Modifying a car, remapping etc

[teen_cerbera]

I currently have an RS Focus and looking to make some mods, the extent of the mods are not clear to me at the moment, however, I am thinking a bluefin remap is a must.

However, questions I have are:

• Will a K&N air filter add any notable performance advantages?
• What happens if I want to further modify my car in the future (e.g. exhaust, downpipe & Intercooler), would I have to have the car remapped to adjust to the new set up?
• Will Eibach Lowering springs severley harden the ride of the car? 15mm front, 25mm back.

My main concern is forking out £400 for a remap, then, if I decide to change the exhaust, I will have to pay for another remap...I appreciate the NOOBy'ness of this thread but I just want a firm answer before I do any pricing etc.

Thanks TC

[teen_cerbera]

doogz said:

Ford didn't spend millions of pounds developing the suspension set up for you to lower it different amounts front/rear with cheap springs and standard shocks.

And yes, if you want to get the most out of hardware changes, new downpipe, new exhaust system, you will need the fuelling and ignition adjusted.

I appreciate the comments, however, I think its widely acknowledged that the car sits to high on its original springs, this is more about the look than a genuine performance modification. Since I have had the wheels done black, the gap between the tyre and the arch appears alarmingly large

So basically, I should decide if I want a new downpipe, Intercooler and exhaust, then carry out a remap afterwards to save money in the long run? Would it have to be a custom remap then as I believe the bluefins are set to boost it to 347bhp?

[T84]

teen_cerbera said:

I think its widely acknowledged that the car sits to high on its original springs

Is that from Ford or "Gavin" on "RS Fordz R Wikked Innit Ownerz Klub"?

[Davie_GLA]

i think what doogz is getting at is that by fitting the springs you are about to hamper the handling, not improve it.

[soda]

Yes, a custom remap would be the best option to get the most out of any parts you change. A standard map is designed around OE parts.

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

Ford didn't spend millions of pounds developing the suspension set up for you to lower it different amounts front/rear with cheap springs and standard shocks.

And yes, if you want to get the most out of hardware changes, new downpipe, new exhaust system, you will need the fuelling and ignition adjusted.

Agree with the latter, but not the former. Re-tuning rates can be affective, as even performance cars are still developed and built to a price and a broader mass appeal.

Not saying that exact mod will be good, but follow what is proven in that vehicles modding scene. Sometimes simple mods work very well.

[TonyRPH]

teen_cerbera said:

I appreciate the comments, however, I think its widely acknowledged that the car sits to high on its original springs, this is more about the look than a genuine performance modification.

So you want to potentially compromise the safety of your vehicle to make it look nice is what you're saying.

Be sure to tell your insurance company this as well, won't you?

[300bhp/ton]

teen_cerbera said:

I currently have an RS Focus and looking to make some mods, the extent of the mods are not clear to me at the moment, however, I am thinking a bluefin remap is a must.

However, questions I have are:

• Will a K&N air filter add any notable performance advantages?
• What happens if I want to further modify my car in the future (e.g. exhaust, downpipe & Intercooler), would I have to have the car remapped to adjust to the new set up?
• Will Eibach Lowering springs severley harden the ride of the car? 15mm front, 25mm back.

My main concern is forking out £400 for a remap, then, if I decide to change the exhaust, I will have to pay for another remap...I appreciate the NOOBy'ness of this thread but I just want a firm answer before I do any pricing etc.

Thanks TC

I suppose a first question is, which Focus RS? MK I or II?


As for your questions:

K&N - yes, no and maybe. Improving air flow and a cooler intake charge has the potential to improve performance. But the gains vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on how good the stock setup is and how much better the after market one is.

Also it's only a filter, so don't expect seat of the pants and 50hp improvements. It will likely be subtle at best, but the more mods you do will create a compound affect where one mod helps promote affects of others.


- Remapping. Most maps will lean out the a/f ratio, play with the timing and on a turbo car increase boost. Most mods will have an affect on these, so yes adding a CAI or exhaust afterwards has the potential to reduce the affect of the remap and won't make the full potential of the other mods either.

How big an affect this is depends on if the RS uses a MAF or SD style tuning (I don't know which). It will also depend on the mods themselves too.

Another thing to consider is don't get an off the shelf chip/map. Many will optimise the car for stock exhaust/intake. If you have aftermarket parts then you need a tune to account for these. So custom tuning is always best or at least a map that takes into account the true spec of your motor.

-Suspension - no idea. I'd try in the Ford section on here or a dedicated Focus RS site for what is considered a good setup and improvement from stock.

[oOTomOo]

@OP
Your profile...
Break = have a kit kat
Brake = slow down...

Sort yourself out man

[teen_cerbera]

doogz said:

Yeah, you will make the car look better, and if that's what's more important to you, fair enough. Had i spent that sort of money on a Ford hatchback, i'd be more concerned about how it drove, than how it looked.

Its a bit of both, thats why I asked, I havnt said Im doing it regardless of what it does to the car set up. I ask as I have previously owned 2 TVR's and suspension upgrades were always the first thing on the performance upgrade "to do" list.

Ok I have done a little research, I have priced an aftermarket exhaust, Intercooler and Air filter (although I still havnt had ne feedback abt it here). My next question is, is the downpipe essential? I assume so?

Can anyone confirm whether the exhaust has to be cut off, or is it held on by clamps? I would prefer if the mods could be undone when it comes to resale time...

[Hip2Bsquare]

As far as suspension goes, it really is worth saving a little longer and fitting some proper adjustable coilover suspension. The result will be fully adjustable ride height, a good ride and handling and some of the more expensive kits will have adjustable damping as well as height.

If you are on a budget, check out v-maxx coilover kits. I fitted one in my Audi earlier this year after reading good reviews and I found it to be very good too, very easy to fit and a great ride afterwards.

Lowering springs and standard shocks have always made the car bouncy and give a poor ride, in my experience.

[louismchuge]

oOTomOo said:

@OP
Your profile...
Break = have a kit kat
Brake = slow down...

Sort yourself out man

post of the day and it's only 9:50!

[teen_cerbera]

I replied, whilst 300bhp commented on the air filter.

I am looking at the Mongoose Cat back exhaust, Mongoose down pipe & Pro Alloy Intercooler.

I dont know why PHeads get rubbed up so easy? Profile stalking and nit picking is a bit sad when someones just after some information, I fail to see how on earth I could have offended anyone?

[300bhp/ton]

Davie_GLA said:

i think what doogz is getting at is that by fitting the springs you are about to hamper the handling, not improve it.

But you don't actually know this

[300bhp/ton]

TonyRPH said:

teen_cerbera said:

I appreciate the comments, however, I think its widely acknowledged that the car sits to high on its original springs, this is more about the look than a genuine performance modification.

So you want to potentially compromise the safety of your vehicle to make it look nice is what you're saying.

Be sure to tell your insurance company this as well, won't you?

What guff....

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

300bhp/ton said:

doogz said:

Ford didn't spend millions of pounds developing the suspension set up for you to lower it different amounts front/rear with cheap springs and standard shocks.

And yes, if you want to get the most out of hardware changes, new downpipe, new exhaust system, you will need the fuelling and ignition adjusted.

Agree with the latter, but not the former. Re-tuning rates can be affective, as even performance cars are still developed and built to a price and a broader mass appeal.

Not saying that exact mod will be good, but follow what is proven in that vehicles modding scene. Sometimes simple mods work very well.

Altering the stance of the car, and lowering ride height unevenly, on the standard shock absorbers, is not a good plan.

But you don't actually know this. I agree as a rule it would be advised to replace shocks and springs. But unless you are an expert on this model and the exact springs the OP is referring to, then you can't make this judgment call.

[Hip2Bsquare]

It's definitely worth looking at what others have done and see what is recommended and what isn't.

Tried and tested is always best.

The RS owners club forums are the best place to look for what others have done.

It can save a lot of money and grief and help you make the right choices using the knowledge of others who have tried the same before you.

http://www.rsownersclub.co.uk/rsocbb/index.php

[teen_cerbera]

doogz said:

teen_cerbera said:

I replied, whilst 300bhp commented on the air filter.

I am looking at the Mongoose Cat back exhaust, Mongoose down pipe & Pro Alloy Intercooler.

I dont know why PHeads get rubbed up so easy? Profile stalking and nit picking is a bit sad when someones just after some information, I fail to see how on earth I could have offended anyone?

The profile thing was a bit of a laugh, don't take it seriously!

Its these "laughs" that ruin most of the threads and turn them in to slanging matches, unfortunatley.

Im off to change my copy and pasted quote , Damn American...

Edited by teen_cerbera on Wednesday 10th November 10:09

[300bhp/ton]

teen_cerbera said:

I replied, whilst 300bhp commented on the air filter.

I am looking at the Mongoose Cat back exhaust, Mongoose down pipe & Pro Alloy Intercooler.

I dont know why PHeads get rubbed up so easy? Profile stalking and nit picking is a bit sad when someones just after some information, I fail to see how on earth I could have offended anyone?

It's because all forums, and especially non model specific forums are full of grumpy people (men most often).

Some of these people simply don't understand why you don't have an Audi or BMW, some don't understand the joy and want of modified vehicles. Some blindly believe car makers are the only ones to get stuff right and all aftermarket products are designed by oiks.

Some are just arse holes. But there are some good knowledgeable people too so stick around...

[Hip2Bsquare]

teen_cerbera said:

doogz said:

teen_cerbera said:

I replied, whilst 300bhp commented on the air filter.

I am looking at the Mongoose Cat back exhaust, Mongoose down pipe & Pro Alloy Intercooler.

I dont know why PHeads get rubbed up so easy? Profile stalking and nit picking is a bit sad when someones just after some information, I fail to see how on earth I could have offended anyone?

The profile thing was a bit of a laugh, don't take it seriously!

Its these "laughs" that ruin most of the threads and turn them in to slanging matches, unfortunatley.

Im off to change my copy and pasted quote , Damn American...

Edited by teen_cerbera on Wednesday 10th November 10:09

And sensible helpful posts like mine get overlooked.

But it's OK, I'm not offended.