Fiesta ST conversion

[JulesB]

Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice before I spuff a load of money! Ive got a 1.4tdci Fiesta which im hoping to make look a bit less like something my nan would drive. The plan is to turn it into an ST replica, have not seen this done to a 5 door before so just wondering any problems I may encounter in regards to fitting the bumpers and spoiler. Im guessing they will fit but was hoping to double check fitment sizes, guessing fiesta parts are pretty much interchangable?

Beyond that the plan is to fit either a set of these - http://team-dynamics.com/wheeldetail.php?ProRace3 or the ST500 wheels (if I can find a set). Not a fan of the standard ST wheels, bit boring.

Also planning on having a stage 1 remap, apparantly this gives plenty of torque - anyone else had their fiesta remapped able to confirm?

No plans on uprating the breaks as yet, would like a disc conversion on the back, can anyone suggest anything?

Cheers for any responses in advance

[DanDC5]

Aren't the ST500 wheels just standard ST wheels painted black?

To be honest, for the money it would cost to be and the added insurance of all the mods, I'd save the cash and buy an ST. IMO the 5 door fiesta doesn't look all that great standard or modified.

[HustleRussell]

DanDC5 said:

Aren't the ST500 wheels just standard ST wheels painted black?

To be honest, for the money it would cost to be and the added insurance of all the mods, I'd save the cash and buy an ST. IMO the 5 door fiesta doesn't look all that great standard or modified.

Must agree, you'd look a berk with an ST-look fester with a TDCI soundtrack.

[JulesB]

Would prefer the real thing obviously but cant get reasonable insurance on them, would make for a unique car (I think).

As far as I am aware the ST and ST500 wheels are different.

[ashleyqprw12]

Another here to say don't do it, save your money, it's been done before and i wasn't a fan, Fiesta ST's are getting really affordable now, 4k would fetch a fairly nice example.

I got my 06 ST in June 2011, 4,600 average at 54k miles, prices are still falling, at 20 with 2yncb when i renew in 2 weeks im looking at 800 insurance

Then with the money you have saved by not doing a replica, go to mountune and get a 165, or the 185 upgrade like myself, fantastic stuff

ETA: To be more helpfull, you could buy the ST rear axle i assume and mount that to your Fiesta, ST500 wheels are standard but painted ford panther black, the body kit fitted and painted would cost 500gbp.

I really think your best off looking at the real thing

Edited by ashleyqprw12 on Monday 11th June 12:52

[anonymous-user]

JulesB said:

Would prefer the real thing obviously but cant get reasonable insurance on them, would make for a unique car (I think).

As far as I am aware the ST and ST500 wheels are different.

Get some quotes for the ST

Then get some realistic quotes for the work to make your car an inferior copy

I would wager they aren't too far apart

Plus don't be fooled into thinking that the mods will make the car worth more or even earn the money back, it wont happen

Get an ST, take the hit on the insurance but enjoy it

[JulesB]

Makes sense but whatever I buy I will be 'wasting' money on to make a bit different. Having worked in a bodyshop for two years painting/fitting is not a problem so costs should be minimal there.

Unfortunatley for me, like most others on here I cant help but spend money on my cars!

My mind is set on what im going to do, just hoping for responses to my queries instead of your oppinions on the upgrades

[JulesB]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Dont worry I dont think I will make my money back on the car, this bit is obvious.

[Podie]

JulesB said:

As far as I am aware the ST and ST500 wheels are different.

Nope. Same size, just painted black.

[JulesB]

Podie said:

Nope. Same size, just painted black.

Ok then, the ST wheels, sorry it is the Zetec S wheels I dont like

[anonymous-user]

JulesB said:

Makes sense but whatever I buy I will be 'wasting' money on to make a bit different. Having worked in a bodyshop for two years painting/fitting is not a problem so costs should be minimal there.

Unfortunatley for me, like most others on here I cant help but spend money on my cars!

My mind is set on what im going to do, just hoping for responses to my queries instead of your oppinions on the upgrades

OK just one more question and I will leave you to it and wish you luck

Have you spoken to your ins co about the mods and how much they will bump up your insurance?

The Remap should be ok they are only normally bothered if you are going +10% or more

But the kit will make it look like an ST, an ST is (I imagine) a highly sought after theif magnet so this may affect your policy

[JulesB]

Insurance on this car is not a problem with mods, dont worry about that bit

[anonymous-user]

JulesB said:

Insurance on this car is not a problem with mods, dont worry about that bit

I find that VERY surprising

Unless of course you aren't telling them, which would be very very foolish

[FlashBastd]

Have you considered just changing yours for a Zetec-S TDCi?

Insurance shouldn't be much more, ST bodykit, and a bit more power. If you don't like the wheels then get some ST ones, but would work out better value than modding a 5dr 1.4.

[JulesB]

Bloody hell its turning into a witch hunt already, I will still be covered fully comp with the mods, dont worry about that chaps. Try not to get too hung up on that but if you have any advice on the brakes or how well ST parts will fit to the car id appreciate it.

[FlashBastd]

AFAIK the bumpers are a straight swap. Not sure about the skirts.

Brakes should be a straight swap too.

[Podie]

currybum said:

JulesB said:

Insurance on this car is not a problem with mods, dont worry about that bit

It is, if you declare them.

What is the quote with all the mods declared?

If you are not planning to declare them then you may as well not buy insurance at all, as you will have the same level of cover if anything happens.

To be fair, it may not be an issue - whilst I'm probably older than the OP, my premium has not increased despite some mods.

[davepoth]

FlashBastd said:

AFAIK the bumpers are a straight swap. Not sure about the skirts.

Brakes should be a straight swap too.

If the ST was only 3 door the skirts will likely be the wrong length, so they may need to be lengthened. They seem fairly square in profile so it should be feasible if you have the skills to chop it in two and add in a section from another skirt.

On the insurance side, everyone should worry about modifications. Having been through it once or twice on a speculative level, I know that even declaring this level of modification can cause a very hefty bump to the policy depending on the underwriter. Make sure you have it in writing that they are entirely happy with what you are doing to the car before you assume that they're happy with it, because otherwise you will find that they won't be.

If you are intending to upgrade the brakes you need to look very carefully at the rest of the braking system - does it use a different ABS accumulator, for example, or is there any other difference in the brake plumbing to take account of the increased braking force in the rear? If you do a half-assed job on the conversion and crash it, your insurance will probably find a way out of covering you. Given you aren't making major mods to the engine, rear discs aren't really needed, so I'd give that a miss TBH since you won't get any benefit from the modification.

But I still think you've got the wrong car for this mod - if you can't afford (or afford to run) an ST, at least trade your current motor in for a 3 door 1.25 petrol so it can look and sound right, even if it doesn't go right.

[JulesB]

Prefer the 5 door for ease of use, fed up of 3 doors plus there is not massive difference between the 1.4 + 1.6 zetec, especially when mapped. Have a friend of a friend who runs a fiesta breakers yard so parts should come cheap enough (fingers crossed).

[JulesB]

Again, it does go well with the remap, not looking for massive performance, it is a fiesta after all. Not looking to change the car so these suggestions are not helpful

Edited by JulesB on Monday 11th June 14:01