by drumnavee » Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:41 pm
as we are using a viva estate on a european rally through 9 countries in 12 days starting in july 2015, sadly the 1256 and 4 speed box is woeful so out it came and in went a stage 2 2 litre pinto and type 9 5 speed box. i have to say one of the easiest conversions we've done. (the original plan was a bmw twin cam m44 engine and box; much more fiddly) gearbox cross member in original position, make up engine mounts and away you go. gear lever about 2 inches further back, did'nt need to move handbrake. looks like its always been there and goes really well. used rad from ford focus, exhaust downpipe a bit fiddly to get round steering column but ok, now just running for a few weeks see how it goes.....