How Gatebil Does An Escort MkI
Fresh Thinking

Like my fellow countryman, I do have a particular set of skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. However, I won’t kill you, but I will find you and I will shoot your old Ford…

Sometimes it feels like there’s this supernatural force at play that always pulls me towards a ’70s Ford – even in the most unlikely places. The thing about classic Fords is that they most often follow a particular formula, which has been honed and perfected in the decades since their release. With this being Gatebil though, you know that this formula has been set on fire and then danced upon a couple of times for good measure.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-8

The funny part about this particular Escort is, I wasn’t even sure it was an Escort until I got close. Approaching from behind, the huge wing and carbon air scoops disguised its rear. The roof scoops added to the distraction, let alone the custom widened bodywork which I had never seen before.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-34

From the front however, it is unmistakably an Escort. The round headlamps set into that iconic grill immediately reveals the car’s true identity.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-29

I’m sure Robert Dahl, the owner, builder and driver was probably a little bit unnerved by the sight of an Irishman standing inches from his car, mouth wide open and trying not to drool. He disguised this well though, and invited me for a closer look in the paddock once he was finished on track.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-10

When a car like this enters your life, you really don’t want to let it out of sight – especially at Gatebil where you might never see it again. So I stood on the pit wall and watched it lap after lap after lap…

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-12

It became one of those times where I thought it was never going to come back in, but eventually it did.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-23

I followed the car back to the paddock, where I could finally talk to Robert about his creation. It was a good thing too, as he was only doing a flying visit for a couple of hours at Mantorp Park and would leave the event later the same day.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-5

As it turns out, the car has been a regular on the Swedish scene for several years (how I’ve never heard or seen anything about this car before is beyond me).

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-13

I’m not sure where to begin with this one, so I guess I’ll start at the front and work my way back. As you can immediately see, this isn’t a tube chassis special – this was an original Escort MkI before Robert got his hands on it.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-27

The Swedish are a patriotic bunch and you often find that they’ll try and squeeze something from one of their own national manufacturers somewhere within any given build, and this is no exception. There is no Ford engine here, instead it’s a turbocharged 2.0-litre Saab B204 making 505hp and 540Nm – but it’s capable of more. However, with a car so light anything extra would be a waste, and Robert has wisely focused on drivability over everything else.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-25

From what I gather, this build was a long time in the making. It’s no surprise either when you closely examine the thought and craftsmanship that is evident throughout the build. The recess in the front inner wing combined with the vents in the fender to provide airflow is a personal favourite touch.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-36

The suspension setup throughout the car is complete pick and mix from various manufacturers. The front uses primarily E36 M3 parts but with Ksport coilovers, while the rear is based on a Volvo axle with a Watts 4-link and AVO coilovers.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-24

Despite the Escort’s light weight – I’m assuming here, they’re never heavy – the car still utilises a braking system which can cope with lap after lap of hard use: 330mm discs with 8-piston calipers up front, 286mm discs with 4-piston calipers out back.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-22

Whilst the top half of the original dash remains – albeit having been flocked – the rest is bespoke and pretty much what you’d expect from a top motorsport build. Sparco Evo II Plus seats with RRS Harnesses and a full 11-point rollcage are just some of the highlights.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-7

Not to mention the tank for the dry sump system which sits behind Robert’s seat.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-4

Some of the Escort’s strongest aesthetics are at the rear, with the wide carbon fibre scoops reaching outside of the car’s width to drive air into the rear-mounted radiator.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-2

All of which is tucked neatly in front of the body-mounted wing. Hiding in the shadows is a full-width underbody diffuser.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-17

Here’s a look at the aforementioned rear radiator setup.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-35

Before I knew it, it was time for Robert to get back out on track and for me to shoot the car one last time.

2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-11

I probably only spent a total of 20 minutes with this old Ford, but the car hasn’t really left my mind since. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to track down Robert some day for a full and in-depth feature…

Paddy McGrath
Instagram: pmcgphotos
Twitter: pmcgphotos
paddy@speedhunters.com

Cutting Room Floor
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-6
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-9
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-14
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-15
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-18
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-19
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-20
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-21
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-26
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-28
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-32
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-33
2015 Ford Escort Saab Turbo PMcG-37
ADVERTISEMENT

Comments



Comments are closed.

39 comments

by Oldest
by Best by Newest by Oldest
1

I love the chemical formula for adrenalin under the hood. I bet this beast provides more than plenty of it!

2

Best car on here in a while!

3

Being a total mk1fan(nutter) how can i not like it???
The body kit reminds me of the custom scene here in the uk in the late 80"s.
Yes love the different approach by using the saab engine instead of a cosworth..

4

Giggity, indeed.

5

I wonder why he didn't go for the b234? Oh well, I'm sure it sounds godly since those fuckers rev so high.

6

EPINEPHRINE!

7
Nicholas J OGara

What type of benefits are seen using a rear mounter radiator for road-race car, other than weight distrubution?

8

Nicholas J OGara Space savings and a less cluttered engine bay

9
Nicholas J OGara

I’ve been trying to justify this configuration on my own project for quite some time. I am drawn to this configuration for many reasons but, have yet to acquire any concrete data other than those presumptuous indoctrinating comments from enthusiasts.

I know in drifting they are preferred because the angle of attack the car maintains during it’s “run” reduces the static pressure over the radiator, causing a loss in cooling efficiency at the engines peak output.

Rally and other off-road racing prefer this configuration due to weight balance but, more importantly to protect the radiator from damage and clogging.

Turbo cars benefit from this configuration as it allows for less radiate heat near the intercooler and can lead to greater intercooler efficiency.

The long feed lines for the return and supply of the radiator to the engine also contribute to heat loss, greater increasing the efficiency of the cooling system.

What I really want to know is, has any one seen any aerodynamic advantages to this configuration. By advantages, I mean conclusive tested data.

10

More cars with amazing hot Saab power please

11

Nicholas J OGara
I have read that it helps with cooling mainly because it is away from the heat source and because of how much extra coolant there is. You have to remember that as the coolant is running from the front to the rear, it is being cooled by the ambient air temp running under the car. And the fact that you can fit a massive rad in the trunk, with no space limitation like a front mounted one.

Just my 2c.

12

Nicholas J OGara I don't have any data for you, but air passing through the trunk could be routed into the low pressure wake behind the car, reducing drag. A trick way to shrink the aerodynamic profile of the car at the rear

13
Nicholas J OGara

Coupled with a diffuser, it's known as a blown diffuser. Im aware of that technique. F1 technologies have displayed effective use of this.
I appreciate the input.

14
Chris 'Haffy' Hafner
15

I had to Google about what C9H13NO3 actually means , lol


That is a very cool built , I'm surprised the choice of Saab B204 engine , I don't recall seeing that engine on something that is RWD before ... or maybe , they're quite often happens in North Europe ?

16

Love this build! 
Question though, aren't the Saab engines boxer style like the Subarus'?

17

kphillips9936 Nope - The only Saab that has a boxer engine is the "Saabaru" 9-2X.

18
KazzimanZulkefli

is there any video of this escort?

19

C9H13NO3 is epinephrine or i'm really wrong?
Awesome car ! Its kinda refreshing to see someone using a saab engine and making a boatload of power!

20

What wastegate is that? Looks like an oldschool Turbosmart one?

21

mbretschneider You are correct :)

22

Nicholas J OGara You're way off here. Cooling air's velocity is too low to effectively have blowing effect on a diffuser. Blown diffuser is created with exhaust gas blown into the diffuser, accelerating the airflow, or exhaust gas blown into the sides of a diffuser, sealing the diffuser. F1 cars have strict rules about the diffuser dimension, but adding more rake and lifting the rear of the car higher effectively makes the diffuser larger if you can seal the sides and that is where the exhaust blowing came to use. Sealing the diffuser also helps to keep the turbulent air from the rear wheels out of the diffuser making it perform better.

Radiator location is one part of the whole packaging of the car which is always a compromise, which depends on the chassis and drivetrain. Weight distribution, aerodynamics, cooling capacity and possible rules are all factors on the equation to make the car go faster and every car is unique on that respect.

23

RDS I've seen it swapped into e30's andaa wrangler. Somebody's working on a miata swap too.
 Very stout motor, the highest I've seen on stock internals is vigge's 666hp setup.

24
Nicholas J OGara

Conceptually speaking the same principal is shared on the car in question with the advent of specific characteristics void.

“Way off here” is relative in the favor of your argument. I’m glad you educated yourself to include your response after learning of the blown diffuser. Your textbook explanation is wonderful.

25

That Evo in picture 2 and the Mk4 Supra in picture 18 look awesome, but this Mk1 looks even better! Love this build and everything about it has so much attitude!

26

All of these Swedish builds are stellar, There is not a single poorly wrought example among them. I've said it before and I'll say it again: attention to detail.

27

ChrisGoding

666hp with stock internals ? No wonder people say Saab cost GM a lot to built , they just over-engineered everything , don't they ? XD
I have Google about the Saab B204 engine , it have 90mm bore 78mm stroke , couple with the long 15Xmm connecting rod length , the engine have characteristic to love high revs , and goes high revs easily ... I wonder what fuel cut rpm B204 usually have ?

28

RDS ChrisGoding it's pretty low, I want to say around 6500. The stock ecu can be reflashed though. I think the highest I've seen is 8100, but if the heads flowed better, it could probably do more.

29

ChrisGoding
Oh , that is surprisingly low at 6500-rpm for the hardware it have !
Even the 8100-rpm isn't as high as I originally thought !
Maybe the valvetrain or stock component couldn't go too high rpm ?

30

RDS ChrisGoding the only ongoing professional development of this motor I'm aware of is being done by Nordic tuning. They allegedly have the 2.3 up to 800hp and think it still has more in it.

31
Borgar Koppangen

Saab 900r extreme
564ps
625nm
8900rpm
Saab 206 engine

32

would you guys happen to know what wheels those are? i actually have a pair of them as well and dont know what they are.

33
rogervetterberg

RDS Here in Sweden it's fairly common.
The Saab H-line of engines (B204, B234, B205 and B235) are all basically the same hardware, the difference is mostly pistons and rods. The Bxx4 engines have tougher pistons and its not uncommon for people to reach 450bhp or more without opening the engine. The Bxx5 engines starts to blow pistons and rods around 320bhp, but replace the pistons and you're good to go to at least 450-500bhp.
There are several cars here in Sweden running 800+bhp from B234 or B235 engines (not with stock pistons though).

And its cheap too. Buy a Saab Aero with a B2xx engine and the TD04 turbo and get bigger injectors and a software upgrade and you have 300+ bhp for a less than a thousand bucks. The Trionic software used in Saabs is practically Open Source so you can download everything you need to tune it from various internet forums for free. 
Also, the Saab ECU has no problem running ethanol thanks to their BioPower program, so running on E85 which makes it possible to crank it up even further just comes as a bonus. :)

34
rogervetterberg

ChrisGoding Actually, lot of serious builders with lightweight cars prefer the B204.
The B234's massive torque at low revs makes the car hard to handle in corners, and the B204's willingness to rev and high peak output makes it a more "fun" engine to race with. You have to shift a bit more with the B204, but on the other hand you can usually put your foot down and keep it there while with the B234 you constantly have to liftoff due to wheelspin.
I know this from experience, I have a 9-3 which originally had a B205 engine tuned to around 300bhp, and I could go flat out at almost any track and still be in control. 
I have now replaced it with a B235 with around 320bhp, and the torque is making the car a f***ing beast to handle. Sure, in a straight line its fun to draw lines and lay some smoke and having all that power at hand, but constantly losing grip on low revs and basically draw black elevens from every apex and straight out in the sand in every turn is not as much fun.

35

rogervetterberg
Definitely sounds like a good deal for "best bang of the bucks" option !

I'm from Asia , we rarely have Saab , let alone if anyone use the engine as swap option !

36

the car was very good 
really really like to see the car that shiny new car fits like made ​​for walking trailsthe car was very good http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html and very fast http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html mix of colors http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html from which to http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html make want pobud http://utamadomino.com/ see hatnya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html kecepatanya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html was very nice ,http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html  suitable for a "http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html sharp bend http://dokterpoker.org or not sharp I guess motorists http://633cash.com/Games like this is http://633cash.com/Pengaturan" very skilled in the speed I hope I can membilinya someday will whether http://633cash.com/Daftar http://633cash.com/Promo there are http://633cash.com/Berita new cars http://633cash.com/Livescore are better I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html 'll wait for it , with a stylish car classic http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html style I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html also like http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html to see would be http://raksasapoker.com/ whether there is a http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan car that is http://yakuza4d.com as fast and forius http://yakuza4d.com/home like in the "http://yakuza4d.com/daftar movie , the car very http://yakuza4d.com/cara_main good car http://yakuza4d.com/hasil designed a way apparently hopefully http://yakuza4d.com/buku_mimpi there will be new cars more good and the price is quite pantastis then chances are I can membilinya the same as you have at this time

37

the car was very good 
really really like to see the car that shiny new car fits like made ​​for walking trailsthe car was very good http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html and very fast http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html mix of colors http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html from which to http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html make want pobud http://utamadomino.com/ see hatnya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html kecepatanya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html was very nice ,http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html  suitable for a "http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html sharp bend http://dokterpoker.org or not sharp I guess motorists http://633cash.com/Games like this is http://633cash.com/Pengaturan" very skilled in the speed I hope I can membilinya someday will whether http://633cash.com/Daftar http://633cash.com/Promo there are http://633cash.com/Berita new cars http://633cash.com/Livescore are better I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html 'll wait for it , with a stylish car classic http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html style I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html also like http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html to see would be http://raksasapoker.com/ whether there is a http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan car that is http://yakuza4d.com as fast and forius http://yakuza4d.com/home like in the "http://yakuza4d.com/daftar movie , the car very http://yakuza4d.com/cara_main good car http://yakuza4d.com/hasil designed a way apparently hopefully http://yakuza4d.com/buku_mimpi there will be new cars more good and the price is quite pantastis then chances are I can membilinya the same as you have at this time

38

the car was very good 
really really like to see the car that shiny new car fits like made ​​for walking trailsthe car was very good http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html and very fast http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html mix of colors http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html from which to http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html make want pobud http://utamadomino.com/ see hatnya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html kecepatanya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html was very nice ,http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html  suitable for a "http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html sharp bend http://dokterpoker.org or not sharp I guess motorists http://633cash.com/Games like this is http://633cash.com/Pengaturan" very skilled in the speed I hope I can membilinya someday will whether http://633cash.com/Daftar http://633cash.com/Promo there are http://633cash.com/Berita new cars http://633cash.com/Livescore are better I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html 'll wait for it , with a stylish car classic http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html style I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html also like http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html to see would be http://raksasapoker.com/ whether there is a http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan car that is http://yakuza4d.com as fast and forius http://yakuza4d.com/home like in the "http://yakuza4d.com/daftar movie , the car very http://yakuza4d.com/cara_main good car http://yakuza4d.com/hasil designed a way apparently hopefully http://yakuza4d.com/buku_mimpi there will be new cars more good and the price is quite pantastis then chances are I can membilinya the same as you have at this time

39

I'm in LOVE with this build, I love SAAB and the B235 and 234 motors are really capable, I would like to do this with my Nissan S12, anyone got any ideas for a transmission setup?

OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS