hi all, and firstly apologies for previous thread. i did say i wasn't sure on pics so called in an expert,(next doors 11yr old daughter).
this is the shell i intend to convert and although not perfect it does provide a good start. on a positive note it has bronze tinted windows all round which i think look much better than clear. the bodywork is mainly very good apart from engine bay which had previously been sprayed with primer but with rust coming through i felt sandblasting my best option. the front wings are new but looking at the welding (or is it bird s**t, i will be taking off to discover what lies behind. the arches and the underside will also be sandblasted but the body in my opinion does not need it. i am planning to turn this into a perfect looking replica but with a 4 wheel drive transmision system.


i have so far bought replica body parts but these look crap so have acquired nearly all the genuine items i need. couple more to go but nearly there. managed to move it to my new workshop last weekend so carefully stripping it out. looks like the wiring loom will be tricky but needs to be done as car will be fitted with loom out of xr4x4.
currently taking out the interior which was only placed in shell as i had nowhere to keep it as my shed is full of stuff that will come in handy one day, i'm sure you all know the things i'm talking about. i will post a few pics of the parts obtained so far including the seats, dash (no cracks), steering wheel and unmarked headlining which was the hardest part to find.a full set of koni adjustables, 4 x drilled and grooved discs and a good set of original alloys,caps, locks and even the key. i have also purchased a complete 1992 xr4x4 for a donor. i won't say what this lot cost in case the mrs decides to take a look on here.





not much more i can add untill car stripped and sent for blasting when hopefully there won't be too many nasty surprises. will post more when it is back. here are pics of cills, rear end but please dont mention the tank, there is hardly any metal left on it. i have however got a brand new one to go on.





finally i would like to ask any pf users which colour you prefer on a cosworth. your comments will be most welcome as i have not yet decided. look closely at pics and car is in white but behind dash, doors and parts of engine bay it was at sometime in it's life moonstone.

 

Nice project mate keep it diamond white that is the best colour

 

yeah definitely keep it white best colour for a 3 dr,

 

thanks guys, that is 100% for the diamond white at present. i was always leaning towards white but must say, and i know i will have some people disagree, white and moonstone suit these cars but i do not personally like black. i feel there is too much black and the car does not stand out as much as white or moonstone. that is only my opinion so please don't hold that against me.
got to workshop early today with the intention of stripping car ready for for blasting, which happens on wednesday. glad to say no interuptions so got on with it and still got home for dinner. rear seats, seat belts, rear light clusters, the surrounds were as new which i was happy about, headlining, a, b and c pillar trims (flocked) and then the wiring loom. it was quite difficult but no major dramas so car is ready for blasting. i took out all window surrounds but have left glass in till ready for respray.
[IMG]http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s415/tonysierra4x4/cosworthstrip003.jpg[/IMG]
checked on new loom and all seems ok as i thought that being off a four door with narrower dooors the loom might not reach the central locking solonoid but no worries. all seems ok. car should now have remote central locking, electric windows (previously winders) electric mirrirs and sunroof. not sure wether to install the air conditioning yet but will decide at a later time. i won't see the car now till after sand blasting so will update then.



front wings should be removed on wednes day so looking forward to seeing what lies behind them.

 

I had a white 3 door 4x4 rep last year, loved it, the handling was great on back roads

 

did you build it yourself and what engine / box etc. looking for any advice which may help.

 

No I bought it... Had full 2.8 xr4x4 running gear and some twat cut a huge hole in the drivers side gbox tunnel for the transfer box..., the front shafts used to knock on the inner wings so you have to cut half moon shapes out of them, just like a 4x4 sierra....

Tbh I really would not advise chopping at a good rwd shell they are hard to come by.... You will get bored by the 4wd and eventually look a rwd..... Stick a 24v in and keep it rwd! Best sierra I've ever been in you won't forget it

 

Looks like a clean shell to start, best of luck with it, but IMO it needs to be rwd just because it's a 3dr.

 

can anyone suggest a set up for rear wheel drive in this car. i already have a complete donor so possibly a gearbox that may fit the current engine, 2933 cologne, gearbox mount and prop. it may well be a good suggestion not to cut the tunnel so i will look at other options, but without spending a small fortune doing so. to change set up totally i would need to buy another donor car for loom etc. any suggestions appreciated. what would you do???

 

24 valve Granada engine would be good for either 2wd or 4wd.

If not chuck a V8 in it

 

Just need a xr4i box

2wd stuff is much cheaper and easier to come by In most cases...

Definately mate I've been there and done it just go rwd it's alot less hassle and a 3 door always looks best going sideways!

 

problem solved, just bought a complete sierra gt 2.0 dohc slightly modified (58,000 with all mot's) so should be pretty good. not the direction i wanted to take on this build but i am not prepared to cut this shell up to fit 4 wheel drive, which according to most comments on this and other threads is a good thing. slightly less bhp than 2.9 but according to spec on 2.0 dohc and xr4x4 it is around 105kg lighter so should make up for some of the loss. working out the power / weight ratio the 2.9 is 8.89kg to each bhp and the dohc 8.12kg. so very little difference. i did a fair bit of ground work on this as did not want to make a major mistake. this was never intended to be a track car but will be a daily user so i am reasonably ok with this. another 400 mile trip to collect but that's the way it goes. at least with this donor as xr4x4, everything remains electric and abs can be installed. engine will be stripped and rebuilt/reconned with new parts as required prior to fitting. i will post pics of shell after blasting when i get them as i was not there. not much more happening except purchased more parts, brand new cibie headlights and genuine new indicaters, new rs cosworth stainless cill plates, new set of foglights even though i have purchased a complete front bumper with fogs and indicaters from gary (r.s.cassics). remote alarm with auto closing of windows and sunroof when electric roof is fitted. the new ford badges and boot decals have already arrived. suggestions on any tuning on dohc engine will be welcomed. plan is to pick donor car up on saturday and have it totally stripped on sunday ready for collection by scrappy following week. i have 5 in w/shop at the moment so running out of room. after the hassle with this shell i have serious doubts wether my genuine shell will now be 4x4. i always said this project would be practice for that build and now i realise both why i needed practice and why some rebuilds take years.

 

well i have been busy. not in the workshop but in work. 7 days a week so no time to spend on rebuild. have been buying bits and pieces so i suppose the end is getting closer. haven't seen the car for 5 or 6 weeks but hopefully get back into it soon, work allowing. a few parts have arrived.
my 3rd set of new headlights. never know when they will be handy.

new indicaters, probably won't use as i want amber.

another gear knob, thanks to mate with time to go to car boot sales (£5:00)

scuttle panel in good condition with clips screws and covers. one corner section slightly damaged but i have another perfect set.

the project started as a 4x4 conversion but due to not wanting to cut the gearbox tunnel i decided to go rear wheel drive. my mate has just bought a genuine cossie shell in moonstone and wants to swap for mine as he is going rwd. i have a lot of parts off the shell already as i purchased the complete front bumper with fogs / indicators, sideskirts and arches and complete tailgate. if i swap or persuade him just to sell it to me, i will probably revert to my original plan and go 4x4. i know that will upset some of you as 3drs are supposed to be rwd but thats my choice. will update when decision has been made on shell and post pics. if my mate decides to rebuild himself with the extra parts i have acquired i will get him to join and post his own rebuild thread.