Escort Cosworth
Discussion
Hi
I am toying with the ideal of using some of the cash from a house sale to purchase an Escort Cosworth.
I understand there were two models? A large turbo version and a small turbo version?
Which one is the most desirable? Was the large turbo the first model out? I read that the turbo lag can be a problem with the larger turbos.
Any pro's and con's that anyone is able to share?
I have had a look around and they seem to range from 10k - 20k
Thanks
I am toying with the ideal of using some of the cash from a house sale to purchase an Escort Cosworth.
I understand there were two models? A large turbo version and a small turbo version?
Which one is the most desirable? Was the large turbo the first model out? I read that the turbo lag can be a problem with the larger turbos.
Any pro's and con's that anyone is able to share?
I have had a look around and they seem to range from 10k - 20k
Thanks
I had an early one from new. Couldnt wait to get rid. Unless the turbo cut in it drove like an 850 mini. When it did cut in it would rip your head off. And unless you red lined it, when changing up, there would be massive lag. Fun when you get it right, but driving on the limit all the time is tiring. The other thing I didnt like, the one I had, had traction control which I couldnt turn off. So even heal and toe and slipping the clutch to get the boost up, the car would bog down from a standing start. I also had lots of undesirable admirers diving up and down my drive.
If you want to red line it up motorways or clear AB roads on occasions its great, the handling brakes etc were also fantastic. But to get a sense of occasion you would be doing 80mph where as in normal cars that feeling would happen at 50. An everyday car its not.
If you want to red line it up motorways or clear AB roads on occasions its great, the handling brakes etc were also fantastic. But to get a sense of occasion you would be doing 80mph where as in normal cars that feeling would happen at 50. An everyday car its not.
No Escort Cosworth ever had Tc dont know where that came from???
The large turbo version is more desirable if you want more power as it has the earlier Weber management system like the Sierra & can be easily tuned to 400bhp upwards.
The small turbo was quite an advance to the earlier type & is a better road car due to less lag, this had Ford management which is harder to up the power on & also restricted by the smaller turbo but 300bhp is still possible from a remap & exhaust.
They are easily identified by the cam cover on the engine early big turbo has the original style sqaure top with the ignition leads exposed, the later car has a smooth top with a cover over the coil on plug igniton system.
In short if you want to modify big turbo better.
If you just want a nice stock car small turbo.
The large turbo version is more desirable if you want more power as it has the earlier Weber management system like the Sierra & can be easily tuned to 400bhp upwards.
The small turbo was quite an advance to the earlier type & is a better road car due to less lag, this had Ford management which is harder to up the power on & also restricted by the smaller turbo but 300bhp is still possible from a remap & exhaust.
They are easily identified by the cam cover on the engine early big turbo has the original style sqaure top with the ignition leads exposed, the later car has a smooth top with a cover over the coil on plug igniton system.
In short if you want to modify big turbo better.
If you just want a nice stock car small turbo.
Thanks.
I have just printed off some articles and to be honest I would def go for the later small turbo model.
I like my cars standard.
I used to have a Mitsubishi Evo that I think had been modified and the lag was terrible. From the lights it was rubbish until the Turbo cut in (often by then the 1.4 Corsa next to me was long gone...)
I will have a good look through the classified adverts tonight and see if there are any candidates about.
I have just printed off some articles and to be honest I would def go for the later small turbo model.
I like my cars standard.
I used to have a Mitsubishi Evo that I think had been modified and the lag was terrible. From the lights it was rubbish until the Turbo cut in (often by then the 1.4 Corsa next to me was long gone...)
I will have a good look through the classified adverts tonight and see if there are any candidates about.
TROOPER88 said:
FreeLitres said:
Hmmm, which would I want in a performance car. A big turbo, or small turbo? Tough choice. 
Which would you want as a daily driver though???The original Escort Cosworth was for homoligation purposes, so it had stuff designed to be used on a rally car, hence it's road manners where maybe not ideal. But it had lots of potential.
The latter cars where not needed for homoligation, hence they are better setup for road use in standard form.
One thing though, make sure you are buying one for the right reasons. While they where quick in their day, they are no longer the pinnacle of awd technology. So buy one for it being a Cosworth, not because you want a fast AWD rally rep. A modern Evo is far supeiror in this regard.
meadowhog said:
I had an early one from new. Couldnt wait to get rid. Unless the turbo cut in it drove like an 850 mini. When it did cut in it would rip your head off. And unless you red lined it, when changing up, there would be massive lag. Fun when you get it right, but driving on the limit all the time is tiring. The other thing I didnt like, the one I had, had traction control which I couldnt turn off. So even heal and toe and slipping the clutch to get the boost up, the car would bog down from a standing start. I also had lots of undesirable admirers diving up and down my drive.
If you want to red line it up motorways or clear AB roads on occasions its great, the handling brakes etc were also fantastic. But to get a sense of occasion you would be doing 80mph where as in normal cars that feeling would happen at 50. An everyday car its not.
Totally disagree.If you want to red line it up motorways or clear AB roads on occasions its great, the handling brakes etc were also fantastic. But to get a sense of occasion you would be doing 80mph where as in normal cars that feeling would happen at 50. An everyday car its not.
This myth of massive Turbo lag just doesnt actually exist at all. I have driven loads from standard power to 700bhp.
Of course a std car doesnt come on boost like a new 997 Turbo with VVT turbos etc etc.... but its not the nothing nothing.... OMG BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOST.
Nothing like that at ALL!
and as for ripping your head off? its a pretty heavy car with 220 odd bhp. How is that gonna rip your head off?
you had it from NEW? and yet it had traction control??? er really?
Wasn't fitted by Ford thats for sure! and why would it need it? 200 odd bhp, 1300kg of weight and four wheel drive? hardly a widow maker
To the OP. stop listening to RUBBISH like this...
and join http://www.escortrscosworth.com/
experience from actual owners, many of whom use the cars daily still.
They are not ALL blinkered idiots who think they are the best cars in the world ever!
Because they aren't! They do have a certain charm though and get a good one, nicely modified and maintained and I am sure you will enjoy the experience.
Get a bad one... it WILL be a horrible horrible money pit! They are OLD cars now. Whilst the actual engine is very strong, all the stuff like looms and ancillaries and sensors can easily fail and before you know it... you have melted a piston.
Edited by Porkie on Tuesday 24th May 08:59
Porkie said:
This myth of massive Turbo lag just doesnt actually exist at all. I have driven loads from standard power to 700bhp.
Of course a std car doesnt come on boost like a new 997 Turbo with VVT turbos etc etc.... but its not the nothing nothing.... OMG BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOST.
Nothing like that at ALL!
Turbo lag often seems to be much worse in the minds of people who've never driven a turbo car.....Of course a std car doesnt come on boost like a new 997 Turbo with VVT turbos etc etc.... but its not the nothing nothing.... OMG BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOST.
Nothing like that at ALL!
excel monkey said:
Awesome car. At the time of its launch there was nothing to touch the Escort Cosworth.
In what way?
The Sierra Cosworth wasn't so far away from it. Also the Escort only had 220hp, so while it wasn't slow, it wasn't exactly the fastest thing in the world. In a straight line a 1972 Trans Am would muller one stock for stock.
sleep envy said:
it doesn't, even a current clio will out perform it
still, it's an iconic car
True, EVO had an Integrale with a similar PWR to the Escos at Cadwell and it was well behind a Clio 197 and Corsa VXR.still, it's an iconic car
These little hot hatches weigh 100kg or more less and have more power at the wheels...that's progress
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