racer or downsize?

[BMWcapri]

Hi all, need some advice to solve a dilemma - i want to drive my capri everyday but it chews through a ridiculous amount of fuel when i've used it on the daily work run. So it's been SORN for a while whilst i rattle around in a shitty old peugeot 205d to keep the fuel bills down.
So i'm considering pulling the V8 out of the calypso and fitting in something economical like a 1.6 zetec or modern 2L turbo-diesel, just so i can afford to drive it everyday.
OR plan b) upping the power & handling, lighten/rollcage and then just use it for sprints/hillclimbs & trackdays. Any ideas?

[rich_jc]

2.0 pinto if you ask me, 32/36 carb, well maintained. Peeps on here still get 30mpg + out of them, and you have the power if you want it. I think Nige gets 36mpg on his beast with bike carbs. Less work involved than converting to a zetec.

Also, the 2.0 zetec in my old mondeo was awful on fuel (I know it is a heavier car), so I wouldn't say what little extra you may get would be worth the faffing about.

Rich

[chris_v888]

what v8 you got in it? and i use mine everyday? and out of the 2.9 i get 30 + depending on haw i drive but 2.0 pinto is a good way to go if you just want more mpg? me i love mine the way it is.

[Matty2148]

I was always impressed at my daily 2.8, still managed to do 28-32mpg as a daily hack, but the 2.0 pinto is the way to go if you want to stay standard its better on fuel than the 1.6 too.

[BMWcapri]

Thanks for your comments, the bmw m60 V8 gets about 28mpg if treated gently. The mpg gains of going back to running a pinto (and losing 180 horses) might not be worth the bother?
I could do an economy remap on the ECU, and a big vacuum gauge on the dashboard to warn me away from putting my foot down too often.

Pintos seem to be popular on here, can't think why... hehehe

[Matty2148]

Its all hoo haa anyway! You`ll downsize and save some MPG, and be happy, till some tool in a 1.1 saxo beats you from the lights and then it`ll be fast road cams, porting the head and some carb fetling! ha I know this from experiance