November 2020

Fast Ford

Featuring performance-tuned road and track cars, product news, buying guides, technical advice, engine tuning, plus a section of Fords for sale, it provides a complete guide to the Ford scene for the first-time Ford buyer through to the fanatic

Fast Ford2 min readAutomotive
Welcome
This issue we’re showing our love and appreciation for the legend that is the Cosworth YB engine. For over 35 years this humble, Pinto-based turbocharged 2.0-litre has been the backbone of the fast Ford scene. It has powered everything from touring c
Fast Ford1 min read
Fast Ford
EDITOR Jamie King Email: jamie.king@kelsey.co.uk ART EDITOR Mark Field SUB EDITOR Dan Williamson CONTRIBUTORS Dan Bevis, Ade Brannan, Dan Williamson, Jason Dodd, Graham Robson, InSync Media, Jon Cass, Jimbo Wallace CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Phil We
Fast Ford5 min readAutomotive
The Right Stuff
We’ve brought you a lot of Mk2 Focus RS feature cars over the years. It’s obviously an immensely popular hot hatch among the Ford fraternity, and that’s not going to change any time soon. The RS sits on such a versatile platform, and we’ve seen every
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Driver Spec
AGE 48-ish JOB Parts advisor for Mercedes Trucks FIRST FORD Mk3 Escort 3-door estate BEST MODIFICATION “I think the wheels change it a bit” FAVOURITE FORD SHOW OR EVENT? Castle Combe Rally Day TRACK DAY OR SHOW & SHINE? Show-and-shine LESSONS L
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Tech Spec
ENGINE 2.5-litre five-cylinder, turbo-back BCS exhaust system with 200-cell cat, Airtec radiator, Airtec Stage 1 intercooler, Airtec big boost hose kit, Mountune airbox with K&N filter, Mountune uprated recirc valve, Mountune induction hose kit, Moun
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
News
Now you can order selected Tarox products direct from your local Ford dealer or online via shop. ford.co.uk. Available is a range of uprated discs and pads for the latest Fiesta and Focus models, as well as a special two-piece track disc for the Focu
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
New Escorts Book
Fast Ford’s very own car anorak, Dan Williamson, has spent his time during lockdown writing another of his fantastic books. This time it’s all about the front-wheel-drive Escorts from 1980 to 2000. It’s currently being printed, and the aptly named ‘T
Fast Ford2 min readAutomotive
Ford Parts
Fabrication wizard Pro Alloy has been rather clever with the design of its latest induction kit for the Mk8 Fiesta ST; not only does it provide the proven performance gains and excellent quality we’ve come to expect from Pro Alloy, it’s also availabl
Fast Ford2 min read
Cosworth Drivers’ Club
When was the Cosworth Drivers’ Club first founded, and why? It all started about three years ago. I’ve been into fast Fords for years, but I was starting to get a little tired of people with no actual experience of owning RS cars telling me what I s
Fast Ford7 min readAutomotive
Standard Deviation
Ostentatiousness is all very well. We’ve got a lot of time for people who paint their project cars bright purple, or engineer the exhausts to lick out 2ft flames, or fabricate one-off bodykits to morph the factory lines into something entirely new –
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Tech Spec
ENGINE 2.3-litre EcoBoost, Mountune m520 package, Mahle pistons, Carrillo rods, Piper V3 camshafts and springs, balance shaft delete, BorgWarner EFR-7163 turbo, Xtreme-Di uprated fuel pump, Pro Alloy black header tank, iridium spark plugs, Radium dua
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Richard Szaranek
AGE 43 JOB Multi-trader INSTAGRAM @richm520 FIRST FORD Black 1990 Escort XR3i BEST MODIFICATION “Has to be the engine upgrades – it’s insane, I absolutely love it” FAVOURITE FORD SHOW OR EVENT? Ford Fair TRACK DAY OR SHOW & SHINE? “Definitely a
Fast Ford3 min readAutomotive
Mocgb At Santa Pod
The summer of 2020 will always be remembered as the year that car shows forgot, but not all events had to be cancelled. The Mustang Owners’ Club of GB always arrange an annual get-together at Santa Pod, and the initial date for 2020 was pencilled in
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Paul Reed Sn95 Mach-1
Paul got his hands on this rather rare Mach-1 SN95 model about four years ago, after the previous owner had imported it from America back in 2006. “I think there’s less than ten in the UK,” said Paul. “This is build number 5373 of 9652, and one of on
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Dom Orbry Mustang Rtr Spec-2
If you’re thinking Dom’s car looks familiar, you’re right, it does. It was Mountune’s development car for the range of RTR performance and styling upgrades the well-known tuner offers, and it’s a car that has appeared in the mag previously when edito
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Spencer Chittenden 1969 Convertible
This cool convertible wasn’t the only Mustang that Spencer had on show during the day. It wasn’t even the only 1969 model he had either, also displaying a fastback from the same year. But given the soaring temperatures and beating sun, we knew which
Fast Ford4 min readAutomotive
Everyday Hero
If you grew up in the 1980s and Nineties, you’ll be well-versed in how kids’ TV was keen to encourage us to get stuck in and be creative with our own hands. It wasn’t just about the sticky-back plastic and ‘here’s one I made earlier’ of Blue Peter, e
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Mk2 Focus St
ENGINE 2.5-litre five-cylinder Duratec ST, Stage 2 intercooler, Ramair induction, Stage 2 remap by Road Rage Performance, 3in RS Milltek Ultimate cat-back exhaust system with 3in decat and 3in Milltek Ultimate downpipe POWER 297.5bhp TRANSMISSION S
Fast Ford1 min read
Clayton Healey
AGE 20 JOB Bricklayer INSTAGRAM @h13_cly_ FIRST FORD This one BEST MODIFICATION All of them. FAVOURITE FORD SHOW OR EVENT? BHP or Ford Fair LESSONS LEARNT FROM THIS PROJECT? Have a lot of money ready before buying WHAT’S NEXT 400bhp THANKS “T
Fast Ford2 min readAutomotive
Fords In Motorsport Mid-season Update
The 2020 motorsport season has been an odd one, to say the least. After the usual winter preparations the year began like any other, with good vibes around the many Blue Ovals competing in all forms of racing, from top-flight national and world champ
Fast Ford4 min readAutomotive
British Touring Cars
It’s been a hectic year for the Motorbase Performance team. At the end of the 2019 season the difficult decision was made to shelve the Mk3 Focus RS from previous seasons and build an entirely new car based on the later Mk4 Focus ST. Team Manager Oly
Fast Ford3 min readAutomotive
British Gt4
The British GT Championship got off to a delayed start in August with a Covid-19-compressed reschedule of nine races across six events. The season started at Oulton Park and will end at Silverstone in November. Academy Motorsport’s original plans als
Fast Ford1 min read
Standings
P1: Colin Turkington (BMW) – 182ptsP2: Ash Sutton (Infinity) – 172ptsP3: Rory Butcher (Ford) – 139ptsP14: Ollie Jackson (Ford)- 50ptsP24: Andy Neate (Ford) – 3pts P1: Team BMW – 306ptsP2: Laser Tools Racing – 211ptsP3: Motorbase Performance – 181pts
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Standings
P1: Chris Wesemael/Gus Bowers (McLaren 570S) – 82.5ptsP2: Jamie Caroline/Daniel Vaughan (Aston Martin V8 Vantage) – 82ptsP3: Connor O’Brien/Patrick Kibble (Aston Martin V8 Vantage) – 77.5pts P4: Jordan Albert/Matt Cowley (Mustang) – 71.5pts P1: TF
Fast Ford3 min readAutomotive
World Rally Championship
The 2020 WRC season started way back in January, before the world was put on hold by the coronavirus situation. Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm claimed fourth place at the season-opener in Monte Carlo. Recovering from a difficult start, the Finns boun
Fast Ford1 min read
Standings
P1: S Ogier (Toyota) – 79ptsP2: E Evans (Toyota) – 70ptsP3: O Tanak (Hyundai) – 66pts P6: T Suninen (Ford) – 34ptsP7: E Lappi (Ford) – 30ptsP13: G Greensmith (Ford) – 6pts ■
Fast Ford3 min readAutomotive
#printmyford
Ever wanted to see your car appear in all its glory in the printed pages of a Ford tuning magazine? Well, if so, all you need to do is ask! Simply email us, or post a picture of your car on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages and add the hashtag
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Fast Fleet
Keen to get out and start using the RS in anger, Jamie’s been to North Weald to take part in Steeda’s Driving Day event. Suspension and alignment is sorted, so Paul’s now looking at ways to increase power and performance from the V8. Dan’s been to
Fast Ford3 min readAutomotive
Sounding Sweet
QUICK SPEC Focus ST-3 • Direnza MVT intercooler and hard pipes • Direnza sports cat • Direnza full exhaust system • Peron/AET Motorsport stage one remap • Steeda cold air inlet system (CAIS) • Turbosmart dump valve • Steeda short-shifter • H&R 25mm l
Fast Ford3 min readAutomotive
Scrubbing Up Well
QUICK SPEC EBC Brakes Racing Apollo Balanced Big Brake Kit (with EBC Yellowstuff pads, EBC Swept Grooved rear discs and EBC stainless brake lines) • Eibach Pro-Spacer Kit (20mm front) • Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres Since the installation of our Apol
Fast Ford2 min readAutomotive
Driving Day
QUICK SPEC Mountune m400R • Velgen Classic5 alloys • Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres • H&R lowering springs • 3M wrap by VWC in Leeds • Mountune axle-back and sports cat • H&R anti-roll bars • Tarox brakes • Mishimoto intercooler, intake kit, and oil cooler
Fast Ford5 min readAutomotive
Worth The Wait
We often come across the phrase ‘long-term project’, and Barry Stephenson’s awesome Cossie YB-powered, 4x4 Mk3 Escort ranks highly among them. It may have been 11 years in the making, but no one could argue it’s not been worth the wait. As a die-hard
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Yb’d 4x4 Mk3 Escort
ENGINE 1993cc Cosworth YB, 200 block, big-wing sump, ARP bolts, T38 turbo, -34 actuator, 3 bar map sensor, Siemens 1000cc injectors, Group A coil, Group A breather system, full braided wiring looms, braided fuel lines, Bosch 044 fuel pump and lift pu
Fast Ford1 min read
Barry Stephenson
FIRST FORD Mk1 Escort 1300GT BEST MODIFICATION The power FAVOURITE FORD SHOW OR EVENT? RS Croft TRACK DAY OR SHOW & SHINE? Track day WRC OR BTCC? WRC LESSONS LEARNT FROM THIS PROJECT? Don’t take ten years to finish things THANKS Barry would lik
Fast Ford4 min read
History Of The Yb Engine
The story of the YB engine starts long before the arrival of the Sierra Cosworth in 1985, although that was the first time we saw it in all its road-going glory. In fact, the start of the tale can be traced right back to the end of the 1970s and earl
Fast Ford9 min readAutomotive
Tuning The Yb Engine
It’s 35 years since we first saw the now-legendary Cosworth YB engine unleashed onto our streets. Since then it’s gone on to win numerous races and championships, from world level right down to clubman weekend racers. And, of course, it’s won even mo
Fast Ford1 min read
Yb Engine
DISPLACEMENT 1993cc BORE 90.82mm STROKE 76.95mm COMPRESSION RATIO 8.0:1 BLOCK MATERIAL cast iron PISTONS Mahle forged HEAD MATERIAL cast aluminium alloy VALVE-TRAIN 16-valve, DOHC INLET VALVE 35mm diameter EXHAUST VALVE 31mm diameter ASPIRA
Fast Ford1 min read
Contacts
020 8518 9136 www.burtonpower.com 01626 362692 www.autodynamix.co.uk 01425 543 303 www.turboperformanceltd.com 01260 279604 www.collinsperformance.com 01277 226666 www.mountuneracing.com 01253 508400 www.motorsport-developments.co.uk 01733 576614 ww
Fast Ford7 min readAutomotive
Yb Survival Guide
There’s a couple of areas to be aware of with Cosworth cooling fans: first, check the fans themselves haven’t seized up. If they have, order some replacements (might as well opt for an upgrade from Pro Alloy or Airtec) before you do anything else – a
Fast Ford1 min read
Contacts
The Cosworth YB is the cornerstone of the fast Ford scene; it’s powered many of the cars we’ve featured in these pages over the last 35 years, and it’s still a huge fan favourite today. But, as we have seen from this feature, it’s not without its iss
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Why You Want One…
• Iconic fast Fords don’t come much cheaper than the XR3i Cabriolet – often half the cost of a tin-top but with the advantage of removing the roof for a perfect summertime cruise. • Investment potential of the XR brand is hot on the heels of 1980s’ R
Fast Ford1 min read
Why You Don T…
• Image. You don’t need us to tell you how many boy-racer jokes you’ll hear behind the wheel of an XR3i or how many folk will ask you to cut their hair when you turn up in a Cabriolet. • Inadequate maintenance often goes hand-in-hand with low-value s
Fast Ford1 min read
How Much To Pay
Spares cars can cost less, but a repairable Cabrio should start at around £1000, with (just) roadworthy examples for double that price, and usable cars for around £3000. Value decent bodywork higher than spec or mechanical components. Tidy cars start
Fast Ford1 min read
Vital Statistics
MADE 1986-1990 PRICE WHEN NEW £9817 POWER Pre-September 1989: 104bhp @ 6000rpm; post-September 1989: 107bhp @ 6000rpm TORQUE 102lb.ft @ 4800rpm TOP SPEED Pre-September 1989: 115mph; post-September 1989: 116mph 0-60MPH 9.7 seconds ■
Fast Ford6 min readAutomotive
BUYER’S GUIDE ESCORT XR3i CABRIOLET MK4
Ringers are out there – so check the chassis number on the V5 matches the VIN plate (riveted to the slam panel) and number stamped into the driver’s-side inner sill (beneath a flap in the carpet). A Cabriolet’s VIN should read WFOLXXGKLL, followed by
Fast Ford2 min readAutomotive
History
Escort Mk4 range launched, including two Cabriolet models built by Karmann in Rheine, Germany. Ghia had carb-fed 89bhp 1.6 CVH, while XR3i included fuel-injected 104bhp version plus uprated suspension, 6x14in steel wheels, front spoiler and sports fr
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
ESCORT XR3i CABRIOLET MK4
ENGINE 1596cc in-line four-cylinder, eight-valve, SOHC CVH with cast iron block and alloy head; pre-September 1989: 9.5:1 compression ratio and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection; post-September 1989: 9.75:1 compression ratio, Ford EEC-IV fuel injection
Fast Ford1 min read
What Do I Need To Know?
You might be pleasantly surprised. In terms of crashing and theft, an XR3i cabrio is no longer the massive risk that insurers recall from the 1990s, but you’ll need to consult a specialist in classic cars – not just for a competitive price but to ens
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Key Points
Assess any Cabriolet as a whole to determine its value. A car with rust patches, tatty trim, frayed hood and tired mechanicals will be substantially more expensive to restore than an already-mint machine. So many limited-edition Cabriolets were built
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
What We Say
“The XR3i Cabriolet has to be one of the best cars for anyone looking to get into the classic/retro Ford scene. It’s affordable, practical, reliable, and surprisingly rare and collectable now too. I had a tin-top version when I was younger and I stil
Fast Ford5 min readAutomotive
Respect Your Elders
Bad ass! It’s the only way to describe it. Sitting on Des Morris’s sofa in Saarf London, watching videos of him literally destroying Golf Rs while hitting speeds that we really shouldn’t mention here, it’s soon apparent that this car is mental. “I ca
Fast Ford1 min readAutomotive
Mk2 Escort
ENGINE 1993cc Cosworth YB turbo, Mahle low-compression pistons, eight Siemens injector setup, Motec M8 ECU and high-intensity spark discharge unit, HT-profile HT1 Kent cams, hybrid Garrett T4 turbo from TDI turbos featuring 360-degree thrust bearing
Fast Ford3 min readAutomotive
Access All Areas
What is your history with Ford? I grew up about ten miles away from Ford’s Dunton R&D centre. I was just a kid when a Fiat 127, with a Fiesta nose grafted on, drove past – that prototype made such an impression on me. After that all I wanted to do w

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