TeamCapri

General => Build Threads => Topic started by: fchalvet on February 25, 2009, 06:52:00 AM

Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on February 25, 2009, 06:52:00 AM
Hello from France,

this is my 91 Capri, bought last year. It took me 5 years to find one, as this car was not sold in my country. It needs a new door and new paint, and some work inside. Engine works good.
I have new wheels ready to be installed, I hate these ones! I bought clear turn signals and white gauges. More pics soon

Fred  

 (http://mercurycapri.free.fr/capri01.jpg)
Title: French Capri
Post by: yen on February 25, 2009, 10:22:00 AM
Welcome Monsieur
That is very didicated
Just curious, what made you choose a Capri over the abundance of hot euro hatches available in France?
Title: French Capri
Post by: Gostlrs on February 25, 2009, 02:35:00 PM
to be different, they love "American" cars over there  (http://tongue.gif)
Title: French Capri
Post by: spiro on February 25, 2009, 07:06:00 PM
Hi Fred !  Welcome dude..
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on February 25, 2009, 10:48:00 PM
Thanks.
Well, it's a long story. My wife was american, and I used to come often in South Carolina. One  day she bought a 93 Capri, but short time later the head gasket broke. I tried to repair it and I spent hours on it, finally I was not able to. When we moved to France, we had to sell the car for parts, maybe someone registered here has bought it. This is a pic

 (http://renaultfuego.free.fr/capri/capri1.jpg)

But I really missed it so that's why I wanted to get one here. People are very curious as they don't know it of course!
By the way I prefer older cars and I own 4 Renault Fuego models..if some of you are interested in, here is my page:

http://renaultfuego.free.fr/index-en.htm (http://renaultfuego.free.fr/index-en.htm)

I just know 2 Capri in France, mine which come from Luxembourg and got the french title in 99, and a 93 grey Xr2 imported from the US last year.
Title: French Capri
Post by: D22A on February 26, 2009, 08:23:00 AM
welcome
i hope you will enjoy  capri like do   (http://smile.gif)
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on April 03, 2009, 05:09:00 AM
I have tried my new wheels, but I'm not very happy. The thing is that they are a little larger than the fenders. So maybe someone can help me, can you put the same size of wheels than on a Xr2? my tires are just 195/50/15, and I'm very close to the strut, can't do better. The only thing, these wheels are a little large, 7 as size.
Anyway I'm going to place H&R springs but it won't change much.

  (http://mercurycapri.free.fr/roues3.jpg)

  (http://mercurycapri.free.fr/roues4.jpg)

  (http://mercurycapri.free.fr/roues5.jpg)
Title: French Capri
Post by: Gus Kelley on April 03, 2009, 06:10:00 AM
Hey Chalvet! Your tire size is good but the wheel size is wide and the the offset is not quite enough. They are a good looking wheel. If you put H&R springs on the car with those wheels, you might have additional problems hitting struts. Once you get the right wheels then put the H&Rs on. The car will look great.  Good Luck!  Gus.
Title: French Capri
Post by: Phillip on April 03, 2009, 06:23:00 AM
You shouldn't have a problem hitting the struts but the tire might contact the fender in extreme compression.
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on April 03, 2009, 07:16:00 AM
Thanks!
The distance is so large between the wheel and the fender, I didn't think it would touch with the H&R, but yes you may be right. I think I'm going to install the H&R and see..then maybe I will try to find different wheels..I like the way these ones look , but if the size is not good ...I guess 6 or 6.5 wide would have worked better.
Fred
Title: French Capri
Post by: JackRobot on April 03, 2009, 07:23:00 AM
Not a bad looking capri bro!

I kinda like those rims, but I'm sure you could find something nicer in a better offset.
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on April 03, 2009, 08:07:00 AM
I forgot to say my offset is 35
Title: French Capri
Post by: Gus Kelley on April 03, 2009, 09:27:00 AM
Hey Chalvet!  I've got the factory 6 x 15 wheels on two of my cars with 15 x 195 x 55 and H&R springs and they work great and look correct.  Gus
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on April 04, 2009, 09:55:00 PM
Thank you Gus, I'm going to buy the H&R tomorow.
But I will search for different wheels, I will choose 6 or 6.5 as size. The thing I can't understand, is that I read posts on this forum, and some of you are able to put 7 x 17 wheels without problem. So I wonder why my 7 x 15 are so large for my car..is there something wrong with the first 91 models?
Fred
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on April 18, 2009, 06:38:00 AM
I have just bought a 1989 Mazda 323 Turbo this week. I will put the engine into my Capri of course, 160 HP . For now I'm taking the most interesting parts, like the chrome door handles
 
 (http://mercurycapri.free.fr/images/door2.jpg)
Title: French Capri
Post by: Andrew H on July 26, 2009, 12:33:00 AM
How is the engine swap going?  Also do you know how the capri got to france in the first place it must be thje only one in Europe.

Cheers Andrew
Title: French Capri
Post by: CapriTypeR on July 26, 2009, 02:53:00 AM
I have shipped parts to France, as well as Germany, and Italy. So although it's not the only one in Europe, it's only one of a handful! Strangest place I've shipped Capri parts? A Cylinder head to Bonaire!

--Russ
Title: French Capri
Post by: Andrew H on July 26, 2009, 02:59:00 AM
Where The Hell is Bonaire?

Andrew
Title: French Capri
Post by: CapriTypeR on July 26, 2009, 05:04:00 AM
It is a very small island off the coast of Venezuela. Technically, it is Bonaire, Tolo, Netherlands Antilles.

--Russ
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on July 27, 2009, 01:56:00 PM
I havn't done the swap yet, too busy..but I'm ready now and it should be done this month, I will post pics.
I just took a long ride this week-end, the engine works good and is reliable, but an extra 60 hp wouldn't be so bad  ;)
There are a lot of Capri in Germany, then Luxembourg (where mine comes from), and I saw one for sale in England this year. But it's just unknown here in France, that makes it special to drive. I can't wait for the new paint and wheels too, it should come in the next months.

Fred
Title: French Capri
Post by: Phillip on July 27, 2009, 03:00:00 PM
I just shipped a VAF to the Reunion Islands. A French Territory in the Indian Ocean.
Title: French Capri
Post by: aciddrop28 on August 13, 2009, 12:33:00 PM
hey! nice looking renaults! the 1980 gts almost look like the pre 91 capri's! good luck with the swap. should be much more fun to drive afte that HP increase!
Title: French Capri
Post by: Gus Kelley on August 13, 2009, 01:50:00 PM
Hey Fchalvet!  How is the swap going? Do you understand that the entire drivetrain needs to go with the motor? Your N/A trans axle and clutch may be too week to handle the extra power, at least if you will drive the car in a robust manner.  Gus
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on October 16, 2009, 11:03:00 PM
I'm back from my trip in US, finally it was too short so I couldn't come at the meeting in PA but I enjoyed the pics.
By the way, thanks for your comments on my Renault, I just bought a new one with a unique and large body kit, it will be at home next week.
Well, I decided to part out the Mazda 323. Yes Gus, I know I have to change everything, I will just take it on the mazda. I guess I have to remove the dashboard and change all the wires too (sorry I don't know the exact name in english). The connections seem not to be the same. My problem now is that I'm wondering about the intercooler...could someone show me a pic of the  Capri intercooler? I have no idea how to place this mazda, is it the same size?
Thanks
Fred

  (http://renaultfuego.free.fr/capri/intercooler.jpg)
Title: French Capri
Post by: Yuri on October 17, 2009, 03:27:00 AM
ya, that looks identical
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on October 20, 2009, 05:29:00 AM
yes but it's not possible to do it that way on the Capri, it doesn't fit between the radiator and the head lamp.
Anyway, the mazda engine is out now!
I'm going to change the belts and it will be soon ready to find its new place in the Capri..just still wondering about the wires and the intercooler..I will see

 (http://renaultfuego.free.fr/capri/moteur.jpg)
Title: French Capri
Post by: azgtx on October 20, 2009, 01:33:00 PM
Same intercooler you just need the bracket that goes behind the bumper....and the stock hoses of course.
Clay
Title: French Capri
Post by: Rocketman on October 20, 2009, 03:44:00 PM
Its turned sideways on the Capri. You'll need XR2 hoses to mount it properly, or go custom with an intercooler.
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on October 20, 2009, 08:14:00 PM
Anyone would have these parts for sale and ready to send them to France?
Or then I'm going to look for custom parts.
Thanks
Title: French Capri
Post by: Rocketman on October 21, 2009, 11:58:00 AM
I know Russ has a set of intercooler hoses in great shape that he isn't using. Email him cougar1prod@comcast.net
Title: French Capri
Post by: Gostlrs on October 21, 2009, 03:31:00 PM
if not...i got some here as well
Title: French Capri
Post by: Gostlrs on November 04, 2009, 04:07:00 PM
sent u PM with the shipping price. get back with me when you can
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on May 31, 2011, 04:55:00 AM
Some news...I'm working on my Capri again.
The swap has worked, the turbo engine is ok.
However it's not the power I'm waiting for. The boost is very good in 1st gear, but then it's like the turbo has difficulties to work.
I have a new exhaust, it's better. I had to connect the fan directly to the battery, and to do something for the head lights motors. The air bag doesn't work anymore. I kept the wiring harness inside, and the harness around the engine comes from the mazda 323. I was not able to connect a Capri turbo harness to the engine, too many problems.
I have changed my driver door, I made it come from Germany!
Here is a pic, I will install the new wheels this week I hope

  (http://mercurycapri.free.fr/images/290511a.jpg)

  (http://mercurycapri.free.fr/images/ligne07.jpg)
Title: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on November 13, 2012, 07:12:00 PM
New pics after a long time, it looks better now

  (http://img88.xooimage.com/files/4/9/5/sam_0051-397bd3c.jpg)

  (http://img86.xooimage.com/files/d/d/e/sam_0053-397bd41.jpg)

  (http://img86.xooimage.com/files/2/a/2/sam_0054-397bd4e.jpg)
Title: French Capri
Post by: Jovani on December 03, 2012, 11:53:00 PM
Is anyone willing to swap trunks with me??? I love the wingless look!!!
Title: Re: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on January 21, 2018, 12:44:11 PM
Hello,
Some updates about my red Capri after a long while. I have been working on my 1994 Capri these last years (I have an other post about it) and also my Renault Alpine V6 turbo.
So back to the red one now. I tried to do the 1.6L Turbo swap but the engine was not good. So I changed my mind , I decided to install  the 1.8L BP  and it works great. I kept the original F transmission. I will try to make the car paint later this year. Here few pics

(https://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/18/84/57/40/capri213.jpg)

(https://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/18/84/57/40/capri211.jpg)

(https://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/18/84/57/40/capri214.jpg)


Title: Re: French Capri
Post by: Rocketman on January 21, 2018, 04:00:35 PM
very nice!! super clean swap
Title: Re: French Capri
Post by: greywolf27030 on January 26, 2018, 02:08:54 PM
Second that.....
Title: Re: French Capri
Post by: fchalvet on February 03, 2018, 02:09:51 PM
Thanks! The valve cover has been painted with epoxy. Maybe an other color would be better but it looks great

(https://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/18/84/57/40/img_2014.jpg)
Title: Re: French Capri
Post by: Caprice on September 24, 2018, 11:54:31 PM
it sure looks nice