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Converting ST to Automatic Transmission

55K views 173 replies 82 participants last post by  Jes T  
#1 ·
I could use 2 hands on the wheels with all the torque steer in my 2013 Focus ST!!! :haha::haha::wink::wink:

Does anyone know if a 6 speed Auto Trans from a 2013 Escape S FWD 2.5L 4 Cyl will bolt up?

When I run the part number it says its good for a 2.0L mid-range Ecoboost!? Will it handle the power of an ST?? Will I need to switch the ECU or will it just bolt up!?

2.5L Dual Over Head Cam PFI 4 Cyl Gas 6 Speed Auto Trans 6F Mid-Range 2.0L EcoBoost (240PS) - MI4
 
#78 ·
stuff like this is what makes this forum so much fun!
 
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#81 ·
Not taking any sides on the issue, BUT, I had 2 previous mk3 Foci with automatics.
One of the reasons I went to the ST is that the auto shifting was atrocious. It would constantly be going for top gear and would keep the revs low. Pickup was dismal when rolling at slow speeds.
Not sure how this would translate to a boosted motor.
The only possible saving grace would be shift button on the shifter, but even with that, the shifts were very lazy.
 
#84 ·
The auto in the new C7 is pretty amazing I hear.

Anyway, if you're up for spending this level of money, how about instead using it to figure out how to install AWD instead? That seems like it would be a much better use of your time and effort.
 
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#91 ·
i was considering this option also. i would convert my st automatic and hand it over to my wife and get the rs for myself. my st is almost paid off so it doesn't make sense for me to trade it in and loose all that money. as far as the parts i needed, i think the best route is a wrecked fusion with the ecoboost and swap parts....
 
#92 ·
Drive a N/A Focus with the DCT and I think you will change you mind regarding a potential swap. If the ST was available with a DCT on par with the Audi/VW DSG, then I would have considered forgoing the manual (due to my bad, old guy knees), but having driven a 2012 Ti on a regular basis, it's far from comparable to the VAG unit in terms of shift quality. I still commend Ford for developing their DCT and putting it in a mainstream vehicle line, but it's certainly not for a performance-oriented car like the ST.
 
#97 · (Edited)
Like I said I didn't get the parts vehicle a 2013 Escape FWD with fire damage interior and parts only title. I am not about to piece different parts together from Ebay to do a project like this. If I do this I want a complete donor car to swap everything over.

Anyways, haters need to realize that not everyone does most of their driving on a concrete interstate going 75MPH or touring around these romantic back roads and windy mountain passes. It's called stop and go traffic in a city with deteriorating roads.

There is way more to like about the ST than just the transmission. Styling, handling, interior etc

I had a Ti before this miss the backup camera and front and rear parking sensors.
 
#98 ·
OP, stop and go driving with a DCT can be hell.

Also, most autos that could possibly fit on to the engine would likely have a hard time keeping alive with all the torque this engine produces.

IMO, you want an auto, sell the ST and buy something with an auto. The money difference spent will absolutely be less than this project, not to mention the extreme value depreciation the car will suffer. An auto isn't an upgrade, it is a downgrade at least in the eyes of anybody you would later sell your car to or trade in.
 
#99 ·
i had a 2015 escape 1.6 turbo with the DCT...for a loaner from when my ST had the wiring recall done. i wanted to return it a mile after i left the dealer. it was kinda quick when flooring it (after the two second delay from foot-to-floor and the transmission downshifting), but the shifting was CRAP when in D and just driving normally. seriously the worst transmission ive ever experienced.
 
#100 ·
Having owned 3 high HP/TQ front drivers (97' GTP, 2005 GTP, 2008 LS4 GXP), the transverse mounted FWD autos don't live long when you get the TQ numbers up there. If the FoST had an inline vs transverse mounted engine, I would take one if I wanted to do nothing but 1/4 mile race. Manufacturers have been making inline slush boxes that can handle insane amounts of torque for a long time. Transverse mounted trannies + high torque = death. Can you say 4T65E? LOL
 
#112 ·
Save yourself some money and just buy whatever model Focus Hatch suites you and add ST front/rear bumper and Spoiler. You get the looks and auto transmission of your dreams. Plus what happens when you tear into a relatively new car and start cutting and splicing and tuning to get a auto, realize its not going to work/run out of time or money and end up with a non running new vehicle.

Rant-Im sorry if you can't or won't drive a manual, it is nice to have some vehicles purely manual transmissions. There are many many vehicles cars, trucks and suv's that i want but will not buy because they don't cime in s manual. I dont go on those forums and complain about not getting them in a manual or ask how hard it would be to swap it to a manual.
 
#113 ·
Loving all the negativity up in here. Say for instance somebody lost use of their left leg in combat or elsewhere, but fell in love with the look and driving characteristics of the ST. Judging by this thread, it would still be heresy to try and put some sort of auto in.

As for trying to actually answer the question, I can't imagine it would be cheap coming from either an Escape or Fusion. If you're interested in unique projects it may be worth a go, but if you're just trying to get a fun auto car, you may be better off starting with a platform that's already auto.
 
#115 · (Edited)
I'm not going to read the entire thread, but count me as one who thinks an auto ST would be interesting (not saying I'd buy it, just something worth considering.) I know I prefer the DSG GTI over the manual GTI - those of you that spend a lot of time in stop and go traffic - you know what I'm talking about.

I'm often in a world thinking that today's manual transmissions are most desired by kids/young adults (say 23 and under,) or those looking to have 'more fun' via the ability to rev and drop clutch. I'm not sure which one it is. Certainly the argument that you can 'choose your gear' with manual is null and void when comparing to a modern performance auto transmission that has manual shift gates. I can't say manual is necessarily more fun anymore. After driving some solid auto's - there's a strong argument that it's more fun to just slam the throttle whenever you want, no matter what situation you're in, and let the computer sort everything out (in much quicker fashion than you ever could) while you concentrate on seeing the face of the other guy in your rear view mirror.

I've literally had cases where someone is giving me flack on the road, and I don't 'take them on' because I know I'd need to downshift, and after a long stressful day at work, I'm just too danged tired and lazy to even bother downshifting. If I had an auto - I might give the guy a second thought lol.

Those of you that are poo-poo'ing the idea of auto here - be careful you're not comparing to your mom's traditional slush box. Drive something such as the dsg auto from the likes of VW before you post judgement.

I drive clutch for an entirely different reason. Fewer people can do it these days - so it makes the car a) harder to steal, b) fewer of your friends will ask to drive it and c) it somewhat adds to the 'cool factor' - despite the performance advantages of performance auto's listed above.
 
#119 ·
I'm not going to read the entire thread, but count me as one who thinks an auto ST would be interesting (not saying I'd buy it, just something worth considering.) I know I prefer the DSG GTI over the manual GTI - those of you that spend a lot of time in stop and go traffic - you know what I'm talking about.

I'm often in a world thinking that today's manual transmissions are most desired by kids/young adults (say 23 and under,) or those looking to have 'more fun' via the ability to rev and drop clutch. I'm not sure which one it is. Certainly the argument that you can 'choose your gear' with manual is null and void when comparing to a modern performance auto transmission that has manual shift gates. I can't say manual is necessarily more fun anymore. After driving some solid auto's - there's a strong argument that it's more fun to just slam the throttle whenever you want, no matter what situation you're in, and let the computer sort everything out (in much quicker fashion than you ever could) while you concentrate on seeing the face of the other guy in your rear view mirror.

I've literally had cases where someone is giving me flack on the road, and I don't 'take them on' because I know I'd need to downshift, and after a long stressful day at work, I'm just too danged tired and lazy to even bother downshifting. If I had an auto - I might give the guy a second thought lol.

Those of you that are poo-poo'ing the idea of auto here - be careful you're not comparing to your mom's traditional slush box. Drive something such as the dsg auto from the likes of VW before you post judgement.

I drive clutch for an entirely different reason. Fewer people can do it these days - so it makes the car a) harder to steal, b) fewer of your friends will ask to drive it and c) it somewhat adds to the 'cool factor' - despite the performance advantages of performance auto's listed above.
Yeah I drove a BMW 135i and it downshifts for me. I like being in control. Even in manual mode it downshifts. Again. Control issues.
 
#120 ·
While I dont care if you drive an auto or manual. I just dont see the point in wasting the amount of money it is going to cost and time to get this car to an auto. Why not just buy a car that already has the option? Also even if you get an auto tran in the car you dont know how well it will go. I personally would not touch it, but it isnt my car so I could give a ****.
 
#121 ·
He could have gotten a nicely loaded Fusion 2.0EB for around 28k(neg down to a better price) But then if the OP has access to salvage and free parts and labor it wouldn't be a waste. This thread has started just like @pmaltinsky thread did. People said rebuilding a wrecked ST was a waste of time and money and in the end he walked away with a loaded ST for around 10K(IIRC) after recouping funds from part outs. I say where's-the-faith ;)
 
#127 ·
6 pages in and I haven't seen anyone reply to your "MFT, stereo, cell phone" comment about using a manual. GET YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR PHONE, PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD AND DRIVE!
 
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