Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth
Discussion
Allow me to introduce to you my newest (old) purchase. A 1991 Sierra Sapphire Cosworth. I've bought this car to replace my Focus ST which unfortunately has been written off due to accident so took this as a chance to get something I've really wanted for a fair few years now. In fact if it wasn't for me getting married this year probably would've got it sooner.
As I've already mentioned it's a 1991 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth in Magenta (yes that is the colour) It has spent the last 12 years as part of the Derby RSOC and has been a familiar face to both local and national shows over the last decade (This is the moment when I suddenly realized that the car is nearly as old as I am, just in better condition) It's hit the benchmark with is 100k miles but for a car that is 24 Years Old you wouldn't think it has done anywhere near that amount. Add to that the engine has been thoroughly looked after over the last 12 years I can safely saw that it is in better condition than most of the cars on the road currently. It has been regularly maintained and serviced by Norris Motorsports in Derbyshire.
The spec of the car is as followed:
Engine:
Norris Motorsport Stage 3+ Tune inc
T34 Turbo with 0.63 housing,
Norris Motorsport Stage 1 Head with BD8 Cams and Vernier Pulleys,
Upgraded Multilayered Head Gasket,
Norris Motorsport Stage 3 Live Map,
Bosch 803 Green Fuel Injectors,
Denso IK27 Spark Plugs,
Group A Coil,
RS500 style Intercooler,
Alloy Radiator and additional Turbo Cooling Radiator,
Vibratechnics Competition Engine and Gearbox Mounts,
AP Racing 6 Paddle Clutch.
Chassis:
330mm AP Racing Front Brake Upgrade,
Upgraded Rear Pads with Grooves Discs,
Goodridge Brakelines,
Koni Shocks with Eibach Springs,
Fully Polybushed,
17" Compomotive MO6 Alloy Wheels
Thanks to NMS the engine is now running 348 bhp and 302 ft/lb at 25 psi
As I've already mentioned it's a 1991 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth in Magenta (yes that is the colour) It has spent the last 12 years as part of the Derby RSOC and has been a familiar face to both local and national shows over the last decade (This is the moment when I suddenly realized that the car is nearly as old as I am, just in better condition) It's hit the benchmark with is 100k miles but for a car that is 24 Years Old you wouldn't think it has done anywhere near that amount. Add to that the engine has been thoroughly looked after over the last 12 years I can safely saw that it is in better condition than most of the cars on the road currently. It has been regularly maintained and serviced by Norris Motorsports in Derbyshire.
The spec of the car is as followed:
Engine:
Norris Motorsport Stage 3+ Tune inc
T34 Turbo with 0.63 housing,
Norris Motorsport Stage 1 Head with BD8 Cams and Vernier Pulleys,
Upgraded Multilayered Head Gasket,
Norris Motorsport Stage 3 Live Map,
Bosch 803 Green Fuel Injectors,
Denso IK27 Spark Plugs,
Group A Coil,
RS500 style Intercooler,
Alloy Radiator and additional Turbo Cooling Radiator,
Vibratechnics Competition Engine and Gearbox Mounts,
AP Racing 6 Paddle Clutch.
Chassis:
330mm AP Racing Front Brake Upgrade,
Upgraded Rear Pads with Grooves Discs,
Goodridge Brakelines,
Koni Shocks with Eibach Springs,
Fully Polybushed,
17" Compomotive MO6 Alloy Wheels
Thanks to NMS the engine is now running 348 bhp and 302 ft/lb at 25 psi
It isn't as rare as some of the colours... As I found out yesterday after leaving work and had another Cossie in the same colour parked next to me. Really confused me for a minute than I realised it wasn't my car...
Always been a fan of these cars. My Dad had one when I was like 3/4 Years Old. So has been a dream car of mine for a VERY long time. Now that I have it hopefully it'll stay with me now
Always been a fan of these cars. My Dad had one when I was like 3/4 Years Old. So has been a dream car of mine for a VERY long time. Now that I have it hopefully it'll stay with me now
Stevenr said:
Nice car,spot on power wise too in my opinion.
Welcome to Cosworth ownership
Cheers mate, owned it for nearly a year now and it is currently my daily driver since I don't have room in the garage to store it away at the moment. I'd like a little more power, probably around the 400 mark but I am aiming to sort out all the electrics and looms before going for anything else. Welcome to Cosworth ownership
Mine's coming up for a year now too,spent a small fortune putting things right on it but once you get there it's worth it,until the next thing breaks 
I drive mine as much as I can too,limited mileage on the insurance kind of hampers things but I try to get out every weekend at least.
I drive mine as much as I can too,limited mileage on the insurance kind of hampers things but I try to get out every weekend at least.
Stevenr said:
Mine's coming up for a year now too,spent a small fortune putting things right on it but once you get there it's worth it,until the next thing breaks
I drive mine as much as I can too,limited mileage on the insurance kind of hampers things but I try to get out every weekend at least.
I looked at Classic Insurance but would rather use it as and when I needed to so just went with a Modified Policy with an agreed valuation. Just got through it's MOT last week and only advisory was a split cv gator so have them on order now waiting to be changed over. Nothing has gone so far, luckily. Just need to start bringing it up to standard with some modern/more reliable parts/techI drive mine as much as I can too,limited mileage on the insurance kind of hampers things but I try to get out every weekend at least.
Stevenr said:
How do you find it compares to your ST?
Most of the young team with modern fords around here don't have a clue what mine is until they ask questions after it's made them look a bit daft
The obvious part is that the ST is quicker on a daily basis. Had enough Torque to pull out in any gear and get you upto that all important rev range for the turbo to kick in. Was an amazing car and I will get another one since the Mrs still mentions how she misses that car. Was set up fully for track with a full leather interior and air con. Powerful and quick enough for me whilst being comfortable enough for her...Most of the young team with modern fords around here don't have a clue what mine is until they ask questions after it's made them look a bit daft
As for the Cossie it's a real drivers car and that is the one thing I stress to everyone who asks about it. You can't just put your foot down and let you car do everything. It's a pig to get off the line due to the performance clutch so most will leave me off the lights and the gear changes are huge and can be measured with a yard stick. Once I'm in 3rd though and the boost kicks in there isn't much that can outrun it.
Looking forward to this weekend and the Morgan Meet so I can have a drive up through the hills
Yeah agree with the drivers car bit,I had an Impreza STI when I got the Saph.It was about 330bhp so was quite a good thing but the cossie fairly gets the adrenaline going a bit quicker 
Short shift kit does wonders for the gear change,never noticed it much until I drove my mates 4x4,couldn't be without it now.
Short shift kit does wonders for the gear change,never noticed it much until I drove my mates 4x4,couldn't be without it now.
Stevenr said:
Yeah agree with the drivers car bit,I had an Impreza STI when I got the Saph.It was about 330bhp so was quite a good thing but the cossie fairly gets the adrenaline going a bit quicker
Short shift kit does wonders for the gear change,never noticed it much until I drove my mates 4x4,couldn't be without it now.
It is definitely on my list. I just worry about changing gears quicker than the box wants to since I've read it can happen. Also need to try and source a good Short Shift as wellShort shift kit does wonders for the gear change,never noticed it much until I drove my mates 4x4,couldn't be without it now.
Lovely long car. I've had mine for 17 years now and have no intention of letting it go. They might not be the fastest things out there anymore, but they are fun and compared to modern cars small enough the throw around. There is a sense of occasion on every journey, that most people just don't 'get''.
Hope you find that regular use keeps the bills down. They tend not to like sitting around too much.
Please put the clear indicator lenses back though, suits it much better.
Hope you find that regular use keeps the bills down. They tend not to like sitting around too much.
Please put the clear indicator lenses back though, suits it much better.
LanceRS said:
Lovely long car. I've had mine for 17 years now and have no intention of letting it go. They might not be the fastest things out there anymore, but they are fun and compared to modern cars small enough the throw around. There is a sense of occasion on every journey, that most people just don't 'get''.
Hope you find that regular use keeps the bills down. They tend not to like sitting around too much.
Please put the clear indicator lenses back though, suits it much better.
Yeah mate something about Cosworth ownership that really does get under your skin. All it owes me so far is a tyre from a puncture and a Turbo Cooler due to the original one being split so daily driving is the key I think. I still have the clear indicators but prefer the amber. I also have some standard headlights but due to the size of the Intercooler/Rad I can't get the original lights in atm, need to replace the rad set up with a slimmer one before the lights go back onHope you find that regular use keeps the bills down. They tend not to like sitting around too much.
Please put the clear indicator lenses back though, suits it much better.
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