Buying a modified Focus ST

[mneame]

I'm looking at a modified Focus ST (stage 2). Aside from all of the usual car buying points to look for, is there anything in particular to look at with the ST?

Thanks,
Matt.

[Defcon5]

What does stage 2 entail?

[mneame]

Exhaust, intercooler, air intake and remap.

Thanks,
Matt.

[stargazer30]

Clutch!

not cheap to fix (was nearly £1K when I had mine) and the remap will have killed it. Avoid 07s they had the chocolate clutches. I had two of them and both of them the clutch failed with the more aggressive DS Race and Bluefin maps.

[simo2k2000]

Mine was 07 bought brand new. Mapped it after a year and hey presto - slipping clutch. 55-56 reg were ok as are the facelifts 08 onwards if I remember correctly

[mneame]

Must admit clutch is a concern. Are the STs like the diesel Mondeos in the sense that its likely the dmf will need to be replaced at the same time as the clutch plate?

[stargazer30]

mneame said:

Must admit clutch is a concern. Are the STs like the diesel Mondeos in the sense that its likely the dmf will need to be replaced at the same time as the clutch plate?

Yes as I remember they do have a DMF and it should be replaced the same time. Loads of info on STs here;
http://www.focusstoc.com/forums/

[simo2k2000]

Most replace with the Focus RS clutch and flywheel. It's about £700 from what I remember. Good chance to fit LSD at the same time

[Lurking Lawyer]

stargazer30 said:

Avoid 07s they had the chocolate clutches. I had two of them and both of them the clutch failed with the more aggressive DS Race and Bluefin maps.

After how long?

I'm doubtless tempting fate in a monumentally bad way here but my 07 ST2 has run the Dreamscience DSCi map pretty much since I bought it 4 1/2 years and around 53,000 miles ago. No signs of issues with the clutch as things stand, with 62,000 miles on the clock.

[budgie smuggler]

simo2k2000 said:

Most replace with the Focus RS clutch and flywheel. It's about £700 from what I remember. Good chance to fit LSD at the same time

The ST doesn't have an LSD then?

[ben_h100]

budgie smuggler said:

The ST doesn't have an LSD then?

Nope...

RS has one but not the ST.

[stargazer30]

Lurking Lawyer said:

After how long?

I'm doubtless tempting fate in a monumentally bad way here but my 07 ST2 has run the Dreamscience DSCi map pretty much since I bought it 4 1/2 years and around 53,000 miles ago. No signs of issues with the clutch as things stand, with 62,000 miles on the clock.

DSCi is one of the better ones. I had trouble with the Race/Race+ maps as the boost strategy was too aggressive and my clutch was one of the naff ones. Looks like you got a good one as on both my 07s it slipped as soon as the map went on. I ran Perf+ in the end but after a while even that started to show slip.

The easiest way to check is 6th gear 2000rpm and WOT. The clutch is the weakest link in 6th and the ST gives max torque lower down the RPM range. So if its going to slip it will under that test.

[Scottish Greg]

You can pick up a standard mk2 Focus RS clutch for about £350. This will cope easily with a stage2 car.

[AMST09]

Think for a mk2 RS I was told by SCC to expect about £1400 fitted

[JackP1]

Who was all the work done by? Is it buy one company like mountune or Revo or is it seperate mods and then a seperate company to map?

[mneame]

All checks out ok.

We couldn't agree on a price however so the search continues.

Cheers for the info though chaps. Useful for future potential purchases.

[liquidfox]

stargazer30 said:

The easiest way to check is 6th gear 2000rpm and WOT. The clutch is the weakest link in 6th and the ST gives max torque lower down the RPM range. So if its going to slip it will under that test.

Don't do this, the clutch will last longer. Use your gears instead of riding the torque on motorways and such and it'll last a heck of a lot longer.

RS Clutch + Flywheel is about £900-£1,000 fitted.

[Scottish Greg]

You dont need the RS flywheel.

mk2 Focus RS clutch fitted £680.

I would shop around!

[liquidfox]

Scottish Greg said:

You dont need the RS flywheel.

mk2 Focus RS clutch fitted £680.

I would shop around!

You should change it at the same time though, you can get the whole thing done for £750 at the likes of Pumabuild, so why skimp on £70 only to have to pay for another 4 hours labour further down the line?

[Scottish Greg]

Why do you have to change it?



Oh and a new RS flywheel from Ford is £500