Widowmaker

Fixing to kick off a new project, well its kinda an old project really but needs restarting/finishing but looking for input. Had an old RS Turbo (89) but the body was proper rotten so used an xr3i as a donor shel that had a wide body panique kit on it. Everything from the RST was transplanted and it was up and running when it was garaged up 18 years ago. She's been bone dry and sitting ever since. Anyway long story short, she's gonna get dusted off and I'm gonna get her done up and looking like new. The current plan is to strip her back down to nuts and bolts and rebuild her from the ground up, including blasting and complete respray, the whole nine yards. So I'm looking for input on what folks think I should put in her, engine, shocks, coilovers, polybushing, turbo, exhaust, etc. She's been out of the game for a while but looking forward to getting her back on the road again! Input welcome! Thanks

BIG LEE

You any photos of the car ?

Widowmaker

Yeah will try to upload some over the next few days. Also, any ideas for the MK4 power steering upgrade / install etc would be helpful. Would like to put power steering in it too.

Thrush

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure I remember some electric powersteering conversions back in the day, but I don't think they were very good. There was possibly retrofits of the PAS from the mk5 Escorts.

Whilst the standard non-PAS can be heavy for parking, but on the whole it was fine once you were driving. I'd go so far as to say it was almost perfect when you were driving: by todays standard, especially as more and more cars become steer-by-wire, it's about as analogue as you can get when it comes to a driving experience. I haven't driven an RST for many many years, but I remember both the S1's I had, and the mk4 XR3i which I fitted a quicklock rack to, just felt so connected to the road.

That said, if you're going proper wide-arch and are going to put dished wheels on with wide tyres, non-PAS might be a bit of an issue

Widowmaker

yeah would defo like the power steering. Its already got big wheels on it but not super wide so its manageable but not great. Was thinking something like this. will try to get in touch with these guys also. Seems like its a straight drop in..........thoughts?

will probably upgrade to a quickrack from burton also.

BIG LEE

My wheels.would suit a nice wide body escort like true 90s wheels

Widowmaker

Nice wheels!! very similar to mine......if not identical! I've got aftermarket centre caps tho. Cos mines was missing them. Love the deep dish tho! Will try to upload photos of mines soon. I feel like mine still needs bout half inch spacer to pop it out into the arch a little more tho!

Widowmaker

Interior

Wide Arches

Under the hood

Under the hood 2

Side Profile

Side profile 2

Thrush

iTrader: (1)

That would be great to 4x4 and take rallying

Widowmaker

Yeah was thinking bout trying to get a gartrack / genesis conversion done to her but prob better off just buying one of those shells and start from there? Don't know. If you know anybody with one of those let me know!! If you have any details on the conversion let me know that too please. Would love to make her into a 4x4, but currently no tunnel for rear wheel drive so would need to add that and strut top strengtheners. Also not sure what exactly that would entail but defo interested in that for sure. I do actually have a monster rally hood for her instead of the rs hood. So had considered adding that to her. In all honesty it's almost like it's too aggressive for the car, it's got monster grills and huge bulge in it! Doesn't fit so good so will need tidied up to fit proper. If you have suggestions on drive train and setup for possible 4x4 conversion let me know please.