Wow. I never thought I would see the day that a BMW Fan would want to see some old Ford that badly :rollsmile:
So here goes:
mr Uber took this epic pic (as always)
And then my crappy attempts
With the old seats. They were still perfect, but as interesting as wallpaper.
Unfortunately no official stats are available on the numbers produced, but according to some there were less than 50 of these cars ever produced. I think it was closer to 90, but again..... Nothing official.
It basically has the whole drivetrain from the XR8 sierra which in turn came with the 5.0L Mustang engine and T5 gearbox. Luckily they stuck with the proven European independent rear suspension from the normal Sapphire and didn't opt for that ridiculous live axle from the mustang. Those who know a T5 gearbox will appreciate the fact that the box is still the original and in perfect working order which is a testimony of my manners behind the wheel. They are not very tough.
The std specs are pathetic so to speak. 160KW at a laughable 4500RPM from a 5.0L (302ci), 4barrel-holley-fed Windsor small block V8 and 380NM.
This is the car I have had for the longest. 7 years. That is a record for me, since my average ownership period is usually 6 months for most cars.
The car is mostly std or as Johannes and Uber prefer OEM+
I have fitted:
1. Edelbrock high rise intake manifold
2. Bigger 650CFM “double pumper” 4barrel holley carburetor.
3. Freeflow exhausts and although it already had branches, I would like to redo them properly at Vanderlinde
4. ST brake calipers up front with Powerbrake slotted disks – Std ones were only 260mm. haha
5. OEM Euro spec Sapphire Cosworth Recaro seats
6. 3.0 iRS Sapphire gas shocks
7. It sits +/- 25mm lower than stock
Future plans:
1. Get aluminum Edelbrock cylinder heads with roller rockers
2. Roller camshaft from either Competition or Lunati (looking at something in the region of 280° duration as I don’t want to lose too much low down power)
3. OEM Euro speck Sapphire Cosworth bonnet with louvers. I can get it locally, but it is fiberglass which…… well…. Is not OEM
4. Have an aluminum radiator made up, because the cooling is already on the borderline when running with the A/C. The modifications I am planning for the engine will surely increase heat generation.
The Americans easily generate 400HP out of this engine (NA) and claim that it is still “streetable”. This car only weighs 1380KG.
If I can manage it to be on par with an e39 M5 up to +/- 220 I would be happy although that is not the sole aim. I just enjoy this car so much even with its current state of tune. A Cosworth Sapphire has been my dream car since I was in Grade 1. Unfortunately they are not practical to own in SA and it doesn’t have the V8 sound.
With the current engine modifications it can now at least rev up to 6000RPM and the power doesn’t drop off till 5800 RPM compared to the std 4500 RPM.
Handing is a bit on the understeery side, but that is to be expected from that huge lump on the front end. Straight line stability at high speed is the best of all the cars I have ever had.
Yes even the all the M5s and M3s I have ever driven is not quite “there” ito stability.
In Pretoria there surely isn’t anybody that can come close to the quality of workmanship that Mr. Johan Troski have performed on these seats among others. I am sure Uber can back me up here as well.
And this is how they look after 3 years of duty.
I know it might not be most of yours' cup of tea, but to me personally it is motoring nirvana and at least i can perform 95% of the work on it myself. (without a computer) :rollsmile:
This is where I and Johannes attended the ZOC 4 stage challenge.
Here is the proof of my attempt to destroy the old tyres. The new ones already lying in the garage waiting to be fitted.
[video=youtube]
The best part for me in the video is 1.32 where the noise reflects from the building
"Rule #7: Treat all tires like they deserve to die"

Mission acomplished

This is what the fronts looked like afterwards. The rears were still fine.
.....and one action photo