Adsz

Hello all.

I have some questions about the Fiesta Rs turbo!

Next year me and a few mates are going to be doing some track days and are looking at certain cars that we could use.

So far we have a huge list so are trying to limit the number to see what will be best. As none off use have owned a Rs fiesta we need some info about them!

1. How do they handle compared to the other hot hatches, ie 106 gti 205 gti, mk1&2 golf gtis,Minis,williams and so on. Are they ready avalible parts to improve the handling. Coilovers, Shocks/ Springs, ARB, and so on.

2. Whats the standard weight and performance figures? We will be stripping out most off the interior etc.

3. How reliable are they? anything prone to go wrong? Whats good mods to improve the power output, zetec bottom end, cams, exhaust etc?

4. Are LSD avalible for them?

5. Would you recommend one or choose something else from ford, ie Rs1800s, escorts etc.

Budget is around 4.5k

dave green

RS1800s make good track cars, good few peeps off here have had them.



Dave

Luca

iTrader: (2)

With 4.5k as a budget i would recommend getting a rs1800 the turbo is by far a more costly longterm option.

the rs1800 shares all the charecteristics as the turbo but the engine is stronger.
If your not to overlay bothered if the car is to concours standards in looks then a good exmaple can be picked up for 1k. then along with a nice set of 15s and good sticky tyres your set for a good gripping handling car along with a set of gaz coilovers, avo are an option but to be honest the finish quality etc is not up to scratch in my opinion.

With a stock zetec 1800 chipped ecu cam your going to see a good bhp figure for your money and it will be 100% reliable and take all the stick you give it.

Brakes wise, the rear drums are effective just a better set of calipers up front. options are endless with this.. stick with ford calipers of a larger sized car or go the willwood route.
Cage will stiffen things slightly and give you that added bonus of some saftety etc...

Have a lil look in fast ford Jan issue in the fiesta tuning guide for some more hints tips etc..

Out of your choice of cars the only on that really stands out as a track car is the 205 or fiesta for me...... ive had experiences with both and id stick with the fiesta personly..

Best mod of all is the quaife diff for sure transfornms the handling no end.
With regard the transmision the rs1800 comes with better ratio gears than the turbo and a stronger casing gear box due to larger bearing.


RS1800

Adsz

thanks.

So are the Rs 1800 and Rs turbo similar in performance and weight standard? never thought about the 1800 to be honest.

Not after a concour conditon one at all, so if they can be picked up for 1-1.5k then happy days.

Whats the standard bhp of the 1800? and what power can be gained for some race cams , remap and exhaust roughly.

Luca

iTrader: (2)

Weight wise the rs1800 is slightly heaver but only by a few kg..

the rs1800 shell has some revisions to it over a mk3 rs turbo this is why it is also known as the mk3.5...

the doors have impact bars welded in and the dash area/steering column has braces which can be removed with a socket set..

I converted my rs1800 to rs turbo and with the aid of loosing metal, poly windows and few other parts, got the overall weight to 820kg with a weld in cage.

Im now going back to zetec 16v engine which im turboing...

as for a standard rs1800 they are 132bhp i believe not sure on torque figures.
with cam chip exhaust etc i would imagine 150 was possible and a higher rev limit then if you go throttle bodies bit of porting and good managment 200+ would be achievable and with a real strong engine.

frsjon

get a good rs 1800 for a track car for about Ł500.

Turboboy67

Mine was Ł400

dave green

I had one done a few track days and loved it,


Dave

Chris69

its easy to chuck a 2litre zetec in the rs1800 aswell which will see you with alot more torque and 160+bhp with cams, chip and exhaust
with 4.5k the rs1800 would be my choice all day long

adam_frst

everyones suggesting the rs1800 but as you said you have a 4.5k budget i wouldnt get a ford, sorry guys, for that sort of money you could get a cheap honda intgra type r dc2 and although i absolutly hate jap cars theres no denying that they are one of the best handling fwd cars ever made, with about 190bhp as standard from the 1.8l engine there blinding quick too, some easy mods can be done to see over 200 bhp too, failing that id suggest another jap car a crx vt, the box shape one not the girly newer rounded one, 160 bhp standard, both these cars are excellent handling cars, perfect track cars and mega mega reliable, plus have vetec which if you havent witnessed is amazing, id go for the crx vt, get a cheap one for around 2k, no need to really strip it out as there light as fuck all ready then you have another 2k to spend on mods, just my opinion

OldDan

As said, rs1800i is best option, get an LSD from an eRST and you're on your way.

In my fiesta I've got an uprated LSD from an eRST and fucking hell, it's great.

adam_frst

dont waste 4.5k on a ford if its only for track dont get me wrong i love fords too pieces but theres better track cars out there for that sort of money, everyones going to hate me now haha

OldDan

Although if we're talking cheap mods etc etc

I'd find an older zetec-s. As with mine, set of throttle bodies, cams and exhaust, and it's 165bhp+++++ already, whack in an LSD and you've got a proper track monster.