Dolomite fit the bill ?

[magatsu1]

Hi all.<br>
Right now I drive a modern Seat which is nice but kinda dull.I'm after a small/medium rear-drive saloon for over-steer fun and also something which isn't too complicated mechanicaly so I can get back into the "messin' with my car at the weekend".I can't afford to insure a Sprint(21 yrs old & 2 yrs NCD),not yet anyway,plus I think the 16 valve lump might be a bit complex for now.<br>
Would a 1500/1800 Dolomite do the job as a daily driver ?<br>
I'd apreciate any advice, thanks<br>
Pete.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[Jon Tilson]

annoying Andy by advertising...I have a couple I'm looking to move on. I like the 1850 myself as it has that bit more oomph than the 1500 and cruises better at motorway speeds. That being said a 1500 engine is less complex, being overhead valve and all iron wheras the Alloy headed and silly head studed 1850 can cause some DIY headaches. Dont buy any 1850 that has coolling sytem problems if you are a beginner.<br>
A 1500 is cheaper to tax and may be a bit less to insure. Some early Dolomites are tax free but these are rare and when I get one I dont sell it again...:-)<br>
If you are near west London you are welcome to come and try one. My student son has one and is very happy with it.<br>
<br>
Jonners<br>
<br>
<br>


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[magatsu1]

Hi Jon.<br>
Thanks for your reply.Could he drive it to Manchester for me to have a look at ?<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :p --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":p"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
The insurance on the 1800 is the same on my current car (group <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... lasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> so that isn't a problem. I tend to avoid motorways (how many stonechips on my bonnet ?)<br>
I thought parts wuold be harder to source for the 1.5 ?<br>
(I do have a soft-spot for push rods though<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
But is it torquey enough to induce a little oversteer ?<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
P.

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[magatsu1]

Oh bugger !<br>
That should say <br>
"group 8 insurance"<br>
sorry!sorry!sorry!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
P.

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[Jon Tilson]

from here or Cardiff....<br>
<br>
Never mind I'm sure you can find one locally. The 1500 is a bit easier for engine bits if anything cos of commonality with Spits. The 1850 has a lot of shared bits with TR7's though so it doesnt make a lot of difference. I have a Spit too and have had no problems getting bits.<br>
The 1500 suffers from a weak bottom end and crank thrust washers, the 1850 can be tricky in the water pump area and head gasket replacement can be a pain if the head studs are seized...as they often are.<br>
Welcome to the asylum and you'll find some useful info and contacts on here.<br>
<br>
Jonners<br>
<br>


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[dave spray]

if your in the manchester area i might be able to help as i know of one or two cars in the area cheers dave 4770165

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[Holy Toledo]

<br>
why not stick with Seat models and get a Toledo ?<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[SMIFTER]

If its oversteer you want you'll need to be prepared for some suspension mods - these cars tend to understeer in standard trim except in the wet when the back end handles like a pig on roller skates.<br>
<br>
As for wanting torque the 1850 is a much torquier lump than the 1500 but its still some way behind the Sprint engine which isnt really any more complex than the 1850.<br>
<br>
1850's have weak transmissions<br>
<br>
If you drive an 1850 hard you'll soon start destroying axles and gearboxes!

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[magatsu1]

but finding Dolomites doesn't seem too hard (or am I just lucky ?) easier than a nice mk1 escort minus a silly price anyway....<br>
Purley out of intrest does anyone have output figures for the 15 & 1800s ?<br>
Can a "sorted" Dolomite rival a escort as far as havin' fun ?<br>
P.

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[SMIFTER]

from memory 1850's kick out about 90BHP and 1500's about 70BHP give or take a few horses.<br>
<br>
A very well Sorted Sprint can certainly rival an escort in having fun and they can out perform an escort (I presume you are talking proper MK1 & 2 escorts - not the front wheel drive rubbish) but it takes a lot of work to get it to that level.<br>
<br>
Of course it depends how well sorted the escort is your comparing it against. My Brother in Law has a very well sorted Mk1 with a 2.1 engine and fully adjustable height/rate/camber/castor suspension - Lets just say my Sprint keeps up with it in a straight line. <br>
<br>
Its more rewarding modifying a Dolomite though - its all too easy with escorts!<br>


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[magatsu1]

Do things get a bit messey at the twisties ?! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
I do like the idea of not pickin' the obvious option.Most of the people I know won't know what a Dolomite is !<br>
You said the 1800s had weak trannys.Uh, just how bad are they ? I'm only thinking along the lines of fast road stuff. <br>
P.<br>


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[ajsamuels]

I had an 1850 for 5 years, it used to eat 2nd and 3rd gear synchro rings and the nasty pressed steel clutch release fork would fatigue and break every 6 months or so.

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[Jon Tilson]

Never had a clutch release fork fail. Boxes last indefinitely if you know how to drive. Synchro does go on any box of the era at about 60k miles but so what.?<br>
Diff on 30 year old one just started pinion oil seal leak. I just top it up.<br>
An 1850 used in traffic light burn outs will eat clutch plates cos first gear is so high. Driven sensibly 50k miles is no problem.<br>
Our TR7 one will eat any std escort up to an RS turbo.<br>
Overdrives dont like towing.<br>
<br>
Jonners

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[magatsu1]

do any towing so that ain't a problem.<br>
Is that a standard TR7, by thw way, Jon ?<br>
Anyone know of any mods. to resolve wakpoints ?<br>
(ie, like puttin' in an SD1 box)

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[SMIFTER]

Jon<br>
<br>
You must have some slow RS Turbos in your area cause some of them around Bristol are pretty quick and could eat my Sprint for a mid afternoon snack!<br>
<br>
I had a modified 1850 - TR7 SU's, K&N's that 4-branch manifold and sports exhaust plus the usual Spax crap suspension. It used to go very well compared to a std 1850 but I'd be kidding myself to say it was anything like a Sprint in performance terms.<br>
<br>
I have been known to drive cars rather enthusiatically but I've never trashed the transmission on any other car I've owned or driven.<br>
<br>
Anyway, a conservative estimate of the engine power output of my old 1850 would be about 100BHP ish and I only had 1 total gearbox failure which seemed to coincide with the power upgrades. Once I had the 'box rebuilt it never gave me anymore trouble though.<br>
<br>
But the Axles are weak. I got through several secondhand axles during my ownership of the thing. It would start with a whine, then some knocking, then all hell would let loose as the crownwheel teeth would break off.<br>
<br>
If you want a Dolomite to drive consistently hard I'm afraid theres only one real answer and It begins in S and rhymes with flint!<br>
<br>
p.s. Magatsu1 - Dolomites can be made to handle nicely but just dont expect 'out of the box' RWD escort style handling.<br>


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