6-speed RS 2.0 Fiesta, only a few hours to go! (at £3200)
20-10-2006, 07:00 PM
#1
Part of the Furniture
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
6-speed RS 2.0 Fiesta, only a few hours to go! (at £3200)
Hi just thought I'd post some info and pics about my (almost )comlpleted project fiesta RS1800.
It's took me a few months now doing it at work in my own time (and when the boss is not looking!).
Basically I've owned a couple of tuned RS Turbo fiestas and Xr2's and my RS1800 was featured in the jan 05 fast ford (rs1800 modifying guide) when it featured a 220 bhp normally aspirated 2.1 connaught zetec which was good fun but a pig on the road in traffic!
Now I have converted the car to run an st170 engine, 6 speed box with hydraulic clutch, st170 clocks, st170 loom and ecu. All from a 2004, 20k miles st170.
It's been a complete epic of a conversion but has cost me peanuts really except hours of my own time and lots of headaches!
I know it's not a mega-power RS but I don't really care for huge power figures, especially in front wheel drive fiestas. It "only" has about 180bhp with a bluefin, k&n cone, no cat, magnex and is a joy to drive, fast and revs to nearly 8k, stays cool and is even economical!
As a fast road-car it is really spot on just got to fit my twin master cylinders and it'll be on the road...
It's took me a few months now doing it at work in my own time (and when the boss is not looking!).
Basically I've owned a couple of tuned RS Turbo fiestas and Xr2's and my RS1800 was featured in the jan 05 fast ford (rs1800 modifying guide) when it featured a 220 bhp normally aspirated 2.1 connaught zetec which was good fun but a pig on the road in traffic!
Now I have converted the car to run an st170 engine, 6 speed box with hydraulic clutch, st170 clocks, st170 loom and ecu. All from a 2004, 20k miles st170.
It's been a complete epic of a conversion but has cost me peanuts really except hours of my own time and lots of headaches!
I know it's not a mega-power RS but I don't really care for huge power figures, especially in front wheel drive fiestas. It "only" has about 180bhp with a bluefin, k&n cone, no cat, magnex and is a joy to drive, fast and revs to nearly 8k, stays cool and is even economical!
As a fast road-car it is really spot on just got to fit my twin master cylinders and it'll be on the road...
20-10-2006, 07:13 PM
#3
Advanced PassionFord User
Trending Topics
20-10-2006, 08:30 PM
#8
Part of the Furniture
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah it was quite tricky but not as bad as you might imagine!
Im a mechanic in the Army and am lucky enough to have the use of mig/tig welders and tools + a full workshop with 4-post lifts etc so it's not really something i would want to try on the front drive!
The st170 driveshafts DO fit straight into the fiesta hubs,the spline pattern is the same and everything. Th n/s focus driveshaft is the perfect length for the o/s of the fiesta, I had the other one properly shortened by "recoprop ltd" in Luton.
The wiring takes time to sort out if you go about it like I did and fit the focus ecu and loom, just buy a ford "TIS" cd off ebay for about £2 and that has all the info you need.
You will need the focus clocks too as the 6 speed box has an electronic speedo drive instead of the old skool cable drive of the fiesta.
You also need the focus fuel pump driver module as the st170 runs a returnless fuel system.
Another tricky job you have to do is make a hybrid pedal box to incorporate the focus hydraulic clutch pedal and master cylinder and modify the bulkhead accordingly.
also I went to the scrappy and ground/drilled off all the engine/gearbox mounting points from a normal focus (not the mounts themselves but the metal parts they bolt to) and dummy fitted the engine to work out where to weld them in.
I used a more compact YKC sportscars 4 branch stainless manifold too as the st one has a big bend in it that would foul on the fiesta front panel.
Last but not least I had to modify the lower front cross member to allow for the rear torque link mount from the focus to connect to the rear of the gearbox.
The good thing is that as the focus uses gear cables rather than a linkage, it is much easier to fit too.
Hope that helps! I can post some more pics of what I've done in detail when I'm back at work next week see you later...
Im a mechanic in the Army and am lucky enough to have the use of mig/tig welders and tools + a full workshop with 4-post lifts etc so it's not really something i would want to try on the front drive!
The st170 driveshafts DO fit straight into the fiesta hubs,the spline pattern is the same and everything. Th n/s focus driveshaft is the perfect length for the o/s of the fiesta, I had the other one properly shortened by "recoprop ltd" in Luton.
The wiring takes time to sort out if you go about it like I did and fit the focus ecu and loom, just buy a ford "TIS" cd off ebay for about £2 and that has all the info you need.
You will need the focus clocks too as the 6 speed box has an electronic speedo drive instead of the old skool cable drive of the fiesta.
You also need the focus fuel pump driver module as the st170 runs a returnless fuel system.
Another tricky job you have to do is make a hybrid pedal box to incorporate the focus hydraulic clutch pedal and master cylinder and modify the bulkhead accordingly.
also I went to the scrappy and ground/drilled off all the engine/gearbox mounting points from a normal focus (not the mounts themselves but the metal parts they bolt to) and dummy fitted the engine to work out where to weld them in.
I used a more compact YKC sportscars 4 branch stainless manifold too as the st one has a big bend in it that would foul on the fiesta front panel.
Last but not least I had to modify the lower front cross member to allow for the rear torque link mount from the focus to connect to the rear of the gearbox.
The good thing is that as the focus uses gear cables rather than a linkage, it is much easier to fit too.
Hope that helps! I can post some more pics of what I've done in detail when I'm back at work next week see you later...
20-10-2006, 09:30 PM
#14
Part of the Furniture
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks again nice to have your work appreciated!
I know where you're coming from about it being good to see something different.
I get bored of all the magazine feature cars that have about £50k plus spent on them and produce huge power figures, granted they are amazing machines capaple of amazing 1/4 times etc and if I was loaded or wanted to borrow loads of money i would have one built too!
I just posted my fez RS1800 to show what can be done for less than a grand with a bit of graft and creativity (and a supportive wife and some good mates!), I'm not saying it's perfect or anything but I'm well happy with it.
I've got plans for a supercharger kit from america now which is specially made for the st170 and has power options up to 280 bhp@crank!! Thats quite a few pay packets away yet though!
Cheers again for the nice comments.
Hopfully I'll try and get the fiesta up to one of the passionford dyno shootouts some time soon.
I know where you're coming from about it being good to see something different.
I get bored of all the magazine feature cars that have about £50k plus spent on them and produce huge power figures, granted they are amazing machines capaple of amazing 1/4 times etc and if I was loaded or wanted to borrow loads of money i would have one built too!
I just posted my fez RS1800 to show what can be done for less than a grand with a bit of graft and creativity (and a supportive wife and some good mates!), I'm not saying it's perfect or anything but I'm well happy with it.
I've got plans for a supercharger kit from america now which is specially made for the st170 and has power options up to 280 bhp@crank!! Thats quite a few pay packets away yet though!
Cheers again for the nice comments.
Hopfully I'll try and get the fiesta up to one of the passionford dyno shootouts some time soon.
and the cheeky fooker didn`t even mention my skill and ability 
21-10-2006, 02:46 PM
#19
Part of the Furniture
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To Pennywise:
Yeah it was on Brize Norton over Oct-Nov 2004 when I was doing my parachute jumps course and mosty getting trashed in the bar every night. Small world eh mate!!
Just managed to get hold of a standard ST170 engine mount for it today off ebay as the polyurethane one on it at the moment is horrendous-It's gonna shake my teeth out if I leave that on the car!
PAULGRS2:
I'll just take this opportunity to mention and thank Paulgrs2 (his real name's Dunstan!!) seriously though he is a class welder and knows his stuff so cheers once again for the help Dun... er Paul! have a nice time in the falklands mate and play nice with those RAF chicks!
Just managed to get hold of a standard ST170 engine mount for it today off ebay as the polyurethane one on it at the moment is horrendous-It's gonna shake my teeth out if I leave that on the car!
PAULGRS2:
I'll just take this opportunity to mention and thank Paulgrs2 (his real name's Dunstan!!) seriously though he is a class welder and knows his stuff so cheers once again for the help Dun... er Paul! have a nice time in the falklands mate and play nice with those RAF chicks!
21-10-2006, 08:23 PM
#21
Part of the Furniture
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
more photos of the rs1800-st170 conversion
Hello again just posted some more photos of my car, some showing various bits of (but nowhere near all of!) the conversion.
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o122/jimmyesh
hope you like them!
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o122/jimmyesh
hope you like them!
22-10-2006, 11:22 AM
#23
15000
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anyone got any ideas on how the brakes can be done on this conversion. Basically due to the thottle body housing protruding out into the front of the servo mounting, there is no way a standard servo can be fitted.
The car is going to be used on the road so a servo is critical really for them urban driving moments when a good pedal feel/brake application essential.
We have had some ideas as regards to using remote servo kits but am I right in thinking these only work in single line circuits?
In order to provide a dual line circuit do you need 2 remote servos or can you get round it using a load sensing valve on the rears? Trouble with this way there is no back up should a pipe fail and suspect its a bit dodgey/possibly illegal.
I take it a standard tandem master cylinder (2 outlets) can supply the 2 servos, one outlet to servo for fronts and one for rears
Any ideas out there or knowledge on rigging remote servos?
The car is going to be used on the road so a servo is critical really for them urban driving moments when a good pedal feel/brake application essential.
We have had some ideas as regards to using remote servo kits but am I right in thinking these only work in single line circuits?
In order to provide a dual line circuit do you need 2 remote servos or can you get round it using a load sensing valve on the rears? Trouble with this way there is no back up should a pipe fail and suspect its a bit dodgey/possibly illegal.
I take it a standard tandem master cylinder (2 outlets) can supply the 2 servos, one outlet to servo for fronts and one for rears
Any ideas out there or knowledge on rigging remote servos?
22-10-2006, 12:22 PM
#25
Regular Contributor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Truely awesome! Credit to ya mate
Are you going for the Jackson Racing or Powerworks kit? A mate of mine has the Powerworks with the big boost kit. Its a proper piece of kit and completely transformed the car 
Originally Posted by esh
I've got plans for a supercharger kit from america now which is specially made for the st170 and has power options up to 280 bhp@crank!! Thats quite a few pay packets away yet though!
22-10-2006, 03:21 PM
#26
Part of the Furniture
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah that's the one I was after, it would be awesome to have a nice supercharger whining away under the bonnet-not what you expect to hear from a 12 year old fiesta! Reckon she will do a respectable top whack in 6th too...
Just need to get the sponds together first ($5000), my dad has lived in California fo 17 years now so I was wondering if he would stump me the cash, buy it AND send it over the pond to me, you never know, stranger things have happened! Watch this space...
cheers 4 the kind words
Just need to get the sponds together first ($5000), my dad has lived in California fo 17 years now so I was wondering if he would stump me the cash, buy it AND send it over the pond to me, you never know, stranger things have happened! Watch this space...
cheers 4 the kind words
22-10-2006, 03:45 PM
#27
Regular Contributor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you go for it make sure you get the quaife ATB fitted its a must if your going to have that much power. My mate had that fitted along with a 6 paddle clutch and lightened flywheel.
He's also got forged pistons and uprated rods as it spat its dummy out on the way back from Ford Fair melting the 2nd a 3rd piston.
He's also got forged pistons and uprated rods as it spat its dummy out on the way back from Ford Fair melting the 2nd a 3rd piston.
22-10-2006, 04:54 PM
#29
Part of the Furniture
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
220 - 250 bhp hopefully but figures don't really matter to me so long as the car is driveable, reliable, fast and stops/corners well, it's not gonna happen too soon though, especially as the "silly season" is creeping up on us fast! Thanks for the advice guys.
25-10-2006, 12:00 PM
#38
Part of the Furniture
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got lucky with the price of the lump, £641 for the engine, 'box, loom, ecu, key, driveshafts + cv joints, gear selector cables, gear lever mechanism - oh yeah the gearknob too can't forget that! All from a 20k miles 04 plate st170.
Like I said I got (very) lucky getting all that stuff so cheap, basically I was bidding on ebay for it all and went away for a few days so couldn't get near a computer to keep bidding so obviously I got outbid, then the winning buyer sacked it and I got a second chance offer and ripped his arm off for that price!
Imagine how much those bits would cost from ford??!
I kept costs down too by doing everything myself and with friends, but then again luck was on my side again having a full workshop and every tool imaginable to hand! The only thing I paid someone else to do was shortening the N/S driveshaft from 423mm to 328mm, RECOPROP in Luton did that for £78+vat all properly done, balanced etc - it's not something I wanted to try with my mig welder- think my luck would have run out if i tried driving it after that!
I really wanted to do the Focus RS conversion but those lumps definitely aint cheap, plus the st170 lump is more in keeping with the rs1800 being normally aspirated, it really motors too and that gearbox is a joy to use.
Like I said I got (very) lucky getting all that stuff so cheap, basically I was bidding on ebay for it all and went away for a few days so couldn't get near a computer to keep bidding so obviously I got outbid, then the winning buyer sacked it and I got a second chance offer and ripped his arm off for that price!
Imagine how much those bits would cost from ford??!
I kept costs down too by doing everything myself and with friends, but then again luck was on my side again having a full workshop and every tool imaginable to hand! The only thing I paid someone else to do was shortening the N/S driveshaft from 423mm to 328mm, RECOPROP in Luton did that for £78+vat all properly done, balanced etc - it's not something I wanted to try with my mig welder- think my luck would have run out if i tried driving it after that!
I really wanted to do the Focus RS conversion but those lumps definitely aint cheap, plus the st170 lump is more in keeping with the rs1800 being normally aspirated, it really motors too and that gearbox is a joy to use.
25-10-2006, 07:45 PM
#40
Redumbdancy
Fantastic idea and carried out to perfection
Always loved the idea of an old car with a new more economic engine etc - would love to do something similar one day.
Always loved the idea of an old car with a new more economic engine etc - would love to do something similar one day.