How many Focus ST owners on here

slick rick · 11 Feb 2018 at 11:34

Vita said:
Yeah I'm doing everything that involves carrying it out. This was my reason as it's due a cambelt change etc as it's been over 10 years though mileage hasn't hit the threshold for the change. So thought it'll be best to do. Going to see what my tuning options are also.

Certainly worth doing all at once as you won' have to worry about it again for a very long time. Does the car currently have any mods at all or is it totally standard?

Dav4 · 11 Feb 2018 at 11:41

slick rick said:
I have got another mk2, ST3 this time my orange one was ST2.

I hope to get an ST3 when I buy another aswell as I would prefer the leather interior. I really want a facelift mk2.5 this time instead of another mk2 as I think the front looks nicer but the prices of them are just ridiculous a good 2008 facelift example will still cost at least 6.5k on average whereas a 2007 pre face can be had for around a grand or so less. Just not sure if it’s worth the extra money.

slick rick · 11 Feb 2018 at 11:49

Dav4 said:
I hope to get an ST3 when I buy another aswell as I would prefer the leather interior. I really want a facelift mk2.5 this time instead of another mk2 as I think the front looks nicer but the prices of them are just ridiculous a good 2008 facelift example will still cost at least 6.5k on average whereas a 2007 pre face can be had for around a grand or so less. Just not sure if it’s worth the extra money.

The heated seats in the ST3 are very nice to have I must be honest. The mk2.5 are very nice cars, I have heard that they are not affected by the liner cracking issue as much either but I have no idea how true that is? I would love a RS but the money they command for a 10 year old car is eye watering! :eek:

Vita · 11 Feb 2018 at 12:47

slick rick said:
Certainly worth doing all at once as you won' have to worry about it again for a very long time. Does the car currently have any mods at all or is it totally standard?

I think it has an airtec intercooler on the front. Though no paperwork to confirm. It's silver with white airtec writing but you can get stencils these days to spray over.

I'll have to have a proper look.

slick rick · 11 Feb 2018 at 13:34

Vita said:
I think it has an airtec intercooler on the front. Though no paperwork to confirm. It's silver with white airtec writing but you can get stencils these days to spray over.

I'll have to have a proper look.

That would be great if it has an upgraded intercooler, especially in warmer weather as the oem cooler is quite small.

Vita · 11 Feb 2018 at 20:26

slick rick said:
That would be great if it has an upgraded intercooler, especially in warmer weather as the oem cooler is quite small.

Unfortunately it's the standard intercooler. Just had the logo sprayed over it with a stencil.

slick rick · 12 Feb 2018 at 09:54

Vita said:
Unfortunately it's the standard intercooler. Just had the logo sprayed over it with a stencil.

That's a little bit of a shame but on the other hand it is a clean slate for your to get the car exactly as you want it.

Vita · 12 Feb 2018 at 16:28

slick rick said:
That's a little bit of a shame but on the other hand it is a clean slate for your to get the car exactly as you want it.

Yeah it is. Though I've booked it in with DS for the block mod and awaiting a date at Collins for cp285 package. Should be happy with the car then.

There are a few issues before hand that I need to check out. Steering wheel has a bit of a weird play in centre like a notchy feel. Last resort for me is it's the steering rack (crap) though only seems to do it in colder weather. Once warmed it's fine? Checked ps fluid it's a tad low but doesn't seem to be leaking from the res to the pump.

Also it does seem to tramline a bit which was worse when the tyre pressure were lower. No knocks or bangs from the front so I've eliminated most things. Worst case again can be top mounts or cracked springs. Funny how it seems to do it once I bought it lol. Other then that it's sweet as a nut .

slick rick · 12 Feb 2018 at 17:43

CP285 will be fantastic I bet and will really wake the car up. Collins do have a very good reputation and people say their maps are some of the best out there for the ST.

Fingers crossed it's not the rack, a fluid change could be worth a try? Could it be a little bit of play In the track rod end?

It seems to always be the way that these things creep up after purchase, I suppose after more time behind the wheel with more varied driving these things become more apparent.

Nasher · 12 Feb 2018 at 18:00

slick rick said:
The heated seats in the ST3 are very nice to have I must be honest. The mk2.5 are very nice cars, I have heard that they are not affected by the liner cracking issue as much either but I have no idea how true that is? I would love a RS but the money they command for a 10 year old car is eye watering!

Yep they are effected. Only the RS isn't because they were reinforced from the factory. I think it's about £700 for the mod.

Also after a certain point the clutch starts to slip (mine did with MP260) and needs upgrading. Some of the mounts need stiffening and so does the suspension otherwise it struggles to put the power down.

They are easy engines to tune, but Ford didn't leave much room in the other parts of the car. So the costs mount up if you want to make a good job of it

slick rick · 12 Feb 2018 at 18:41

Nasher said:
Yep they are effected. Only the RS isn't because they were reinforced from the factory. I think it's about £700 for the mod.

Also after a certain point the clutch starts to slip (mine did with MP260) and needs upgrading. Some of the mounts need stiffening and so does the suspension otherwise it struggles to put the power down.

They are easy engines to tune, but Ford didn't leave much room in the other parts of the car. So the costs mount up if you want to make a good job of it

I would like to fit an RS clutch, flywheel and limited slip diff but can't really justify the cost to be honest.

I found a stiffer torque mount/lower gearbox mount made a big difference.

My car is not block modded as far as I am aware and is fine...touch wood!

Mucky_Pup · 12 Feb 2018 at 23:31

Finally got round to changing the indicator lights and puddle lights to LED's on my car, had them sitting around for ages just couldn't be bothered to fit them.

Got mostly cosmetic stuff planned for my car over the coming months.

rodenal · 13 Feb 2018 at 06:00

I need to change my puddle lights and sort something out with the cornering lights too, they really cheaped out by sticking bi-xenons in then horrid yellow h1 cornering lamps in the same unit

Jamauk · 13 Feb 2018 at 13:35

rodenal said:
I need to change my puddle lights and sort something out with the cornering lights too, they really cheaped out by sticking bi-xenons in then horrid yellow h1 cornering lamps in the same unit

I'll be fitting folding mirrors and puddle lights from an RS on my facelifted ST225 when the weather warms up.

Vita · 13 Feb 2018 at 22:45

Small update.

Collins could book me in tomorrow for cp285 or next week. I think the price is great for what you're getting. I've not given the nod yet as I'm waiting on DS to get back to me about their package. See what kind of deal they can crack up as the prices on the site are old. Both companies have got back to me straight away which I think is brilliant. Anything to make a sale I guess lol. Though with ds one of their employees has messaged frequently out of hours and helped with any enquiries.

On the topic of the power steering issue. A fluid top up has helped though there is still an issue when cold. Very slight now but it's not serious. Think a fluid refresh will help so that'll be my first port of call. Going to get some new tyres fitted and alignment.

Awaiting on the boost solenoid to arrive so I can install that as well as a new recirc valve. See if that fixes the boost issue. If not then going to check that cat to make sure it isn't collapsed then map/maf.

rallyfan1986 · 14 Feb 2018 at 09:22

Vita said:
Small update.

Collins could book me in tomorrow for cp285 or next week. I think the price is great for what you're getting. I've not given the nod yet as I'm waiting on DS to get back to me about their package. See what kind of deal they can crack up as the prices on the site are old. Both companies have got back to me straight away which I think is brilliant. Anything to make a sale I guess lol. Though with ds one of their employees has messaged frequently out of hours and helped with any enquiries.

On the topic of the power steering issue. A fluid top up has helped though there is still an issue when cold. Very slight now but it's not serious. Think a fluid refresh will help so that'll be my first port of call. Going to get some new tyres fitted and alignment.

Awaiting on the boost solenoid to arrive so I can install that as well as a new recirc valve. See if that fixes the boost issue. If not then going to check that cat to make sure it isn't collapsed then map/maf.

Try looking on ebay or the owners club for one of the original dreamscience handsets, they usually go for around £200 with a life or two remaining

If you're looking to improve the sound a bit replacing the resonator with a straight pipe from ebay for £20 makes a world of difference, not too loud and no drone on the motorway

slick rick · 14 Feb 2018 at 10:23

Vita said:
Small update.

Collins could book me in tomorrow for cp285 or next week. I think the price is great for what you're getting. I've not given the nod yet as I'm waiting on DS to get back to me about their package. See what kind of deal they can crack up as the prices on the site are old. Both companies have got back to me straight away which I think is brilliant. Anything to make a sale I guess lol. Though with ds one of their employees has messaged frequently out of hours and helped with any enquiries.

On the topic of the power steering issue. A fluid top up has helped though there is still an issue when cold. Very slight now but it's not serious. Think a fluid refresh will help so that'll be my first port of call. Going to get some new tyres fitted and alignment.

Awaiting on the boost solenoid to arrive so I can install that as well as a new recirc valve. See if that fixes the boost issue. If not then going to check that cat to make sure it isn't collapsed then map/maf.

Exploring your options with both companies is certainly worth doing, DS might even do you a slightly better deal as you are booked in for the block mod anyway. I am running a DS map currently and I am very happy with it to be honest.

I am glad to to hear there is a slight improvement with the PS fluid topped up, hopefully a fluid change will sort it fully.

And also you remind me that I have a recirc valve knocking around somewhere that I never got around to fitting lol.

Vita · 14 Feb 2018 at 12:02

DS got back to me regarding the price. Said their website was out of date by a fair margin as it's in development for being updated. Their stage 2 package is as follows; imap/catback/induction/intercooler £1750ish fitted. Their stage 1 imap/induction/catback £1350 fitted.

Collins cp285 intercooler/catback/map(can't remember if it's iflash or a one off) £1030 fitted.

The bonus of the DS is, there are multiple maps to take advantage of mods now and in the future should I wish to mod further. It would save me the journey to collins but is it worth the extra £320, not so sure as of this moment. Standard airbox is good for upto 300bhp so not so sure about the induction kit on that front.

Anyone have any opinions or advice?

Liquidfox · 14 Feb 2018 at 12:09

Vita said:
Anyone have any opinions or advice?

Collins Stage 1 map will run from 260BHP all the way to 300BHP as you add mods. If you're going for power over noise then you can miss off the cat-back, it doesn't add any power until you've replaced the downpipe and cat first. I'd swap the catback for a downpipe and then put their Stage 2 map on instead which will run up to 320-330BHP.

I had Gary put their Level 2 map onto my stock car, he had to get the nod from Martin and obviously advise that it was at my own risk but it meant that I didn't have to pay the upgrade fee which had an RRP of £180. I added mods over the next 12 months and the power increased accordingly

slick rick · 14 Feb 2018 at 12:18

Hmm tricky one. Personally I would take a 3" downpipe over the induction system, it's cheaper and will provide more benefit IMO as the standard downpipe is quite restrictive. The induction will sound good though.

Yeah the fact that you can flash a different map in minutes is a nice advantage of DS and that the handset will still have value (when the car is set back to standard map) when you sell the car on is good too.