500+bhp Mk3 Fiesta Project

500+bhp Mk3 Fiesta Project

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Discussion

Liquid Knight

15,754 posts

184 months

Thursday 5th November 2020
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Eight months to make a bracket fit. Take that Binky. :-)

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,671 posts

189 months

Saturday 7th November 2020
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Ha ha smile

30mm diameter spacers finished and installed. These are a better fit with the alloy bracket.



Next on to the handbrake cable, and I was pleased to find that I had a new Racing Puma cable in stock. These fit the Fiesta floor pan and suit the Lucas handbrake calipers for rear discs. I believe that this cable was discontinued a while ago.


Ford buffs will be familiar with 909 prefixed part numbers which originated in Boreham and were assigned to motorsport or special build parts. For some reason around the time of the Racing Puma production a 908 prefix was introduced.


Cable fitted and gaiter in place. I missed a trick here by not having the handbrake and gear gaiter trimmed in the seat leather. I may send them away during lockdown.


I found a couple of rare parts for the Mk3: a Ford boot liner, and an engine undertray which was fitted to the very first XR2i's to leave the factory after which it was discontinued in short order.


anonymous-user

55 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
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Liquid Knight said:
Eight months to make a bracket fit. Take that Binky. :-)
I blame the lack of a production Lama to assist in this build.

Shadow R1

3,800 posts

177 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
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Superb to see the thread getting updates. smile

yajeed

4,899 posts

255 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
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Am I the only one who gets offended by the faded pink plastic on the seatbelt buckle socket when the rest of the interior is so pristine?

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,671 posts

189 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
yajeed said:
Am I the only one who gets offended by the faded pink plastic on the seatbelt buckle socket when the rest of the interior is so pristine?
You aren't. That's happened since the interior was fitted. I will attend to them.

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,671 posts

189 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
ABS Module
It was decision time:

1) Fit a small frame ABS system from a later Fiesta. The benefits of this system are a compact module which is easier to package and the wiring is plug and play with the Mk5 engine bay loom that I'm using. The drawbacks are that the traction control version is not switchable and the rear Focus hubs that I've used would require machining for a different ABS sensor.

2) Fit the large frame ATE MK25 ABS system from the Mk1 Focus. The benefits are the availability of a switchable TC module (I've pre-wired for this) and the ABS sensors are more reliable, and more accurate. The drawbacks are that my wiring loom would require modification, as would the front hubs to suit a later ABS sensor, and also the gearbox mount and master cylinder to clear the larger module.

I decided to go for option 2. I had prepared a bracket for this option and I had in stock a very nice TC equipped module from a Mk1 Focus ST170.



The gearbox mount now has a couple of rounded corners and a scalloped section in order to allow more clearance.


The fastenings are from the donor ST170 but have been re-plated.


In order to fit the module the servo & master cylinder are loosed off and moved out of the way. It's interesting when working on bespoke installations not only because it's satisfying when a plan comes together, but also the learning of how to maintain it.


The servo & master cylinder refitted with the spacers to clear the larger ABS/TC module.


My measurements and mock-up during the chassis build appear to have worked; there is 5mm clearance between chassis mount, module, and servo.


Now I can move on to plumbing.


Edited by mwstewart on Monday 9th November 10:22

E36Ross

502 posts

113 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
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Have been reading from the start, This and your M3 and Golf builds.


This is honestly my favourite build thread, please continue with updates! smile

Mercury00

4,105 posts

157 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
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I'd hate to be the call handler at your insurance company when you declare your mods. I think I'd also be scared to drive the car anywhere in case some numpty hit me.

snobetter

1,164 posts

147 months

Monday 9th November 2020
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mwstewart said:
ABS Module
It was decision time:

1) Fit a small frame ABS system from a later Fiesta. The benefits of this system are a compact module which is easier to package and the wiring is plug and play with the Mk5 engine bay loom that I'm using. The drawbacks are that the traction control version is not switchable and the rear Focus hubs that I've used would require machining for a different ABS sensor.

2) Fit the large frame ATE MK25 ABS system from the Mk1 Focus. The benefits are the availability of a switchable TC module (I've pre-wired for this) and the ABS sensors are more reliable, and more accurate. The drawbacks are that my wiring loom would require modification, as would the front hubs to suit a later ABS sensor, and also the gearbox mount and master cylinder to clear the larger module.
None of us thought for a second you'd do the easier, not quite as good, option 1....

yajeed

4,899 posts

255 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
mwstewart said:
You aren't. That's happened since the interior was fitted. I will attend to them.
I have no doubt :-)

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,671 posts

189 months

Thursday 12th November 2020
quotequote all
I have started plumbing the brake lines. For the master cylinder I'm using AN4 hose with AN4 hose fittings then AN4 to M12x1 adapters to suit the M/C and module. The hose sent was supposed to be silver with a clear PVC sheath but it looks yellow, so I've ordered another length.


The AN3 hose was fine. I'm adding stainless rivnuts in the holes originally for the OEM plastic fittings. I always find pipe routing takes a bit of thought and time; for example a triple hose clamp drilled out to take a longer bolt in order to secure it to a hole drilled on the master cylinder bracket, over which a spire clip is mounted.



Passenger airbag warning sticker just to make things correct given that I have retrofitted one.


I addressed the faded seat belt clasps by painting with some Tamiya X-7 red paint.


Decal kit for the engine bay.

keith2.2

1,100 posts

196 months

Friday 13th November 2020
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This thread reminds me that I've been following this car for 20 years laugh

It makes me want to revisit my H22 Civic build - but do it properly this time! Would love to catch up with you and this next time I'm back!

rainmasterb

371 posts

208 months

Friday 13th November 2020
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Hi Mark, hope you’re well. Have you been to the 5 Bells lately?

Do you have a photo of the exterior of the car, or is it still in bits?

I can vividly remember a Max Power magazine with a bright red Fiesta RST on the cover that was really nicely done. I think it was by Power Engineering and had Escort Cosworth wheels and a Mondeo Estate spoiler grated to the rear hatch.

Oh and to caveat, that was way before Maxy P went Pornographic and my Mum banned it!

Shadow R1

3,800 posts

177 months

Friday 13th November 2020
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I remember that, September 1995 edition of the mag.

matc

4,714 posts

208 months

Friday 13th November 2020
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Green bumper inserts too if I remember correctly! Was a great looking car!

BigRusko

293 posts

95 months

Friday 13th November 2020
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matc said:
Green bumper inserts too if I remember correctly! Was a great looking car!
yes

ATM

18,348 posts

220 months

Saturday 14th November 2020
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I'm surprised people are admitting to reading Max Power now. For years it was seen as a bit vulgar. Perhaps now we're all a bit older and couldn't care less what people think. The car which always got me excited was the Dimma 205. Although I'm not sure I would be too bothered about actually owning one now.

DevonLad

770 posts

183 months

Saturday 14th November 2020
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Shadow R1 said:
I remember that, September 1995 edition of the mag.

ajprice

27,686 posts

197 months

Saturday 14th November 2020
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BigRusko said:
matc said:
Green bumper inserts too if I remember correctly! Was a great looking car!
yes
Unless it's a different shade, green bumper strips were standard on the MK3 RS Turbo, along with 90's tastic 3 spoke wheels.