Cortina Project: Advice needed:) - Ford Forums

fordgt19 · 09-26-2004, 03:42

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking of doing up a Cortina with a Barra 270T, (If I can ever find one!) and do it properly on a budget.

After sorting out the fitment probs someone else was talking about in a previous thread, I'll probably use the standard T56 gearbox and a 9" diff.

For the body, it'll be cleaned up a bit, seam welded and a small rollcage put in. I'll have a pair of strut braces in too, but I may have some difficulty getting the front one over the engine.

New, slightly lowered suspension with 16" AU steel rims and 205 tyres will go on.

The engine will be kept stock, to avoid reliability problems. As I've heard sometimes more money is spent on replacing gearboxes and the like.

Now for a few questions:

1. Will the 9" have to be shortened and is it hard to fit it intio the car?

2. Will the hubs to fit the AU rims fit straight on the Cortina's stub axles?

3.Does it matter if I start with a factory 4 rather than a 6?

What sort of experiences have you had with 6-cylinder Cortinas? I'm eager to hear anything as I don't want end up with a "For Sale: Unfinished Project" car.

So, any advice and help appreciated

Thanks, FordGT18

dicast · 09-26-2004, 04:07

mate ill keep this short.the money itll cost you to buy a barra 270kw engine you would be better to turbo a 250 and with the rest of the money you save do the rest of the mods to your car.as for the nine inch yes its got to be shortened.

fordgt19 · 09-26-2004, 04:20

Cheers. Do you think the 250 would make a decent amount of torque? I'll keep my options open for the moment though.

EDIT: It wouldn't cost too much for a wrecked F6 at the auctions though, would it?

needturbo6 · 09-26-2004, 06:16

i agree the money would be better spent on turbo'ing a 250 x-flow or even better a 4L OHC motor, pref a low k AU (stronger bottom end, metal head gasket.etc)

"Do you think the 250 would make a decent amount of torque?"

that is an understatement!! a turbo 250/ 4L OHC would make bulkloads of torque, more than a barra if tuned and built right.

it would be better starting off with a factory 6cyl, as i think the tranny tunnel may be bigger,slightly diff front susp., i think the steering linkages may have been different to clear the motor, the brakes(although i would assume u would put bigger ones on....) and there were a few other things i cant remember

the diff. is also different i would stick with it. just find a 4-pinion LSD and get a specialist to "tighten" it up. my brother has an 302 xa coupe 250hp at the wheels several burnout comps and 7500 revs, and its still goin strong. but it if u are goin a manual the nine inch may be a better option.

i doubt the hubs from an au would bolt on to a corty, but u never know.

TD302 · 09-26-2004, 21:36

Myself i'd use a Toyota 2JZ twin turbo six. And keep the B/W diff as said above. Hopper Stoppers do the brake kit now for the TC-TD. And use a 6 cylinder Cortina as they have the fire wall cut out to suit the six.
Cheers Brett

fordgt19 · 09-27-2004, 03:06

Thanks, everyone. Things are starting to fall into place a bit more now. Keep the suggestions coming!

Its good to know there is a aftermarket kit available for brakes.

needturbo6 mentioned the AU engine could potentially be better than a BA engine. Would it be any easier to fit than the BA one?

TD302 · 09-28-2004, 01:41

A bog stock 2JZ with more boost still using the standard turbo's will make you over 320rwhp. They cost around $3500 add aftermarket ECU and you'll get even more.

needturbo6 · 09-28-2004, 05:45

the 2JZ GTE motors are awesome and one of the stongest motors made! it would be the best option power wise and reliability wise.
depends how much a conversion will cost(excluding motor/ecu), maybe in excess of $2500/3000, dunno what tranny youd use. but it "could" cost a lot less than turboing a ford motor to get the same power.

the only thing is you need to do a lot of research either way, to get the result u desire.
measure up a 2JZ or 1JZ. check clearance issues such as exhaust, intake,accessories. etc.

a BA motor will aways have more potential than any other aussie ford six.
AU would be a cheaper option and a better one in my opinion as it would cause less hassles and be plenty reliable with th right tuning and setup.
the BA or toyota 1JZ /2JZ would be awesome conversions but may require more research and thinkin.

ask some questions and tell your concerns and approx budget and me and others will be able to provide better info

TaraHymen · 09-30-2004, 04:11

an au engine does have a stronger bottom end cos it has a cast alloy sump which forms parts of the bottom end. it's a pity u cant use it though cos the hump is at the wrong end. if u'r gonna go to that much trouble to make up a sump do it to the barra engine. it'll cost u more than a turbo 250 but it'll be something different and very special.

YES302 · 10-03-2004, 00:43

there was a TE in the trader witha 1JZ with rego in QLD so it has been done...