hi there, new user here...

Im wanting to upgrade from a 1.8 to an st170. just thought i would ask a few people who actually know what they are talking about rather than mates down the pub....

Just after a bit of advice really, im looking for a big jump in performance, will i be disapointed? also ive heard they're not too good on fuel, but i only get 300 miles to a full tank out of my 1.8, so i don't think the 170 should be any worse than that, if any?

Im assuming the ride comfort will be better? And its a ford so should be reliable....

i have 3-4k to spend and for that sort of money i seem to be looking at getting one with about 40-75k miles??

Any adivce you want to share please do as i'd like to hear a bit, just before i take the plunge...

thanks..

 

ive got one mate, performance isnt "great", there are quicker cars in the class, that said the engine is strong as hell imo, pulls nicely all the way to 140+mph. the handling is fantastic, holds the road better than most cars in its class so corner speed is very high. ride is abit stiff to be honest mate.

dont get me wrong, its a cracking car. doesnt use much more fuel than any other 2ltr car, i can get 300-350ish miles on a motorway run.

 

good cars but they do suffer with problems, more so than any other focus so make sure you always have a bit tucked away for repairs. common problems are lambda sensors, heat shields, inlet manifold runner control unit and cracking fuel pump housings. these problems can on problem cars come back year on year but mainly one at a time. i know people who've had no problems at all for years and others who have problems all the time but they all say they're great handling cars.

power tuning wise decat, cat back system and throttle bodies will only see about 200bhp if your lucky so better off just supercharging.

 

Phil, what would you expect to pay for a supercharger, and would it affect the mpg much?

Thanks for the info so far

 

2 to 4 grand at least for a decent supercharger.

 

it depends what kit you want to go for but not sure what options are out there as iirc the powerworks kit from the usa isnt availible new anymore.

mpg, prob about the same as unmodified when cruising maybe a few mpg less but definately more fuel consumption under WOT (wide open throttle) compared to standard.

 

I've got an unmodified one, and it's plenty quick. Certainly compared to the 1.8. As mentioned above, there are many "known" problems but because they're known it's not quite so bad as being completely in the dark!

 

Good cars but quite a few known problems and often produce a fair bit less than 170bhp - for similar money you can get a Civic Type-R which is a better car imo.

 

Yeah a Civic Type R will rape a standard ST170, mine does 220miles to a tank so think your self lucky, 300miles plus is unheard of. If i had the choice again i would not have purchased a ST170, mind you apart from the clutch in the nearly 4 years of ownership it had never missed a beat.

 

Mine regularly does 330 and i don't exactly drive like a vicar!

 

a freind of mine with an st170 gets about 32mph, same as i get from my 2l focus zetec.

Sp3no, you may have lambda sensor issues mate if your only getting 220 miles to a tank...unless of course all you do is town driving!!

personaly i'd rather spend the difference between my cars value and an st170 on my car and get the same or more power than an st170 with greater reliability! (that includes st170 front brakes too)

 

A true statement, I currently have a 170 but had CTR a couple of years back. Problem with the Honda is steering feel/feedback, its s***e for want of a better word, however the CTR excelled over the 170 in performance and drivetrain. The CTR had one of the best gearboxes ive ever used and was bulletproof mechanically. The 170 has one of the worst gearboxes ive ever used, gets better when warm though.The 170 can be a labour of love but most owners suffer no problems, I know someone who has a 140k miler and its still going strong, mine had the usual heatshield rattle but so did my FRP so must be a Ford thing
Oddly I would say the 1.8 is probably the better engine for modding, my advice is keep it for a while longer and bag a MK1 RS focus instead.
The 170 though for all of its faults still has a great front drive chassis and limpet grip with decent tyres fitted. I think of it as a modern xr3i and as such isnt in the same ball park as the CTR which really rivals the RS.

 

Think its time to look at the Pre-cat Lambda sensor, must be sluggish, i thought my 220miles to a tank was the norm for a 170. Car is being put to sleep for winter next month which gives me time to adress the lambda situation, as i know its gonna be a twat to remove

 

lambda sensor definately a good place to start on an st170 mate