Ford Focus ST 170, trackable?
Discussion
As above really, excellent handling but could do with a little more power. I haven't tried myself but I have heard getting more power out of the engine is very difficult on these without spending a lot of money.
I heard jamsport are working on a supercharger kit for them at the moment?
Or google Will Pedley, he has a bit of experiance with these.
I heard jamsport are working on a supercharger kit for them at the moment?
Or google Will Pedley, he has a bit of experiance with these.
They're not underpowered but the long gear ratios make them feel slow. I dunno how easy it would be to get a shorter final drive in there but could be an option, especially if you want to track it?
There was a bloke on here with a supercharged one as well, flick through readers rides to find it.
There was a bloke on here with a supercharged one as well, flick through readers rides to find it.
CHIEF said:
Are they tuneable or are they highly tuned anyway?
Highly tuned already. Not much you can do without going FI. Quick google, found someone who spent just over £2k for 19bhp increase.Great looking car though, and even the standard Zetec handles great so imagine the ST170 would be a perfect track car if you can live with the power.
I sold one recently (02) for £600. OK it didn't have an MOT or tax and needed a bit of a clean and two tyres but for that money they aren't bad. However they're in no way fast and the wheezy old Zetec is quite an unpleasant lump at the top of the rev range. I would head towards something like a DC2 which will provide far more fun and actually be worth something when you want to sell! Add to that hopeless fuel consumption (for the performance) and a very notchy box which has a really rubbery feel about it, not one of Ford's finest efforts.
yonex said:
I sold one recently (02) for £600. OK it didn't have an MOT or tax and needed a bit of a clean and two tyres but for that money they aren't bad. However they're in no way fast and the wheezy old Zetec is quite an unpleasant lump at the top of the rev range. I would head towards something like a DC2 which will provide far more fun and actually be worth something when you want to sell! Add to that hopeless fuel consumption (for the performance) and a very notchy box which has a really rubbery feel about it, not one of Ford's finest efforts.
Didn't sound like a very good one at all, mine was never wheezy and quite happily revved to the 7300RPM red line.The handling in these is excellent and it is always composed due to the compliant suspension, the steering feel is also very good.
As mentioned before the 6 speed box is far too high geared and top speed is achieved in 5th, as 6th is effectively just an overdrive. It would be a much livelier car with shorter gearing.
This is quite a useful site... http://www.fordst170.co.uk/index.php
Edited by Rammy76 on Saturday 13th October 22:02
Rammy76 said:
Didn't sound like a very good one at all, mine was never wheezy and quite happily revved to the 7300RPM red line.
I guess after the DC2 it felt flat, there wasn't anything actually 'wrong' with it but I don't think the Zetec is a very sweet lump having experienced it in a couple of different cars myself? It certainly never felt like what I expected a 170HP Focus should.yonex said:
I guess after the DC2 it felt flat, there wasn't anything actually 'wrong' with it but I don't think the Zetec is a very sweet lump having experienced it in a couple of different cars myself? It certainly never felt like what I expected a 170HP Focus should.
I see what you're saying, and after driving my cousin's Prelude 2.2 VTEC the Zetec lump certainly isn't as refined as the/a Honda's, especially at high revs. My one was quite a good example (even if I say so myself 
) and I know there are quite a few that don't perform as they should, especially the earlier models. I think Ford offered an ECU software upgrade for these particular examples.yonex said:
I guess after the DC2 it felt flat, there wasn't anything actually 'wrong' with it but I don't think the Zetec is a very sweet lump having experienced it in a couple of different cars myself? It certainly never felt like what I expected a 170HP Focus should.
This is something that concerns me, I currently drive a Civic VTi which uses a detuned version of the DC2 lump, that loves to rev. I know the Focus handles beautifully and it looks stunning, but the powerplant does concern. I've been spoilt 
Have you say in one before?
Driving position is terrible, I certainly wouldn't want to track one!
As for handling, yes they are keen to turn in and you can place them quite well too, very 'neutral' on the limit (predictable on wet roundabouts) just failed to really excite me.
Bargain cars but they feel it, I'd rather something older / more interesting personally...
Driving position is terrible, I certainly wouldn't want to track one!
As for handling, yes they are keen to turn in and you can place them quite well too, very 'neutral' on the limit (predictable on wet roundabouts) just failed to really excite me.
Bargain cars but they feel it, I'd rather something older / more interesting personally...
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