Right so here is a good question for you guys....

If you wanted a full on modification on a Focus ST what would be your preferences and why?

Who's induction kit would you use and why? What intercooler would you install? Bluefin or Dream chip? Or would you go elsewhere?

What about big brake conversions on the ST's - has anyone bothered or has this been passed over?

Anyone any thoughts on at what stage the gearbox gives up on the ST? Bit fragile in many cases which is why Ford limited the power in the first case...

I know may of you will have something to say and this is a lot to discuss - just thought it might be interesting to find out!

 

Chip and a cooler and enjoy it

 

Agree with this really. Some people go silly with them and it just makes them unreliable. Mine's got a filter, exhaust, intercooler and a remap and hasn't missed a beat.

 

What I did to mine:

Dreamscience Induction Kit
Dreamscience Mod C Remap
Full 3" mongoose with downpipe and sports cat
Airtec Intercooler
300bhp or there abouts. Did 290bhp before the stage 3 map

If I did it all again I'd probably get the Mountune kit and enjoy. They say it's 260bhp but guys on the rolling road were getting 280

 

Agreed on the KISS theory (Keep It Simple Stupid)....

Right I have an ST3 on an 06 plate that I have just taken in with a Bluefin on it. I have driven many standard STs and im impressed with the map but not with the flat spots; furthermore there has been no other upgrades done ie decat, induction, intercooler...

Im interested in putting a budget setup together. Im also interested in the diaphragm issues which surround the power upgrades ie the one in the oil filter housing. The one on the 06 had a split in it and the units are now around the Ł200 mark.

Ive heard talk from experienced Ford Tech's that this splitting of the diaphragm is down to lack of servicing along with the brittle pipe from the cover...

More comments please and as much detail as possible....give me some inspiration....theres sooooooo many choices. What would you all like to see?

Also I note no comments on the breaking.....is it a given that with the factory fitted tyres and some good pads that these STs will stop well whatever the weather, whatever the power??

 

go to Volvo if you need a new Oil Diaphragm housing, its about Ł100 cheaper

 

I found the brakes well up to the job. You know they're good when the ST220 guys swap to them

 

The oil filter housing from ford was around about Ł150 plus the VAT....are you telling me that the Volvo part is half the price from a Volvo dealer? I had thought of pricing but didnt think the part would be that much cheaper if at all.

 

my mate just did his the other week on his 06 ST and i remember it was alot cheaper from Volvo but cannot remember exactly how much.

 

What about the gearbox and its limitations? Ford limited the boost for a reason and I believe that this surrounded some concerns reference the capability of the box to handle the power without 'shitting itself'....

Just interested to know your thoughts? Also who has the most powerful ST or RS known to people on the forums?

 

It's a Volvo gearbox. Isn't it the same as in the RS except not having a limited slip diff? Was on the Focus ST owners club for 3 years and never heard of any boxes shitting themselves and lots of guys are running 300+

 

Yes the running gear is the same as far as I am aware and i know that the RS is 300 as std however I didnt know how far you could push it...

Was made aware that the box on the ST and RS is not the best, think Ford may have been concerned about putting more power to it and more boost.... However when I spoke to Mr Goode himself he said they had some STs running 400+ with no problems.

Whats the most bhp out of an ST or RS in existence? I see there are some at 400+ but are there any higher?

 

I imagine boost is limited in lower gears to aid traction and tyre life!

 

If ford had a problem with the box they wouldnt of used it in the Rs500 focus which has 350hp standard. Theres FRS's running 450bhp with similar torque

 

There was one in Fast Ford a couple of months back running 493bhp

 

Gearboxs arent a concern on the ST - they are proven to live a good lifespan even with alot of power.

Clutch is the weak point especially on 2007 plated cars - RS clutch and flywheel conversion and you are sorted upto 370-400bhp

Whilst the gearbox is off the diff is also a good point to upgrade - a Quaife ATB is excellent and is the next purchase for me before the turbo change.

You can buy big brake kits for the ST and I will in the future but I found the standard setup was good for road use, I now run EBC turbogroove discs and EBC Yellowstuff pads and these are brilliant on track and road. I run Yoko Parada Spec 2 tyres which are excellent tyres except in the wet

As for mods I have done the normal stage 3 stuff and have 300bhp/375Ib/ft. Dreamscience in my opinion are excellent for their products. They also are responsible for the best proven power gain from an Induction kit - excellent setup.

My rough car spec is as follows;

Engine;

Dreamscience Mod X
Dreamscience induction kit
Larger cone filter
Magnex 3” downpipe
Dreamscience 3” decat pipe
Piper 3” cat back exhaust
Airtec Gen 3 intercooler
Pro alloy cold pipe
Roose intake hoses
Focus RS spark plugs
Focus RS ECU mount
Samco heater matrix hoses

Chassis:

H&R coilovers
Bilstein B8 rear dampers
Vibratechnics torque mount
Whiteline 24mm RARB
18x8 Pro-Race 1.2 alloys
225/40/18 Parada spec 2 tyres
EBC yellowstuff front pads
EBC turbo groove front discs
Goodridge brake lines
Laser aligned on Hunter alignment jig

Rob

 

Jamsport are over 500bhp in an RS - Jamies own car and there are a few others not far behind

Rob

 

Interesting....thanks for the heads up.

I didn't know what power most folks were getting....now I do! I had heard that there was a difference in the gearing of the RS but wasn't sure. How long have these cars been running and have they actually been used or saved for events and tack days?

Just interested is all....

 

I want a few bits for mine, but 95% of the time I drive in town so I dont see the point. Also, being in Devon, there are no tuning companies etc to get thing fitted, like for example Dreamscience.

I only have different 18" wheels & Eibachs.

 

Get them mail order and any good general garage should be able to fit them or fit them yourself

Rob

 

Everything is easy to fit yourself. Except the downpipe bolts sometimes need some heat to loosen them off so they don't snap

 

Agreed modifying is not as hard as it looks when it comes to simple upgrades like induction kits, exhausts and the hand held ecu upgrades.

The more involved mods are intercoolers and turbo upgrades which require a degree of skill but most have threads relating to them posted on the forums.

 

Intercooler is one of the simplest upgrades on the ST with downpipe being the worst - mate did my downpipe as I couldnt get easy access so it went on his 4 poster with plenty of heat the job was done

Rob

 

It took me about half an hour to fit my intercooler, that included a 5 minute tea break and a bit of wrestling with a rounded off undertray screw!

Driving around town is where you will benefit from a more efficient intercooler as that's where heat soak is the worst!