[Reya]

Hi folks

This is a hybrid intro/looking-for-advice/build-log thread. I have just purchased my first performance car and whilst I have always held an interest in making things go faster, I have never been able to justify a decent chasis to get started with and thus have never dived in! Times have changed, I'm older now, more disposable income, have a company car as a daily driver.

So without further pre-amble, heres what I'm looking at

What? Focus ST, 2015 model, 19,000km on the clock, currently stock stock. Looking to improve performance and some minor aethetics. Committing roughly $10-15k all up. Costings are around 6k in performance parts, 4k in aesthetics, the rest will go into labour/misc costs, tuning, etc.

Who? I have a close friend who owns a mechanic shop and we'll be doing the installs together (under qualified supervision). As the thread title suggests, I'm pretty amateur but it's a journey I want to experience first hand.

When? Over the next 12 months.

Why? This car will be for track, not interested in drag racing. I have the house and wife sorted (lol, as sorted as they can ever be =P), everything else in life is under control, it's time to have a splash into something I can now afford to indulge in. Whilst the goal is a decent track car it needs to remain street legal for practicality reasons.

So to begin with, I have a metric tonne of questions! I have done alot of lurking in a number of forums but for someone getting started there's a veritable overload of information and it's hard to find the right answer, especially when alot of what is discussed is personal opinion =P

Anyway, I could just throw 10k at my mechanic and tell him to fix it, but this is a journey I want enjoy and experience, furthermore I doubt my mate has the wealth Focus specific advice that I would very much appreciate.

So, lets get into it, here's a rough plan I've garnered thus far from my research to date:

Injectors
Fuel Pump (i think the idea is to go to E85 fuel)
Intake w/cooling pipes
Full exhaust w/highflow cat
Intercooler
Blow off valve
Actuator
Turbo timer

Wider rims w/better tyres
Flared/rolled fenders
Coilover suspension
Better brakes

So first up, based on the suggested mods, how does our general strategy sound, what have we missed, any suggestions or things to be concious of?
I know there's a plethora of information in other threads but it's frankly a bit overwhelming lol, any advice or pointers (even directions to another thread!) would be deeply appreciated.

Cheers =)

 

[LockeLamora33]

I won't comment on the build parts etc... because I'm not the guy for that. I will comment as a noob. Doing these things yourself and learning about your vehicles first hand has been one of the best things I have started doing the past few years. Your knowledge, confidence and general feelings of usefulness really go up. Also when someone asks about your build you know exactly what is on it, how it went on and why you have it, which can lead to some great conversations. So good luck and I look forward to following your build along!

 

[AD_GUY]

I'm in exactly the same boat my good friend. (Male 40 yrs.)

So far I've been ticking off all the easy stuff.

And I'm not a mechanical or handy guy AT ALL. Im freakin' creative director. Apparently I'm supposed to collect vintage scotch and expensive art. I mean, I enjoy that stuff, but I've always wanted to tinker with my cars more. So the ST is kind of where I've been learning more about cars and actually wrenching on them.

It's been a nice experience and the sense of accomplishment on something you may not have the chops on is a good confidence boost!

Keep us posted! And welcome to the family!


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[Lead_Foot]

Hi folks

This is a hybrid intro/looking-for-advice/build-log thread. I have just purchased my first performance car and whilst I have always held an interest in making things go faster, I have never been able to justify a decent chasis to get started with and thus have never dived in! Times have changed, I'm older now, more disposable income, have a company car as a daily driver.

So without further pre-amble, heres what I'm looking at

What? Focus ST, 2015 model, 19,000km on the clock, currently stock stock. Looking to improve performance and some minor aethetics. Committing roughly $10-15k all up. Costings are around 6k in performance parts, 4k in aesthetics, the rest will go into labour/misc costs, tuning, etc.

Who? I have a close friend who owns a mechanic shop and we'll be doing the installs together (under qualified supervision). As the thread title suggests, I'm pretty amateur but it's a journey I want to experience first hand.

When? Over the next 12 months.

Why? This car will be for track, not interested in drag racing. I have the house and wife sorted (lol, as sorted as they can ever be =P), everything else in life is under control, it's time to have a splash into something I can now afford to indulge in. Whilst the goal is a decent track car it needs to remain street legal for practicality reasons.

So to begin with, I have a metric tonne of questions! I have done alot of lurking in a number of forums but for someone getting started there's a veritable overload of information and it's hard to find the right answer, especially when alot of what is discussed is personal opinion =P

Anyway, I could just throw 10k at my mechanic and tell him to fix it, but this is a journey I want enjoy and experience, furthermore I doubt my mate has the wealth Focus specific advice that I would very much appreciate.

So, lets get into it, here's a rough plan I've garnered thus far from my research to date:

Injectors
Fuel Pump (i think the idea is to go to E85 fuel)
Intake w/cooling pipes
Full exhaust w/highflow cat
Intercooler
Blow off valve
Actuator
Turbo timer

Injectors are unneeded from what I've read, as are fuel pumps.
Factory intake isn't that restrictive, especially if you aren't going big turbo. same with factory intercooler pipes.
i/c is a must have upgrade
BOV is personal preference, I want one

thats about as far as I can get into your parts list, the rest I do not know enough about.

except for
Wider rims w/better tyres
Flared/rolled fenders
Coilover suspension
Better brakes
those all look good

 

[kewing]

My $.02 So please take it as that. Everyone has their own preference and style. I wanted a stock look with go fast parts so I could do drag or autocross.

Decide what you want to do with your car then get parts to support that path. The ST can do a lot, but really shines in autocross.

Cobb AccessPort - A must for a tune. Whether you go with an "off-the-shelf" tune or pick a vendor and go custom.
Intercooler - A must because the stock one sucks. Doesn't matter which one as they are all pretty much based around the same core.
High flow down pipe - A must...you will see what I mean when you take the factory one off...YIKES.
Cat-back exhaust - Isn't really needed unless you want the sound. Factory one flows well.
Brake kit - Take your pick based off budget and needs(either big brake kit like Wilwood/Brembo or go with upgrade rotors like Stoptech, pads, brake lines and fluid)
Charge pipes - Not needed on factory turbo, but a great idea.
Big Turbo kit - Not needed, but you can have more fun!! Many kits to choose from. Do some research based off what you want out of your car. Some kits have the intake and downpipe included so if you are going to pick
a big turbo kit, do this first before spending money on other parts.
Blow-off valve - Really only needed with a big turbo unless you want "sound"

When it comes to aesthetics that will be up to you.

Made comments on your items below.

Injectors - Not needed unless you go built engine and big turbo.
Fuel Pump (i think the idea is to go to E85 fuel) - See above comment.
Intake w/cooling pipes - Great idea to go with your intercooler.
Full exhaust w/highflow cat - Is a cat needed in your state?? Emissions?? Otherwise go catless.
Intercooler - Many to choose from. I went with the lightweight CP-E and couldn't be happier.
Blow off valve -Really only needed for a big turbo as the stock has a bypass.
Actuator - Good idea to upgrade if the factory one has issues.
Turbo timer - Honestly haven't heard anyone on the forums install a turbo timer.

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask. Plenty of people on here willing to help.

 

[Nionetics]

Looking forward to your progress!

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[oVrKiLL]

Turbo timer - not needed with newer cars.

~Best of luck boss!

 

[Spencer_lee1993]

Id start with motor mounts. At least the rear motor mount, I've got a cpe stage 2 and love it. Other mounts definitely stiffen up the motor but prepare yourself for an increase in noise vibration and harshness

Brakes - look at the vellossa tech brake cooling package or just cut yourself some air deflector guides, I just use air deflector guides and they work wonders. Upgrading pads and fluids are a good idea

I've done intercooler and downpipe and both recommended, I haven't done a intake pipe yet, but i do have a green filter and it gives you more sound and also you can clean it and reuse it (same as Cobb filter)

Just my .02$


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[kewing]

Id start with motor mounts. At least the rear motor mount, I've got a cpe stage 2 and love it. Other mounts definitely stiffen up the motor but prepare yourself for an increase in noise vibration and harshness

Brakes - look at the vellossa tech brake cooling package or just cut yourself some air deflector guides, I just use air deflector guides and they work wonders. Upgrading pads and fluids are a good idea

I've done intercooler and downpipe and both recommended, I haven't done a intake pipe yet, but i do have a green filter and it gives you more sound and also you can clean it and reuse it (same as Cobb filter)

Just my .02$


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I second the motor mounts. At least start with the rear. CP-E makes amazing mounts!! Highly recommend them over anything else. Spend the money! Worth it!

 

[brian60]

I read the first few responses and was appalled that I didn't see RMM suggestions then they came at the end. Definitely upgrade your rear motor mount and maybe all of them since you want to track the car. Aside from RMM, Intercooler, Downpipe, and Tune that's all the main "difference makers." If you do too much to your car get one step colder plugs too! If you go big turbo go two steps colder.

 

[HDubs]

If you going to track the car, I would start with suspension/chassis modifications, tires, brakes and other cooling mods to prevent the car from overheating at the track.

 

[DanM]

If you wanted to track the car, imo the best mod is the driver mod. just get out there and get seat time.

 

[aaronc7]

What Dan said I agree with- seat time should be the priority, not what random part to get next, but I think some initial mods and some mods as you progress also make good sense.

I think your #1 enemy at the track is going to be HEAT. You will soon discover the reliable is key for track stuff. Cobb AP and intercooler are a must IMO. AP you can datalog and monitor the engine (even if you keep the stock tune loaded for track driving) and intercooler to keep the charge air temp down.. the stock intercooler does a terrible job at his. Next up is brakes... I would use the stock brakes until you find they are not giving you the performance that you want or are not cost effective. High temp DOT 4 fluid before your events is a must. Stock pads you'd probably survive your first time out, but quickly you'll be looking for some track pads. Many people think they need $$$$ BBK, but turns out stock setup with proper pads go a long way. Next up, especially if you're in a hot climate, look into an upgraded radiator and probably an oil cooler down the road-- you probably won't need these things initially until you get faster.

Separate set of wheels and tires is not a bad idea if you plan on running a track set and a street set. I also run 2 sets of brake pads. I tried running some compromise pads that were supposed to work on street and track, but they were quickly overworked on the track.....everything has a trade off.

I see the OP hasn't been back... but most of the other stuff on your list is useless from a performance/value standpoint.