smooth, vibration free running and instant throttle response.......at least on the way to its MOT.....which it failed!
Too much brake pedal travel(I knew that really) and incorrect pressure to rear brakes (too much). I had m/cylinder issues before with the large rear brakes on the 8.8 axle and it seems I need to look into the whole problem again. However I`ve got so much DIY to do around the house that it`s going to be some time before I get the opportunity to fix it once and for all.
Uk Robert said:
Just to answer a few questions from the Monaro section of the forum....
UK Robert,
I just wanted to point out that it originated as a HSV (www.hsv.com.au) section and due to Vauxhall bringing the Monaro's to the UK some of which are HSV's, that section is sometimes mistaken as a Monaro board.
My understanding of the board is it started as a HSV forum and is now a PH board mainly for GM manufactured cars with LS1/LS2 engines.
Also, will you be taking your creation to any meets sometime soon?
Cheers
>> Edited by strife on Monday 15th May 17:32
>> Edited by strife on Monday 15th May 17:33
Sounds like a load of fun. Thanks for the info. The A frame set up I had was a Scorpion and it really made one hell of a difference.
I've had a succession of Capri's from a humble 1.6l through to the 2.8i Special. The latter was a blast to drive in it's day.
A 280 was to have been my next 'weekend' car, but the cost of some of the examples out there was a bit OTT and I've got used to my creature comforts now and the Monaro, OK, a tad more expensive, is certainly the modern day equivalent for me.
It would be really good to see your car one day, as an 'honory' member at a Monaro meet one day - after all, you're kind of related now.
I've had a succession of Capri's from a humble 1.6l through to the 2.8i Special. The latter was a blast to drive in it's day.
A 280 was to have been my next 'weekend' car, but the cost of some of the examples out there was a bit OTT and I've got used to my creature comforts now and the Monaro, OK, a tad more expensive, is certainly the modern day equivalent for me.
It would be really good to see your car one day, as an 'honory' member at a Monaro meet one day - after all, you're kind of related now.
You're so right in saying the Monaro is a modern day Capri.....my thoughts exactly. I've never been able to get the Capri thing out of my system, hence I've just bought a Mk3 2.8 for a bit of summer fun to go with my 300ZX.......but the Monaro is my long term goal over the next few years.
Just like the Capri, the Monaro is good looking, without being OTT, fast, fun and RWD. It also just about cuts it as sensible as you can get four people in it and there's enough luggage space for the weekly shop.
Just wish Ford would give us a modern day Capri, or at least get the Mustang over here in RHD
Just like the Capri, the Monaro is good looking, without being OTT, fast, fun and RWD. It also just about cuts it as sensible as you can get four people in it and there's enough luggage space for the weekly shop.
Just wish Ford would give us a modern day Capri, or at least get the Mustang over here in RHD
Not wanting to bring the Monaro down, some would say that it is the 'Poor man's sports car' of this decade, just as they did with the Capri. Funny thing thing is, the cheaper sports cars from volume manufacturers are a hell of a lot more fun and capture the public imagination alot more.
Sadly Ford lost the plot in the mid 80's when it came to coupes. The XR4i (the model that was supposed to kill the Capri off and failed big time) was a disaster followed by the even greater disaster of the Probe. The Cougar, well, I'll not go there. In Ford's case, Lightening doesn't strike twice. Shame really, GM Europe pulled it off in stunning fashion with the latter Opel Manta's and the Calibra (debatable I know, but Opel/VX shifted so many, demand outstripped production for nearly 2 years).
The Capri 2.8i (special) is probably, even with what I'm driving now, still my most favourite car and I just have a massive soft spot for the things. It was soooo simple to work on, sounded good, even with the pea shooter exhausts and was just so uncomplicated yet involving to drive (if you forget the dreadful type N gearbox - fixed that with a Quickshift).
Mind you, I'd love a spin in the 3.0. Supposed to have more torque than the Cologne unit I think and some say the better engine of the two?
If I could afford one and keep it somewhere, I'd be off hunting for one right now. My wife is already complaining about the shed full of Capri bits - I'm just waiting for the right car to come along and they'll be put to good use - honest.
I wonder if the driving experience is even better with an LS1 power plant stuffed in it?
Sorry to wander off topic a bit, but to see a project like this is really good and it shows that 70's styling with turn of the century technology can still cut it with today;s Euro boxes.
And I'm really, really, really jealous now....
Sadly Ford lost the plot in the mid 80's when it came to coupes. The XR4i (the model that was supposed to kill the Capri off and failed big time) was a disaster followed by the even greater disaster of the Probe. The Cougar, well, I'll not go there. In Ford's case, Lightening doesn't strike twice. Shame really, GM Europe pulled it off in stunning fashion with the latter Opel Manta's and the Calibra (debatable I know, but Opel/VX shifted so many, demand outstripped production for nearly 2 years).
The Capri 2.8i (special) is probably, even with what I'm driving now, still my most favourite car and I just have a massive soft spot for the things. It was soooo simple to work on, sounded good, even with the pea shooter exhausts and was just so uncomplicated yet involving to drive (if you forget the dreadful type N gearbox - fixed that with a Quickshift).
Mind you, I'd love a spin in the 3.0. Supposed to have more torque than the Cologne unit I think and some say the better engine of the two?
If I could afford one and keep it somewhere, I'd be off hunting for one right now. My wife is already complaining about the shed full of Capri bits - I'm just waiting for the right car to come along and they'll be put to good use - honest.
I wonder if the driving experience is even better with an LS1 power plant stuffed in it?
Sorry to wander off topic a bit, but to see a project like this is really good and it shows that 70's styling with turn of the century technology can still cut it with today;s Euro boxes.
And I'm really, really, really jealous now....
I`d like to get it back to immaculate condition soon, but I think I will just run it with no interior and have the computer/ecu wiring left on view until any potential problems are ironed out. The car is in good nick still though, I`ve looked after it for the 23yrs I`ve had it but it has never had a professional respray and is now suffering from faded paintwork in places. I want to go to several shows/meetings soon but the car project is taking too long due to work at home and an attentive 4 yr old!!
Funny how after all these years, a nice Capri is now more highly regarded than it has ever been among car enthusiasts. Second-hand prices for a good one are stronger now than for a long time. Around here,in Norfolk, I don`t see many at all, regardless of condition and whenever I took mine out it got quite a few people looking at it.
They are good fun and easy to maintain and can be made to rival modern cars with some sensible and well-proven modifications. My car even has wind-up windows....!
Funny how after all these years, a nice Capri is now more highly regarded than it has ever been among car enthusiasts. Second-hand prices for a good one are stronger now than for a long time. Around here,in Norfolk, I don`t see many at all, regardless of condition and whenever I took mine out it got quite a few people looking at it.
They are good fun and easy to maintain and can be made to rival modern cars with some sensible and well-proven modifications. My car even has wind-up windows....!
Wow, wind up windows! There's a novelty these days. My drivers window used to open rapidly it's self when I hit speed bumps.
Ah, simple driving pleasures.
Did the Mk 3's all have re-enforced inner wings as standard from the factory, or did you have have to do the job your self? I can see you've welded the strut tops with plates.
Ah, simple driving pleasures.
Did the Mk 3's all have re-enforced inner wings as standard from the factory, or did you have have to do the job your self? I can see you've welded the strut tops with plates.
They are strut re-inforcement plates from Capri Club which I welded on top of the existing sound inner wing. I think only the 3.0ltr and 2.8ltr received the various reinforcement plates which I`ve duplicated. I also stitch-welded the entire chassis and stitch welded the inner strut tower.
One mistake I`ve made was to use rose-jointed adjustable TCA`s, both inner and outer bushes. This made the car very "nervous" and almost too responsive to small steering inputs. I am about to change them for nylon bushes. The TCA`s are set up for 1.5degrees negative camber and this really made a difference to how the car handled...much less understeer.
One mistake I`ve made was to use rose-jointed adjustable TCA`s, both inner and outer bushes. This made the car very "nervous" and almost too responsive to small steering inputs. I am about to change them for nylon bushes. The TCA`s are set up for 1.5degrees negative camber and this really made a difference to how the car handled...much less understeer.
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