A series of unexpected engine failures
has seen Mark King’s Nouveau Red 4x4 Sapphire Cosworth evolve into a mega-spec,
seven-speed, 500bhp fast-road racer!
Last Chance Saloon
Distressed at the prospect of another
engine build, Mark was keen to ensure that this would be his last and loaded
the Cossie with a stack of potent parts that Karl was instructed to make good
use of.
Surprisingly, a brand new block and head
had been sourced – items that were machined and modified to house Norris forged
pistons, steel connecting rods, updated camshafts, solid lifters and an uprated
valvetrain. A large Garrett turbocharger featured alongside a return to Level 8
engine management, while a Spec-R intercooler, an Auto Specialists inlet
manifold, a Graham Goode breather system and a Mongoose 3.25in stainless steel
exhaust system introduced significantly improved airflow.
Spec-R
strives to give the best results on every application in relation to zero
pressure drop, flow rates across the core and most importantly the recovery
rate, this has been proven and tested on fast road, race and rally cross
vehicles that we have supplied an intercooler for.
Fuelling was finally kept under control
thanks to Siemens heavy duty injectors, a trio of pumps, an Aeroquip adjustable
fuel pressure regulator and a finely-honed Norris map. All in all, the car was
looking good for a reliable 500bhp.
Mark was gagging to get behind the wheel of
his revitalised ride and paid careful attention to it as he embarked on a
series of gentle journeys designed to ease the new engine into active duty.
Disaster was never far away, however, and a loud bang was heard immediately
before a complete loss of power during an otherwise enjoyable outing.
Fuelling
was finally kept under control thanks to Siemens heavy duty injectors, a trio
of pumps, an Aeroquip adjustable fuel pressure regulator and a finely-honed
Norris map. All in all, the car was looking good for a reliable 500bhp.
“The timing belt had slipped and stripped
itself free of teeth,” says the cursed Mr King. “It had bent a number of valves
and snapped a camshaft in the process. I was gutted, but refused to be beaten.
In the face of adversity, I returned the motor to Karl for yet another
rebuild!” he laughs.
Being a ‘glass half-full’ kinda guy, Mark
saw the latest episode in the ongoing destruction of his car’s drivetrain as
the perfect excuse to try out another turbocharger. Karl was soon bolting a
Garrett GT3076R in place, and we’re delighted to report that the engine has
remained free of catastrophe following completion of this recent round of
remedial work. In fact, Mark was so pleased to be in charge of a faultless Ford
that he commissioned a local bodyshop to undertake a restoration of its
metalwork!
Karl
was soon bolting a Garrett GT3076R in place, and we’re delighted to report that
the engine has remained free of catastrophe following completion of this recent
round of remedial work.
New wings, replacement rear wheel arches,
rebuilt chassis legs and a top-notch respray give this stunning Sapphire a
factory-fresh appearance. An imitation RS500 splitter and Compomotive TH rims
(decorated in OZ Racing decals to confuse admirers into thinking that they’re
looking at special edition EsCos Monte wheels) are the only exterior
modifications that can be seen on the understated Sierra, although look closely
and you’ll see genuine Ford Motorsport coilovers, AP Racing six-piston calipers
and huge 362mm discs peeking out from behind the devastatingly cool 18-inchers.
The superb stoppers hint at this Cossie’s
awe-inspiring abilities, though it’s a look inside the cabin that tends to
generate the most excitement among intrigued onlookers (and we’re not talking
about the professionally restored Raven leather upholstery!). Yep, you guessed
it – that rally-ready gearstick controls some pretty gutsy gears. “I asked
celebrated race car builder, Dominic McNeil, to fit an FFD seven-speed
sequential gearbox as the MT75 wasn’t coping well with such a high-revving
engine,” explains Mark. “Dom also installed a lightened flywheel, a beefed-up
clutch and an R&D plated front differential that joins a Norris adjustable
rear beam and nineinch rear diff,” he adds.
