RE: Mountune launches 520hp pack for Focus RS
Discussion
Never mind the engine, the GKN RDU won’t be able to deal with the extra torque. At best, they were designed to cope with 20% above standard, according to insiders. There’s a limit to how much power the software will allow the RDU to receive.
Any more power and torque will be sent forward to the front PTU diff which is significantly stronger. In other words, the more power you add, the more it will become front biased, the rear power being pretty much set in how much it’ll be allowed to receive. Too much load and it triggers a temperature overheat warning.
You can try and rewrite the software that controls it but there are huge numbers of complex tables involved and I haven’t heard anyone tackling that yet, though it was a couple of years ago I was interested in buying one. As yet, no one makes updated clutch packs for the RDU, to my knowledge, so sending more power there, if you can get round the software, will cause a very shortened clutch pack life.
Any more power and torque will be sent forward to the front PTU diff which is significantly stronger. In other words, the more power you add, the more it will become front biased, the rear power being pretty much set in how much it’ll be allowed to receive. Too much load and it triggers a temperature overheat warning.
You can try and rewrite the software that controls it but there are huge numbers of complex tables involved and I haven’t heard anyone tackling that yet, though it was a couple of years ago I was interested in buying one. As yet, no one makes updated clutch packs for the RDU, to my knowledge, so sending more power there, if you can get round the software, will cause a very shortened clutch pack life.
Edited by Ali_T on Monday 19th August 21:52
Ahbefive said:
shantybeater said:
FastMedicine said:
The physical block won’t take that power regardless of uprated internals. The whole left side of block has minimal webbing and that’s why the blocks warp and blow head gaskets and crack between the main caps . The engine was half baked from the get go.
Not baiting, genuinely interested. Are these engines doomed as stock then? and if not what power are they safe to run reliably. Huge soft spot i'd like to stroke one day but that would be a deal breakerEdited by Ahbefive on Monday 19th August 20:18
Such an un informed OP.
500 odd hp would be mega in this.
A couple of my closest friends have Audi s3 and Golf mk5 4wds with over 500hp and they are a riot.
Infact one friends time in his 4wd Mk5 around anglesey was roughly the same as chris harris in a 997 turbo I believe so that is the performance taken care of.
I can only imagine a Focus rs would be just as quick if not more given some mods.
It's not a 6k upgrade, really dodgy advertising!
M400+Forged Internals and then M520 on top plus labour.
You'll also find most people add other optional mountune parts to the car.
Upgraded discs, pads, braided lines, fluid, PTU brace, quickshift, cast inlet manifold, oil cooler, even the ATB if its not an edition car etc.
Its actually between £11.5k and £20+k of upgrades depending on your approach.
D.
M400+Forged Internals and then M520 on top plus labour.
You'll also find most people add other optional mountune parts to the car.
Upgraded discs, pads, braided lines, fluid, PTU brace, quickshift, cast inlet manifold, oil cooler, even the ATB if its not an edition car etc.
Its actually between £11.5k and £20+k of upgrades depending on your approach.
D.
Ali_T said:
Never mind the engine, the GKN RDU won’t be able to deal with the extra torque. At best, they were designed to cope with 20% above standard, according to insiders. There’s a limit to how much power the software will allow the RDU to receive.
Any more power and torque will be sent forward to the front PTU diff which is significantly stronger. In other words, the more power you add, the more it will become front biased, the rear power being pretty much set in how much it’ll be allowed to receive. Too much load and it triggers a temperature overheat warning.
You can try and rewrite the software that controls it but there are huge numbers of complex tables involved and I haven’t heard anyone tackling that yet, though it was a couple of years ago I was interested in buying one. As yet, no one makes updated clutch packs for the RDU, to my knowledge, so sending more power there, if you can get round the software, will cause a very shortened clutch pack life.
A lot was written about the GKN clutch packs, I remember before the car was delivered the internet telling us these piddly packs were going to be popping at every single opportunity. Reality is that I've not heard of a single one failing, a few have had the overheat warning come on during track days which is by calculation rather than an actual temp sensor. Any more power and torque will be sent forward to the front PTU diff which is significantly stronger. In other words, the more power you add, the more it will become front biased, the rear power being pretty much set in how much it’ll be allowed to receive. Too much load and it triggers a temperature overheat warning.
You can try and rewrite the software that controls it but there are huge numbers of complex tables involved and I haven’t heard anyone tackling that yet, though it was a couple of years ago I was interested in buying one. As yet, no one makes updated clutch packs for the RDU, to my knowledge, so sending more power there, if you can get round the software, will cause a very shortened clutch pack life.
Edited by Ali_T on Monday 19th August 21:52
There are plenty of cars running around in that 400-450 ball park and I've not heard anyone stating it now feels more fwd than it did before the extra power - I understand the logic that it should going off the programmed limits.
IanJ9375 said:
A lot was written about the GKN clutch packs, I remember before the car was delivered the internet telling us these piddly packs were going to be popping at every single opportunity. Reality is that I've not heard of a single one failing, a few have had the overheat warning come on during track days which is by calculation rather than an actual temp sensor.
There are plenty of cars running around in that 400-450 ball park and I've not heard anyone stating it now feels more fwd than it did before the extra power - I understand the logic that it should going off the programmed limits.
Unless you've managed to reprogramme the software that controls the power distribution, the RDU will never receive more than it's allowed, no matter how much you throw at it. Everything else will be given to the front diff. I know a lot of folk have installed RDU coolers but the aftermarket diff experts have all said that's pointless as it's not really an overheat, as you mention, it's a calculation. The diff isn't getting hot, just objecting to what you're asking it to do. There are plenty of cars running around in that 400-450 ball park and I've not heard anyone stating it now feels more fwd than it did before the extra power - I understand the logic that it should going off the programmed limits.
xjay1337 said:
Open block engines make power no problem. Lol
Such an un informed OP.
500 odd hp would be mega in this.
A couple of my closest friends have Audi s3 and Golf mk5 4wds with over 500hp and they are a riot.
Infact one friends time in his 4wd Mk5 around anglesey was roughly the same as chris harris in a 997 turbo I believe so that is the performance taken care of.
I can only imagine a Focus rs would be just as quick if not more given some mods.
Nope Such an un informed OP.
500 odd hp would be mega in this.
A couple of my closest friends have Audi s3 and Golf mk5 4wds with over 500hp and they are a riot.
Infact one friends time in his 4wd Mk5 around anglesey was roughly the same as chris harris in a 997 turbo I believe so that is the performance taken care of.
I can only imagine a Focus rs would be just as quick if not more given some mods.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CuGodKdRLpE
FastMedicine said:
Did you watch the video? Apparently this is only a possible issue when running above 500bhp.Although there may be some complications and limitations of this particular upgrade package... it does have a strong appeal, given that all four wheels are driven.
Done right, a car of this sort could easily embarrass some very expensive and/or high-powered motors.
Keep going down this track, as it were. I'd love to see more of this sort of thing.
Elatino1 said:
FastMedicine said:
Did you watch the video? Apparently this is only a possible issue when running above 500bhp.80sMatchbox said:
Elatino1 said:
FastMedicine said:
Did you watch the video? Apparently this is only a possible issue when running above 500bhp.Also, more likely running 700Nm and above is what causes the excessive pressure and thus stress on the blocks weakest points. If 520hp is reached at 6000rpm, 610Nm will do that. At 7000rpm 520Nm will suffice. Don't know what the US folks run for torque to reach 500hp+ (whp?), but holding back on torque will always help keeping mechanical stuff in one piece. Too much hp will melt stuff instead but if done well the ECU will cut power before things get too hot...
Its Just Adz said:
Sounded great until I read the comments and saw its really a 20k upgrade.
RS3 saloon all day I think.
As an owner it's not for me either to be honest, I'm more than happy making the most out of the FPM375 that's fitted and I can see me upping the braking at some point.RS3 saloon all day I think.
But there are guys who will do this, there are already guys who've spent £20k and not got this level of power.
Lot of brand loyalty in the Ford world and especially a lot of Mountune fans
Its Just Adz said:
Sounded great until I read the comments and saw its really a 20k upgrade.
RS3 saloon all day I think.
A45S for me, if I want 4wd I want the fancy torque vectoring style like here. Well actually the shooting break, the Focus RS killed it with its tiny boot for my needs unfortunately. RS3 saloon all day I think.
There seems to be a obsession with big power . My car runs 365bhp 420torque . When do I get to use it up not often . On a B road that I know once in a blue moon . Then I let off if I can’t see what’s round the bend . Just on the off chance there a load of horse rides round the bend cyclist etc . Must be getting old lol
iceicebaby1980 said:
There seems to be a obsession with big power . My car runs 365bhp 420torque . When do I get to use it up not often . On a B road that I know once in a blue moon . Then I let off if I can’t see what’s round the bend . Just on the off chance there a load of horse rides round the bend cyclist etc . Must be getting old lol
Had a Giulia QF until recently and always had the same frustration. Now have an ND2 MX5, a pile of cash in the bank and a constant grin when I’m driving.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff