I've got this and it's awesome!

I had the Essex in a 3.0E Capri mk1. Matched with a 4 speed on the floor it was thirsty. Long runs at 70-80mph would return 22mpg but cane it and it would drop to mid teens.

Maybe a small block V8 289 cu in. ex Ford or a smaller V8 from Rover or Stag (Buick) could shoehorn in but not decrease fuel consumption (could sound incredible though). A more modern engine as suggested would be an improvement with more ratios available. possibly engine and rear axle from a Jag XJ series as a transplant.
 
I am indeed on Scimweb, and Retro-Rides, and occasionaly PPCmag forum and am even a Staff Car writer for Retro-Ford magazine (I have two toher old toys).

The Essex does make a lovely burble which is why I am keen to go the Jag V6 route. Though I think that a lot of the noise comes from the fact that as standard it is a relatively big capacity engine sucking through a restriction in the form of a twin choke webber. Fitting individual throttle bodies or tripple carbs might actualy spoil the sound resulting in a more motorbike-esque noise.

Rover V8's have been done as has the odd yank V8. But these seem a but clumsy now compared to what is available these days. I think the car will really sing with a modern light-weight all alloy multi-valve engine.
 
The rear view is a bit uncomfortable, but it's grown on me to be liveable with. I had been trying to think of how they could have improved it without loosing the touring-ness of it but have struggled. The earlier coupe version is quite pretty but still limited by what could be done cost effectively by a relatively small company at the time.

I might have a play with photo-shop and aftermarket/alternative lights some time in the future to see what might be possible without re-modelling the whole thing.
 
My mum had one of these for 24 years or something stupid. She got rid of it when I was about ten.

Brilliant. Many many memories of being burnt to a crisp whenever I got in it in summer on vinyl/leather/chrome that was inescapable inside.

They took it off the road for a couple of years at one point and had Bernard Newbury do a ludicrously expensive beige interior in it and it looked amazing.

It was an awful/awesome runny poo brown colour. Mother insisted it was tan.
 
:)

The V10 is going to be too big and bulky and probably starting to get a bit heavy. I want to use a lighter engine to improve the chassis dynamics.

Interior on this car is very tired, it's been re-trimmed at some point a long time ago and is looking pretty ropey now. Front seats are after market reclining/folding sports seats that are so worn out that the tubular metal frame is showing through in places. Steering wheel is also not the original.

I am looking to re-wire the entire car and alter the instrumentation a bit but nothing drastic.

First though I need to get rid of the two old Fords. Cortina (cosworth 2.9 V6 powered) should be hitting evilbay at the end of the month.
 
A pal of mine had one of these when we were 17 / 18 (more than half my life ago), it was a hoot but he was a horribly dangerous driver.
 
I am thinking of loosing the old Essex 3.0ltr V6 lump though and replacing it with a modern 3.0ltr V6 lump such as the all alloy duratech derived lump from a Jaguar S-Type.
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But..But! :eek:

(In Best Dr Strangelove voice)

Surely, Ze whole points of buying a "Classic" car is lost if you then fill it with techycrap!
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Dont forget that if you put in a "Modern" engine it will have to meet "Modern" emissions requirements (IE Cats etc).

To my mind, the only engine swap that should be considered is a Rover V8 :D (Holly carb, dual plane manifold etc) These are pretty economical engines if set up right. (Alternatively, as a second option, a K-jetronic ford V6, if you can still find one anywhere) :D

(Having said that. I met a chap about 30 years ago who had converted a Scim to electric drive. Boot and bonnet space filled with batteries and a 10Hp Milk float motor. Had a range of about 70 miles driven with care and a top speed of about 90 driven with abandon! :D )
 
Orionaut said:
Dont forget that if you put in a "Modern" engine it will have to meet "Modern" emissions requirements (IE Cats etc).
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AFAIK the emissions test is based on the age of the vehicle, not the engine, where are you getting your info?

An engine swap will require the new DVLA rules on engine swaps to be followed.
 
An engine swap will not destroy the classic cars sole. It will make it more viable to use every day. It'll still look the same and hopefully sound the same. The suspension and steering aren't being altered (except for perhaps spring rates to account for the reduced engine weight). What it will give me is a useable classic sports car that I can affored to and rely on to use on a daily basis if I want to meaning I can enjoy the car a lot more often.
As for emissions, actualy that goes for the car not the engine. So as long as it's as clean as the essex I'll be fine, though to be hones I would hope that it will be a lot cleaner even without cats.
As for a K-Jet Ford V6, pull the other one! Lots of effort for very little point when an MOT failed S-type can be picked up for around £500
 
Dr Who said:
AFAIK the emissions test is based on the age of the vehicle, not the engine, where are you getting your info?

An engine swap will require the new DVLA rules on engine swaps to be followed.
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I am pretty sure "Emissions follow the engine". which is why kit car builders like to use older, pre-cat engines! I am also pretty sure It works the other way too, if you put an "Old" engine in a "modern" car!

(Though, off hand, I cannot remember where I read this and also the rules change all the time. I think it was in an article to do with how many things can you change before you have to get a "New" registration for a chassis based vehicle like an old Land Rover)
 
Orionaut said:
I am pretty sure "Emissions follow the engine". which is why kit car builders like to use older, pre-cat engines! I am also pretty sure It works the other way too, if you put an "Old" engine in a "modern" car!

(Though, off hand, I cannot remember where I read this and also the rules change all the time. I think it was in an article to do with how many things can you change before you have to get a "New" registration for a chassis based vehicle like an old Land Rover)
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It follows the designated age of the vehicle which changes when you build a kit car (chassis change is a significant example). If the car has sufficient components from the older vehicle and therefore has an effective date prior to 1975 the it has a visual test, prior to August 1986 it will be subject to less stringent requirements, ->1992 it then has slightly more stringent levels of CO and 1992 onwards it requires a full modern emissions test including cats. Once it is registered and has its "age related" plate then the emissions test becomes that of the age of the related plate. Most kit cars are now usually awarded a new (post 1992) registration due to the age of the donor of most of the parts, even those that have a significantly different engine (mine had a G plate based on the age of the Sierra Cosworth donor even though I ultimately fitted a 2 year old bike engine which was subject to post 1992 emissions testing for it's SVA(IVA) and G plate MOT requirements thereafter.

I believe under old regs when building the car the SVA test was based on the age of the engine and this info could be added to the V5 so as it would continue to receive this type of test at MOT time despite a newer registration number. I am unsure if they still apply this rule under IVA as I had heard they ALL have to have a full on emissions test now.

For an engine swap it is not a significant swap (decided by a points scale, you require 8 points to avoid re-registration, chassis is 5 points, suspension is 2 points, transmission 1 point, engine 1 point, steering 1 point and axles 2 points I believe) so does not require re-registration and an IVA test, therefore it follows the regulations based on first use of the vehicle come MOT time.
 
The MOT test goes on whichever is oldest - engine or car.

From the MOT Tester's manual:

Vehicles Fitted with a differnt (sic) engine

Test according to which is older, engine or vehicle.
e.g. A 1995 car fitted with a 1991 engine (of whatever make), test to 1991 standards for emission purposes.

Note: The onus is on the vehicle presenter
to prove engine age
 
I'll be honest, I don't understand the appeal, especially in that colour, but I am interested in what you do to it and the fact that you love it is all that matters! :)

I suspect that once you fit a beefier engine you might discover that a lot of other things should really be replaced though
 
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