ST220, to tamper or not to tamper?

[NLB]

OK, long time admirer of fast Fords here (for some odd reason...), who has recently abandoned the BMW fold to buy an ST220. It’s lovely! It is the “main” family transport (although we are lucky enough to be a three car family, so it doesn’t need to do everything – I've got a light old sportscar and Madame has a city car too), but also gets driven quite a lot by me on my own, quite hard. So, as with most of us car fans, I’ve started to wonder quite quickly if it could be even more lovely... Then the googling starts, and the credit card starts to twitch, and...

So, the brakes are fine, but do feel a bit soft – I’ve always stopped with no trouble, and they’re nicely progressive, but more braking ability and a more reassuring feel would be nice to have. Is a pad swap advisable, or is the ST225 (that’s the one, isn’t it..?) conversion the only real way to go?

When putting a few pics up, the comment was “nice – fit a decent exhaust, it transforms it!”. Miltek seems to be the kit of choice, but I am curious as to the nature of the “transformation”. Also, if I am going to tamper, does something like Pumaspeed’s ST250 upgrade make sense..? It seems quite reasonably priced, and although my ST was probably the most expensive 6 ½ year old Ford in the country when I bought it (immaculate, ultra-low mileage, perfect history; happy to pay top money for it...), the cost of the ST, plus the upgrade, plus brake tweaks would still make it half the price of the Jag I didn’t buy because I didn’t like it.

And finally – if I am going to tamper, then is Pumaspeed the place to go, or are there other recommendations? I’m in North London, but don’t mind travelling.

Or, should I accept that it is as how Ford built it, and lovely as it is, and just enjoy it..? All thoughts gratefully received.

[akita1]

Hi Mate,I am on my second ST220 an 06 plate in performance blue which I am led to believe has been fitted with the pumaspeed upgade and Milltek exhaust and to be honest the difference compared to my previous ST220 is negligable apart from the nice exhaust sound (not over the top )Whilst the car is comfortable has all the toys etc and I do enjoy it, I still lust after my previous car an e46 m3 so much so I think I might have to scratch the itch again!.This is just a personel think but looks wise I think the ST220 would benefit from lowering slightly and and upgrade to some 19" wheels as I think the standard wheels do not fill the arches enough.

[Podie]

The Focus ST225 front brake upgrade is worthwhile IMO. I had all four calipers (including the standard rears) refurbished with new pistons and seals, braided hoses and new discs and pads all round. Made a big difference, and the car hauls up very quickly, without being over assisted.

I worked with JP Exhausts (they do a lot of TVR stuff) for their ST220 exhaust (along with another PHer for the estate) and unlike the Milltek it follows the original design layout (the two pipes follow to the same point whereas the Milltek goes to a single pipe sooner). Whether it increases performance is a moot point, but it feels better, sounds great when giving it the beans and there is no boom when cruising. It also feels better at low revs.

My car came with a Bluefin, which I'm not convinced is worth the money. That said, I took it off (reseting to standard) for a day, and promptly put it back on.

I've driven a car with the Quaife ATB, and that REALLY transforms the car, but I can't justify the £600-odd plus fitting.

[neiljohnson]

St220 benifits greatly from braided hoses performance wise they are normally over the stated 220 bhp stock anyway so the gains pumaspeed achieved are not as good as they look (they normally make 230bhp+ from what I've seen) the bluefin doesn't gain a lot of power overall but does improve the midrange quite a bit ironing out the flat spots, exhaust is worth it for the sound alone

[NLB]

Thanks chaps. I think I might see about a brake upgrade first - maybe just hoses and pads, and see what happens. Especially as the "weekend" car is due some expenditure (and is possibly going to be replaced by something much more expensive in every possible way, but that's another story). Brakes on the ST do work adequately, and do have some feel, but I would like a bit more bite when driving enthusiastically.

As to the performance, it really didn't disappoint on a "brisk" drive across the west midlands on Friday (on my way to see someone I wanted to see a great deal, and having been stuck in huge traffic on the M1, I was possibly a little enthusiastic at times - but it always got me past safely). The engine, and even the exhaust noise, really is good as standard, and I think I'll enjoy it as such, for a while anyway.

[Podie]

NLB said:

Thanks chaps. I think I might see about a brake upgrade first - maybe just hoses and pads, and see what happens. Especially as the "weekend" car is due some expenditure (and is possibly going to be replaced by something much more expensive in every possible way, but that's another story). Brakes on the ST do work adequately, and do have some feel, but I would like a bit more bite when driving enthusiastically.

As to the performance, it really didn't disappoint on a "brisk" drive across the west midlands on Friday (on my way to see someone I wanted to see a great deal, and having been stuck in huge traffic on the M1, I was possibly a little enthusiastic at times - but it always got me past safely). The engine, and even the exhaust noise, really is good as standard, and I think I'll enjoy it as such, for a while anyway.

Get the brakes cleaned up with some decent pads and braided hoses and they're pretty good.

I've found that the 220 is very sensitive to tyres and alignment - so worth getting it checked / setup.

This is the JP exhaust, as fitted to my car - http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/Podie77/ST2...

[NLB]

Podie said:

Get the brakes cleaned up with some decent pads and braided hoses and they're pretty good.

I've found that the 220 is very sensitive to tyres and alignment - so worth getting it checked / setup.

This is the JP exhaust, as fitted to my car - http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/Podie77/ST2...

Podie... I don't know whether to say "thanks" or "you complete %%"!*&!". That sounds sooo nice, and the figures look lovely too, and there was me thinking "oh just leave it alone...". Is that 252hp achieved with just the exhaust and the Bluefin..?

Hmmm... I shall have to see how the weekend car stuff works out, but I must admit to being tempted, very tempted. And it's all your fault! (for which, many thanks, by the way...).

[Podie]

NLB said:

Podie said:

Get the brakes cleaned up with some decent pads and braided hoses and they're pretty good.

I've found that the 220 is very sensitive to tyres and alignment - so worth getting it checked / setup.

This is the JP exhaust, as fitted to my car - http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/Podie77/ST2...

Podie... I don't know whether to say "thanks" or "you complete %%"!*&!". That sounds sooo nice, and the figures look lovely too, and there was me thinking "oh just leave it alone...". Is that 252hp achieved with just the exhaust and the Bluefin..?

Hmmm... I shall have to see how the weekend car stuff works out, but I must admit to being tempted, very tempted. And it's all your fault! (for which, many thanks, by the way...).

Never had my car on a rolling road.

JP wanted to do an exhaust for the ST220 saloon/hatch and estate, and another PHer got in touch with me and asked if I'd be interested.

I ran a few different iterations over several thousand miles, but rolling road comparisons were never done. The aim was to create a freer flowing system, with a growl under acceleration, but no boom at motorway speeds.

It FEELS freer, and sounds great, but at constant throttle there is no boom. It burbles at idle and low revs, but at high revs it really howls

If you happen to pass J16-18 on the M1, you're welcome to come for a spin.

[JPearson]

Podie said:

Never had my car on a rolling road.

JP wanted to do an exhaust for the ST220 saloon/hatch and estate, and another PHer got in touch with me and asked if I'd be interested.

I ran a few different iterations over several thousand miles, but rolling road comparisons were never done. The aim was to create a freer flowing system, with a growl under acceleration, but no boom at motorway speeds.

It FEELS freer, and sounds great, but at constant throttle there is no boom. It burbles at idle and low revs, but at high revs it really howls

If you happen to pass J16-18 on the M1, you're welcome to come for a spin.

Podie, have seen your ST about, looks like one of the better ones

Oh and NLB, YHM

[Podie]

JPearson said:

Podie, have seen your ST about, looks like one of the better ones

Thanks. Poor thing could do with a wash

[NLB]

Podie said:

Never had my car on a rolling road.

JP wanted to do an exhaust for the ST220 saloon/hatch and estate, and another PHer got in touch with me and asked if I'd be interested.

I ran a few different iterations over several thousand miles, but rolling road comparisons were never done. The aim was to create a freer flowing system, with a growl under acceleration, but no boom at motorway speeds.

It FEELS freer, and sounds great, but at constant throttle there is no boom. It burbles at idle and low revs, but at high revs it really howls

If you happen to pass J16-18 on the M1, you're welcome to come for a spin.

Many thanks for the offer, Podie, which I may yet take you up on. I shall have to see how things work out - Madame has proven unexpectedly strongly in favour of the not-wholly-seriously-suggested "new" weekend car, which we are off to see tomorrow, and if I go that way, well, the ST will have to remain standard in the immediate future shall we say. And a standard ST is a very pleasing thing, too, so I can't really complain...

[Podie]

No problem. Drop me a PM if you want to see what the difference is!

[Kidders]

Mild tweaks and enjoy. I've fitted a Milltek, still looks like new after two years. A dreamscience which is more aggressive than the Bluefin and worth finding, and a custom K&N set up. Its also lowered on Eibachs and has the Focus ST brakes.

Its a formidable tool on fast sweeping back roads and still exceptionally refined.

[monkeyra]

Best mod on my ST220 is the Quaife diff. Really helps grip out of the corners and on roundabouts.

[Magic919]

Someone needs to update his profile :-)

[monkeyra]

Lol, well spotted. :-)