I'm really looking forward to Saturday.
My sister's boyfriend has a Sierra Cosworth that is immaculate. It's a 1989 model (same age as me!), the RWD version. Dark metallic grey, all-original inside and out... except the engine.
This is where it starts getting a bit different!
The engine is a 2.0 16v Ford lump, tickled by Cosworth to produce 204bhp. He has had it taken to Stage 1, which now pumps out a healthy 270bhp (give or take about 15bhp). It's very fast in this form- 0-60 takes about 5.5 seconds, and the top speed is in the area of 157mph.
On Saturday, he's inviting me along to rebuild his entire engine (the project will take place over a few weeks) to Stage 3 Spec- the engine is being bored out, and the turbo is being replaced with a Garrett T35. It's a very big one... and by the time we've replaced the valve springs, rebuilt the engine, added some titanium parts and some forged pistons it'll be OK to pump out 400bhp. It'll be running at about 320bhp, however- just so it'll last for longer.
The best part is that I get to use it whenever I want when we're done. I'm going to wait a couple of years first, but then I'll be a named driver, and able to have some fun... watch this space for progress pics and finished pics!
Most importantly, we're retaining the visuals of the standard car- right down to the exhuast pipe. If the need for a larger exhaust emerges... then watch this space for either a centred twin pipe, an exhaust either side, or maybe even 4 exhausts! The 'bean can' look is not for this car...
The car at the moment...