RS Turbo - Hardcore Hero (Part 2)

Style it out

Mo was naturally inspired to make the rest of his project equally mint, and turned his attention to the bodywork. He had the rotten sills and rusty floor replaced, then used college-acquired skills to tackle the paint. Mo now cleans the car several times each week, and polishes it every Sunday without fail.

The stock RS Turbo Recaros were re-trimmed in black leather, while the rear cabin went through various upgrades, including a chrome show cage, followed by a proper motorsport item. Eventually the leather-clad bench went back in for family shopping trips - this machine is still an everyday driver, after all.

The stock RS Turbo Recaros were re-trimmed in black leather, while the rear cabin went through various upgrades, including a chrome show cage, followed by a proper motorsport item.

Mo reckons his recently fitted Pro Race alloys feel light enough to eliminate the need for power steering, and its Eagle F1 tires drastically reduce wheel spin. Meanwhile the B&M short-shifter is a revelation. He adds, "It makes a big difference when you're racing on the drag strip." What it can't manage, of course, is to keep the transmission in one piece. Mo mangled a handful of regular Escort Mk5 IB5 gearboxes, involving a few exploding cogs and low-speed trips stuck in first gear. He realized he needed something stronger, so invested in a CTS shot-peened setup with Quaife ATB, designed to take 400bhp.

Mo says, "It took a beating every day for six months, but I got through a couple of those. "In the end, Nick at Spec One did me a few gearboxes. Eventually l got an IB5 with race bearings, which lasted eight months and took proper abuse at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County. Now a bearing inside has let go, so we've thrown in a standard gearbox while I get it rebuilt."

When it's all back together Mo's planning a return up the drag strip, where he intends to beat his previous best of I3.3sec set on budget rubber and low boost. Recent tweaks should see quarter-miles drop into the 12s, especially since a Reyland mapping session vastly improved throttle response. Mo reckons, ''It drives much better, smooth but raw, and has loads of mid-range torque to put the power down. It made 280bhp at the wheels, but Reyland has since raised the boost, it runs 32psi and holds 30psi," enthuses Mo.

It drives much better, smooth but raw, with loads of mid-range torque

Give it large

Until then, Mo can't help playing around whenever he encounters other rapid motors. He grins, "I love how you'll get an Evo or Subaru alongside, and the owner always underestimates the old Escort. I make it my job to embarrass them and I haven't lost yet."

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Thankfully, Mo reckons it's time to cut down the red-lining in favor of preserving his RS, as he says, it's too good to risk smashing up, and its renewed spec means it'll remain a reliable daily driver for years to come.

What Mo can't resist, though, is a 100bhp shot of nitrous oxide in tribute to the car of his dreams. It's clear that this early-'90s Blue Oval will continue to terrorize modern Japanese machinery - a true hardcore hero.

Retrimed RST interior is a very nice place to be

Pro Race wheels and Eagle FI tires do a fine job of getting the power down