380bhp Fiesta ST 180
Discussion
Having sold all of my toys when my son was born seven years ago I have been researching what car I will buy and actually keep (I get bored easily).
Initially I wanted another R32 GTR with an RB30 block but I just can’t bring myself to pay current prices especially as I sold mine for £8k in parts and scrapped the shell...hindsight is a great thing.
After test driving a GR Yaris I decided it’s the car for me. However, I want a new one (if the opportunity ever arises) so I decided I need a comparable ish budget stop gap to learn the art of track days in as I have only ever done one.
After losing out on a nice R56 Mini Cooper (I can’t help but look at slightly ropey eBay bargains) I circled back round to a cat S well specced fiesta ST. It had everything I wanted bar the kw v3 coil overs, an lsd and a baffled sump but beggars can’t be choosers.
It was too far away for me to view but with some careful man maths I reasoned It was worth the risk even if the engine was knackered. So within a few hours a deal was done and transport booked. All I needed to do now was tell my wife who I was sure would take it well
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Given that it was only purchased as a short term bit of fun to thrash I didn’t expect to absolutely love it. It’s insane but in a fun way at sensible speeds ie a torque steering little monster with zero power before 4K rpm at which point it absolutely flys.
Ebay spec below but who knows what is and isn’t true:
- 3 stage live map and is running around 380 bhp
- The engine was fully forged at around 50K
- Forged rods and pistons
- ARP long stud bolts
- WRC head gasket
- Forge re circulation valve
- Full Mountune SS exhaust with new Powerflex mounts
- Garret GTX Turbo ( not sure which one )
- AP racing clutch built by pumaspeed
- Tubular manifold
- Pro Alloy intercooler
- AP racing 4 pots on the front
- J hook discs all round with ferodo pads
- Hel braided lines
- Pumaspeed full hard pipe kit
- ITG induction kit with (new) filter
- R Sport crossover
- Cold air feed
- H&R lowering springs
- Ray Gramlights (Calibre) Alloys
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 fitted to front as of 16/12/2021, back tyres have plenty of tread
- Recent engine rebuild at JAM-sport . So it has had all seals, gaskets and filters replaced, New timing belt and water pump, Honed cylinder bore, New head set, head refaced, spark plugs, the list goes on with all the bills and paperwork to back this up.
Issues/next steps:
It definitely needs mapping. It flys when in normal mode but when selecting esc off through the centre console it is not a happy bunny with smoke from the rear under load and hesitation so I quickly switched back to esc on and poodled home. Then last night when my wife took great pleasure in overtaking me I decided to play and catch up. All was good until I hit the Rev limiter (soft cut) at which point it was not a happy bunny and coughed and spluttered the last mile home.
The plan is to get it mapped next week. I am based in `Hertfordshire so AET and puma speed are out of the question as they are to far away. The short list is perfect touch or protune but any recommendations would be gratefully received.
Brakes - it pulls to the right when I brake really hard. I intend to fit kw v3 suspension and get it fully set up.
Oil leak - surprising given that it has a £3k refresh bill from last year but I intend to sort this tomorrow.
Once this is all sorted I want to track it and get tuition to really learn how to get the most out of the car.
Initially I wanted another R32 GTR with an RB30 block but I just can’t bring myself to pay current prices especially as I sold mine for £8k in parts and scrapped the shell...hindsight is a great thing.
After test driving a GR Yaris I decided it’s the car for me. However, I want a new one (if the opportunity ever arises) so I decided I need a comparable ish budget stop gap to learn the art of track days in as I have only ever done one.
After losing out on a nice R56 Mini Cooper (I can’t help but look at slightly ropey eBay bargains) I circled back round to a cat S well specced fiesta ST. It had everything I wanted bar the kw v3 coil overs, an lsd and a baffled sump but beggars can’t be choosers.
It was too far away for me to view but with some careful man maths I reasoned It was worth the risk even if the engine was knackered. So within a few hours a deal was done and transport booked. All I needed to do now was tell my wife who I was sure would take it well
[url][url]Given that it was only purchased as a short term bit of fun to thrash I didn’t expect to absolutely love it. It’s insane but in a fun way at sensible speeds ie a torque steering little monster with zero power before 4K rpm at which point it absolutely flys.
Ebay spec below but who knows what is and isn’t true:
- 3 stage live map and is running around 380 bhp
- The engine was fully forged at around 50K
- Forged rods and pistons
- ARP long stud bolts
- WRC head gasket
- Forge re circulation valve
- Full Mountune SS exhaust with new Powerflex mounts
- Garret GTX Turbo ( not sure which one )
- AP racing clutch built by pumaspeed
- Tubular manifold
- Pro Alloy intercooler
- AP racing 4 pots on the front
- J hook discs all round with ferodo pads
- Hel braided lines
- Pumaspeed full hard pipe kit
- ITG induction kit with (new) filter
- R Sport crossover
- Cold air feed
- H&R lowering springs
- Ray Gramlights (Calibre) Alloys
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 fitted to front as of 16/12/2021, back tyres have plenty of tread
- Recent engine rebuild at JAM-sport . So it has had all seals, gaskets and filters replaced, New timing belt and water pump, Honed cylinder bore, New head set, head refaced, spark plugs, the list goes on with all the bills and paperwork to back this up.
Issues/next steps:
It definitely needs mapping. It flys when in normal mode but when selecting esc off through the centre console it is not a happy bunny with smoke from the rear under load and hesitation so I quickly switched back to esc on and poodled home. Then last night when my wife took great pleasure in overtaking me I decided to play and catch up. All was good until I hit the Rev limiter (soft cut) at which point it was not a happy bunny and coughed and spluttered the last mile home.
The plan is to get it mapped next week. I am based in `Hertfordshire so AET and puma speed are out of the question as they are to far away. The short list is perfect touch or protune but any recommendations would be gratefully received.
Brakes - it pulls to the right when I brake really hard. I intend to fit kw v3 suspension and get it fully set up.
Oil leak - surprising given that it has a £3k refresh bill from last year but I intend to sort this tomorrow.
Once this is all sorted I want to track it and get tuition to really learn how to get the most out of the car.
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