Ford Mondeo st220 into '88 Caravelle
Posted: 04 Jul 2023, 20:40
Starting this thread to document my thoughts and journey here, hope it helps someone else who's having some ideas but not jumping in for whatever reason.
When I got my van 2 years back I rebuilt the engine 2 days after my mot as it was a bit tappety, had to reuse the crank and main bearings as couldn't get any new at that time, we all know that story. Luckily I had a choice of short motors and my engineer recommended the best one to use.
So 2000 miles or so later I fancy an upgrade.
First choice was sensible, a Chevy Ls1 v8, missed the end of the auction at £1600, proper cried over that as was running outside of the vehicle so less for me to do.
But it got me thinking...what did I want my new motor to have..?
Had to fit in the back, onto my auto box
No turbo
No fly by wire, needs to be cable operated throttle
No distributor, must be crank driven ignition
No carb, had to be injection
Newer than 25 years old
Must be a torquey motor, none of that bhp top end nonsense, this was never going to be a speed project
Must be a popular fan loved engine with others modded, nothing too rare
Ideally already removed and the loom modded/cut down to the essentials
Had to be supported and affordable in the aftermarket for exhausts and whatever else I fancied
...and that was my starting point
Rejected all VW/Audi engines based on the above, same for Porsche
Then came across Bostig so started me thinking that way, found an adapter plate for a Zetec block and bought an ST170 Focus but the power was all at the top and it was an amazing car to drive, couldn't bring myself to kill it, so sold the car and started again.
Came across an advert for a Ford Cougar 2.5 v6 170 bhp and thought why not as it had been fitted to a boat, ugly but functional.
While I'm working it out an st220 engine came up for sale, already sorted for fitment to a kit car, one call and a big drive in a hire van later it was mine, I just had to have it.
Got some pics to add - how do i add pics here? Sorted by Rob, thanks
...so ask away anything you want to
When I got my van 2 years back I rebuilt the engine 2 days after my mot as it was a bit tappety, had to reuse the crank and main bearings as couldn't get any new at that time, we all know that story. Luckily I had a choice of short motors and my engineer recommended the best one to use.
So 2000 miles or so later I fancy an upgrade.
First choice was sensible, a Chevy Ls1 v8, missed the end of the auction at £1600, proper cried over that as was running outside of the vehicle so less for me to do.
But it got me thinking...what did I want my new motor to have..?
Had to fit in the back, onto my auto box
No turbo
No fly by wire, needs to be cable operated throttle
No distributor, must be crank driven ignition
No carb, had to be injection
Newer than 25 years old
Must be a torquey motor, none of that bhp top end nonsense, this was never going to be a speed project
Must be a popular fan loved engine with others modded, nothing too rare
Ideally already removed and the loom modded/cut down to the essentials
Had to be supported and affordable in the aftermarket for exhausts and whatever else I fancied
...and that was my starting point
Rejected all VW/Audi engines based on the above, same for Porsche
Then came across Bostig so started me thinking that way, found an adapter plate for a Zetec block and bought an ST170 Focus but the power was all at the top and it was an amazing car to drive, couldn't bring myself to kill it, so sold the car and started again.
Came across an advert for a Ford Cougar 2.5 v6 170 bhp and thought why not as it had been fitted to a boat, ugly but functional.
While I'm working it out an st220 engine came up for sale, already sorted for fitment to a kit car, one call and a big drive in a hire van later it was mine, I just had to have it.
Got some pics to add - how do i add pics here? Sorted by Rob, thanks
...so ask away anything you want to