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Escort Cosworth buying advise

1K views 20 replies 13 participants last post by  redxiii 
#1 ·
I'm starting to consider a replacement for the cav and although another cav is a possible an escort cosworth is my first choice.
Does anyone have any experience of them, I know a few board users have or have at some time owned one ?
What to look for and avoid, spec changes particually the big/small turbo variants.
Cheers Lee.
 
#8 ·
Jhonno said:
the Cav turbo is actually quicker (even if the 4x4 is more fragile)

very much a case of watching for stolen recovered etc...
I actually wouldn't be put off buying one on the register (S/R) so long as the owner was upfront and price reflected this. Still gotta run it past the wife who thinks I'm too old for this now.:(

The cav will out run it but it ain't quicker and isn't as nimble. (opinion after a fair few atempts)
 
#9 ·
hmmmm

a standard cav may outrun a standard escort but the escort is easier tuned to big power - takes far too m uch effort to get 300bhp from a cav.

as for buying the car - get a rsowners one. theres too much crap around so make sure you buy one with plenty of history and reciepts. if you want a new lower miles car get the newer small turbo models.

great cars if you ask me! gonna buy one myself when i can afford one.

but remember there basically an escort so check for rust etc...
 
#10 ·
You got an insurance quote yet?

Personally, if I had the money to get a cossie I'd only use it as a second car. It would seem a waste to rack up miles daily on the commute to work.

I assume you've got a garage. I'd be put off by all the scrotes who would probably try and steal it.
 
#11 ·
Big Col said:
You got an insurance quote yet?

Personally, if I had the money to get a cossie I'd only use it as a second car. It would seem a waste to rack up miles daily on the commute to work.

I assume you've got a garage. I'd be put off by all the scrotes who would probably try and steal it.
No quote yet but I'm 33 with 13 years claim free and I pay not a lot for the cav. I'm not into second cars for the weekends, fair play to those that do but not for me.
 
#16 ·
Most of my mate have got them, and 2 are for sale:

Escort Cossie, Red, k reg 350-380bhp done by M A D. 18's with 4brand new tyres, this car is lovely and i hate F**ds, its been well looked after and been built the proper way for power not just wound the turbo up. 12month MOT(well it will have at the end of the month). RS owners club member. He wants about £10500. This is lovely, if interested can get the full spec.

Sierra Cossie Saff, black J reg, 17's 3" zorst other than that standard, drives like new (it really does) no rust (and i've had it on the ramp to check), new clutch and short prop', and 4 tyres.
Having new timing belt on this w/end. Can get more info if you need it.

Also M A D have there 500+bhp escort cossie for sale if your interested.
 
#19 ·
The *larger* T35 turbo'd models were the early types of Escort Cosworth for homologation purposes.

They have the Weber-Marelli ECU whereas the later *smaller* turbo'd ones have Ford's own EECIV engine management. The later models are harder to get big BHP out of for this reason and I think its popular for people with later models to completely junk their loom/ECU if they want lots of power.

BTW, you'll need at least 350BHP if you want to outrun a 250BHP RS Turbo on the motorway.

Cheers.
 
#20 ·
Summarising the feature in Redline oct'99

Big turbo T3
built :92-94
engine :ford YBT 1993cc inline four
max power:227bhp@6250rpm
max torque:220 lb/ft@3500rpm
brakes:servo assisted with abs:front 278mm vented discs.rear 273mm vented discs
transmission:5 speed manual , 4 wheel drive
wheels 8x16in ford alloys
max speed: 140mph
0-60mph:5.7secs

small turbo T25
built :94-96
engine :ford YBP 1993cc inline four
max power:227bhp@5750rpm
max torque:217 lb/ft@2500rpm
brakes:servo assisted with abs:front 278mm vented discs.rear 273mm vented discs
transmission:5 speed manual , 4 wheel drive
wheels 8x16in ford alloys
max speed: 140mph with rear wing,144mph without
0-60mph:5.7secs

Engine:Robust in standard tune.T25 less tunable so more likely to be standard.
get receipts for any work done on big turbo version.
Pukka (their word, not mine) big tubo engine is finished in blue.a black block ain't the genuine article. Head gasket can go, check for telltale white sludge in the oil.If turbo is on way out, there'll probably be white exahust smoke on idle, particularly wafter a hard run.
Header tanks expand and can crack eventually,so check for damage there.
Suspension. bushes and bearings can take a caning.check both before you buy.
Transmission. standard box can take 375bhp,clutches more fragile, 300bhp can fry it, watch for slipping clutch.
Box replacements are expensive.watch for graunching,snatch or clonking transmission, or gear whine.3rd gear is the one to watch out for, due to the heavy use it gets.
interior.leather on lux models.can suffer from fusebox failure, meaning whole box needs replacing.
Bodywork: check for accident damage (panel gaps, mismatched paint and overspray).Body is hand built by Karmann, and is hard to repair.
Front splitter is so low it can fall foul of speed humps, so may not be still attached.If it's missing, £200 for another one.
Front bumpers should have lamp washers.
The strut holding up the massive rear wing can crack around the base.
Twin headlamp conversions are worth having.
Wheels:18's fit with no mods.tyre life is around 8000miles, and 4x4 means all 4 at once.
Brakes : Standard items are fine, but can warp under extreme abuse. Fit bigger brakes if you uprate the engine. Some owners disconnect the abs in order to get the bigger discs on there.

Rivals:
Impreza turbo
Calibra 4x4 turbo
Sunny gti-r
Saab 900 turbo

There you go. Hope it helps.

[damn, this took me 20mins]
 
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