Just recently found your channel and absolutely loving this sapphire cosworth rebuild. Nearly 40 years after first being launched the car still looks beautiful and doesn't look dated.
Thanks for the comment, it is great to know you are enjoying my Sierra restoration... I am too, albeit has been a few months since the last update as the car is still with the auto-electrician. I appreciate the patience of everyone watching, but an update will be coming soon. Welcome to my Channel and thanks for watching - I look forward to hearing from you again on future videos. 👍
Thanks for the comment, it is great to know you are enjoying and following my Channel. Glad you spotted your car in the video - it was a cracking show, thanks for bringing your car along! I appreciate you taking the time to watch my videos.
Ayy up,going to look well when finished, Dynamat the interior before you fit the carpet and roof lining will cut a lot of road noise and make it cooler In summer and warmer in winter.😊😊
Thanks for the comment Craig and for the advice. The original soundproofing / insulation has all had it so I will be looking to put a replacement in the car - I'll check out Dynamat. Thanks for watching. 👍
Thanks for the comment, I am glad you enjoyed the video. It was a tough decision as to whether I take the car completely to standard or take the direction I have... which is subtle. What swung it for me was that the car had been modified previously and it is a restored car, so no longer original. I know it will divide opinion because I myself am in two minds! 🤣 Thanks for taking the time to watch and for following the restoration.
Isn’t standard power a bit contentious in that Cosworth delivered these engines to Ford with their idea of standard being closer to 300hp and Ford de-tuned it to their own idea of standard as they deemed 300 to be insane as that was the sort of figure Ferrari were offering with their 348 at the time ? With that in mind I think I would have set my sights on 300 as it should be perfectly reliable at that level…….as I’m sure it would have been at one time if it was running an Ahmed Bayjoo chip. For those who aren’t aware, Ahmed was the pinnacle of anything related to Cosworth tuning and he was the one who led where others followed. His authority came from being on the GrpA works team, most notably when Francois Delecor was driving 😊
Thanks for the comment and for letting me know your thoughts on the car. Chasing 300bhp was tempting given the history of the car, with its Ahmed Bayjoo chip. Issue was the over-fuelling and damage to the pistons so I thought I’d go close to standard and then, if I want more, change the tune at a later stage - the aftermarket ECU and parts that have been fitted mean I have the ability to do more if I ever want to. Thanks for watching, I appreciate it.
I can vouch fir that Julian. I worked for TDI during the 90s as their development engineer after fitting out their new workshop in River Road , Barking and was responsible for some really interesting cars that rolled out of there during that decade . We had one of the few 400 bhp Sun 4x4 rolling roads in the country , and this I later upgraded too . We exhibited 2 cars at the Olympia show in 1995 , the then new Supra with around 750 bhp and a Nissan 300ZX TT making around 500 bhp . Although primarily a JDM tuning company and HKS dealer (among others) we had a shed load of Ford's come through the doors because of our location , even cars from Brian over at Burton Engineering and cars from the local Ford main dealers that they were not equipped to problem solve . I was also responsible for developing and rebuilding turbochargers , a number of quick shift gear levers for Ford's ( including the TWR Cosworths ) which the market lacked plus a ton of other stuff and test driving vehicles before returning them . In the early years we used Ahmeds chips and those of Detection Techniques ( Superchips ) for the Cosworth range until we acquired our own kit and I began development on a series of our own for all cars . The vehicles we had were either new or very low mileage and each vehicle was set up on the dyno after chip replacement before road test and returned to customers . All were 100% and no issues with overfuelling . If the engine has signs of that, then the problem is elsewhere . Ahmed supplied both the standard upgrade chips to restore the original power for both the 2 and 4wd Sapphires . From my library the 2wd (45 22067) normally burned on an ST M 2764A-4F6 Eprom , Algorithm OE, Ref 1504 Checksum = 000DBD47 and the 4wd (PO) on a TMS 27C128 Eprom , Algorithm 96, Ref 1807 Checksum=00241374 . Checking these values will show if you have a genuine Ahmed or not .
Another great video, I think the work to make the engine more reliable and update the system is a good thing to do. Having a car which looks standard but is 100% reliable is brilliant. Cannot wait to see it finished 😎
Thanks for following the Sierra restoration John, I appreciate the support. Also, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the engine build - it'll always divide opinion, but my feeling was that the car was being completely restored so along with the shell being brought up to date I had just as well do the engine too. Thanks for the comment.
They always take longer & more cash than you originaly thought.We have all been there. I learned the hardway, so i always keep them factory standard.Another great video & look forward to seeing the next.
Thanks for the comment Trev and for sharing you thoughts and experience. I’ve really enjoyed the build so far, but the costs (and time) certainly have spiralled! Thanks for following the series and look forward to hearing from you on the next.
It’s getting there & looking good that’s the main thing 👍 when doing something like this it no good going down the half hearted approach as you never get to enjoy & be fully satisfied with what you’ve done, you will always be plagued by the bits that aren’t quite right & need doing otherwise. You mention the original fuel regulators causing the fires! But it is nearly always the little hose from the injector rail to regulator that splits, since Ford let us all down and stopped keeping all these essential part available I was never able to source a satisfactory hose like the original one.
Thanks for the comment Ken and for the advice re. the hose. Thanks also for sharing your thoughts on the Sierra progress so far - as you say, I need to do it right so I will persevere and look forward to sharing the car complete later this summer (I hope!). Thanks for watching and following the restoration.
Absolutely loving this Cossie project. I think what you’ve done with the engine is spot on, an oem plus approach. I really am excited to see the finished product although when you opened the garage I was smiling at the screen as it looked so good! Also really liking the way you edit your videos and that XR4x4 is stunning.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Sierra; updating the engine was a big decision and I know it will divide opinion. Similar to you, I can't wait to see it finished... if I ever get there! 🤣 Appreciate the feedback on the video - I am still very much a learner when it comes to video production and RU-vid. Thanks as always for watching and for supporting my Channel.
Ha! Thanks for the comment. Not got many garages, just a couple to keep stuff in when it’s not going to move for a while. I’ve been following Adam’s Cosworth, he is doing a brilliant job, and am fortunate that he is following my Cosworth as well. 👍🏻 Thanks for watching.
I love what you’ve done with the engine. Cossies are nearly always modified to get more Bhp and the result is the car you started with. Having the turbo come on sooner will get rid of the lag. I’ve never been in a cosworth but would love to one day.
Thanks for the comment and for sharing your thoughts Neil, I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to experiencing and letting you all know how the car drives when it’s finished - stay tuned. Thanks for taking the time to watch.
Well done Andy a great video update on the Cosworth and it is looking amazing and will be marvellous when complete I don’t blame you wanting to get as close to standard as possible but increasing reliability as well with modern conditions I am looking forward to the next video and good luck with the electrics Daniel
Thank for the comment Daniel and for the continued support, I appreciate it. Updating the engine is always going to be a bit contentious, but as the car has been completely restored then I though it would be fitting to bring the engine up to a more modern set up. Fingers crossed it all works out and the car runs / drives as I intend (and hope). Thanks for sticking with the restoration videos and hope to hear from you on the next. 👍
Such nice looking cars these are. Love the colour. When i used to see these fairly regularly, in my youth, you could buy them for about £5k. Way out of my reach as a teenager, but wish they were £5k now as there would be one in my garage!
Thanks for the comment and feedback on the Sierra; I like them in silver too. I can remember them at £5K too around 20 years ago... if only we knew then what we know now. Thanks for watching.
Well if I'm frustrated, God only knows how you feel !! Never mind she'll be back together and back on the road before you know it !! It's great to see the 4x4 out and about... Thanks for the video 👍🏴
Thanks for watching. 👍🏻 The frustrating bit is missing the show dates and lovely driving weather, but the car needs to be done right so I am trying to be patient. 🤣 Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for the support.
Thanks for watching Clive, I appreciate the continued support. We’ll all need to remortgage for an RS200 these days and I totally get the NSX thing, they are fabulous. 👍🏻
Definitely agree with what you've done, to many cars being lost to fire damage just to maintain the stock tag, personally don't think it's worth the risk. Plus you need reliability so yeah im with you 100%.
Thanks for the comment and for sharing your thoughts. The changes are always going to divide opinions, but like you I am minded of the reliability, safety and driving benefits; it should be powerful, smooth and quicker than standard whilst retaining a standard feel… or, at least I hope so! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the comment. I totally agree with you, I much prefer them milled with the exposed aluminium. As soon as the car is running and I’ve done a couple of hundred miles (bit of a shakedown) the rocker cover will get done. Hope you stay tuned to see the car finished. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the comment Daniel and for following my Sierra restoration. It is hard to believe, but the car has been at the same garage now for three months whilst they work on the electrics... however, it is now ready to be started so I am heading there this week to see it start. Once it is running I will have it transported home and do an update - it'll be end of October. Thanks for your patience. 👍
Thanks for the comment. I am always impressed by owners who take any RS up to big horsepower, turning these cars into properly quick machines. For me though, too much power can make them harder to live with and I want to do some miles in my Sierra so have opted for nice, clean and useable power with a modern twist. Hope you stay tuned to see how the car turns out. Thanks for watching.
Hello Andy Another brillant update so much enjoying the restoration and the work going into it as il certianly agree after doing a Sierra Cosworth myself many years ago patience is an understatement (as well as foul language lol) Im gonna be honest mate id prefere the engine to of been kept orignal Ford spec as especially if your running close to standard power the YB is ultra reliable, although you will only know if or any differences are happening with the more modern engine upgrades once you start driving it. Those side moldings are a bloody nuisance as so many come away in the corners so hope the bodyshop address this for you .. I know you want to car as OEM standard in looks and appearance with the 17" softline wheels sold to the white Escort RS Turbo, what i would say mate is i had a freind who had a moondust silver sapphire Cosworth and trust me.the 17" Diamond.cut 7 spoke with black inserts looked absolutely sublime and especially still being an RS wheel more the part if you understand. Anyway im looking forward to the next update good luck on the electrics and loom All the best mate Nigel .. 😎 P.s That Escort Mk2 Harrier in show cars was extraordinary to see 👍
Thanks for the comment Nigel, I really appreciate your thoughts on the car and advice. The 17" Diamond Cut 17" wheels do look smashing, but it's got to be the Lattice wheels for this car... for now at least! Changing the ignition system was an out of character decision for me, but as the car is fully restored (so never be truly original again) I thought I would try something different, but retain the ability to put it back to standard if I ever want to. As for the Harrier at the show... there were two! Thanks for watching, for following the restoration and for the support. 👍
I took the Toad out of my 3dr recently. There's nothing to it, the alarm wires are tee'd in to the loom. De-solder them join them back up and shrink wrap, less than an hours work.
Thanks for the comment and advice Ian, I appreciate it. I did consider doing it myself, but with the new loom, old alarm, current immobiliser and a botched aftermarket stereo fitting... I thought I'd leave it to the professionals as I'd be sure to put everything in place and something won't work! 🤣 Thanks for the comment and keep enjoying your 3-door. 😎
Cars looking great,dont no why my comments keep getting deleted.its driving me mad.i would personally have kept the standard ignition system.other tham that it looks great.as i have said before,i love sierras, keep up the good work looking after them.
Thanks for the comment Ivan. I was in two minds myself as to whether I pursue a fully standard engine build or take the direction I have... the thing that did it for me is my car is a restored car, so it'll never be properly original so I thought I'd try this. Still got all of the parts if I ever choose to go back. Thanks for watching, I appreciate the continued support.
Thanks for the comment and sorry for the delayed reply. The rocker cover will be going back to the engine builder for the top to be milled, returning it to a standard look… I think it’ll look fab! Thanks for following the restoration of my Sapphire. 👍
Thanks for the comment Scott; I'm keen to get lots of feedback. The rocker cover will be milled back, I just need the fresh paint to fully cure so that it does not chip when skimmed. It'll be one of the final jobs. Thanks for watching. 👍
Thanks for the comment and for following the Sierra restoration, I really appreciate it. I’ll sort the hoses once the car is back on the road and everything is sorted; for now what remaining money I have is going on electrics! 🤣 Stay tuned as I’m looking forward to those last few cosmetic jobs, like the rocker cover.
