Tony W

Hello from across the pond.

I am working on setting up my XR with bits of Cosworth bits and JVAB imports suspension bits.

So for starters I will have Coil overs from JVAB on all four corners,
In the front I will have a compression strut setup with adjustable TCAs

Rear will have a fabricated beam for use with a toyota supra differential, Cosworth 2wd 108 mm rear drive shafts, stubs and 2wd rear brakes. Rear STAs will be made adjustable.

This will be a fun road car but might see some track days.


Question I have is what front hubs would you recommend?

3 door or 2wd Sapphire? and Why?

Thank you,

Tony

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

That's a pretty serious set up. I race my Sapphire on standard rear beam, coilovers, alloy rear diff mount, standard ARB at the front and back and very stiff polybushes. I use 3 door hubs too.

My mate who races and wins in his 3 door has recently taken the compression struts off in favour of standard ARB.

Neither of us use adjustable TCAs.

I think you may be going overboard for a road car that may ocassionally see the track.

You should go for rear 4X4 brakes - bigger caliper and vented discs. Mine ate pads on a 2WD setup as they get very hot.

In answer to your question 3 door hubs are better - the geometry aids turn-in (reduces understeer).

Charlie

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

What spring rates are you going for in the coilovers?

Charlie

Tony W

You are right my suspension might be overkill, but my 2.5L turbo charged lima pinto motor will be motivating to the tune of near 500 wheel horsepower and wheel torque.

The plan is to start out with the car running gravel spec. Some of the roads in the Chicago area are less predictable than the country gravel road I grew up driving on.

The rate I am going to start out with is:
275 in/lbs front or 31 Nm I would have to double check with John but Valving in the bilstein inserts are: 330 /120 N
175 in/lbs rear or 20 Nm For the rear Valving is 260/90 N

I will probably drop the car about 25 -40 mm which is what it is sitting at now with KYB setup and aftermarket springs that came on it.

Front Brakes will be a JVAB Wilwood setup with 330 mm front rotors going to use the ABS master cylinder from a US spec scorpio but ABS will not be used on the car.
For the rear brakes if I have any issues I will have JVAB build me a rear setup.


I am going to have the sheet metal massaged to allow me to run 235 45 17s all around on 17 x 8 inch wheels with 30mm offset off a 1996 Mustang Cobra so will be converting the ford 5 lug bolt pattern.

My Car was built in 1984 so it is an early 1985 XR4Ti.

Here is a link to some of the pics of my existing stuff.
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=5035f...f2d1&sc=photos

After all of the suspension and drivetrain is sorted it will receive some body enhancements and new paint.

MERKUR XR4ti

Hi Tony, I have a 2.3 and 5.0 XR4Ti and use the Sierra RS cosworth/Sapphire FOUR POT twd set up on my cars. ALSO 350lb front springs and 250/300lb rear with Granada Cosworth front asb and Escort Cosworth rear asb. I use no bigger the 16" wheels and normaly 15"

Tony W

Well I had 16s on it but the issue is the tire selection is limited and more expensive.

I used to have some mustangs but life caused me to rid myself of my 5.0L project. So I picked up my black XR.

I am in debate on 3 door vs sapphie front hubs as I have read 3 door is twitchy.

Thanks for all the input.

MERKUR XR4ti

There is a slight diffirence in that the Spring platform on the Sierra Cosworth is lower and that is why there is a very slight off set diffirence on the hub to a Normal Sierra/Merkur set up and the Cosworth has ABS hub's unlike the Merkur XR4Ti and Sierra XR4i. I have Cosworth hub's and Brake set up on one of my cars and have the same set up ready for the other but I am looking for hubs as I dont have ABS hubs on the car yet. I have been looking for late year Sierra ABS hubs, as they should be the same as the Sierra/Sapphire Cosworth 2wd the XR4's and other Sierra's after 1985 are mostly 4x4 and as you know diffirent in size of strut fitment and TCA fitment, aswell as the Drive shaft and bearing size. This is why I have been looking at the Scorpio Flanges as all I have to do is machine the flange to bearing size down to Sierra size and bolt on, then use Scorpio Brakes on the front as the rears are the same size anyhow.

Tony W

Well I ended up picking up a set of 2wd sapphire hubs and tcas. So I will send them off to John at JVAB for prep for his 330 mm front brakes and the mustang 5 lug conversion.

Should be interesting to see the transformation in handling and ride quality.