tc1 1 Posted January 27, 2008 Hi all, I have decided that I am going to put a 2ltr Pinto with the 5 speed into my Cortina. I have found a Sierra for £150 it has a 205 block sounds ok but I will strip it anyway just to be sure. Been down that road before. I bet this has been done several times before and I was after some advice as to what I would need to source. I am going to strip the Sierra on Wednesday so any advice would be great. I am going to try to keep the hydraulic clutch which should be easy enough. Famous last words. While I am at it I would like to fit a steering rack. I have read somewere a Capri cross member is required. Is this right? if so I will have to get one. Do you have to cut the tunnel or does the box fit in ok. Any advice would be greatfully received. If any one wants a 1600 cross flow with 4spd box let me know Cheers trev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scaryoldcortina 0 Posted January 27, 2008 famous last words indeed... thats a very big job you've given yourself.. First, steering rack. Guys on here have done it with capri parts, be aware it is nowhere near a bolt in job. Engine and box. You will need to modify the sump and pickup on the pinto, make engine mounts and the gearbox will be too large for the tunnel. The prop end wont fit either. Good luck though, I'm sure others will be along soon with specific advice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SS069 0 Posted January 27, 2008 steering rack in not essential - super easy option is to front bowl the sump & alter the oil pick-up pipe........see piccy below, was in the car when I bought it stick with the 4 speed - tunnel & prop issues as stated previously (even in the Mk3 5 speed is a pain due to the prop problem - ask cortinapaul) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bangar 7 Posted January 27, 2008 (edited) Hello, i have already got the engine setup in my car but i didnt put it in, my one is a series 2 mk2. I have taken the gearbox out and didnt see any probs with space, you need to mod the g/box cross member tho sierra speedo cable suppose to work fine. my engine is quite far forward on the standard xmember. i also have a hydraulic clutch which uses a longer hose from mater cylinder to a slave cylinder from a mini. Have a single piece prop. The sump is front bowl modified and pick up pipe has been moved to the front area Hope this helps abit Edited January 27, 2008 by Bangar Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tc1 1 Posted January 27, 2008 (edited) Hello, i have already got the engine setup in my car but i didnt put it in, my one is a series 2 mk2. I have taken the gearbox out and didnt see any probs with space, you need to mod the g/box cross member tho sierra speedo cable suppose to work fine. my engine is quite far forward on the standard xmember. i also have a hydraulic clutch which uses a longer hose from mater cylinder to a slave cylinder from a mini. Have a single piece prop. The sump is front bowl modified and pick up pipe has been moved to the front area Hope this helps abit hi mate, thanks for your input. do you know if your diff has been changed if so what is it? Edited January 27, 2008 by tc1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scaryoldcortina 0 Posted January 27, 2008 I run a capri mk1 axle with a 3.77:1 diff. The one that was in the car was a 4.11:1 so it was a bit revvy... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bangar 7 Posted January 27, 2008 (edited) as far as i can tell its standard. i think its 3.89 or 3.9. scaryoldcortina has 3.77 i think this would be better Cheers Edited January 28, 2008 by Bangar Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tc1 1 Posted January 28, 2008 famous last words indeed... thats a very big job you've given yourself..First, steering rack. Guys on here have done it with capri parts, be aware it is nowhere near a bolt in job. Engine and box. You will need to modify the sump and pickup on the pinto, make engine mounts and the gearbox will be too large for the tunnel. The prop end wont fit either. Good luck though, I'm sure others will be along soon with specific advice! thanks mate i know it will be a lot of work but it will be worth it hoping if i do rack i wont have to cut sump Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
G.O 20 Posted January 28, 2008 many many problems to overcome with this conversion, but the biggy is getting the type 9 into the tunnel in the right place - especially if you've got a series I car - the width isn't too much of a problem, but the height is - cutting the top out of the tunnel is an absolute must in a series I. Also, because the type 9 is a longer box, the gear stick sits further towrads the back of the car than original - so possible problems with handbrake lever clearence Hillman Avenger has the front yoke you'll be needing for the prop (as do many Transits - though you'll have to get a couple of grooves/slots machined in it to be able fit the circlips for the UJ caps) Engine will sit on the standard crossmember using standard MkII engine mounts, though in the case of a 205 block you may well find that a shorter escort mount will be needed on the passegner side to keep things central. Mounting the engine as above will mean that you'll need the shorter prop an auto MkII (either of the 2 manual ones are too long). Mounting the engine there also means mods needed for the cooling as theres no room for a water pump mounted fan (leccy fan needed in front of the rad). Rad also benefits from being moved forwards. Pinto is a pretty heavy lump compared to a crossflow and you really know about it in a MkII when cornering - uprated front suspension is a must - even if you mount it all a bit futher back - you can probably go up to 2 inchs without too much problem in the engine bay (any more and you're into bulk head cutting) but don't forget that handbrake. Also, go further back you'll have no choice but to have a prop made up as there nothing "off the shelf" available. In addition to all this, I've got a feeling that the Sierra (205) sump didn't clear the crossmember, so even if you do go for a rak you could still be into cutting the sump about Its certainly all doable, but its a hell of a lot of work - knowing what we've been through to try and get the one (that had already been fitted in mine) right, I can't honestly say its worth the effort, and would probably just go for either a screaming crossflow next time around, or make the work really worth it by getting a lighter/quicker engine in there - maybe Zetec or something bigger.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bangar 7 Posted January 28, 2008 Im inclined to agree with GO on this one having a pinto also. But if my pinto was modded lots of brum, then id be happy to keep it :thumbup: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tc1 1 Posted January 29, 2008 Im inclined to agree with GO on this one having a pinto also. But if my pinto was modded lots of brum, then id be happy to keep it :winner: thanks to you all for your help i am going with the pinto got it today just need to gather all the parts i will need. Going to drive it as it is for a while theres a small meet this weekend in exeter so i will take it there and maybe see another cortina who has done this conversion cheers for now trev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
