cosworth YB engines to 800hp

[lotusman1951]

Having owned several 7s-and other british exoctia, Allards/Cobras/Healy Slverstone, et al I had reduced my collection to 1 car and decieded to make it exceptional-your basic Series 3 with all the DSK mods.

 

Anyhow-although rare in this country and as common in the UK as a small block Chevy is here , the Ford Sierra Cosworth is a remarkable choice for Sevens-A total Coworth build, over 20,000 produced and when in stock trim, Turbocharged and fuel injected 225hp, all steel internals and with the Iron Block 20 pounds heavier than a 1558 Lotus twin cam. From a bolt up perspective the 4 bolt engine mounts are the same as the kent and the bolt up of the bellhousing is identical as the base block is the 2000cc/not 2300cc Pinto.

 

Staying with the turbo modified commonly to 350hp (chip/injectors)-A stock RS500 sierra put out plus 500hp and modified beyond that 800plus Hp is out there.

 

With 45-50 webers 175-300plus is available with rev limit of less than 9000 rpm, In my street car the power/torque experience is strong to 4500rpm, wild to 6500 and tunnel vision to 8500, My combination of 9.3 cr, 48 webers, tuned exhaust is 240hp on pump gas with a 4.4LSD-my top speed is rev limited to 133mph at 8500rpm.

 

With Ford based 4 cylinder engines you hit a HP/$ wall past 150hp-after that its steel rods and crank. The same critical components are standard ,cheap , and available used from ebay UK or new from Cosworth California-several times less expensive than the stuff available for Kent/lotus engines.

 

From my perspective of HOT FOOT having owned 7s with LHD and left hand exhaust the right side exhaust on the Cosworth is a delight-the engine is accepted as a replacement for all ford based engines in some vintage racing groups. mounts to the 4 or 5 speed transmissions .

 

Keeps me off those tippy motorcycles.

 

Kevin Kearney Cabin John Md.

[Kitcat]

From a purely theoretical perspective, how much $ for an engine like yours and are they available from Cosworth in Torrance, CA? Can the T9 transmission handle 240 hp? Your car is carbureted, not turbo-charged?

[stevet]

Great engine. I had three Sierra Cosworth's in the UK back in the 80's, which were stolen a total of 9 times between them

 

Here's the last one

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1497528719_cosworth green090.jpg

[Mandurath]

Wish there were more over here. A RS sold for about 1500 bucks a month or so ago on ebay. Incomplete but easy enough to fix.

 

T-9 Torque rating (Short Duration): 570Nm Maximum (422 lb.f.ft) so it should handle sub 300 without many problems.

 

 

[lotusman1951]

From a purely theoretical perspective, how much $ for an engine like yours and are they available from Cosworth in Torrance, CA? Can the T9 transmission handle 240 hp? Your car is carbureted, not turbo-charged?

UK prices about $2K with turbo/$5k for carbs, $6.5K Ebay, 12K plus from Cossie Cal.

[JohnCh]

There are several guys in the UK who run this engine in their Westfields. Might be worth your time to do a little reserach on the WSCC forum. Also, check out Chris Good's excellent site on his Cosworth-powered Westfield.

 

-John

[Alaskossie]

There a several turbo-Cosworth powered Dax Rushes 4X4 cars around, in UK. One was on eBay last month, with a claimed 430 hp and a 0-100 time of 6.6 seconds (only possible with all-wheel-drive, I'm sure). The weight of the front diff and Sierra/Escort 4wd transmission and transfer case take the 4X4 Rush out of the "Seven" concept, but it is an unbelievably quick weapon.

 

Cosworth is now making an aluminum YB block, so the weight penalty for the iron-blocked YB should be reduced somewhat. I believe the aluminum block is available through Cosworth USA, but I am not aware of Cosworth USA carrying any of the other bits; these are pretty readily available in UK.

 

As it happens, I own a turbo Cosworth YB in my Ford Escort (tell someone you have a "quick Ford Escort," and see what kind of laughs that normally brings!!). Mine is a 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 4X4 with an Eggenberger-tuned, stroked 2.3l engine, and 378 hp and 435 lb/ft. of torque on the dyno. (photo attached). The car weighs 3100 lb. The car was assembled by Karmann in Germany, so it is a really tight, well-built package.

 

There are about 15 street-registered Escort Cosworths in the USA, but almost all are around the stock 225 hp. Even with stock hp, it is a very nimble winter car.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1510192438_Cossie.1.jpg

 

Alaskossie

[HPC]

Anyhow-although rare in this country and as common in the UK as a small block Chevy is here , the Ford Sierra Cosworth is a remarkable choice for Sevens-A total Coworth build, over 20,000 produced and when in stock trim, Turbocharged and fuel injected 225hp, all steel internals and with the Iron Block 20 pounds heavier than a 1558 Lotus twin cam. From a bolt up perspective the 4 bolt engine mounts are the same as the kent and the bolt up of the bellhousing is identical as the base block is the 2000cc/not 2300cc Pinto.

 

Staying with the turbo modified commonly to 350hp (chip/injectors)-A stock RS500 sierra put out plus 500hp and modified beyond that 800plus Hp is out there.

I had a Cosworth Turbo in my previous Seven with 221 bhp stock performance. I considered upgrading but after talking to several people and seeing some engine failures myself I decided to leave it as it is. A chipped Cosworth engine which has no internal modifications can take ~280 bhp at maximum. Everything above will go pop sooner or later.

[rofl_denmark]

There a several turbo-Cosworth powered Dax Rushes 4X4 cars around, in UK. One was on eBay last month, with a claimed 430 hp and a 0-100 time of 6.6 seconds (only possible with all-wheel-drive, I'm sure). The weight of the front diff and Sierra/Escort 4wd transmission and transfer case take the 4X4 Rush out of the "Seven" concept, but it is an unbelievably quick weapon.

 

Cosworth is now making an aluminum YB block, so the weight penalty for the iron-blocked YB should be reduced somewhat. I believe the aluminum block is available through Cosworth USA, but I am not aware of Cosworth USA carrying any of the other bits; these are pretty readily available in UK.

 

As it happens, I own a turbo Cosworth YB in my Ford Escort (tell someone you have a "quick Ford Escort," and see what kind of laughs that normally brings!!). Mine is a 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 4X4 with an Eggenberger-tuned, stroked 2.3l engine, and 378 hp and 435 lb/ft. of torque on the dyno. (photo attached). The car weighs 3100 lb. The car was assembled by Karmann in Germany, so it is a really tight, well-built package.

 

There are about 15 street-registered Escort Cosworths in the USA, but almost all are around the stock 225 hp. Even with stock hp, it is a very nimble winter car.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1510192438_Cossie.1.jpg

 

Alaskossie

 

 

Ok Alaskossie - "very nimble winter car" :smilielol5:

.. but this blue baby on pix i very nice.

You say there are about 15 street-registered Escort Cosworths in the USA -do you know where they are and how to get in touch with them ?

 

To you other guys so I have some experience with Cosworth engine if you would like to know more. I know that your a big problem in the usa is the law around the exhaust and approval - is it true ?

 

Regards

Rolf from Denmark - Europe

Ovner of 1992 Cosworth Escort MotorSport

[danilo]

Interesting Idea, the Cosworth was a pretty engine a but imo, a bit more legend than substance to it's outputs/ performance.

Why not a Hayabusa engine? 200 hp at Half the drive unit weight and from what I've seen, Salvage engines have been advertised for $3/5k.

Here's a local to me, 'Authorised' Caterham Hayabusa 7 builder/supplier.

http://super7cars.com/Super7_Hayabusa_Caterham.html

 

A bit pricey .. no arguement! But the assembly /workmanship errr.. 'improves' on the Caterham assembly standard by a large margin.. true.