i'm currently selling my scirocco to get a sierra for the wife to use while i get the chassis built, what i need to know is (as i'm planning a IRS locost) which sierra should i go for? what age? which engine? which gearbox?......any help would be appreciated. thanks ben
I think the consensus is that the 2litre SOHC pinto engine is the one to have. I think these all came with 5speed boxes. In selecting a donor I would
be looking for good mechanical condition and regular servicing, ideally a low ownership, rather than any specific features. Some people favour the
rear disc versions but I don't believe this is necessary, the drums work just fine in Locost scenarios. Getting a basic version will usually mean
simple loom mods, less wires to trace/remove.
In the end I expect it will come down to what good condition cars are available. I bought a non-runner recently (not a Sierra), I'll avoid doing that
again unless the price is too good to miss
John
thanks. dont suppose you know what years the 2.0 pinto was used?
Y reg to E reg
I guess maybe the carb' 2.0 ran only until then but the injection SOHC certainly was used for longer.
For a start mine is 1989 'F' reg and that is the first year that Sierra's had the '205' SOHC Pinto engine.
For a picture see
http://www.btinternet.com/~megatron/part6-pic8.jpg
And I'm sure the injection SOHC carried on for a couple of years- I have a feeling until 1992 although I'm willing to be corrected!
:-)
hth,
James
BTW, the build history on this excellent website only runs until April last year- anyone know if 'Ironman' ever finished his Locost?
After E reg there was a mix n match,could be pinto,cvh,dohc.
So the easy way is to look under the bonnet i suppose.
is there much of a problem using a dohc engine? and is there any probs using a saphire as a donor?
As John (Interested Party) wrote in reply to your first post:
---------------------------------------------
I think the consensus is that the 2litre SOHC pinto engine is the one to have.
---------------------------------------------
There's differing opinion on the quality of the DOHC engine- many people I've heard say it sucks but others have been more complimentary.
I think one of the main deciding factors is that it's even bigger (and heavier!) than the Pinto (which is saying something!) and so is probably harder
to fit under the bonnet and it's extra weight may well mean it has lower power:weight than the Pinto too.
I've used a Sapphire and it seems fine.
HTH,
James
cheers
ben 
Hey, Ben, you sound like the Ben that is Steve Briance's mate... did he give you the pics from Newark yet?
Further to the original question of which Sierra? Are there any particular problems with using the XR4i, only I've been offered one with good engine and running gear but knackered body. In particular, would there be any special difficulties fitting the V6 engine.
Which Sierra's have discs at the back with LSD? (Suitable to fit to a MK Indy chassis)
Max
The 4x4s are LSD,there is one for sale on this list if you hurry
Cheers Bob,
Sadly it'll have to wait for the minute as I'm moving house and I've promised by better half not to buy any more cars/car stuff before we move.
Ta for the info!
quote:
Further to the original question of which Sierra? Are there any particular problems with using the XR4i,
Thanks Dave.
I hear what you're saying about the weight factor, but as you say, you can't beat the noise of a 'V'. Think this is the way I'm gonna go, especially
if it's gonna keep things simple for my first build.
Being a complete novice at this, can you tell me what 'open diff' means, does it mean 'standard' diff as opposed to limited slip diff? Also, I've read
on a couple of other posts that it is not really essential to have discs all round on a locost, so presumably a could use the drums off the donor
car.
Thanks in advance for any further help.
Mart
J.billings.....yes i am that mate of stuffers.
quote:
Being a complete novice at this, can you tell me what 'open diff' means, does it mean 'standard' diff as opposed to limited slip diff? Also, I've read on a couple of other posts that it is not really essential to have discs all round on a locost, so presumably a could use the drums off the donor car.
remember if the bodyworks knackered or the struts/bushes etc are fecked it doesnt matter u dont need them so dont say why u really want it and use those things as points to get the price down
quote:
As for fitting the V6, well, it can and has been done, it makes a great noise (and I REALLY like the motor), but the problem here is that it weighs an absoloute ton, and in standard form, it's a bit stingy with the power it produces.