It's crazy to think about how much work we have ahead of us to bring this little old Euro monster back to life and back to the track! But with the parts and now the knowledge to bring it back to life... we're on the right path of bringing it back right!
We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard....The other things he was talking about included fixing old Capri's....don't let anyone put you off. If it ain't crazy it ain't worth doing....go for it.
It certainly seems to be something people are interested in so far, who would have thought!? We're going to do our best to bring this thing back to life and back to the track in proper form. It's a TON of work and more than a little bit scary but.... we are traveling the path!
He's certainly not one to pull any punches that's for sure but that's what you want in someone like this on a project like this. We have a big, big, BIG challenge ahead of us bringing this thing back to life.
You are blessed to have Norm close by. I was so blessed to finally buy an old airplane and found a business that dealt in specialty parts for it. The company had been in Middletown, Ohio for years. This was about 20 minutes from Hamilton, Ohio where I used to live. Then I found out that they had sold to a company in Swansea, SC which is about 45 minutes away from me in Augusta, Georgia!
My first car was a 76 Capri when I was 16. it had been documented out of Germany as a Mercury. It had a 2.3(2300) and 4 speed. I still believe that someone before me had done some work on the motor cuz it was crazy powered for a 4 banger. I had a friend who had a 74 with a V6 in it, and he couldn't touch mine. He took mine for a drive because he couldn't believe that he couldn't shake me with his bigger motor, and was amazed at the difference! Plus it would lay down some decent rubber and would still squeak the wheels going into 3rd gear! And the handling was just as crazy. I knew a guy who had a vette, and obviously my car was no contest for power, but I would run his ass down on curves! It even had a wind back sunroof that slide back into the roof rather than tipping up, which I still have never seen on another. I really miss that car! I only let it go because the brakes were done on it, I literally only had one caliper left working, and here in Ontario at that time, all of the brake parts were obsolete. Unfortunately 2 months later I discovered a place that had a huge store of all the brake parts! So I could have kept it going longer. If I could afford it, I would look into the one you were looking at when you got the parts car. I wish I could post a pic of it on here, it wasn't fancy and I only had the funds of a 16 year old, but I was proud it!
If those 3.0s were available here in the states we would definitely be putting that HIGH on the list of possible powerplants. Hopefully it's going to be a fun little machine again in the not tooooo distant future 😉
Cosmic Cool!!!! It doesn’t get any better than that!! Mr Norm is outstanding!! Not only a wealth of knowledge, but a cool guy! Can’t wait to see how this Cosmic Capri of coolness gets built!
Thanks for the update! These kinda things can be on the edge of crazy, but damned sure full on cool shit to. I ended up buying a collection of another Ford product from a guy(also former racer) states away - took 4 trips! But on the last trip, ended up meeting his buddy who'd been part of the racing days; he told me "whatever he told you in info/tips, write it down & DON'T lose it! When we ran back in the day, he was the only one innovative enough to get banned from tracks in 3 states!" -Point is, you never know what kind of fun, cool stuff you'll get into, or who you may meet by taking the alternate path. Good work, keep it coming!
Norm and I are good friends. I met him back in 1992 at a Capri gathering in Denver, CO when we shared a room for the weekend. He's very knowledgeable on Capri's and owns a number of very rare ones. A very good source for info. I posted link to the first video Lucore made on the Capri to the Capri Facebook page so I can say I kind of got the two parties together.
He's definitely a great connection and a HUGE wealth of knowledge for us! Had no idea we would find such a community to these cars, and so close to home. Sign from the universe that we NEED to bring this thing back to life and back to the track? We think so! Thanks for encouraging us to get in touch and helping get some eye balls on this project 😀
My first car was a Mk1 Capri 1600...that was the push rod engine...bullet proof but gutless...loved the style wish I still had it...in the UK the one you have was called the Mk1 Facelift...so glad you're helping to keep one on the road...looking forward to more on this subject.
That was crazy how much that guy really knew you can just tell he knew every bolt on the whole car that was crazy like he designed it you guys got him to reference to I don't think you can go wrong I'm excited to see where it goes good luck guys
Howdy, nice to meet you. I'm in Dallas and crush cars. I just posted a video of one of them Capri's. A buddy (subscriber) said maybe you might in interested. I looking forward to checking out the channel. I'm not a car guy but i can understand how others are. I do like junk cars 👍🤠
Lol I think EVERYONE wanted us to connect, we are very thankful for everyone who reached out and pointed us in the right direction! As you can tell, he's totally on board with our craziness with this thing 😀
It's great to see people in North America still doing things with the European Capri. In Canada this was the Mercury Capri. I had two of them when I was younger and raced them in armature rally. I can understand them looking at the 2L four for the class but come on the power that can be gotten out of the 2.6 or 2.8 (Well maybe it's no longer possible I don't really know). But I was running a fully bored out race engine with race pistons and cam high rise manifold with four barrel carb Hooker headers etc. It was a power house!
Love your Capri videos had several of them over the years but let all of them go but I just saw 2 Pinto 2.0 motors on Facebook marketplace in Seymour TN. For 500.00 . Good luck and God Bless.
I wish I still had it :( but I still have the workshop manual. Mine was a 1970 2994cc 3.0l V6 (I'm in Australia) It definitely did not have the Siamese exhaust ports, they were evenly spaced. I don't have many photos of it but I had the motor out of it and I would have remembered if it had Siamese ports. There's no mention of them in my workshop manual either. Maybe Norm can shed some light on that one. Loving this build
There were two V6 engines built in Europe - the 'Cologne' 2.6 / 2.8 Litre (built guess where) and the 'Essex' 3.0 Litre built in Dagenham UK. The V4 Norm referred to was again built in Cologne and Dagenham with Cologne building 1.2 litre to 1.7 litre versions. They found a home in some Transits and Capris and the SAAB 96. The Dagenham V4 was used in many UK built cars which included the Capri up to 2 Litres. It was also key to the new Ford Transit van which had a short stubby nose. What we used to do there was use the front panel and bonnet (hood) from the diesel version which had a straight 4 engine and put the Essex 3 litre engine in place. Ambulances and Emergency Transits always had V6s. It always makes me smile that Americans see the Transit as a new van from 2015 we have had them as an icon on British roads since 1965. No respectable or maybe aspirational Group in the '60s used any van other than a Transit to cart the amplifiers and instruments about. Ask me how I know.
The Capri also used the 2.0, 2.3 Cologne V6 in Europe. There was also a 1800 version, but that was they early years of the Cologne and was never fitted to the Capri. That engine was only available for the 17M P7 from 1968 to 1971. The 2.3 was available in GT version with higher compession than normal with 125hp, vs 108hp as normal. And it is bolloks that a 2.8 can't get more than 200hp. The fact is the euro inlet manifold flow more air than the US spec one and heads are not that bad either. For those who want to fit Offenhouser on the euro 2.8 or 2.6, buy the one ment for the 2.6 as the engine was the same for euro and us spec. I had a euro 2.8 with home ported heads and inlet manifold, 38 DGAS carb, fast road camshaft for 2.8i (higher lift than carb engines), headers, 2" exhaust, electronic ignition, 8.5mm Magnecor spark wires, and Motorcraft racing spark plugs running on 98 octane (our regular gas is either 95 or 98 octane). That thing did 0-62 in 6.5 sec flat. 2.8i with 160hp do the same in 7.9 sec. It was never dynoed but did revs to 7k ish (spec on camshaft said 1500-6500rpm). That engine was homebuilt by a coworker at that time and I bought it for cheap. I added the 38 DGAS Weber carb, Magnecor spark wires, electronic ignition and the headers. And I did use Penzoil oil and Motorcraft filter. That engine lived well when I sold my project in mid 2000s and had lasted well in my ownership and it was driven hard many times. My current Capri has a 2.3 Cologne engine that will later be replaced by a 250hp 2.9 12v which was built by a known engine builder some years ago. Revorked engine with stock parts. These engines has 145hp as stock here in europe.
@@MrCaprinut The most powerful V6 built was the Essex based 3.1 Litre fitted to the RS3100 which was a homologation special for the German Touring Car Group 2 class championship. In road trim it used the same double-barrel 38-DGAS Weber carburetor as the standard 3.0 but gave148 Bhp. However in Group 2 trim the engine was tuned by Cosworth into the GAA, with 3.4 Litres, fuel injection, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder and 435 Bhp!
This is awesome. For a guy from Naples, Italy like me it is funny how you guys pronounce Capri' (with an accent on the last "i", instead of the accent on the first "a" that we use). Great project car!
I think it's great that you're honouring the original race car and keeping it in mostly original livery it former builder would most likely love what you're doing to his old race car.
Awesome to find the king of Capri’s is close by because you will need it lol, still nice to see something different being built no matter if it will be a sub 200hp engine or not its the fun when it hits the track because nobody takes something like that to be a top dog in road course lol. Good luck guys and wish you well
Hey guys seen you on Junkyard Digs followed you guy Lucore Racing found your in Columbus Oh...Just south of you in Chillicothe ,Oh the first Capital of Ohio..Love to see it at some Events when finished..I think you'll see a lot more follower....
Hey there, welcome aboard! You aren't far from us at all, and once it's back in one piece you will most definitely be seeing it at events. Lots of plans and fun ahead, also a WHOLE lot of work!
The Cologne V4 came to Europe with the "Cardinal" project, which failed for the USA as a subcompact and ended up as the Ford 12m in about 1962. The 3-port V6 after my knowledge was used as a 2.9 liter on the Ford ("Mercur") Scorpio and a very few last series Granada 2.8 Liter.
Came across your video on the Capri this fine Sunday morning and gave you a like, I didn't know that there was and still is a following for Ford's baby Mustang from across the pond, I will keep an eye open for your next Video on the Capri build, keep up the good work and cheers for the video 👍
From the 1st vid to now it's amazing how the info for this car, the owner etc is all coming back. It was out there all along. This project reminds me of a kids spinning top, it's starting to spin up - not quite spinning on its own but spinning up none the less.
We've been searching and searching for everything we can get our hands on and absorb before we start moving the project forward. This isn't a platform we've done before and are willing to admit that. In addition the history behind this particular ride, with 20+ years track experience... just feels like if we're going to do it we have to do it RIGHT.
Thank you Sir! We're trying to make as many right decisions as we can with this one, not something we want to slap together. Super secret info, but we'll actually be in Ontario in a few weeks for something Capri related... 😉
The rare european car with separated exhaust ports was the MK1 Granada 2.8i, just sold in 1977. The engine looks like a piece of art, a real shiny intake but it was so thin that it deformend when you've gone full throttle. In 1978 the Granada MK2 was offered. The 2.8i in the MK2 was build with a tough intake and the european style exhaust ports (siamese and single). The V4 engines were sold as industrial motors but also in many vehicles like the Ford P4, P5, P6, P7, Granada, Capri, Transit and even Saab bought this engines to put it in the Saab 96.
Many years ago when I was much younger, and just couldn't stand to be told I couldn't do something with this or that. Well one of those was a 1974 pinto with 2000 cc 4 banger, and a three speed automatic slush box. Ever seen a offenhouser split aluminum highrise manifold with Holley two barrels, with a 2 into 1 to 2 into 1 long tube header. Dam thing sounded terrible open to me, but sounds like Amy Leigh compared to today's 4 cylinder bumblebee exhaust. With few other additional modifications, it ran rather well against the Mercury Capris of the day, and anything that the British had with the exception of the Sunbeam Tigers I believe they were called. Those because they had V8's lurking under the bonnets, then there were the Toyota Celica's, and the Datsun 280Z's were. But then the little 4 banger that could, was a couple cylinders short, and wasn't forced induction either. Funny the things you remember from days long gone, but then when you start to forget where you're glasses are, and they're in your hand, are on top of your head. Funny how you remember those days as if it just happened, but don't remember what you had for breakfast two hours ago. But those things would probably be violating the rule books ya'll are trying to comply with, but that's why I always believed in breaking the rules, because they're always so dam boring to be honest.
That's one of the MAIN reasons we wanted Norm to come over and come on board with us before we actually started bringing this thing back to life. Trying to avoid expensive mistakes that will ruin our fun.
I am glad to see that you are keepin on keepin on with your Capri project. and as an ex-SCCA racer myself I am happy to see that you are keeping the history alive from this great racing organization. I will be an avid follower of this endeavor.
Well thank you Sir, we are going to do our best to keep the spirit of this little racecar alive. Even though it wasn't a big name owner or driver, it spent 20+ blasting around road courses making people smile and generating memories. That's really something special and we'll give it our best shot to bring it back to life. Glad to have you on board!
What great info especially on the 2.6 with my son has. I didn't know when we run a 2100 autolite with an adapter plate would be the carburation for the car without swapping heads.
Cur down stock springs!! The one I had in Germany (given to me) had that done! Bit weird in corners some times. Still have a Capri on my damn I wish I had one list.
The thing about running a Pinto engine is that there's every part in the world for it thanks to the dirt track guys that have been running them forever. I've actually seen a 300HP one on Engine Power but those are not cheap. The big thing for those is to go over to a good progressive Webber carb. The plus side to using those two engines is I think you just need different bellhousings and you can leave a TKO 5 speed in the car for swapping the engines back and forth. At the power level you'll be at you'll never break it. The best known source/use of the Cologne V4 is actually the old early Bobcats. They had them in them.. Derrick from Vice Grip Garage has one in his dad's Bobcat on the family farm. :D
The Cologne V4 was used in cars here in Europe. Taunus, Capri, Transit ... A lot of MK1 Capri's were V4's (so is mine) as this was the kind of the base engine. Never seen one here in an industrial application.
I don't know if anyone else has mentioned them? But Burton power products here in the UK have everything you could ever need for your pinto, they even do an alloy block now!
The numbers and race car type paint job is exactly what I was thinking about doing with my Pontiac. I wanna find someone who can hand paint/ letter some text on my trunk lid. I want it to say “Your what hurts?” It’s something my my father used to say when he would hear someone complain. And after I painted judge stripes on a tempest I have a feeling a lot of people are going to be complaining about it.
It TOTALLY works for this thing with its European racer history and the fact it's been a racecar since 1984. We WILL be maintaining that livery for sure
Yes indeed, conversely they dont have NEAR the low end torque of the V6 build. What we also can do here, and are rather uniquely positioned to do this is build both the 2.8 AND the 2.0 and engine dyno them both to show it all. Which is certainly a possibility. As American hot rodders... low end grunt and torque is certainly appealing 😉
Just to note; in the UK they ran another V6 engine code Essex. It was used through mk1, mk2 and mk3 Capri until about 1980. The one negative with that engine is over heating. However, guessing your rules are based around the USA spec cars?
We ran 4 cyc pintos etc on oval at shadybowl speedway in ohio, as u probably know, they can be expensive hp in the head alone some up to 3 grand yrs back, they do run good, as 350 chevy parts fit those stock etc
IF you going with the V6 you should try to find a Mustang II V6 bell housing. The Mustang II used a different trans then the Capri. The bolt pattern on the bell housing will allow you to bolt up a T5 5 speed trans. The last Capri I built has a T5 out of Fox V8 Mustang. This would allow you to use a higher real gear ratio like a 3.89 or higher but the overdrive 5th in the T5 will allow lower revs for street driving. The intake port spacing on the 2.6 is the same as the 2.9. It may be possible to bolt a 2.9 FI intake onto a V6 engine using 2.6 heads. The Capri I have has a 2.8 short block with 2.6 heads. Norm would say you can't do it but the engine is running fine.
So,it would sound like getting a turbo 4 from a thunderbird should be a cheap,easy way to go? Isn't it directly descended from the pinto? I don't know about the 4 Banger's but it seems like it would make sense. So it's probably against the rules or something, but it will be interesting project for sure.lookin forward to seeing it turn out!
If you are going with two engines, one a Pinto for vintage racing & one for in between times fun, can you make the car streetable on the V6? Also, what about going resto-mod on the V6, with a 2.8i & all the modern conveniences plus a Tickford style Turbo?
@@LucoreAuto You will find a 1.5 Litre V4 in the prototype Ford Mustang 1 in a museum somewhere. The Saab 96 V4RC Turbo rally car put out 200 Bhp at 7000 rpm!
The UK ford capris started off with Ford V4 and V6 Essex engines before going to Cologne engines when the Essex was axed. many preferred the Essex because they had the three port exhaust always and they made more torque than the German engine. They were made in South Africa until 2000 .
As crazy as it sounds, it's actually completely doable. Have an entire engine setup and transmission mated to it. All you've got to do is disconnect some lines, hoses, and a couple bolts. Transmission Mounts and Engine Mounts, bang done.
looks like you wont have to listen to us nutters from UK in the comments section any more, mr capri is on board....... the twin powerpack idea sounds good to me, especially if you make both fuel/electric connections into little sub-harnesses for each engine, both matching the cars plumbing, 4hr swapover is an easy goal 4 cylinder - you can use a sierra cosworth bottom end, plenty of people running 400 bhp, some recon 700+, so a good strong pinto that revs is easily done these days, + it looks almost identical. v6 - 3 exhaust outlets in usa, we had to wait for a total re-design to get those, [went to 2.9 as well], but we did get a cosworth version out of it. interested what the power gain over the 2 port head was, probably lost with your "smog" gear keep up the good content cheers from UK
the ford 2.3 has so much aftermarket support it is crazy midget sprint cars run em and the Pro 4 oval track guys do also you can make way more power with the 2.3 I4 than the clunky 2.8 v6... I will watch this series either way...but you will be better off doing a 2.0 and a 2.3 build...and the 4 bangers give you better=== weight balance===..which is a 'HUGE" factor on a road course car.
By the way, do you guys have the ability to weigh the Cologne & Pinto motors in your shop? There isn't much info on the V6, except an estimation of apx 375-400 lbs IIRC. Thanks.
Sure we certainly could weigh them, we also have corner scales so can balance the entire chassis with each setup. The 2.8 entire assembled motor would can easily weigh next week
@mercmad those of us in the Capri cult err gang err community always estimated that the Cologne V6 was apx 75lbs less than the SBF w/aluminum heads. Is German cast iron heavier than North American cast iron? 🤔 😆You'd think the Germans would have learned something from WWII. 😂
@@LucoreAuto thanks this is 👌 awesome. I was hesitant to ask because it's kind of like spending another man's $$$ (Time=$$$). But, this is greatly appreciated.👍✌
Thank goodness you wont be joining the drag race mentality on this Capri. If you look at what happens in the UK you can see really well tuned 4's and V6's running easily with the V8's etc .
Have probably watched 20 hours of these things racing over the past few weeks, including the recent stuff at Goodwood! Always knew they were awesome capable little race cars but have developed a whole new appreciation for them. Now... not saying we might night also build a drag racing version of one TOO, but getting this road race car done is priority 1!
Just wondering why you would build a v6 for that particular car when you already have a v6 car sitting there? Sounds like you have a couple more on the way.
The V6 is the top of the line engine available in the MKI Capri which is what the actual race car is. The MKII we picked up for the engine and drive train is no where NEAR something we could easily make into a race car. It's pretty far gone unfortunately. At least, not into a road race car. We'll see if it just becomes an organ donor or if it gets to live a second life in some form or another. There may be some other things in the near future 😉
It's EXTREMELY tempting but that would put it in a pretty wild class racing wise. After blasting around the track in the new Cardinal Coupe powered by an EcoBoost 2.3 ... man that's an amazing option
As far as I know Being a mk1 capri the v6 would have had a essex 3.0L v6 Not a 2.8 v6. The 4 cylinder would be either a 1300cc of 1600cc cross flow. The 2.0L Ford pinto and 2.8L v6 came in Mk2 capri onwards Mk1 capri ( trunk lid ) Mk2 capri ( hatchback )
Or or or, you guys could build the white one to be the pento build and put it in its original class. And then, hang on okay? Just listen. And then you build the brown parts car with the v6… just an idea
Currently waiting on the block/rods/pistons to come back from the machine shop so we can move forward with the engine build. HOPING to have it back this week
it's going to be soooooo cute and cool when you guys finally get this thing done! idk how you are going to build it or how you should just build it and have some fun with it sooooon!
