A Capri story

[blkfordsedan]

I drove by an Import repair shop this afternoon that is down the street from where I used to work. I remembered that they used to have a 199? Capri sitting behind their building for what seemed like forever. I pulled in and drove around back and it was still there. I went inside to ask if it was for sale and the shop owner said the owner had brought it in about 5 years ago. He didn't remember what was wrong with it anymore, but said the engine was probably bad. I asked if it was a turbo. He said no, but he never even put a wrench to it....the owner just left it sit and never came back! He said I could have it for $200 if I just get it out of there.

When I walked back to look at it, I saw a rear spoiler and an XR2 badge! It is in fact a B6T/5sp. The body is excellent, except for a lot of scuffing on the front bumper and a trunk lock that's been drilled out. The seats look good, but the top has a hole in it and cats have been living in it. I popped the hood and everything is still in place, nothing's even been touched. Obviously, if they didn't even know it was a turbo, they probably didn't spend too much time diagnosing it. It could be something simple, or the motor (or turbo) could be completely fried. Either way, I still think it would be worth the $200 risk.

[25Horseplay]

The trans and axles are worth that. Along with the wiring and ECU, I'd say its worth the $200.

[JoDan]

Go for it... if the motor is fried the intermediate shaft sells for more than half what you can get it for. Might as well gamble to see if the motor is good and if not you can make money by parting it anyways... win/win!

[DrMaxwellEdison]

I say for the asking price it's totally worth it...

[Grey Vw]

It's worth that much in scrap. Get it.

[JPT]

Another vote for grab it.

[91EscortGT]

Definitely worth the $200! Ive spent much more on project/parts cars with no idea of whats goin on with them.

[blkfordsedan]

My car trailer's out of commission right now, so I'm gonna try to use my car dolly this weekend and get it. Hopefully, the tires will hold air long enough to get it to my storage building which is 80 miles away. Then I can mess with it and see if it will run. I'm sure the injectors are probably stuck. I'd like to be able to get it running long enough to figure out what's really wrong and if the tranny works. I really want a B6T swap....even if I have to rebuild the short block or find a used turbo or something. If the motor's too far gone, I can always use the trans & intermediate shaft to build a solid BP swap.

2 questions:

1) will Festiva steel wheels fit the back (just to tow it home)?

2) could I just use a BP fitted with all the turbo components, ECU, etc. (if the B6 ends up being shot)? How much extra would be involved?

[mattman]

add another vote for grab it

[Grey Vw]

My car trailer's out of commission right now, so I'm gonna try to use my car dolly this weekend and get it. Hopefully, the tires will hold air long enough to get it to my storage building which is 80 miles away. Then I can mess with it and see if it will run. I'm sure the injectors are probably stuck. I'd like to be able to get it running long enough to figure out what's really wrong and if the tranny works. I really want a B6T swap....even if I have to rebuild the short block or find a used turbo or something. If the motor's too far gone, I can always use the trans & intermediate shaft to build a solid BP swap.

2 questions:

1) will Festiva steel wheels fit the back (just to tow it home)?

2) could I just use a BP fitted with all the turbo components, ECU, etc. (if the B6 ends up being shot)? How much extra would be involved?

The festiva wheels are a different bolt pattern. You could probably try to borrow a couple of spare tires and use those.

The b6t manifold won't bolt onto the bp.

[wybnrml]

The festiva wheels are a different bolt pattern. You could probably try to borrow a couple of spare tires and use those.

The b6t manifold won't bolt onto the bp.

They are actually the same lug pattern. But will the 12" wheels clear the brakes?

[blkfordsedan]

The festiva wheels are a different bolt pattern. You could probably try to borrow a couple of spare tires and use those.

The b6t manifold won't bolt onto the bp.

I knew the manifolds wouldn't bolt up, but I wasn't sure if everything else like wiring harness, ECU, turbo, piping, etc. could be used. I can fix whatever is mechanically bad, as long as it's not beyond repair. If the turbocharger and transmission are still good, along with the other stuff, I figure that's 90% of the battle and I'll be happy. I could even use my B6 SOHC if push came to shove.

I was also hoping the Capri was the same wheel pattern as the older generation 323/Festy, just in case. The front will be on the dolly, so I thought there may be a chance the 12" wheels would clear the rear brakes. I thought maybe someone had done it before. I'll probably just bring a big air bubble and a couple cans of fix-a-flat. All I need is for 2 of the 4 tires to hold air.

[Grey Vw]

They are actually the same lug pattern. But will the 12" wheels clear the brakes?

Thanks for getting that. I thought they were 4x100

[bhazard]

12s will not fit on the back. Maybe 13s. 14 is the minimum on the front for sure.

[TominMO]

12s will not fit on the back. Maybe 13s. 14 is the minimum on the front for sure.

If you can't get two of the Capri tires to hold air, try to find two Metro 13s.