My new toy, and first RS

[Fireball]

It's been a long time coming!

Vital Stats:
Fiesta RS1800, 1995 (making it one of the very last registered as they ran 92-94), standard engine, standard body, mongoose stainless exhaust, Power Steering, Optional ABS is on there too. Bit of history, some purchase receipts including one in 1996 for £10k from a ford dealer!

Whomever owned it before the person i bought it off decided that it needed clear rear clusters and (possibly fake) morette headlights. Naturally, these have already been listed on Ebay as they are for poofs. I'll be going for a standard look.

Alloys are in the form of Escort GTI 195/45/R15. I always wanted them for the old black XR2i but i really don't like how they look now i've seen them on a Fiesta, so they're off and now on my Escort Diesel. Not sure what to do with alloys, but it's currently sitting on my Escort RS Series 2 ones from the black XR2i. Not sure if they'll stay either - suggestions anyone? Whatever goes on will be refurbished and dipped in black gloss.

Project thread will be started too. It's SORN off the road and will be taken to the bare shell, shot blasted to the metal, then rebuilt bolt by bolt back to a new condition. I shit you not, this is my plan, and i expect it to take a year+. I want to eat off the bottom of it. This isn't to enter competition or anything, I just it to LAST! So, by my reasoning, a full rebuild will see it good for years to come. Engine is a whole different kettle of fish, but it will be my Fiesta RS CVH engine (the RS1800 one is on eBay already too!).

Enough talk, here's the (rather poor) shots, including one i found on a forum of it a few years ago.



How it used to look (and will again + vented bonnet)









Humm, dead flies.......

[cozmeister]

Cool beans, crack on

btw, copy and paste that and email it to mike@randbmotorsport.co.uk so Mike can include it in the next newsletter

[rstaaron]

Nice cars the RS1800s, pretty underated imo. Would like another myself and zetec turbo it. Looking forward to seeing the progress on this. 

[Fireball]

Nice cars the RS1800s, pretty underrated imo. Would like another myself and zetec turbo it. Looking forward to seeing the progress on this. 

Sadly I will be stripping it of it's identity by sticking Recaro's and the RS Turbo engine in it, essentially making it a much more modern 90 spec Fiesta RS. Seems a shame, there is reportedly less then 170 of these left of the 500 built.


Chris - Really? He'd want to put that in the newsletter? If so, I'll write something a little better and email him. Someone will have to post me a copy though!!

[cozmeister]

Well get typing and beef it up a bit - but yes, all submissions from members are welcome, and gives him something to do instead of flick through facebook all day....

[RST-Steve]

Fantastic news steve, great to hear you've finally got your project started

Looks a cracking base for a project, although i'm glad the morrettes are off, they look pretty grim on most cars (imo!) but they really don't look good on Mk3 Fiestas or Mk4 Escorts!! White with the black wheels when done will look awesome and as for the engine? This should be interesting...........

[Fireball]

Very pleased you fella's all like it 

Been researching what shot blaster to get and have found a very reasonable rotisserie too so I can spin the body and work on It from all angles. REnovating a workshop first though so the car will be sitting for a couple of weeks at most. REally want to get cracking ASAP, if anything to make the most of the summer months. Aim to have the body done and painted before it starts getting cold, but that will depend on many things including finding somewhere good that's got a slot to fit her in. Anyway, all in good time. WInter will be engine and megasquirt ECU building time!

[massivewangers]

Looks nice Steve!

Will follow this with interest. On a wheel note; how about MK5 RS2000 alloys? Similar to the standard RS1800 ones but a bit bigger? Or the old skool, flat face comps look ace on MK3s if you can find a set in 15/16".

Should be a great project. Like I said the other day though, I'd seriously consider turbocharging the Zetec lump. 300bhp can be had almost by accident!

[Fireball]

I have now sold the Zetec - sorry zetec lovers

I do have a lovely new engine crane tho with load leveler

[Fireball]

Well, this puts a spanner in the works -

After getting the engine out nearly a month ago and having dealt with a complete timewaster who left a deposit but never got the engine, i thought i'd give it a quick look round before re listing it on ebay. I'll be damned - there is a dirty great big "20" printed on the back and front of the block. Someone, somewhere has changed the engine for (i can only assume) an early mondeo silver top.

Suspician confirmed when i checked the V5 - engine numbers aren't even close.

Can't be bothered to deal with the nightmare of selling this half fiesta half something-else 2.0l engine, so gonna cocoon it in thick plastic sheet and store it as a spare or until i can decide what to do with it.

NO Jon, before you say anything, i am NOT turbo'ing it!!! I've not a bloody clue which bits are which if someone else has played with it. Maybe once the CVH is done i will........

[cozmeister]

Well, this puts a spanner in the works -

After getting the engine out nearly a month ago and having dealt with a complete timewaster who left a deposit but never got the engine, i thought i'd give it a quick look round before re listing it on ebay. I'll be damned - there is a dirty great big "20" printed on the back and front of the block. Someone, somewhere has changed the engine for (i can only assume) an early mondeo silver top.

Suspician confirmed when i checked the V5 - engine numbers aren't even close.

Can't be bothered to deal with the nightmare of selling this half fiesta half something-else 2.0l engine, so gonna cocoon it in thick plastic sheet and store it as a spare or until i can decide what to do with it.

NO Jon, before you say anything, i am NOT turbo'ing it!!! I've not a bloody clue which bits are which if someone else has played with it. Maybe once the CVH is done i will........

RS2000 Fiesta... Do it...

[massivewangers]

Put some pictures up and I'll tell you which bits are which 

Honestly honestly honestly, if you're going to be building an engine for it, and have a 2.0 lump sat there, I would seriously consider rebuilding the Zetec instead of forking out on the CVH. Stick rods and pistons in the Zetec, uprated valve springs, and it will do just over 300bhp without even trying, no fancy camshafts or anything like that required.

Big power is so so easy on Zetecs. If you're building an engine up, you'd be a fool not to consider it 

[Fireball]

The old americian muscle car proverb of "There's no replacement for displacement" comes to mind - and 2.0l is a LOT.

Hummmmmm - I wanted the Fiesta to be different, and do something thats not been done before with the CVH turbo and PAS etc. Zetec has been done to death, and better, by everyone and his brother, BUT it's very tempting.

Bodywork is gonna take months, if not a year. Plenty of time to consider the engine, but like i said, i wont be selling it.

Pictures to follow Jon, you can play "spot the difference"!

[bil n kel]

Loving the car mate  I was tempted to buy my mates rs1800 for a run around but it needs quite a bit of work. What about fitting a 2.0 Zetec on carbs I think that would sound wicked

[massivewangers]

It's definitely worth considering Steve. If the engine is there, I can't see the cost difference being much between CVH and Zetec. With the CVH you'll need a better cam and headwork to get into the 200s properly, which is going to make it expensive.

Fit the Zetec with forged pistons, steel rods, uprated valve springs. Keep the head and cams standard, fit the RS1800 inlet, a CVH turbo exhaust manifold with a 4x4 Cossie T3 or T34.48 and you've got 300bhp without even trying. To get that from a CVH would take a lot more work. Just ask Christian!

Or, if you don't want that much power, you could fit a Focus RS exhaust manifold and turbo and have a super punchy 250-270bhp car for the same money.

Like you say, there's no replacement for displacement, so you could make a really versatile engine that made good power but was still mega mega driveable and not hugely stressed either. Parts and knowledge are really plentiful for the ZT now, and by keeping the 16v engine, you'd be keeping a bit more of the RS1800 character too.

The CVH is a good ol' lump, don't get me wrong, but if you're building a forged engine from scratch, there's only one choice IMO 

[cozmeister]

I'm inclined to agree with the Zetec route here - the argument is pretty convincing!

And twin 45s on there would sound awesome!

[Fireball]

Whats the craic then:




I suspect that the exhaust mainfold and mental pre-heat pipe work is all fiesta original, head and block is 2.0l engine, and (i fear) the management is the fiesta one, hence why it runs lumpy.

All things point to the gearbox being original RS1800 THANK GOD!

[Fireball]

Loving the car mate  I was tempted to buy my mates rs1800 for a run around but it needs quite a bit of work. What about fitting a 2.0 Zetec on carbs I think that would sound wicked

Cheers mate 

Bloody would sound good! With some nice wild cams, and removal of the cat, the 2.0l will do 160-175 from what i can see. Wouldn't be bad eh?

Might keep this as the N/A tuned engine for track days   

[massivewangers]

The chances are, the bottom end and head are all Mondeo gear. It is possible to use the 1.8 head and raise CR a touch, but most people don't bother, so I suspect it will just be the standard Mondeo engine.

The sump, oil pump, oil pick up, water pump and manifolds will be from the Fez-bomb, as that's the basics of the conversion. The 2.0 would run ok on the RS1800 ECU, as you can run them on 1.8 Escort ECUs as well. My first one ran a boggo 1.8 115PS ECU without problems.

I got £175 for the last one of those engines I sold, without the RS1800 inlet. BUT, seriously, use it. I know I keep harping on about it, but it's 100% the best way to go.

[Fireball]

The chances are, the bottom end and head are all Mondeo gear. It is possible to use the 1.8 head and raise CR a touch, but most people don't bother, so I suspect it will just be the standard Mondeo engine.

The sump, oil pump, oil pick up, water pump and manifolds will be from the Fez-bomb, as that's the basics of the conversion. The 2.0 would run ok on the RS1800 ECU, as you can run them on 1.8 Escort ECUs as well. My first one ran a boggo 1.8 115PS ECU without problems.

I got £175 for the last one of those engines I sold, without the RS1800 inlet. BUT, seriously, use it. I know I keep harping on about it, but it's 100% the best way to go.

Thanks for that, i had no idea the sump and oil bits were kept. Whoever did it made a mess as none of the bolts were in the right place on the gearbox, and most were mashed and rounded. Idiots!!

£175 is pretty impressive for selling it! I'll likely strip it down and have a looksie inside while i work out what to do.

[massivewangers]

Strip it down and rebuild it!

Out of interest, what engine spec do you want from the CVH? Any idea on cost?

[Fireball]

Strip it down and rebuild it!

Out of interest, what engine spec do you want from the CVH? Any idea on cost?

A nice calm 220bhp

I need to purchase - Clever turbo (as non laggy as i can from a T3), forged rods, standard pistons (first overbore size 0.5, with bores freshly cut to match), a naughty head, MegaSquirt V3 Management. In theroy, that will do 250bhp ish with the right turbo, however i'd rather run lower and save the wear and tear a little.

If i go zetec i know for a start that i need to fuck about with inlet/exhaust manifolds, forged pistons, oil feed and return for turbo, in addition to all the above, and thats just what i know off the top of my head.

[massivewangers]

220bhp is easy! Forged pistons, standard rods (or just go steel so it's bullet proof, ready for when you get bored of the power, which you will). Standard head, same management. Turbo is easy. Rob the manifold and turbo from a Focus RS (can be had for about £400 all in) and it will be spot on for that set up.

Manifolds are easy. Exhaust you can use the Focus one, which bolts straight on (my GF has just bought a brand new one for £50). Inlet is no bother. Use the RS1800 one (fine up to just over 300bhp), or fit a Focus 1.8/2.0 one, which will give you infinite injector choices and scope for over 300bhp. Oil feed you just take from the oil pressure switch, and return is just fitted into the sump.

It really is criminally easy these days with the Zetec. You don't need anything clever or expensive, as there is just so much knowledge about. You'd be running sod all boost to make your desired power, with so much scope for more (literally just wind the boost and fuel up). Running little boost would make it so much more driveable and punchy than a CVH.

I've got an answer for everything 

[Fireball]

220bhp is easy! Forged pistons, standard rods (or just go steel so it's bullet proof, ready for when you get bored of the power, which you will). Standard head, same management. Turbo is easy. Rob the manifold and turbo from a Focus RS (can be had for about £400 all in) and it will be spot on for that set up.

Manifolds are easy. Exhaust you can use the Focus one, which bolts straight on (my GF has just bought a brand new one for £50). Inlet is no bother. Use the RS1800 one (fine up to just over 300bhp), or fit a Focus 1.8/2.0 one, which will give you infinite injector choices and scope for over 300bhp. Oil feed you just take from the oil pressure switch, and return is just fitted into the sump.

It really is criminally easy these days with the Zetec. You don't need anything clever or expensive, as there is just so much knowledge about. You'd be running sod all boost to make your desired power, with so much scope for more (literally just wind the boost and fuel up). Running little boost would make it so much more driveable and punchy than a CVH.

I've got an answer for everything 

2.0l IS quite a lot of capacity........ hummmmm

If nobody builds my blueprint for the CVH with PAS and Air Con, my years of prototyping are wasted. Its NOT power i'm after, it's a Design.......! I'm an engine architect! That said the promise of all that easy power does sound good ;-p


FUCK. Let me think about it!

[bil n kel]

What about a Zetec turbo with the aircon and pas?