[s-cars] NAC - Cosworth RS anyone?

[pkrasusky at ups.com]

Gentlefools-

Well it may be NAC but hey it does take an "S" to spell Cosworth.  I'm
just returning from yet another milestone life experience...  ~ 20 WOT
miles in Bob D'Amato's (Mr. AudiSport.com himself) new 1997 Ford Escort
Cosworth RS.  I know there are fools here who'd appreciate the details.

It's currently about 10 miles shy of the 1k mile break-in, so Bob
elected to keep the wrong injectors in and to have no boost controller
yet.  This relegates it to a mere ~ 200hp.  The full-tune test drive
will occur next week.  Regardless, this was an opportunity to experience
greatness.  Bob states this is one of TWO streetable Cosworth RS's in
the States here.  Insane.

Some of the specs of interest:

- 2 liter, Garret turbo - will be ~ 380 horse next week @ 26psi
- 2,100 lbs - oh my golly gee willikers
- 18x8 hollow spoke Compomotive wheels
- gigantic Wilwood brakes
- coil overs all round
- 3" exhaust turbo back sans cat
- 40 / 60% diff split front to rear
- fully seam welded, full Gruppe N spec
- no sound deadening
- all poly bushings
- steering is 1.25 turns to full lock - yikes

Driving it in mild tune was akin to driving my UrS mit its current 7psi
due to coil misfire.  Not terribly fast but not shabby either.  Very
linear power, very easy to drive oddly enough.  Non hydraulic clutch was
a breeze surprisingly.  It however allowed me to tune into other
unmistakably perfect aspects of the car by not having the overwhelming
power to contend with.  

The steering wheel is bliss, in angle, circumference, and thickness.
And FEEL!  Did I mention 1.25 turns to lock?  You'd never guess it was
assisted either.  The brakes...  oh momma...  Wilwoods feel great.  The
full poly bushing'ed suspension...  this was pretty cool in that whilst
cruising on the highway, each and every, and I mean every grain of
everything on the road surface was transmitted into my sphincter.  You
could literally feel the differential feedback whirring away in a
tickling fashion up through the Recaro and directly vibrating my grundle
hair.  No joke!  OK, that's sickly sickly weird, but that's how much
feedback there is and I'm not exaggerating.  

I am yes very much looking forward to next week's full-tune outing.
Indeed.  I told Bob he is da MAN for doing this, and, well, he is.  Bob
RULES.  I also told him I'd buy it off him when he's done, yes of
course.

Soooo...  the Cosworth RS will be @ //SFest 8/27...  will you?

Enjoy:  http://krasusky.photos.us.com/c616477.html

-Paul
CT home of on going insanity
'86 yellow Ford Escort wagon 4 spd in high school