whats the normal procedure for modification when using sierra guts if i want to use:

1. the steering rack? or should i just use an escort one. If using escort rack will its track rod ends fit straight into the sierra upright tapers?

2. the steering shaft? i assume it needs lengthening, but whats the normal/sva/allowed way of modifying it, or is there an alternative part i can use thats the right length?

3. pedal box, or will again an escort one be better? I should mention that cockpit length is an issue and the less space the pedals take up the better, as im 6ft3.

Cheers All.

1. Up to you. The Sierra will need the middle of it chopped out and then extensions put on the track rods. I'm not sure if the BJs are the same thread but atleast if you use a MK2 rack it'll be metric!

2. Just get a bit of 19mm tube, cut the standard shaft and weld it inbetween! The best way is to cut the ends of the tube at a shallow angle (as opposed to cutting off at 90°) so that there is as much area to weld as possible. To be double sure you could puddle weld it or drill all the way through and fit a pin which you then weld in place.

3. You can modify the standard Sierra box (Mark Allanson and many other have done this) or the Escort one. The thing I don't like about these is that they weigh a lot. I started out with a set of MK3 Nissan Micra pedals but in the end I only kept the accel' pedal from this (as it's very neat/light) and I made up my own pedals from scratch using some reject Lolocost suspension bushes from Ned.

HTH,
James

Sierra track rod ends are the same thread and taper as the Cortina3+/Escort II but slightly longer and have a distinct dog leg.

For the shaft you will need a support bearing -- number of ways of doing this --- see Lolocost and MNR sites for two solutions.