Thinking of a Fiesta RS Turbo
Discussion
Evening all,
I've recently been scouring the classifieds thinking of getting a second car, something to make use of the amazing country roads near where I live. My Audi A8 does the day to day duties and commuting brilliantly, but it's a little big for hooning down country lanes and a little effortless when you want speed.
I've always been fond of Fords and the Fiesta RS Turbo has always interested me. Does anyone have ownership experience of one? I was wondering what sort of examples I should be looking at, if there are any common problem areas (they seem extremely simple, mechanically - turbo CVH and simple electrics and suspension) etc etc.
One concern I have is that I've heard the handling was criticised when they came out. Do they handle badly? I'm not expecting 205/309GTi levels of feedback and control but I wouldn't expect the little Ford RS Turbo to be too bad - it's on tiny wheels and it weighs bugger all!
I note they were removed from the Fiesta range after a relatively short production period. Did they sell badly?
Any tips, info, anecdotes etc etc about these cars would be appreciated. I want to know all there is to know!
I've recently been scouring the classifieds thinking of getting a second car, something to make use of the amazing country roads near where I live. My Audi A8 does the day to day duties and commuting brilliantly, but it's a little big for hooning down country lanes and a little effortless when you want speed.
I've always been fond of Fords and the Fiesta RS Turbo has always interested me. Does anyone have ownership experience of one? I was wondering what sort of examples I should be looking at, if there are any common problem areas (they seem extremely simple, mechanically - turbo CVH and simple electrics and suspension) etc etc.
One concern I have is that I've heard the handling was criticised when they came out. Do they handle badly? I'm not expecting 205/309GTi levels of feedback and control but I wouldn't expect the little Ford RS Turbo to be too bad - it's on tiny wheels and it weighs bugger all!
I note they were removed from the Fiesta range after a relatively short production period. Did they sell badly?
Any tips, info, anecdotes etc etc about these cars would be appreciated. I want to know all there is to know!
Funnily enough I was going to post up exactly the same thread!
I was at the NEC classic car show on Sunday and had a long chat with the RS owners club fellas there about the Fiesta RS - they had a lovely restored one on the stand.
They said there are vaiours places to check, some obvious, some less so; boot for a rear end, lift up the carpet and check the underneath spare wheel (I'd say original dealer fit no. plates or not would help too), battery trays corrode - not unusual to find a hole in one!, around the petrol cap and the bodykit acts as a dirt and therefore rust trap - ie the sunroof rear drain holes come out under the car in a standard fiesta, in an RS they drain into the bodykit!!
I'll be watching this with interest, I too would like to know more.
Cheers
Edited to add it was the RS owners club I spoke to!
I was at the NEC classic car show on Sunday and had a long chat with the RS owners club fellas there about the Fiesta RS - they had a lovely restored one on the stand.
They said there are vaiours places to check, some obvious, some less so; boot for a rear end, lift up the carpet and check the underneath spare wheel (I'd say original dealer fit no. plates or not would help too), battery trays corrode - not unusual to find a hole in one!, around the petrol cap and the bodykit acts as a dirt and therefore rust trap - ie the sunroof rear drain holes come out under the car in a standard fiesta, in an RS they drain into the bodykit!!
I'll be watching this with interest, I too would like to know more.
Cheers
Edited by acme on Friday 23 November 11:13
Edited to add it was the RS owners club I spoke to!
Edited by acme on Friday 23 November 11:14
As above rust is the biggest problem with these the handling is not as bad as some make out just make sure its got the correct wishbones fitted (they are unique to the Rs & xr models) the engine is very simple & reliable the reason they stopped the turbo & went to the rs1800 is because of the then new emisson laws in 1993 
Those wishbones, will they be a pain to get hold of now? I am guessing that since they would only have been made for the short run of the RS Turbo and the final XR2i they may be rare, or is the part market for these things generally decent? (it's been a while since I owned a Ford and I've never had an 'old' one!).
Also, what are they like to drive? I note the smaller turbo provides boost from 2000rpm as opposed to the Escort RS Turbo's 3000rpm boost threshold. Are they peppy? Fast? Or just quick? What is the gearbox like? A pleasure to behold, or a bit of a clunker? Are they eager rev or does the boost tail off quickly?
With them being so few and far between, I can't just go and view one for a test drive to see if I like it so I'd like to be as well equipped with knowledge as I can be when I do go and see one!
Also, what are they like to drive? I note the smaller turbo provides boost from 2000rpm as opposed to the Escort RS Turbo's 3000rpm boost threshold. Are they peppy? Fast? Or just quick? What is the gearbox like? A pleasure to behold, or a bit of a clunker? Are they eager rev or does the boost tail off quickly?
With them being so few and far between, I can't just go and view one for a test drive to see if I like it so I'd like to be as well equipped with knowledge as I can be when I do go and see one!
Wishbones are easily bought although genuine ones are fair better quality (not massively expensive) they do have a bit of turbo lag but that's part of the fun & the gearbox is ok but the linkages wear (kit from burton will sort that) the smaller turbo is good for low end but if you want more than @ 165bhp you will want to upgrade to the escorts t3.
Hello,
I owned a Fiesta RS Turbo from 1997 - 2012.
First off, please remember these cars are getting old now, so dont think you will be chasing some of the more modern small hatches.
Rust is the main enemy here, as already mentioned they are very very bad for it. I highly recommend a good inspection of the arches, petrol cap, windscreen, rear wiper area, sills and engine bay.
The good old CVH can be a good engine if looked after. Valve stem seals can be an issue. The "T2" turbo does not like anything over 12psi. Most cars will have had a turbo change or had it fixed. The small turbo is expensive, so most people upgraded to the Escort "T3". This is no bad thing if its been done properly.
My car had 148,000 miles on the clock still on the original turbo. Regular oil changes were the secret.
Alternators can be a problem, as it sits low and at the front of the engine. I reoommend getting the best you can buy as the car does use a lot of juice.
Speaking of electrics, please check the internal fuse/relay tray as there can be melting issues with the radiator fan relay. With the small engine bay and lots of heat, that fan is on a LOT!
Parts are becoming rarer. Ebay can be your friend.
If you want any more info. just ask.
cheers
I owned a Fiesta RS Turbo from 1997 - 2012.
First off, please remember these cars are getting old now, so dont think you will be chasing some of the more modern small hatches.
Rust is the main enemy here, as already mentioned they are very very bad for it. I highly recommend a good inspection of the arches, petrol cap, windscreen, rear wiper area, sills and engine bay.
The good old CVH can be a good engine if looked after. Valve stem seals can be an issue. The "T2" turbo does not like anything over 12psi. Most cars will have had a turbo change or had it fixed. The small turbo is expensive, so most people upgraded to the Escort "T3". This is no bad thing if its been done properly.
My car had 148,000 miles on the clock still on the original turbo. Regular oil changes were the secret.
Alternators can be a problem, as it sits low and at the front of the engine. I reoommend getting the best you can buy as the car does use a lot of juice.
Speaking of electrics, please check the internal fuse/relay tray as there can be melting issues with the radiator fan relay. With the small engine bay and lots of heat, that fan is on a LOT!
Parts are becoming rarer. Ebay can be your friend.
If you want any more info. just ask.
cheers
I bought one to transplant it's engine into my kit car. I knew the car was rough, but I wasnt quite prepared for how rough. They really rot, so there's a chance you'll be looking at a reshell. If you're not bothered whether you have a genuine turbo shell or not, there are quite a few 2i's kicking around with turbo engines in them. The petrol cap area, front shocks area, sills, anywhere where the bodykit is covering up rot is where they go.
The CVH was never a refined engine when it came out, and it's got some interesting noises compared to a Zetec/Duratec etc. It is transformed by either a 165 chip, or swapping the injectors and getting a 195 chip in it. Anything after that and you're looking at the T3 turbo and moving the rad/intercooler forwards.
Handling can be sorted easy enough, the trick with them is polybushes mainly.
fiestaturbo.com has a fair amount of info and cars for sale in the forums
The CVH was never a refined engine when it came out, and it's got some interesting noises compared to a Zetec/Duratec etc. It is transformed by either a 165 chip, or swapping the injectors and getting a 195 chip in it. Anything after that and you're looking at the T3 turbo and moving the rad/intercooler forwards.
Handling can be sorted easy enough, the trick with them is polybushes mainly.
fiestaturbo.com has a fair amount of info and cars for sale in the forums
I had a Escort RS Turbo, they respond badly to the standard HT Leads.. constantly needed changing, also plugs etc. Gearbox's are the week point, start running decent power and you will be replacing them. Great little cars, around town and on boost they are still a capable car. Get one to around 150bhp and with the torque you get and it being much lighter than the newer stuff you will surprise alot of cars. Getting the power down was always the issue though, they wheelspin alot when pushing on
Do it!
I had one back in the 90's and still to this day I keep looking what is out theire. Nearly dropped close to 5k on one not long back that was for sale in the north west of Scotland and had numerous concours trophies.
Back in the day, one of the big problems was the rear panel around the fuel filler that always seems to rust. I think you can by kits to replace these still.
Also, if you are wanting it to look original, you will find a lot of the parts are now very hard to find. The green bumper stips and side mouldings are like hens teeth!!!!
I had one back in the 90's and still to this day I keep looking what is out theire. Nearly dropped close to 5k on one not long back that was for sale in the north west of Scotland and had numerous concours trophies.
Back in the day, one of the big problems was the rear panel around the fuel filler that always seems to rust. I think you can by kits to replace these still.
Also, if you are wanting it to look original, you will find a lot of the parts are now very hard to find. The green bumper stips and side mouldings are like hens teeth!!!!
Oh, forgot to mention, torque steer.... lots of torque steer. As others have mentioned, a 165 chip can really make a difference. With various mods ( injectors, intercooler, etc ), I had mine on the rolling road at Well Lane in Batley pushing 186 BHP. Was certainly lively and when my mate got his new 200 bhp Subaru impreza, he was most surpised when I was up his bumper looking to pull past on the straights.
Edited by Rew on Friday 7th December 12:29
OP, you might want to look at this thread and if you can, contact the author.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I love the look of these but the worries of them rusting away are putting me off a bit. I could easily get the bottom of it waxoyled but I doubt that would work to protect the areas beneath the bodykit.
A shame, as they look ideal as a B-road blaster; simple mechanics and construction, light weight, laggy old turbo to challenge the driver...
A shame, as they look ideal as a B-road blaster; simple mechanics and construction, light weight, laggy old turbo to challenge the driver...
I have a mk3 (not quite and rst) its my second one and i am on the ft website. They are good cars, however, they do rust, mainly on sills, rear top mounts, around the fuel cap and be sure to check the floor by the bulk head etc. also the rs kit can hide nasties!! Also, the cvh engines do seem
To need some care, as they are quite old. But i like my car and i think you would have lots of fun with more power, you will probably pay £3000 for a good one though!!
To need some care, as they are quite old. But i like my car and i think you would have lots of fun with more power, you will probably pay £3000 for a good one though!!
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