1989 Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth

[Olivera]

I've went old skool and purchased a 1989 Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth:






Despite being very dirty in the above pics, the car is in excellent condition. No rust at all! It also appears to have been fully resprayed at some point in the past, so the paintwork is in excellent nick. Covering less than 10k miles in the last 10 years also helps! Full spec (that I know of):

89k miles
Black recaro leather interior with RS 3 spoke wheel
Rebuilt stage 3 engine with ~330bhp
T34 turbo (Escort Cosworth)
Bosch 803 green injectors
Group A headgasket and cambelt replaced
Cometic gaskets and hydraulic tappets
Hi-flow uprated oil pump
Ahmed Bayjoo chip
New -31 actuator
Group A cone filter
Set of roose motorsport hoses
Bailey oil catch tank with oil resistant hoses
Full stainless exhaust
17" 100+ alloys
New front and rear brake discs
Koni dampers

However as with all 20 year old cars it needs a few things sorted. I.e. a new passengers door card, steering column trim fixed, new rear boot sensor, a full engine test, setup and service. Hopefully nothing major but one never can tell with an old car...

On the upside its great fun to drive! Classic front engined, rear wheel drive layout. The old turbo needs a good prod to wake up, but when it does its . It also sounds bloody insane, the sound of air being sucked into the cone filter when you stamp on the gas is louder than most peoples exhausts, never mind the turbo chatter and 3.5" tail pipe. Comparing it to a modern car its very unrefined, rattly, squeeky and dated, but perhaps more exciting for it.

No doubt there will be breakdowns, tears and a few big bills ahead, but until then I'm having fun.

[Olivera]

John Laverick said:

Nice ... what is the spec of the escort in the background. Looks like a sleeper?

The Escort in the background is a friends 1.4GL estate... However it is actually running a 2.0l zetec engine with webber throttle bodies. Fast and very loud!

[Olivera]

Update - car is in at Sitech Racing to get checked out. Despite being in good condition for its age it requires (so far):

Full Service
Engine Setup
Both front calipers refurbished due to non-functioning pistons
New front discs due to pitting
New front pads due to pitting

And it hasn't been road tested yet...

[Olivera]

ih8thisname said:

Olivera said:

I've went old skool and purchased a 1989 Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth:

I recognise that motor, stunning example!

Where are you based if you don't mind me asking?

The car was purchsed in London, although the current owner didn't have it for long himself. If you know anything about the cars history I'd delighted to know!

[Olivera]

Oh dear, more bad news After having everything fitted and the calipers refurbed, the bloody thing decided to drop a valve So the head is coming off to see what the damage is... At the very least new valves and head gasket etc will be required. This is getting expensive...

[Olivera]

Another update.

Sadly the orginal engine is destroyed One of the valves is actually physically embedded in the piston! The head is also badly damaged at the top of that cylinder. At the very minimum this engine would require the head repaired, a top end rebuild with all new valves, a new piston and ancillaries... So I've taken the decision to scrap this engine and buy another.

Fortunately I've picked up a second hand engine from an RS owners club member. Although its not been used for several years and needs a good clean-up, it looks in quite good condition. So currently this engine is being prepared and put together at Sitech Racing. However, as with any old second hand engine, I've got my fingers crossed...

[Olivera]

About time I updated this thread. I finally got the car back a couple of weeks ago from Sitech Racing. It now has a freshly rebuilt YBB engine with new piston rings, bearings, oil pump, head gasket, timing belt and other ancillaries. There's also new front discs, refurbished calipers and Ferodo DS2500 pads. However 56 hours of labour and over £1000 in parts doesn't come cheap...

Thanfully I've now done about 300 to 400 miles on the new engine and it all seems good! There's no longer lots of oil seeping out the front of the rocker cover and it's driving well. So some more pics:

[Olivera]

DennisTheMenace said:

I would love an old Sapphire cosworth i would hunt down the original lattice wheels for that and poss theoriginal indicators and tail lights (should be orange and the rears non smoked )

The plan is to go back to the original amber sidelights and clear rear lights. I also have the original cloth interior to put back in it - currently it has the later 4x4 leather interior. I've also hopefully got a set of 16" Azev A wheels lined up to replace the current ones, although I do like the originals too.