Discussion
Hi, having just sold my Lotus Elise and in the process of selling my Honda Accord estate, I now have money freed up and looking seriously at an ST to be the family wagon and a play toy. Therefore I will be looking at a bit of fettling to get a bit more from the car. There are plenty of maps and tuning packages available and happy to travel to get the best one. I am looking at about 280 bhp as a figure. I am a bit confused that some kits have replacement intercoolers and some don't etc. Also considering an exhaust. Some don't change the standard cat back system. is this good enough or does the Milltek/ mongoose or whatever not actually add anything other than noise and pops.
Is there any particular package anyone can recommend to give me a headstart on this?
Cheers
Is there any particular package anyone can recommend to give me a headstart on this?
Cheers
Definitely join the FocusSTOC.....best source of all things ST related. Generally to get 280 bhp you will be looking at a map of some description, an intercooler, and new induction and or a de-cat and down pipe.
As a comparison im running a DreamScience map, intercooler, Dreamscience induction kit, and cat back exhaust and on the last rolling road i got 296bhp and 350 lb/ft torque.
But the choices are endless depending on your budget.
Good luck
As a comparison im running a DreamScience map, intercooler, Dreamscience induction kit, and cat back exhaust and on the last rolling road i got 296bhp and 350 lb/ft torque.
But the choices are endless depending on your budget.
Good luck
If it was my money I'd go for the Mountune kit, its unreal. Gives the car a lovely pop too! The power delivery is ultra smooth and, customer feedback shows it returns better fuel consumption. We had an ST in with circa 280BHP and it was shocking, the drive was so nasty and power was delivered in one lump. True, you may not keep up with the 300BHP ST's but on a long journey with your family you will be comfy and will still get 28-30MPG.
Go with the Mountune 260 kit, it keeps your Ford warranty and you get 12 month/12'500 mile warranty with it - can't go wrong!
Go with the Mountune 260 kit, it keeps your Ford warranty and you get 12 month/12'500 mile warranty with it - can't go wrong!
Hi.
Ive had a facelift 3dr ST3 from new since july 2008 and its not put a foot wrong in nearly 34000 miles. I had it mountuned after 4000 miles and i cannot recommend this enough. The power delivery and the extra torque makes it the car it should have been from the factory, and ive also fitted the mountune catback which looks great and sounds amazing (its basically a Miltek unit rebadged) and another must have are a set of Eibach lowering springs. The standard suspension can be a bit soft and gives too much body roll, but the eibachs lower the car by about 30mm and stiffen it up to make the car ride very well, not too crashy or hard, just perfect.
Ive done a lot of trackdays and been around the nurburgring about 25 times in it, its great. (vids on youtube, type in RESTELL to see my channel) One upgrade you will definately require if you want to do this kind of thing are braided metal brake hoses from Goodridge and DOT5.1 fluid. I suffered from brake fade fairly quickly before these mods, and have not since. Also the standard ford intercooler is pathetic, so an upgraded Pro-Alloy one is a good move, which is a good case for the Mountune pack as it also includes one in the cost.
Whatever route you go, focusstoc.com is a good forum and is full on info on all options.
The ST is a great car, you wont regret it!
Ross
Ive had a facelift 3dr ST3 from new since july 2008 and its not put a foot wrong in nearly 34000 miles. I had it mountuned after 4000 miles and i cannot recommend this enough. The power delivery and the extra torque makes it the car it should have been from the factory, and ive also fitted the mountune catback which looks great and sounds amazing (its basically a Miltek unit rebadged) and another must have are a set of Eibach lowering springs. The standard suspension can be a bit soft and gives too much body roll, but the eibachs lower the car by about 30mm and stiffen it up to make the car ride very well, not too crashy or hard, just perfect.
Ive done a lot of trackdays and been around the nurburgring about 25 times in it, its great. (vids on youtube, type in RESTELL to see my channel) One upgrade you will definately require if you want to do this kind of thing are braided metal brake hoses from Goodridge and DOT5.1 fluid. I suffered from brake fade fairly quickly before these mods, and have not since. Also the standard ford intercooler is pathetic, so an upgraded Pro-Alloy one is a good move, which is a good case for the Mountune pack as it also includes one in the cost.
Whatever route you go, focusstoc.com is a good forum and is full on info on all options.
The ST is a great car, you wont regret it!
Ross
I am an X FST owner.. to answer your questions...
Remaps you have Code Red (wolf), Bluefin and Dreamscience (DS)
I had the DS and bluefin. The DS has the most maps but it killed my clutch due to the aggresive boost strategy on the race maps, Bluefin do a limited torque map which is more clutch friendly and still makes 260bhp on a stock ST. Watchout for 07 plate STs some have weak clutches (like mine)
Intercooler, is not strictly speaking needed by without it peak boost on the remaps won't hold long even in cooler weather, the stock intercooler can't cope with it.
The mountune package is a pricy remap and intercooler but has had very good revews and won't void the ford warrenty like the other stand alone remaps.
The downpipe/sports cat/exhaust combo gets you > 260bhp nearing 300bhp if your lucky. The ST turbo can't hold full boost at high RPM on a standard ST with a remap so the exhaust solution gives it an easier life and helps it generate more peak BHP.
PS the ST will feel like a barge compared to an elise
:-) but they are amazing cars, I miss mine!
Remaps you have Code Red (wolf), Bluefin and Dreamscience (DS)
I had the DS and bluefin. The DS has the most maps but it killed my clutch due to the aggresive boost strategy on the race maps, Bluefin do a limited torque map which is more clutch friendly and still makes 260bhp on a stock ST. Watchout for 07 plate STs some have weak clutches (like mine)
Intercooler, is not strictly speaking needed by without it peak boost on the remaps won't hold long even in cooler weather, the stock intercooler can't cope with it.
The mountune package is a pricy remap and intercooler but has had very good revews and won't void the ford warrenty like the other stand alone remaps.
The downpipe/sports cat/exhaust combo gets you > 260bhp nearing 300bhp if your lucky. The ST turbo can't hold full boost at high RPM on a standard ST with a remap so the exhaust solution gives it an easier life and helps it generate more peak BHP.
PS the ST will feel like a barge compared to an elise
:-) but they are amazing cars, I miss mine!
Hi
There are many companies offering tuning goodies for the ST - 280 to 300bhp is easy enough to get without breaking the bank.
Be wary of older versions around 07 plate, slipping clutch may become an issue also look out for water loss / emulsified oil in the filler cap - maybe signs of a split liner (not that uncommon in older ST's). There are many cars running around without the original engine fitted. Don't think theres been any issues on the 09 / 10 plate models (maybe someone can confirm this)
Main players are Profile Automotive Stockport, Dreamscience Hull, Mountune (warranty friendly option), Collins Congleton, Pumabuild Birmingham + many others.
Talk to them about your requirements then take your choice - good luck
There are many companies offering tuning goodies for the ST - 280 to 300bhp is easy enough to get without breaking the bank.
Be wary of older versions around 07 plate, slipping clutch may become an issue also look out for water loss / emulsified oil in the filler cap - maybe signs of a split liner (not that uncommon in older ST's). There are many cars running around without the original engine fitted. Don't think theres been any issues on the 09 / 10 plate models (maybe someone can confirm this)
Main players are Profile Automotive Stockport, Dreamscience Hull, Mountune (warranty friendly option), Collins Congleton, Pumabuild Birmingham + many others.
Talk to them about your requirements then take your choice - good luck
To bring this back to the top. I have just put a deposit down on an 07 ST 5dr at a local ford garage. Both owners were known to the dealer, all history of servicing done by them. Few paint chips on the bonnet, means it needs a paint, which is no bother as shows as being original and wheels need redoing. I have also asked them to put the Mountune kit and exhaust on it. So roll on a couple of weeks, while we wait for my current car PX to come out the body shop after a women reversed into it and we can pick the Focus up. We have a years warranty with it,so hopefully slippy clutches will be covered and no big deal if it does go,mates a mechanic with a workshops, so we can uprate it there................
Shame but the Ford dealer I am getting the car does not fit the Mountune kit, but no big hardship, they are taking it to a dealer that does, so plan is still on target. I am also getting the Eibach springs from pumaspeed as something to fit over Christmas, rather than looking at relatives you only see during the festive time , I will be in the garage. Can't wait...........
Well tomorrow is the big collection day...............cant wait. Its been all Mountuned up, other than the exhaust as they are on back order. The car has had its wheels redone and a full service and MOT,so we are maintenance free for a while hopefully as has a Ford years warranty too.........Roll on 12pm. i will post a piccie when I stop driving it at some point...............
Well, just got home and was a bit slippy out there, what with added BHP, the dealer fitting a new set of front tyres and frost and ice. Jumped up onto the M4 and flew the slip road. Very quick to pick up pace. Not sure if there was grip issues or clutch slip. I did ask the garage to see if the clutch was OK, just covering my ass. Can't take a piccie at the monet as the wife has taken it to Tescos for its first trolley ding.............aaarrrgghh
So impressed so far. My son has asked me not to accelerate too fast as 'his tummy goes funny' LOL.............
So impressed so far. My son has asked me not to accelerate too fast as 'his tummy goes funny' LOL.............
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