Mk5 Cortina 2.3 GLS Roadtest 1979

[RoadworkUK]

yes it makes a difference, and with an xr4i type9 a lot of difference, mine also has a ported inlet manifold and injection camshaft

 

its odd that ford claimed 160 bhp for the 2.8i in the capri, but only 135 for the same engine, with the same cam in the Granada

 

Yeah, but the 160hp Capri was an "I" with L Jetronic. The 135hp 2.8 on the 'nada was Carbed. the 2.8i on the 'nada was 150bhp.

[Pete-M]

Makes a big difference if you put the 2.8i engine, box and injection system in. Now that would do 120.

 

That's the only thing the 2.3 was any good for. The front cradle, power steering, exhaust and front springs. I did it to a 2.3S* and it was great.

 

 

*VHK 473S. The car I most regret scrapping.

[autofive]

Makes a big difference if you put the 2.8i engine, box and injection system in. Now that would do 120.

 

That's the only thing the 2.3 was any good for. The front cradle, power steering, exhaust and front springs. I did it to a 2.3S* and it was great.

 

 

*VHK 473S. The car I most regret scrapping.

 

the 2.3 with a four speed manual will do 120, the 2.8 with a 5-speed manual (with 2.8 gear ratios) and a 38dgas will do 130/135 (both speeds measured with the cortina speedo, of course), but the cortina is very flat at the front and it begins to wave around like a boat cutting through the water. i wouldnt recommend staying at that speed for long.

 

a steady 100/105 is very comfortable and quiet for long journeys

 

N.B. These speeds were acheived on a private road that was in A1 condition, at 4 in the morning

[autofive]

qwerty just sent me this, spotted in newcastle this afternoon, could be my next megane bouncer

 

 

cortina details: Date of Liability 20 08 2010

Date of First Registration 09 12 1981

Year of Manufacture 1981

Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1593cc

CO2 Emissions Not Available

Fuel Type PETROL

Export Marker N

Vehicle Status Unlicensed

Vehicle Colour GOLD

[qwerty]

Doesn't look like a bad un! Little bit of crust, but probably better than mine was! I really really want mine back on the road! Although winter probably isn't the best time haha.

 

My Shite:

 

[Pete-M]

That's better than the Lupo or whatever it was you were breaking<<<< sorry, servicing when I was there...

[qwerty]

Ah the Arosa is brilliant! Sips fuel and delivers me to work! Whats even better is that its ultimate base spec. The sales document even calls is "Seat Arosa Base". How cool must the people who went into the dealer to buy it have felt!?

[autofive]

its perfect for getting a lift when your picking up a giff-tina

[whitevanman]

Thought I recognised that 'Tina.....thought it would be finished by now this from the man that has one that needs less than a week work to put it back together..... for over 5 years

[qwerty]

Its getting there. Just a bit more welding, the screen needs to go in, change the engine and box and then build it all back up.

 

Its had all new shocks and springs, polybushes, changed the brakes, a fair bit of welding etc etc.

[autofive]

Its getting there. Just a bit more welding, the screen needs to go in, change the engine and box and then build it all back up.

 

Its had all new shocks and springs, polybushes, changed the brakes, a fair bit of welding etc etc.

 

 

your new 2 litre engine and box is coming out today qwerty, if the weather holds

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

 

the 2.3 with a four speed manual will do 120, the 2.8 with a 5-speed manual (with 2.8 gear ratios) and a 38dgas will do 130/135 (both speeds measured with the cortina speedo, of course)

 

But not in reality! The 2.3 Cortina was road tested at a genuine 105 mph. Add the lying 'plus 15%' Ford speedo and you do indeed get 120 mph.

[HillmanImp]

On 11/14/2011 at 8:33 PM, Pete-M said:

Makes a big difference if you put the 2.8i engine, box and injection system in. Now that would do 120.

 

That's the only thing the 2.3 was any good for. The front cradle, power steering, exhaust and front springs. I did it to a 2.3S* and it was great.

 

 

*VHK 473S. The car I most regret scrapping.

This car was on Facebook just now in some screenshots from 'Out'. 

I'm that sad, I saw it and thought 'Is that the one Pete scrapped?' and it was. 

[Metal Guru]

On 14/11/2011 at 15:34, autofive said:

 

the obvious advantage of the 2.3 over the pinto was when towing, the pinto 2 litre struggled to climb hills with a load aboard. The 2.3 (in manual form 4-speed) tops out at about 120 at 4k revs, but the 2 litre pinto at 120 requires over 6k revs. I found my 2.3 manual was doing roughly the same mpg as a 2 litre pinto with a manual box, and came to the conclusion the main reason for the belief in the v6 cologne giving shocking mpg was the c3 autobox.

My Dad had an auto 2.3GL estate(1982) after a2.0GL mk4 (1979), also auto.  The 2.3 did seem a bit quicker to me and was definitely a much better tow car.

[sheffcortinacentre]

On 1/9/2023 at 2:50 PM, HillmanImp said:

This car was on Facebook just now in some screenshots from 'Out'. 

I'm that sad, I saw it and thought 'Is that the one Pete scrapped?' and it was. 

Except it's  a MK4 ,a 77  & the "S" pack need to create a GLS was only available on mk5's .

Otherwise great story.

That's one of the press fleet with around 108 hp the Mk5 was quoted as 116.the 2.0 was a better all-rounder  only losing out on torque.

[warren t claim]

On 11/15/2011 at 4:44 PM, The Reverend Bluejeans said:

 

But not in reality! The 2.3 Cortina was road tested at a genuine 105 mph. Add the lying 'plus 15%' Ford speedo and you do indeed get 120 mph.

Ford always fitted speedos that massively over read at speed. Even a 1300 Cortina would nudge 100mph on the speedo flat out. IIRC my Mk4 XR3 company car would show 134mph max speed on a flat motorway. My early Capri II 3 litre Ghia manual would nudge 140mph on the gauge downhill on a good day.