Mk2 consul/zodiac suspension upgrade

[shaun1.6ghia]

So I might be picking up a mk2 consul soon and wondered what anyone else has used for front suspension? I have a engine in mind and its rear bowl which I would like to keep it unless its cheaper or easier to swap to front bowl. I have to run pinion rack instead of box steering as I like it. And disc brakes but believe some already run disc front

Is there a easy conversion to mount a better rack or what front setup fits closest? Sizes of standard consul would help like width between strut top and width between chassis rails and length of standard leg. At a guess I'm thinking escort/Capri will be best but thought I'd ask opinions. Any info/pics will be huge help to a fellow osf'er thank you

[LUKE261]

U kept this quiet

[shaun1.6ghia]

Lol @ Luke yeah mate, gonna get a new toy I think any info guys?

[LUKE261]

Old ford autos? Alachi? Maybe

[Russian Bear]

How do?

 

Galeforce Zephyrs is a good source of information:

 

http://www.galeforcezephyrs.com/galeforce_2_007.htm

 

 

Their is a video on youtube showing a build up of a 3ltr Essex powered Mk2 Consul with Mk3 Capri front suspension:

 

[shaun1.6ghia]

Thanks guys, got a escort front end coming an gonna match that up an see where to go from there might have to lean struts in the wing as escort struts lay over more so need room. Coilover conversion sounds best as the springs are thinner to get clearance. So where is cheapest to get weld on coilover kit with springs? Burton?

[shaun1.6ghia]

Ahh just watched that video, nice looking car an love the stance really like his idea with the strut tops, might have to steal that lol. What difference in width is a escort an Capri rear axle? Dunno that a consul is yet tho

[Russian Bear]

Ive used Rally design in the past for coil over conversion kits...

 

http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/index.php?cPath=1358&osCsid=sh35od9m8157tm40qfpe2d8oh4

[shaun1.6ghia]

Thanks guys, gonna be getting new project this weekend hopefully then will start working on front end. Just looking at how other people have done or would do it. I've seen mk5 cortina front ends on them but don't like the idea. I love how my escort feels so wanna go down that route. Anyone know the width of the chassis rails and centre of the top mounts on a consul/zephyr/zodiac? Can't wait to get my head into this project

[bomber1]

let us know how u get on as im going down this route with my mk3 zodiac. tho dont think the measurements will swap between the two. mine wont even see the workshop for a year or two. there was a green mk2 consul round here that had a v6 in it. he kept the stock suspension and x member. but added a capri i think xmember further forward just to mount the engine on. just remember if it does have discs on a mk2 there like rocking horse crap, best thing is if u keep it on the 5 stud there american 4.5in on 5stud so u can get some great american wheels on there. if theres anything i can do to help let us know tho like i said im more mk3 than 2 but would be great to see a proper z car on here there so under rated

[bomber1]

just to point out that the one ive seen done didnt move the bulkhead back. not really sure what he done to get the steering and sump around each other.

[shaun1.6ghia]

Hi bomber, there's one on galeforcezephyrs with rover v8 an Capri front end. He only grafted the two together as he liked how the engine mounted. He also used the standard top mount bearings grafted onto the Capri strut top bearing to make a spacer plate as the inner wings are much higher. That makes the tops 1.5inch wider which I think may ruin geometry. I now know the consul chassis rails are wider so will need to build a plate on the xmember or rails to mount them safely. I'm hoping standard escort/Capri suspension won't be far off the right height.

Im going for steels, preferably mondeo 15's or pugeot 14's as they are cheap and plentifull an will keep revs low for motorway driving an cheap rear tyres

Yeah zzc cars are well under rated