imaquack

OK here is the scoop, I am working here in Iraq, ran in to a guy that knows about the US Merkurs, well he got me all riled up on these again except now i would consider importing a Cosworth YB motor.

I have two choices

Option 1 use my spare Lima Pinto block and fit a Volvo to it making my engine a Folvo. see this link:

http://www.hilmersson-racing.com/bil..._bromsning.mpg

Option 2 buy a take out Cosworth motor and fit that to my XR4TI.

I have all the Cossy body parts except a few I'm still collecting.

SO what do I need to look for in a Cossy engine and what can I expect for pricing.

200 or 205 what head to use I will use this a a 2wd my goal is 300-360 bhp or so....

I consider anything used to need a tear down and reseal at the minimum. rings/valves/seals and such.

I need some input from all of you that deal with this regularly so I know what is fair.

I would like to get as close to a Sierra Cosworth 2wd as I can. with out importing a shell to work from then again I might end up importing an entire car if I find one that has the right price.

good feedback on this would be really helpful.

Cheers

pacwest

Wait until a year from now. The 1986 Cosworth RS will be 25 years old and you can import the whole damn car.

Wiring harness, exhaust, motor mounts, cooling system, power steering etc etc and then you are still stuck with a car that has base Sierra suspension. Once you are done you will have almost spend what it takes to just buy the damn car.

Not only that, you can make a ton of power with the big valve 2.3 head for CHEAP. I certainly do.

Just find a decent LHD 3 door in Germany/Italy on your way home and ship the bugger.

gareths09

I’ve looked into to this many times for myself. Just import a full car and swap everything over or see if you can get the car registered. I was going to build a 3dr cosworth but something else came up. Now I’m building a Focus RS rep instead.

LHD220Turbo

iTrader: (4)

i have no idea what your import taxes etc are in the States, but the best option would be to buy a rotten car purely for the running gear

a 205 block can easily cope with 360hp, but a 200 block will be stronger
either way 205 blocks can be bought for Ł100 here.

pacwest

The wiring alone spooks most people off. The XR4Ti has a very complicated wiring harness compared to the RS. The AC is so ingrained into the harness that you'll be losing AC.


Also, you'll not be able to just bolt the trans up. Bell housings are just a bit different. Plus you'll really want the ratios from the Cosworth T5. So look at it this way, you'll be doing a an engine harness swap, a T5 swap, a cooling swap, powersteering swap and an engine swap...

Just buy a nice 3 door and import it. You are in the right place to do it granted you can wait a year. Plus you might get a deal on some shipping with the military no?

Unless you are some masochistic bastard who likes to do things the hard way

imaquack

Well I plan on the Trans swap AC is nto a problem as we dont need it in colorado it is a luxuary. the wiring is not a big deal as I plan on rewirign the car. I did nto knwo about the 25 year thing and gettgin an entire car may be the trick. That being said what is the first year of the sierra RS cosworth? just spoke to a guy that is looking for en engine aswell so I think we can go togeather on the import.

The militay importing thing is a bitch thou cause I'm not military but I may consider findign a guy that is in that position and trying to go that route. I knwo a guy that has the entire 4X4 set up but is waiting for a guy to eaither pay or not pay.

what are the thigns that I need to know about the difrences on the Heads 4wd vs 2wd.

and really what are the take out going for I found a 500bhp that the guys wants my left arm for it. I just bought a chevy 350 ramjet for another project of mine that will be wraping up in about 3-4 more months so really i'm jstu dogn the research now for this next one.

LHD220Turbo

iTrader: (4)

1986 is the first 3 door sierra RS Cosworth

in general the best readily available engine parts are as follows

200 block
4wd head
4wd inlet manifold
2wd exhaust manifold
cranks are the same

however if you have lots of money there are a few better standard items out there such as the rs500 inlet or small turbo escort cosworth inlet. plus if you can find a rs500 205 block then even better

pacwest

You can import an RS500 right now. Limited production cars are allowed in. Heck win the lotto and import an RS200. As for the 25 year rule, the first year of Cosworth is 1985. There WERE 10 1985 models but good luck finding those as they were UK only.

I see many engines going for 1500 pounds. Shipping the engine is almost as much as a car since container prices right now for coming to North America are very cheap. Lots of export and not many imports. Lots of empty containers coming back.

Seeing as your are working for a private company in Iraq, find something in Italy or Germany and ship it. There are a couple LHD cars in the UK that go for cheaper than normal.

Problem is you have too many options.

imaquack

what is the deal on the ST escort inlet good flow or what abotu pricing for blocks heads and such.

what SHOULD a running motor go for I understand soem may have modified them but that goes out the window when it is coming out not running. I may take a trip to the UK jsut to scout for parts and such. This is more then a hobby for me any more.

LHD220Turbo

iTrader: (4)

Also forgot to add; there is a air base near me called RAF Brize Norton which the US occupy

if you could find someone there to ship parts from the UK to the US then all the better. (if you have millitary contacts)
if you need someone to drop parts at RAF Brize Norton, then i am a willing volunteer

imaquack

yea too many is a problem the guy that I was talkign to back that want to go in on an import with me said that bring a car in with an engine in it is a problem as you hav eto have the engine out to call it racign parts. I would consider just buying a car and takign it to a breaker jstu to have them break it and crate the stuff I want and sell the rest I don't want.

LHD220Turbo

iTrader: (4)

its just a better inlet and as you say it flows better - but they are like hens teeth and very expensive

most people use a 4x4 inlet with a 10mm spacer, this will suffice to around 450-500hp

a running motor is around Ł1250 - Ł1500 for the complete unit, but as you say, you would give it a freshen up for peace of mind

205 block Ł100
200 blocks Ł400 - Ł600
crank Ł350
2wd head Ł350
4x4 heads Ł500

but as ever, prices vary wildly, sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time

imaquack

I would have to find some Air Force guys,

I'm waiting on this new job in Afganistan so things may change if Im workign closer to the militay guys they really don't like to ship stuff for free unless you know people oon both ends that can hook you up. but I might be able to sweet talk a someone into it.

imaquack

If I can find a good runner on a visit to the country I would take it and do what I can to get it shipped. the Importer guys I would with said to Fly it but I think that still to expensive and I'm not in a hurry. so I will look for a while and keep shopping and such. i'm sure if I watch for the right deal I will find it. I missed a Volvo set up that a guy was unloading for about $500 ready to go in but that is life.

pacwest

If you are going to Afghanistan for any length of time, I say hold off and just buy a complete car and ship it back. If you were bugging out in the next 3 months I'd say crate up a motor.

Again, buy a decent 1986 and container that bad boy back to the USA. Fill it with as many parts as you can.

imaquack

I think I will end up going that route it is good to get a few more opinions on this as the more I know the better i'm going to be.

imaquack

OK so I checked out the laws on the importing thing engine in it is a motor vehicle. engien out it is a vehicle body, suspension off shell on a dollie it is vehicle parts. But I'm bugging can some one send me a few quality breakers websites that I can place and order with. on the law is 21 years and we are good to go on the import of the entire thing I guess if I had a good shell from an 86 or an 87 I would do it. I would rather save my skins and get a third car thou like new mustang or a subby.

How about the e-bay engines it that where the folks go to sell the crap, banged up leaking valve stuff, nosiey piston, overheated turbos, the kind wher you drive up on the boost and shut er off while still coasting.

The reason I think I would stay with my shell is I have on that is RUST free hell I had my drivers license yanked for 5 years, and another 3 before that as an on again off again thing. No I need a a motor for the track.

Feed me a bone thanks

RH

pacwest

Don't bother trying with that "parts only" or "body" route. You simply won't win. There are a couple 3 doors in the US but none are legally plated. Just wait, patiently for another 12 months and you can import a 3 door all you want.

I'm sensing though that your push back on waiting is that you can't afford the price of a current 3 door and the potential shipping/importation. If you can then what is the big rush to waste your money stuffing a 2.0 YB in a Merkur? I make shitloads of power on the 8v Merkur head right now and a cossie engine in there would only make it look good. It would go just as fast with a hopped up 2.3 turbo.

What is it that you want? A nice 3 door Cosworth or a YB in your Merkur?

The Merkur is a GREAT chassis. Stiffest of all the Sierra bodies. It has factory 909 stiffening plates, chassis rails the entire length of the car, extra meat in a couple places. Weighs a bit more but it's a stiffy. Of all the different engines I've seen in it the YB is the least done. V8, V6, duratec, giant turbos, lots of affordable options that can be done easily. The YB is a nice motor, but it's lots of work just to get it in there. Same money spent on a 2.3 turbo yields massive numbers.

PT

http://www.rscosworthbreakers.co.uk/

www.cosworthrsspares.co.uk/

Both use this site also

imaquack

[quote=pacwest;4388411]
What is it that you want? A nice 3 door Cosworth or a YB in your Merkur?

I want a YB in my Merkur, I really don't care about getting a LHD or RHD 3 doors as i really don't' need it. I really like my pop out windows.

I have a machine shop and engine dyno so what ever engine I go with I can do it right.

If i stay 8V it will get a serious work over, in truth there is so few YB's in the states that is why I want one and it looks clean.

thanks all.

svony

iTrader: (3)

I built this a few years ago using a Merkur shell and importing the bumpers, spoilers, trim, wheels, etc. The driveline (Sapphire 4wd) and side windows were already here in the states. Everything was almost a direct bolt on and wiring wasn't that difficult either...

imaquack

Nice ride,

Mine looks liek it will go the other route as I found all the body and trim localy, It is the motor that I was finding pesky but that has cured it's self in that last few days. Found supplier, Freight Forworder, and Carrier on both sides. even giving me a military discount.

THe big question now is breaks? Was ABS an option in the UK or is it a standard item?

RH

pacwest

All Sierra Cosworths had ABS fitted as standard. You can fit this to the Merkur if you want.

foreigneRS

the sierra ABS can be a PITA so you might prefer not to fit it and fit a nice bias pedal box instead. your choice.

imaquack

ABS would require a lot of parts that are probaly hard to get these days, I think the bias set up would be more likley.

The T5 looks to be just one of our us versions from the gear set and housing. input shaft lenght and tail housing length are my concerns but I think that can be put togeather rather easy.

It is a GO, that last questions I have is the 4X4 sump and 2wd sump are rater diffrent is the pink up tube completly diffrent as well? I'm going to get a 4X4 engine and drop it on a 2wd sump.

pacwest

The Cosworth T5 gearbox has excellent gear ratios compared to the stateside T5. Choose a V8 engine T5 with a gear ratio less than 3.35 or just get the gearbox and engine while you are at it. Grab the driveshaft if you can.

See how badly the gear ratios suck?

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/349.shtml

I run the 199 box.

imaquack

I actualy have a few T5's in the shead back home, I will just use one one them as. I will get ratios the same factory or very close to them. The drive shaft I will have custom made localy. I have a driveshft shop that is doing a few for a truck that is being done. I know it is not Ford or cossy, I had to cut the frame and add 10" as I had to much engine and transmission in this vehicle. I view this cossy swap as a bit less invasive of a job. However the Merk will go to bear metal in the next year.

svony

iTrader: (3)

I ended up using the Merkur brake system with the Cosworth front/rear disc setup, never had any issues with stopping and the front calipers are the same as the Scorpio. The rear calipers are a pain, if you can use one of the domestic upgrades do that instead. On the Escort I will stick with the ABS for now since I have everything but the first sign of trouble it's gone!

Slumlord

Pacwest is right, you can achieve some serious number off a Lima 2.3 turbo. I think the appeal of a YB is the different, non American factor. Personally, I want DOHC, and Cosworth is much better known for power than Volvo. I have seen quite a few Cossies in action and they are damn impressive. Only finding one in GB that is not beat to hell is quite the task.

I am certain this has already been discussed somewhere but I have to ask, Since the Lima and the YB are both derived from the Pinto block, why can the YB head not be fitted to the Lima Block. It just seems the best of both worlds, larger displacement with a superior head. Are the blocks that vastly different that you cannot alter a few coolant passages?

imaquack

You know that is a good question if one could off set grind the crank on a Lima block and fit a DOHC head that had quality flow characteristics it could be a very nice motor.

http://www.merkurtech.com/merkurtech.../rb16valve.php

This is a good write up on it. and for what I will spend to do what needs to be done I'm a at the perfect point to drop the 2.3 and go YB.

It really is a shame that in the early 80's that Ford of Europe and Ford US did not get this linked and use the 2.3 block. Could you imagine what would have happened to the American 4 cyl tuner market if it all kicked off 20 years ago. look at what it did in the UK.

pacwest

Oddly the volvo head fits, the YB does not. The YB head fits as well as a skoda head would. Just not happening. Volvo head magically fits.

imaquack

Yea this is what has got me all hot and bothered about the XR in the first place.

http://www.hilmersson-racing.com/bil..._bromsning.mpg

I friend sent me that as said wow then I realized that hey I have extra money for a project.

dam email.

pacwest

This makes me think the 2.3 does just fine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wvZICY3-Dw

Slumlord

It is a bit sad considering that 25 years ago Chrysler, GM and Ford all had amazing turbo cars. Only the American public was too fixated on the torque of a V8. Apparently not anymore. The new Ecoboost in the SHO has 356 hp and 350 lb/ft from 1500rpm too redline.