Sierra RS500 specification

**Adam43** · 27 Sep 2002, 12:15 (Ref:389731)

I was wondering about the Sierra RS500s that raced in the BTCC in the late '80s.

I was wondering about the specification of these cars and how they changed over time.

I understand that Ford originally built 5000 Sierra Cosworths for homologation. Then an extra 500 RS500s, which where even more special, for homologation.

How much power did the 1993cc turbo turn out in race trim?

What tyres and brakes did they all use?

Any info would be appreciated.

supertouring · 27 Sep 2002, 12:53 (Ref:389767)

Guess what?

I have this great mag covering the Rouse RS500 in much detail with full technical spec. Happy to provide details.

**Adam43** · 27 Sep 2002, 13:02 (Ref:389771)

You are da man! Maybe I should just PM you!

My interest has been renewed in this particular era of the BTCC as I was trying to find out about some old races and on a different point what cars Damon Hill had raced.

As soon as you do a few things the (vague) memories come back and also it gets you thinking!

I basically just wondered how much power Cosworth got out of the engine and at what revs. I wonder how it compares to today's cars. I tried looking on the net, but I find a wide range of figures. From 200bhp to 900bhp! Although to be fair the 200bhp was for a road version of the Cosworth (I think) and I have no idea what the 900bhp version was. Most values appear to be around 500-550bhp, but I thought this was a bit high?

If you could give some magazine details that would be great, a lot more reliable than some dodgey website!

supertouring · 27 Sep 2002, 16:12 (Ref:389950)

First figure is road going RS500 & second is Rouse Group A RS500

BHP - 224@6000rpm 570@7300rpm
Torque - 205@3500rpm 440@6000rpm
Turbo - 9psi 22psi

**Adam43** · 27 Sep 2002, 19:24 (Ref:390106)

570bhp! Excellent!

Was all thisachieved by just turning the boost pressure up?

Frank de Jong · 27 Sep 2002, 20:09 (Ref:390136)

Just a few figures over the years:
1987 Sierra RS: Eggenberger 370 HP, Rouse 365 HP, HWRT 385 HP/6400 rpm;
1987 RS 500: Eggenberger 470 HP/6800 (2,8 bar), Rouse 485 HP (2,9 bar)
1988: Eggenberger 520 HP
1990: Rouse 560 HP; Bristow's Rouse-built car was quoted at 500 HP with 2,0 bar
DTM Sierra's were handicapped by air restrictors, reducing power to 330-385 HP, depending on restrictor size.
Of course, power figures are not that reliable. Especially when debating over restrictor size...

KA · 28 Sep 2002, 10:12 (Ref:390446)

I remember a little story I read once about the Eggenberger team testing at Silverstone just before the 87 Tourist Trophy- an F3000 team were testing at the same time, and the RS500 could allegedly stay with the single-seater on the longer straights....

They were great cars to watch- a real handful on the limit- it took me quite a while to get excited about watching Supertouring, let alone the current generation of BTCC/ETCC cars.

The RS500 was also the dominant car in Division 1/Group A European rallycross around that time as well- some of those guys were reckoned to be running a little over 600bhp, which must be pretty entertaining on a loose surface with only 2wd....

KA · 28 Sep 2002, 10:22 (Ref:390455)

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
570bhp! Excellent!

Was all thisachieved by just turning the boost pressure up?

I'm no technical expert, but there's a lot more to it than that- apparently the RS500 in particular is a very different animal to a basic Cosworth- bigger turbo, stronger engine block, 8-injector fuel rail on the fuel injection (although only 4 of these actually work on a roadgoing car unless you alter the engine management- they were only there because they needed to homologate it for the racer), and all sorts of other goodies

zefarelly · 30 Sep 2002, 14:40 (Ref:392241)

I havent read it all yet but the history of Ford in touring car racing book has a whole chapter on the sierra's . . .and it looks a lot more in depth and better documented than the Cortina bit I was hoping to pilfer info from

Beejay17 · 3 Oct 2002, 06:03 (Ref:394648)

In 1991 the Dick Johnson Racing Sierras which amazed at the '88 British Tourist Trophy, were allged to be getting 440kW (585bhp)in race trim and 480kW (640bhp) in qualifying.

Amaroo Park · 15 Oct 2002, 10:49 (Ref:404673)

For qualifing for Bathurst in 1992 Dick Johnson's Shell Sierra had a reputed 620bhp. This was achieved with a 7500rpm rev limt.

RMR · 15 Oct 2002, 18:14 (Ref:405087)

ahh the RS500, what a car. My dad had Mr Rouse's personal road version. It was a tickford and one of the 4 prototypes. I recall he had an exhaust and a stage 1 chip that was around 340 bhp. But I know the potential is around 900bhp! It was mad enough as near standard. The lag wad crazy it all sort of happened around 5k rpm......just wish I was old enough to drive it. just thinking 600bhp+ in a SIERRA! now thats insane. Great thread, brought back lots of good memories

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