Ford Sierra XR8

[poita]

Didn't even know they existed, crazy seth efrikans.

Basically a ford sierra with a 5L Windsor jammed into it


Ford Sierra XR8 Sedan

Background

Built in South Africa 1984 by Ford South Africa (F.S.A.)
Built to support homologation for local saloon car racing, only 250 were built.
Specifications

Axle, rear

Type: Centrally located hypoid differential assembly with independant open drive shafts
Ratio: 3.5:1
Capacity (litres): 1.5

Brakes

Description: Hydraulic - dual line - servo assisted
Front type: Ventilated discs with self adjusting sliding caliper
Disc diameter (mm): 280.0
Rear type: Disc brakes
Disc diameter (mm): 270.0

Clutch

Type: Cable operated, self adjusting, with single dry plate
Diameter (mm): 255
Total frictional area (cm2): 284
Release bearing: Pre-lubricated

Cooling system

Type: No loss system
Capacity (litres): 12
Radiator type: Pressurized fluid circulation
Fan: Two electric fans, 11 blades each, diameter 305 mm

Drive line

Type: One piece articulated
Propeller shaft number: 1
Universal joints (front & rear): Needle roller

Electrical system

Battery: 440 A/75 RC low maintenance polypropylene
Alternator: 60 A
Ignition: New breakerless, thick film module

Engine

Type: V8 cylinder OHV
Bore and stroke (mm): 101.6 x 76.2
Displacement (cm3): 4942
Output (kW at r/min, SABS): 150.0 @ 4800
Torque (Nm at r/min, SABS): 330.0 @ 3400
Compression ratio: 9.0:1

Fuel system

Fuel pump: Mechanical
Carburettor: Ford/Holley 4 venturi
Choke: Auto choke
Fuel filter: Gauze screen in pump
Air cleaner: Replaceable dry paper element
Tank capacity (litres): 60.0

Lubrication

Engine: Full pressure feed to main, big end and camshaft bearings
Crankcase capacity (litres): 7.0
Oil cooler: Oil to air type

Suspension

Front:

type: Independent McPherson struts
description: McPherson strut front suspension with 15 mm static scrub radius, forged TCA and rearward mounted 24 mm stabiliser bar and parallel front spring design
Rear:

type: Independent semi-trailing arms
description: Frame mounted semi trailing arm and IRS with variable rate coil springs, including rear stabiliser bar
Steering

Type: Rack and pinion
Steering wheel diameter (mm): 382
Turning circle (kerb to kerb, m): 10.00
Ratio: 19.88:1

Transmission, manual

Type: Manual gearshift
Synchromesh: 5 forward gears
Ratios: 1st 2.95, 2nd 1.94, 3rd 1.34, 4th 1.00, 5th 073, reverse 2.76
Capacity (litres): 1.9

Wheels

Type: Cast aluminium
Size: 6.0J x 15

Tyres

Standard: 195/60 VR 15 Steel belt radial ply

Measurements

Weight (kg): total 1279 (front 683, rear 596), payload 400, total weight 1679
Wheelbase (mm): 2608
Rear track (mm): 1468
Front track (mm): 1452
Height (mm): 1406
Length (mm): 4425
Width (mm): 1725

Changed components

ITEM SOURCE REMARKS
Radiator grille Unique F.S.A Source: Trek Plastics
Front body crossmember Unique F.S.A
Front & rear
suspension crossmember - " - Reworked standard component
Rear suspension arms - " - Reworked standard component
Engine - " - Ford U.S. sourced, 302 cid V8. Build code EX-303,
as Mustang minus emissions, power steering and airconditioning.
Uses unique camshaft, water pump and carburettor (Holley 780 cfm)
Radiator Unique F.S.A.
European vendor SERK UK sourced
Radiator support Unique F.S.A.
Cooling fans Two Granada, with air conditioner, fans
Exhaust system - " - Manufactured by Bosal, including engine manifolds
Clutch cable - " - Low friction design, manufactured by Repco
Clutch and transmission Ford U.S. Carryover 1984 Mustang. Transmission - Borg Wagner T5G
(Ford Part No. E3ZR-7003-CA)
Driveshaft Unique F.S.A
Rear axle
(Differential) - " - As used in F.S.A. Granada, 3.5:1 ratio, with new rear
and uprated side shafts
Axle shafts - " - Granada C.V. joints with new shafts
Stub axles - outer - " - To suit Sierra hubs and Granada C.V. joints
Brakes - Front European vendor AP Racing - Leamington Spa sourced, four pot caliper type
Brakes - Rear - " - A Teves Germany-sourced
Alternator and regulator Ford U.S. Part No's: Alt E12F-10300-CA, Reg E2PF-10316-BA
Wheels Unique F.S.A.
European Vendor Ronal wheels - Germany-sourced,
Ford Part No. 84BC-1007-AA


http://www.africanmusclecars.com/XR8side.jpg

http://www.africanmusclecars.com/XR8-Engine.jpg

http://www.africanmusclecars.com/archive_10_m.jpg

http://users.tkk.fi/kimmo/engine.jpg

http://users.tkk.fi/kimmo/headers.jpg

[guy 27]

looks like fun.

[xplosv57]

wow so the XR8 existed before the EB Falcon XR8 was released haha!!

although the EB XR6 HO was 1kW less at the time lol!!

[gmonkey]

im going to say it but im pretty sure the 4pot turbo chargered Sierra cosworths were more powerful and to me cooler :p

[gmonkey]

lol AP Racing Brakes ahahha

[rodsfromday]

Those were the machines back in the day! Highly sought after!! Their were only 2 in my home town that i grew up in and the 1 is still going strong!! In the early 90's the boys started throwing on nitrous and turbo's and it made them even more fun! I had the V6 Sierra and only could dream of the V8!

[Calibrated]

haha, yeah these were awesome. a guy that worked with my dad had one. tracked it too. worked off its nuts.

[Wraith]

Nice !!!!

Pity Aust. didn't release them or similar over here - came close though with a V8 powered XU1 from GMH...pity the Government got onto it and cacelled the project :incazzato:

Those are the sort of machines alot of us in the older age group were into back in the day here in Aust. ie. shoe horning V8's both big and small block into cars that weren't born with them like little Cortinas, Capris and LC/LJ Toranas... :)

[rjastra]

Pity Aust. didn't release them or similar over here - came close though with a V8 powered XU1 from GMH...pity the Government got onto it and cacelled the project :incazzato:


The "government" did no such thing.... the manufacturers got cold feet after a negative newspaper article on all the upcoming high performance cars being released by Holden/Ford/Chrysler (in the early 1970s). Then strict emissions standards came in and it was the final nail. Torana A9X was probably the last real australian performance car of the 1970s. I don't think we had another until Holden decided to slot a Nissan turbo motor into a Commodore ;)

[Vectracious]

The "government" did no such thing.... the manufacturers got cold feet after a negative newspaper article on all the upcoming high performance cars being released by Holden/Ford/Chrysler (in the early 1970s).

I think what Ange was getting at was that there was some NSW pollie who was quoted in the papers and IIRC the government at the time said that they would withold fleet contracts from any car maker who made a "supercar" - essentially forcing the manufacturers to stop.

[Wraith]

The "government" did no such thing.... the manufacturers got cold feet after a negative newspaper article on all the upcoming high performance cars being released by Holden/Ford/Chrysler (in the early 1970s). Then strict emissions standards came in and it was the final nail. Torana A9X was probably the last real australian performance car of the 1970s. I don't think we had another until Holden decided to slot a Nissan turbo motor into a Commodore ;)


I think what Ange was getting at was that there was some NSW pollie who was quoted in the papers and IIRC the government at the time said that they would withold fleet contracts from any car maker who made a "supercar" - essentially forcing the manufacturers to stop.

I'm not entirely sure ?? (need to research it) but AFAIK there was definite talk at the time of Government body entervention of one type or another which ultimately seeled the fate of and doomed such types of future GMH and Ford vehicle projects, it may very well be as Pete has stated...

[KID_SRi]

What I was lead to believe & Howard Marsden(RIP) says in the 30Years of GT DVD.
The Government told the Big 3 (Holden,Ford, Chrysler) if they choose to build their up & Coming projects for Road Use,
Holden with the LJ XU2, Ford the Phase IV GTHO & Chrysler the E55 R/T Charger.
They would no longer purchase Government Fleets from them, So the Car makers basically said Well thats it then.