Stupid question about whale tail Sierra's
 

What are they officially called?

Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

Ford Sierra RS 500

Or something else?

They were called the Sierra RS Cosworth mate.The Sierra RS500 Cosworth was a homologation special version of the Cosworth that featured amongst other things-an extra tailgate spoiler,no fog lamps,bigger turbo,8 injectors (although only 4 worked without the Ford Motorsport ECU) and semi trailing arm rear suspension

From memory:

Standard: 204bhp in moonstone blue, white or black
RS500: 232bhp all in black (with the odd exception)

In those days Group A homologation meant 5000 units per year. 10% (ie. 500) could be uprgraded evolution versions with extra bits for motorsport (rallying or touring cars).

Didn't the XR4i have a whale tail.

Sort of but not quite.

The Cosworth/500 spoiler blade was pretty much level with the roof and the spoiler arm trailed out over the whole boot.

IIRC the XR4i spoiler was lower down, around a third of the way up the rear screen. It was also twin bladed with the lower blade protruding slightly further back than the upper blade.

Sierra RS Cosworth

Homologation car for Group A, 5000 cars built (5545 to be exact). 1985-1987. Fairly common cars really. Can be tuned to 400-500bhp with a few mods. You can find one for £10k these days.

Sierra RS500 Cosworth

500 cars, much rarer, could be purchased in all standard RS colours, but most were black. 1987 only. Cars converted by Tickford, and came out of the 5545 cars above. WTCC homologation car. Not going to get much change from £30-£40k for a good one.

Engine known as the "500 block" as it had thicker walls.
Bigger turbo and IC, known as the "RS500 intercooler".
Uprated Fuel system (bigger pump and 8 injectors) and I am fairly sure they had a bigger radiator.

Capable of some serious power, 600+bhp without much work. IIRC 800+bhp was possible with enough money. :notworthy

At the time, they were the bees knees! The only other thing on the road that any RS fan would have wanted was the RS200. I remember coming back from the RAC Rally in a Cossie, with an RS500 and an RS200 in convoy. We hit the M6 and opened the taps and the 200 was gone! :freak3:

I remember in the early nineties seeing the odd few in and around the town I grew up in but as soon as they were on the scene they were gone again.

The next I saw of them they were on sale for like 20k within what seemed like no time at all.

My Ex's, mothers boyfriend had a Graham Goode, ported and mapped,3 dr RS Cosworth in white, it was running 350bhp... very nice..

Reg was D204 ***

theres a martini 3 door cosworth in blackpool running over 600bhp think that myt b a rs500 either way damn its fast

I saw a review of a nice one in a mag a while ago. Too long ago to remember but it might have been a late CCC.

• Second set of rear suspension arm pickups to allow more -ve camber on the race track

The one I read about had been converted to use this set of pickups. Longer arm with more linear travel keeps the rear wheels flatter under power and braking.

J.

An Escort Cosworth pulled out in front of me on my way home from work last night.

He didn't see me behind at first but when he did he shot off then slowed so I caught him up then he really give it the beans and was gone.

I was tired and didnt engage in antics as thats when it can go pear shaped.

I was doing about 80 though and he must have been going alot faster.

I'm not the type to be all 'my car is faster than yours' and i'm not suggesting the guy in the Cosworth was being like this either.

Nice to be behind it for a few minutes all the same. Cracking looking machine.

I know of an RS500 near me that has covered less than 15K miles. Last time I spoke to the owner it was still on its original tyres!

A friend had one of martin johnsons 500s a black one.Dont drive it fast without the front spliter,the front gets very light.

Did I hear right about being able to plug in more injectors or something in the engine to instantly take the BHP to 400 plus.

I cant quite remember what you had to do.