Engine
The engine is still standard capacity, although a Severn Valley Motorsport 2.1 Zetec Turbo is to be transplanted next year (450bhp!!). Modifications take the power output to a dyno-proven 250bhp, after much research the Le Mans Gp A dump valve proved to be the loudest available - more of a violent fffssshh than a gentle pish! The two stage boost switch is vital to maintain any control in the wet. Finally the engine bay is chromed and polished to concours standard.
Transmission
The Quaife box is custom built with the ratios from the Ford MTX75 box as used on the late spec 1995 model RS1800s, this has a shorter 1st and 2nd, and a longer 5th. The paddle clutch is hard work. but vital to get the power down and the limited slip diff is taken from a '90 spec Escort RS Turbo.
The RSX kit provides adjustable ride height and dampening using 2.25" springs, and although the standard kit will drop the car 40-50mm, 50mm shorter Faulkner springs are used for an 80mm drop. With the car this low and the size of the wheels the arches needed to be modified extensively. The plastic arch extensions have been trimmed back on the inside and are now bonded rather than riveted to the car, the lips in the inner arch have been completely ground down and the front and rear plastic arch liners have been removed and replaced with modified Escort Cosworth items. These are much wider, having been designed to house 8" wide wheels. The chromed strut brace stiffens the car and matches the underbonnet chroming.
Brakes
The 304mm discs were chosen over 330mm as they will fit under the 16" wheels the car runs for Quarter Mile sprints and during the winter. Willwood 4-pot callipers and braided hoses ensure adequate stopping power.
Wheels & Tyres
7.5 x17" Momo Arrow, Yokohama AVS S1-Z 215/40 ZR17 tyres.
Bodywork
The car is still painted original Ford Diamond White although a respray may be on the cards soon, the arches are extensively modified as detailed above, the Fibresports front bumper has the light pockets filled and smoothed, and bolted to the bottom is the vented plastic splitter from a Renault Laguna. The rear bumper is from the same Fibresports kit and has had the towing eye filled in and been modified to accept the recessed numberplate, like the MK4 item, and the centre exit exhaust. Both bumpers are seamlessly blended into the arch extensions. Then sunroof needed to have a plate welded over it so as not to interfere with the roll cage. MHW clear indicators, clear oval side repeaters and clear rear clusters update the look of the car. The standard RS Turbo vented bonnet has had the swage line filled and a plate welded on to give a hard squinting "fox look" to the front, as seen on many European cars. The bonnet now opens with an XR2i boot solenoid instead of the pull cable, and Jamex SpeedLifts, from a MK2 Golf ensure it opens smoothly. Essential mods like the fully colour coded M3 mirrors, de-locked doors and tailgate, colour coded door handles and single wiper conversion have been carried out as well as the filling and smoothing of the driver side wiper hole, rear wiper hole, tow hook and side-sill jacking-point slots. A genuine Ford Mondeo Estate rear boot-top spoiler is bonded to the original RS item and a Dimma alloy fuel filler cap is fitted along with a Dimma sunstrip and Dimma decals on the side-sills and tailgate. The chrome RST and 16v badges are taken from the MK6 Escort, as the letters are individual (eScoRT). Finally a couple of trick "007" style mods are built into the car, firstly "DB7" style rotating number plates (yes really! - as seen in Goldfinger), this device is wired to an unmarked switch on the dash and rotates between the original registration number on a standard totally legal plate, the same reg in a HandelGothic font with logos for show use and a plate that just says HA HA! - activated when passing Gatsos and after obliterating Impreza / Cossie / Porsche etc! Speaking of which, installed in the front headlights are blue strobe lights, turn these on when said Impreza overtakes and watch how quick he slows down! Great for scaring people at night as well! The final trick is a couple of Toad smoke generators, originally designed for use as a security device inside the car, these are mounted behind the rear bumper and can make the car invisible behind a smokescreen. (sorry officer, must be my turbo on it's way out...:-)
Interior
The grey dashboard, carpet and door cards have been replaced with black items from the RS1800, the carpet is taken from a '92 spec model as the later cars have the VIN plate under the drivers floormat rather than next to the driver's seat as on the RST. The trim on the door cards now matches that of the Sparco Evo fixed back seats which are embroidered with blue Ford logos. The rear bench removed and the floor chequered alloy plated, there is a section of alloy plated MDF where the back of the rear seats were, this is hinged and can be folded down like the original seats although only as one part unlike the 60/40 original split. TRW Sabelt Professional Top Formula 75mm quick-release 4-point harnesses and Sabelt Nomex Professional harness pads, Momo Race steering wheel with SWM Snap-Off boss, Lockwood white dials, HR Auto-Comfort Aluminium dashboard trim kit, Sparco black annodised alloy pedals with rubber inserts, Momo Competition gearknob, colour coded detailing, Autostyle Sportmats with alloy heel plates and embroidered "RS Turbo" logo, Custom 3" polished chrome half roll cage, Lockwood "RS Turbo" sill plates.
ICE
Kenwood head unit and 10 disc changer in glovebox, custom door builds housing MB Quartz 6.5" mids, 5" MB mids in custom kick builds, 1.5" tweeters incorporated into MK4 door handles, RF Punch Power 500.2 amp driving 2x12" RFR-1812 Punch Power subs in boot.
Security
Clifford Concept 600 G4 with Intellistart 4, SmartWindows 4 and BlackJax 4, door and boot locks removed, ignition keyhole relocated, removed and filled, Tracker system, SWM Snap-Off steering wheel Boss and lockable cover.
Performance (Dyno Proven)
Max power - 250bhp, max speed - 147mph, 0-60 - 5.7 seconds.