Ford Sierra 2lt GTE

diarmo111

hi, anyone got any information on these? thanks

Limbo123

Never knew There was such a model

JimmyCrackCorn

Never heard of a GTE

Have drive the 2.0 OHC and DOHC

I have a soft spot as I learned to drive in 1.6.

What can I say

• They are reliable.
• Weigh a boat load.
• Handle like a boat two by modern standards
• Rust
• have little power.
• No power steering a mans car:D
• Loved by differs who should have killed them all by now.
• Thirsty
• Clutch cables snap a bit (keep a spare)

GOOD BITS:
Race engines are available off the shelf
Cosworth engines a common transplant
Its a ford so parts still available
If you mind it you'll sell it for what you bought it for.
I remember it being comfy and roomy

puzzle factory

GTE came with recaros as far as I can remember

diarmo111

ya very hard to find information on these tho haha.

diarmo111

JimmyCrackCorn wrote: »

Never heard of a GTE

Have drive the 2.0 OHC and DOHC

I have a soft spot as I learned to drive in 1.6.


What can I say

• They are reliable.
• Weigh a boat load.
• Handle like a boat two by modern standards
• Rust
• have little power.
• No power steering a mans car:D
• Loved by differs who should have killed them all by now.
• Thirsty
• Clutch cables snap a bit (keep a spare)

GOOD BITS:
Race engines are available off the shelf
Cosworth engines a common transplant
Its a ford so parts still available
If you mind it you'll sell it for what you bought it for.
I remember it being comfy and roomy

can you recomened in what are the common areas to look at when going to see one?? thanks

ianobrien

The GTe was a run out model Sierra, fitted with some bells and whistles. The stove was a 8 valve I4 unit. Overall, they were nice machine, with some poke under the bonnet.

The main enemy is rust. As the car was designed in the early '80's, there are a few rust spots to check. Off memory, the problem areas are battery tray, rear arches, rear suspension mounts and fuel tank straps. (checking the fuel tank straps is necessary as the straps failed on a friends one, and the metal fuel tank was dragging on the ground). Check the usuals, gearbox and diff whine, all electrics, smokie engine etc.

As for modifying, the engine is a no-go area. The only option is to find a FWD RS2000 for its 16 valve head. The only option is to swap the motor. The bell-housing pattern means most other Ford engines fit (not the Mazda derived Duratec). Suspension/brakes means going Cosworth and Burton Power in the UK is a necessary Port of Call.

Also, they are a magnet for joy-riders. A friend bought a GTe and it was stolen 6 hours after he brought it home!

diarmo111

thanks for that information. this one has a 2wd cosworth lsd diff in it. i am not really familliar with rwd cars this would be a standard one is it??

JimmyCrackCorn

diarmo111 wrote: »

thanks for that information. this one has a 2wd cosworth lsd diff in it. i am not really familliar with rwd cars this would be a standard one is it??

Unlikely that is the standard diff. Though a nice addition. It does mean you will have to be more gentle with the throttle in the rain.


A car of this age and type it is best put up on a ramp and examined by a mechanic.

As said above they are a prime target for theft as they had no real security features from the factory. An alarm, immobiliser is a must. Make sure its a good one and well fitted.

As above if its the 8v engine transplants are the cheapest way to make more power.

puzzle factory

ianobrien wrote: »

The GTe was a run out model Sierra, fitted with some bells and whistles. The stove was a 8 valve I4 unit. Overall, they were nice machine, with some poke under the bonnet.

The main enemy is rust. As the car was designed in the early '80's, there are a few rust spots to check. Off memory, the problem areas are battery tray, rear arches, rear suspension mounts and fuel tank straps. (checking the fuel tank straps is necessary as the straps failed on a friends one, and the metal fuel tank was dragging on the ground). Check the usuals, gearbox and diff whine, all electrics, smokie engine etc.

As for modifying, the engine is a no-go area. The only option is to find a FWD RS2000 for its 16 valve head. The only option is to swap the motor. The bell-housing pattern means most other Ford engines fit (not the Mazda derived Duratec). Suspension/brakes means going Cosworth and Burton Power in the UK is a necessary Port of Call.

Also, they are a magnet for joy-riders. A friend bought a GTe and it was stolen 6 hours after he brought it home!

i had one years ago, was defiantly dohc, remember it did 90mph at 3000rpm

ianobrien

puzzle factory wrote: »

i had one years ago, was defiantly dohc, remember it did 90mph at 3000rpm

Ya, an 8 valve I4 (a DOHC), not a Pinto.....

The 16 valve I4 is the same bottom end and Ford did not really fit the engine into any other motors (the Zetec took over) so there is really not a lot of tuning bits....

ianobrien

diarmo111 wrote: »

thanks for that information. this one has a 2wd cosworth lsd diff in it. i am not really familliar with rwd cars this would be a standard one is it??

The standard Cosse rear diff is a Viscous unit. These work by using the shear effect of thick fluid being pushed through plates with small holes. These are not really designed for going sideways, so I'd ask questions about the way the car was driven with this......

diarmo111

Thanks guys for all the replys. I was hoping to go up and look at this tomorrow buti can't get threw to the seller for the last 3days soi have given up hope pity as it looked mint and all the paper work to prove it. Stillon the look out for a sierra as it is my childhood dream to own one