‘GM’ Ford

Scorpio 24V engine bay

“Old Ratty”  is a 1992 Ford Scorpio Cosworth, what was the top of the range of Fords offerings in the early 1990′s. This one is remarkable in that it does not have rusty rear arches! It was also first registered before 1st August 1992 meaning that it is catalyst exempt as far as MOT emissions testing is concerned. That is good news as running through the ‘cats’ does rob a few horses. The Cosworth modified 2.9 litre V6 has long gone and in it’s place will be a 5.3 litre LS ‘Vortec’ engine that originally powered a 2005 GM Silverado 4×4 truck – until the owner totalled it with just 20,000 on the clock. It’s an excellent piece of engineering and was sold as the HO (high output) version, making 315 hp in original form.

Not quite complete - 5.3 litre L33 Alloy block LS engine. 375 hp....

Designated as an L33, it features an aluminium block and the same cyclinder heads as the Corvette although not with the lightweight sodium filled valves. With a few upgrades it will be making around 375 hp, just a little up on the 195 it replaces. The car was well specified originally, with huge ventillated disc brakes all round, ABS, an LSD and a very comfortable plush leather interior. Although at the far end of 175,000 miles it’s still in good order, although looking a bit tired externally, it’s mechanically sound. Known as ‘Old Ratty, the GM Ford’. Well, it is a bit genetically modified…..