Ford Fiesta RS WRC Suspension Mounting Points

[Rob Crook]

Hi,

I am a Motorsport Engineering student in Bristol and am writing a dissertation on rally car suspension set-up.

I would like to specialize this project on the Ford Fiesta RS WRC but in order to do this I need to know all the dimensions etc. of the suspension mounting points. Does anyone know where i can get this information? Because as much as I'd like to say I have one parked out back I don't. :( Any sort of information would be a massive help.

Thank you in advance.

Rob

[N.O.T]

Have you tried contacting M-sport directly ? or someone who has in possession such a car ?

[Rob Crook]

Have you tried contacting M-sport directly ? or someone who has in possession such a car ?

I am in the process of contacting M-Sport, but I do not know anyone in possession of one. I will keep fishing.

[Zeakiwi]

M-Sport and the various works teams would consider suspension data on current models; as top secret information.
As a project it might be better to consider something like the Ford Escort Mk2 classic rally car, people might be slightly more prepared to share their suspension philosophy, if they might get a benefit - i.e a copy of your report and up to date knowledge/ thoughts in return for a bit of their rally car data.
Viking Motorsport is a bit closer than M-Sport and there are other places too.
There have been various designs for the Escort rear suspension/ axle and front suspension as well.
You could consider how you might make a 4 wheel drive Mk2 and the various suspension changes compared to a 2 wheel drive Mark 2.

The construction, preparation and running of Mk2 Escorts is still a business and people like to protect their business secrets but measuring of a historic Escort might be less difficult than a WRC Fiesta.
I think some historic MK2 Escorts have had the WRC Escort independent rear suspension units from about 1997 welded into them.
Suspension dampers etc are continually evolving and even some historics like to run the latest tech and ideas.

These people do a Fiat 131 http://www.rallysport-development.co.uk/ (North Yorkshire though) to compare with a Ford Escort.
Also Gartrac in Surrey? and the people at Ceredigion.
The Colin McRae - irs escort -
http://www.djm-motorsport.co.uk/mkii_escort_mcrae.html

New Ford Escorts Mk2s are still being built, many of the mk2 panels are available new, how many new Mk1 Ford Focus wrc cars are being constructed?
Does that make a mk1 focus wrc more of a historic car than a mk2 escort of which new examples are still being developed?

http://alittlebitsideways.co.nz/projects/mk2-escort-honda-powered/ (Mk2 with a Subaru WRX rear suspension set up)Soon go down to a supermarket/ mall carpark to find a wrx to measure.
Subaru WRC Spares in Plymouth ?? - anything closer? http://www.subaruwrcspares.com/1.html (WRC subarus)

[Rob Crook]

I am not looking for their specific set-up data, just the mounting dimensions. As that is what will be looked at within the project.

My back up is to go down an older car route, a Mk2 escort was one of my thoughts. I'd also forgotten that Viking was not too far away. And it would be very interesting to talk to them.

Thank you very much for your thoughts.

[denkimi]

it can't be that hard to find someone who owns a fiesta and will let you have a closer look.

http://www.ewrc-results.com/cars.php?cid=13&title=Ford-Fiesta-RS-WRC-/-RRC

[makinen_fan]

Also there are a lot of previous generation WRCars in the UK, even a 2000 Focus WRC will give you better data than an MKII Escort!!
I would be interested to see more of what you are doing in this project

[adr17]

I am not looking for their specific set-up data, just the mounting dimensions. As that is what will be looked at within the project.

My back up is to go down an older car route, a Mk2 escort was one of my thoughts. I'd also forgotten that Viking was not too far away. And it would be very interesting to talk to them.

Thank you very much for your thoughts.

The mounting points, roll centres etc are more important to keep quiet for a manufacturer than set up details , every car will be reasonably close in toe , camber etc but roll centres , suspension mounting points are the key to the handling

[Coach 2]

The mounting points, roll centres etc are more important to keep quiet for a manufacturer than set up details , every car will be reasonably close in toe , camber etc but roll centres , suspension mounting points are the key to the handling
And some rumors said that this mounting-points are to be change on 2015 model.

[denkimi]

The mounting points, roll centres etc are more important to keep quiet for a manufacturer than set up details , every car will be reasonably close in toe , camber etc but roll centres , suspension mounting points are the key to the handling
you can't keep them secret if you sell or rent the cars to customers.

[janvanvurpa]

you can't keep them secret if you sell or rent the cars to customers.

Yeah but it sounds cooler and mysterious if you write a load of bollox about secret mysterious stuff---as if every serious designer/team doesn't measure, take photos and analyze them, but parts thru 3rd or 4th parties and subject them to every measurement they can...FEI, CCM everything...

I worked briefly for one of the best shock manufacturers in the world way back when and there on "his" table he had layed out shocks off of works Kawasakis, Suzukis, Yamahas and Hondas (Kayaba and Showa) as well as what became WP and both production and special Bilsteins---all spread out, everything miked, , materials tests to destruction..and that was years ago..

Oi poor OP....If you find anything, let us know... A suggestion tho--OK?
Don't fail to examine the old Group4 Escort stuff...its always good when learning about complex systems to start with a foundation then progessively aldd to that..more complication sor better design and becaomes more obvious when you look at a span of time...

Study the strength of the inverted Bilstein struts --where the body at 40mm for the Escorts, 41mm for 3 door Sierra, 4wd Sapphies and early Escort Cossie and then up to 50mm inverted for later Escort Cossie
compared with the common struts on ordinary cars with a solid 18 or 20 bar sticking up...

Ask Mirek--he's a nice guy here from Czecho and an "injur-near" at Skoda if he can dig around for any old ancient 3-or-4 year old data of somewhat current things..I'll betcha he can help if anybody can..

Maybe you'll have to do some photo-analysis taking something of a know size and deriving dimensions..

Note I manufacture rally suspension for the US and Canajian markets....there's sweet fawk all published about rally suspension from any era...its all poncy formula car stuff for the lady-boys...(groan)...