Ford Focus ST ecu remapping
Discussion
Well it's quite simple really - once you copy something, then you can see what's been changed by comparing it to the original, and then you know what to modify for any further custom work required. The fact remains that RICA developed the software for the S40 and V50 T5 back in 2004, and then on the Ford Focus ST225 back in Novemeber 2005 before the car was even available for sale in the UK. That's why RICA launched the Focus ST225 upgrades at the Autosport in Jan 2006, whereas Superchips did not have anything available yet (apart from the copied RICA softwaree). The Focus which was used for the development at the time was Puma Build's own ST225, which then went straight to Superchips once it had the RICA software installed.
trackcar said:
marcellus said:
trackcar - so let me guess;
> £1500 - blufin, Exhaust and Intercooler
> £4500 - Wolf
> £1500 - blufin, Exhaust and Intercooler
> £4500 - Wolf
No idea what firms were involved, i just ran the cars back to back. I've been reading the stoc forums since though to try and find out about the focus tuning.
From a conversation I had with one of the bods round here, changing the exhaust downpipe and cat should help, along with some induction mods and relocating the dump valve...
Podie - true the standard exhaust is very restrictive.....in a non scientific way I've seen a non std cat back exhaust getting to mid 230s and then when coupled with a remap take it upto about the mid/late 260's...the only real issue with working out all the permutations is that the intercooler is too small and the ACT suffers on an RR so the power is then restricted after/during the 2nd run depending on how long it took to make the esp/abd to admit defeat!!
I would (with many others I know of) would be interested to put the ST225 through an RR in various states of modification to see the benefit.
At the moment I'm wondering how restrictive the std cat is and what the benefits might be of a sports cat or decat - any views?
I would (with many others I know of) would be interested to put the ST225 through an RR in various states of modification to see the benefit.
At the moment I'm wondering how restrictive the std cat is and what the benefits might be of a sports cat or decat - any views?
marcellus said:
Podie - true the standard exhaust is very restrictive.....in a non scientific way I've seen a non std cat back exhaust getting to mid 230s and then when coupled with a remap take it upto about the mid/late 260's...the only real issue with working out all the permutations is that the intercooler is too small and the ACT suffers on an RR so the power is then restricted after/during the 2nd run depending on how long it took to make the esp/abd to admit defeat!!
I would (with many others I know of) would be interested to put the ST225 through an RR in various states of modification to see the benefit.
At the moment I'm wondering how restrictive the std cat is and what the benefits might be of a sports cat or decat - any views?
I would (with many others I know of) would be interested to put the ST225 through an RR in various states of modification to see the benefit.
At the moment I'm wondering how restrictive the std cat is and what the benefits might be of a sports cat or decat - any views?
From the guys I spoke with, the indication was that a FULL exhaust system and sports cat would see benefits in the longer term (ie with further tuning).
The intercooler is the bottleneck in the system though...
marcellus said:
Podie said:
The intercooler is the bottleneck in the system though...
Surely that's only so when the temperature rises??
From what I've been told the standard intercooler is barely up to the job, so if you want to follow the tuning path, then you need to uprate the intercooler.
I can tell you that the standard intercooler is fine. It's the cooling fans on most rolling roads that aren't up to the job of allowing the intercooler to work efficiently.
Sports cat downpipe with custom software will give you another 20 bhp or so.
Sports cat downpipe with custom software will give you another 20 bhp or so.
Edited by theponce on Wednesday 3rd January 15:05
a RICA remap seems the way to go, although I would get it done somewhere that has a rolling road to make sure its running ok afterwards.
Id never buy anothing from superchips purely because they make false claims on their site. When questioned, you never get a response. I am specific referring to the figuyes they quote for a celica GT4 chip, they claim an increase of 40 or so BHP when (having owned 2) I know for a fact this is impossible. In affect all the superchip does for the GT4 is act as a fuel cut defender, allowing much higher boost but does little else. I dont trust them, at all.
Im guessing that the turbo will be the limiting factor on the ST. I cant imagine it runs much boost in stock form given the figures. Therefore, the turbo is probably not spec'd to cope with much more.
Id never buy anothing from superchips purely because they make false claims on their site. When questioned, you never get a response. I am specific referring to the figuyes they quote for a celica GT4 chip, they claim an increase of 40 or so BHP when (having owned 2) I know for a fact this is impossible. In affect all the superchip does for the GT4 is act as a fuel cut defender, allowing much higher boost but does little else. I dont trust them, at all.
Im guessing that the turbo will be the limiting factor on the ST. I cant imagine it runs much boost in stock form given the figures. Therefore, the turbo is probably not spec'd to cope with much more.
I think the turbo is a KKK version? and the Wolf conversion uses a larger one in the range? The guys Ive been chatting to all say the stock intercooler is one of the first things to change though ...
Interestingly both cars I tested had multiple runs on the dyno and were sporting aftermarket intercoolers and the runs were all to within a hp or two of each other indicating to me the aftermarket intercoolers were working well with the dyno fan i use ..
Interestingly both cars I tested had multiple runs on the dyno and were sporting aftermarket intercoolers and the runs were all to within a hp or two of each other indicating to me the aftermarket intercoolers were working well with the dyno fan i use ..
I think the truth is that most of the components of a std ST225 are what one would describe as "fit for purpose" the purpose being cost, CO2 emmisions and performance. Therefore, as soon as you try to develop the performance side of the equation mponents lose their "fit for purpose"!!
As Marcellus correctly says, the Volvo B5254T3 engine that the ST shares with the Volvo S40/V50 T5's is a low pressure, high compression engine. It has the widest bore of all 5 pot Volvo engines with most other internals from the current LPT Volvo engines. The two main problem areas for those seeking higher outputs are its weak block, rods and pistons and the very limited effective output of its tiny KKK turbo.
The other area is that of the ME9 ECU shared with both Volvo and Ford cars. Despite earlier suggestion of rival 'chiptuners' nicking each others maps, that suggestion is a bit weak as the software written by Volvo's engineers in Gothenburg is totally different to that written in Dunton for the ST. It is my understanding that furthermore Ford have used much more of the encryption facilities available to them than have their colleagues in Gothenburg.
The other question to be asked by prospective buyers of software for either brand is 'how do you effect the software change?'; through the OBD socket, by plugging directly into the ECU, or by opening the ECU and removing the 'chip'. The answer to this question will tell exactly how much expertise and knowledge your prospective supplier really has in relation to current ECU technology.
Regards, Don.Norchi.
www.kalmar-union.com
The other area is that of the ME9 ECU shared with both Volvo and Ford cars. Despite earlier suggestion of rival 'chiptuners' nicking each others maps, that suggestion is a bit weak as the software written by Volvo's engineers in Gothenburg is totally different to that written in Dunton for the ST. It is my understanding that furthermore Ford have used much more of the encryption facilities available to them than have their colleagues in Gothenburg.
The other question to be asked by prospective buyers of software for either brand is 'how do you effect the software change?'; through the OBD socket, by plugging directly into the ECU, or by opening the ECU and removing the 'chip'. The answer to this question will tell exactly how much expertise and knowledge your prospective supplier really has in relation to current ECU technology.
Regards, Don.Norchi.
www.kalmar-union.com
Edited by don kalmar union on Thursday 4th January 10:12
don kalmar union said:
The other area is that of the ME9 ECU shared with both Volvo and Ford cars. Despite earlier suggestion of rival 'chiptuners' nicking each others maps, that suggestion is a bit weak as the software written by Volvo's engineers in Gothenburg is totally different to that written in Dunton for the ST. It is my understanding that furthermore Ford have used much more of the encryption facilities available to them than have their colleagues in Gothenburg.
The other question to be asked by prospective buyers of software for either brand is 'how do you effect the software change?'; through the OBD socket, by plugging directly into the ECU, or by opening the ECU and removing the 'chip'. The answer to this question will tell exactly how much expertise and knowledge your prospective supplier really has in relation to current ECU technology.
The other question to be asked by prospective buyers of software for either brand is 'how do you effect the software change?'; through the OBD socket, by plugging directly into the ECU, or by opening the ECU and removing the 'chip'. The answer to this question will tell exactly how much expertise and knowledge your prospective supplier really has in relation to current ECU technology.
Well, this shows your lack of understanding!!! There is no chip on this ECU to remove in the old fashion sense. This ECU is programmed via the OBD2 port. Also, although the software is different on the Ford, it can still be copied (using the correct tools) and compared to and original file, so your suggestion that these copy claims are weak, are themselves weak and yet again due to a lack of knowledge and understanding. You state that "it is my understanding that furthermore Ford have used much more of the encryption facilities available to them than have their colleagues in Gothenburg", so it appears that you don't know because you haven't actually "seen" the software. You are merely going on what you have been told by someone, I presume.
Edited by theponce on Thursday 4th January 11:36
damian s said:
agreed, but a lot of people dont tune things properly. even tuning companies dont always get it right. it just seems that trying to squeeze power out of a high compression engine running a small turbo will be a recipy for detonation.
It is, hence why you are limited to what you can achieve on the stock hardware on standard pump fuel. Shell V power works great on this engine when tuned.
The ECU will retard ignition when knock is detected, but a well tuned engine on high grade fuel shouldn't be knocking anyway. So unless you remove this safety feature (a very silly thing to do) the engine should run safe and reliably.
trackcar said:
marcellus said:
trackcar - so let me guess;
> £1500 - blufin, Exhaust and Intercooler
> £4500 - Wolf
> £1500 - blufin, Exhaust and Intercooler
> £4500 - Wolf
No idea what firms were involved, i just ran the cars back to back. I've been reading the stoc forums since though to try and find out about the focus tuning.
My guess was correct Rick - wolf, keenan - blufin, exhuast & intercooler.
trackcar - what's your view on getting the esp 100% disabled for the RR?
marcellus said:
trackcar said:
marcellus said:
trackcar - so let me guess;
> £1500 - blufin, Exhaust and Intercooler
> £4500 - Wolf
> £1500 - blufin, Exhaust and Intercooler
> £4500 - Wolf
No idea what firms were involved, i just ran the cars back to back. I've been reading the stoc forums since though to try and find out about the focus tuning.
My guess was correct Rick - wolf, keenan - blufin, exhuast & intercooler.
trackcar - what's your view on getting the esp 100% disabled for the RR?
I just did the steady speed in 1st and 2nd gears on the dyno till the esp showed a fault .. are there other tricks to employ?
Gassing Station | Ford | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff