Am I Crazy?

"Garrett Davis" (GarrettDavis)
05/27/2014 at 12:01 • Filed to: None

Somehow my Focus ST isn't feeling quite as quick as I feel like it should. Not like mine is down on power or anything, but it just doesn't feel quite as batshit as it has been made out to be. After getting used to it, it feels almost tame — well besides the terrible wheel hop, which I need to fix regardless.

I'm debating whether or not to leave it stock, because from what I've read, a tune and some bolt-ons really wake this car up. Anyone on here modded theirs? Any thoughts? I don't really want to ask on the ST forums because I know exactly what kind of answers I'll get to that question.

Am I nuts? Or am I just a gearhead who always wants to improve his ride?

Focus ST police car for your time:

DISCUSSION (49)

lapartyst > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:02

check your clamps sometimes they become loose

Brian Silvestro > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:03

TIME FOR A NEW CAR

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:04

If you can get gains like TST has gotten on their FiST, I say go for it. I may be biased though, because I'm all for modifying cars to meet the desires and driving style/needs of the owner.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:04

I find my WRX to be a bit quiet. Everything could always use more power.

cazzyodo > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:04

It's funny, I kinda feel the same as you. The difference is that I probably drive a little more conservatively because 95% of my miles are local.

But you certainly get used to it...I got on the highway and hit a speed (that will not be posted here but you can guess) completely without realizing it.

Thankfully I can partake in a fun twisty road once in a while to mix things up.

CounterTorqueSteer > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:05

the only performance mod I have done is change the rear-motor mount to get rid of the wheel hop. DO IT NOW

CPT Speedbump > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:05

My 350Z feels slow to me, but I'll fix that by adding power :P

mr_gofast > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:07

top 5 ST tune nationwide

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/3/25…

Jayhawk Jake > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:08

You've just gotten used to it. Go find some fun roads to reignite the interest.

Definitely don't do what I've done and autocross a Cayman R then test drive a Mustang GT.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:08

I feel the exact same way. The first three weeks I had it, it was a mad, crazy machine with crazy power and torque steer; of course I was still learning to drive stick in that period so that makes some sense.

But now, even though I drive in Sport Mode all the time, it still feels rather tame and not as crazy as it was made out to be. The only mod I've done is the FRPP Exhaust and it sounds much better than stock.

next up for me is the FRPP cold air intake, which is really neat because it almost acts like a short ram without the K&N filter because it's located up in front and actually captures cold air. The two mods together will help turbo spool-up somewhat better than it is stock. If I've got money next year, I'll consider a tune.

I think you're like me, a gearhead who wants more from his car than stock. :)

dinobot666 > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:11

If you've never owned a car with a turbo before, then you'll be surprised to learn that summer blend fuels, and warmer air can hamper power delivery quite a bit.

Soloburrito > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
05/27/2014 at 12:16

Sucks Ford doesn't offer a Power Pack like they do with the Focus ST. Nice power bump and you retain your warranty.

Saracen > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:25

Skip all other tuners and go straight to Cobb.

Nothing > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:29

You're only a little crazy.

I bought my current project to keep from modifying my DD vehicles (even though I DD the Miata in the summer). Until now, I've done well at keeping my DD a vehicle that I didn't really care to mod. Now with the Focus, the bug has bit, albeit moderately. I don't want to get crazy. As soon as you start pushing too far, other things start to break. Thus, the Focus will remain stock (I think, a tune is soooo easy though) while I have things to do on the Miata.

With the Tundra, being so dynamically different from the Miata, I could never even begin to compare the 2 vehicles. Now, however, the Focus has made the Miata feel SLLLOOOOWWWW (acceleration). Maybe there's your answer...go drive a slow car, then get back in yours. Ha!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Soloburrito
05/27/2014 at 12:30

It really is. I mean the Mustang gets a performance pack, the Focus ST should be able to get get one from the factory!

Garrett Davis > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
05/27/2014 at 12:30

That exhaust sounds pretty good. I've been doing a ton of reading, and you should really pair those mods with a tune. Otherwise the computer just compensates for any changes and you don't end up with any real gain. Mighty Car Mods had a good video on this, actually.

This is pretty much how things go no with how computer controlled these engines are.

Garrett Davis > CounterTorqueSteer
05/27/2014 at 12:33

That is definitely happening regardless of any other mod. I just ordered a Focus Electric rear motor mount. That wheel hop is seriously terrible. I'm actually surprised they let it go out like that.

Garrett Davis > dinobot666
05/27/2014 at 12:35

I've driven it quite a bit in temperatures ranging from sub-50's (Fahrenheit) to over 100. It's actually been a lot more consistent than I expected.

Soloburrito > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
05/27/2014 at 12:35

Oh my bad, I thought you had a Fiesta ST. They do have a power pack like the Mustang for the Focus ST! It's quite a bit more expensive than the Mustang power pack though. Includes, exhaust, air filter and meaty tune.

http://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-racing-fr…

Bad Idea Hat > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:37

You're getting bored. It may be one of the best performance cars vs price available (if not the best?) but you're just getting bored with it. You're used to the car, it's not new and exciting. It's still the same exact car that you had when you bought it. It's just a mental thing.

It's kind of like having an amazing significant other, and growing bored with them. The person is probably still amazing, but the change is most likely with you.

The best remedy is to track it. That's like date and a hotel night for a married couple.

MPA > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:38

That's what happens when you get used to the power, and comfortable with a car.

My C6 - even though I just got on it getting on the highway a short bit ago - yes it's still fast, but it's no longer like "OMG OMG OMG OMG!"

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:38

Darn modern technology! Most of my Focus friends have some kind of tune on theirs except me; I'm untuned haha! I'll probably go the FRPP route so as to maintain the warranty.

Garrett Davis > Nothing
05/27/2014 at 12:38

Hahaha I actually just sold my 318ti, and driving them back to back made me panic about if the ti was down on power. No, it's just a dog, and the ST is effortless. I guess I've been spoiled with the modified stock cars that my family races. They are lightweight, powerful, and an absolute handful. Compared to those, the ST is like a summer cruiser.

Garrett Davis > cazzyodo
05/27/2014 at 12:40

The only time I flog it really is up freeway on ramps, and just short burst of power to get up to speed. Otherwise I stick to the speed limit, or not far over.

I do take it out into the twisties every so often, and that is one place where I feel like it's just about perfect where it is. Unfortunately that's not the kind of driving I really get to do unless I go out of my way to do so.

Garrett Davis > Jayhawk Jake
05/27/2014 at 12:43

Hahaha, yeah I've made that mistake before. I drove my buddy's modified WRX for about a week and then test drove a Mini Cooper S. It just felt... numb after that.

Garrett Davis > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
05/27/2014 at 12:45

That's what I'm leaning towards right now. I want to keep the warranty in tact as much as possible, but what companies like Cobb are offering is just too tempting...

Garrett Davis > Bad Idea Hat
05/27/2014 at 12:46

That's a good idea, actually.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:48

COBB.....better than FRPP but no warranty.. :(

Garrett Davis > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
05/27/2014 at 12:50

An exhaust, intake and tune will put you up close to 350 lbs of torque somehow and around 250-260 WHP. It's insane what a few small mods can do on these engines.

Garrett Davis > Saracen
05/27/2014 at 12:51

That's exactly what I've been thinking, but I might be leaning more towards Ford Racing parts just for the sake of my extended warranty. It's a bit more expensive, but gets some impressive numbers.

Garrett Davis > lapartyst
05/27/2014 at 12:53

Kinja'd!!!

They're on pretty tight. They don't even fall off when I'm walking around, though you can see them through my shirt.

cazzyodo > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 12:59

On ramps and passing lane. Love winding roads with the Recaros.

I may slowly add some things to it as a year of ownership comes up but who knows right now? It's all new to me so taking it slow...though mud flaps may be a good idea. I bumped my rear wheel well when washing it the other day and pebbles started to fall out.

CounterTorqueSteer > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 13:09

I used the electric mount as well.

Garrett Davis > CounterTorqueSteer
05/27/2014 at 13:14

How was the install? I watched a YouTube video that made it look stupidly easy, but who knows what they cut out to shorten it.

CounterTorqueSteer > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 13:17

it was very easy for me, but I had a technician helping me out and we had it on a lift. It took about 35 minutes

Garrett Davis > CounterTorqueSteer
05/27/2014 at 13:22

Cool, that sounds about right. How does it feel after swapping the mounts?

CounterTorqueSteer > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 13:24

Everything feels just a bit more responsive and the wheel hop is almost completely gone.

Garrett Davis > CounterTorqueSteer
05/27/2014 at 13:29

Perfect. I can't wait to get that switched out. How are you liking yours on the track? How do the brakes hold up?

ILLec > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
05/27/2014 at 14:27

There are a lot of limits to the frpp warranty. Read up on it before you decide to go that route. I was going to as well but with all the fine print im just going with a cobb ap.

ILLec > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 14:29

What year is yours? If you have a late built '14 then you already have the mount installed. If its older there is a tsb from Ford to get it replaced for free. So either way don't waste your money on the e-focus mount.

Rico > cazzyodo
05/27/2014 at 14:38

Lol why not post the speed? You can't retroactively get a speeding ticket from Oppo

cazzyodo > Rico
05/27/2014 at 14:41

Haha but I'm also pretty sure I'm the only person in a red ST south of Boston...paranoia sinks in quickly.

Garrett Davis > ILLec
05/27/2014 at 15:01

Mine is a 2014, but I don't think it has the stiffer mount because it has quite a lot of wheel hop as it is.

Do you know how I can check?

ILLec > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 15:04

They started coming from the factory sometime in August of '13. Mine is a '14 but was built 07/13 so mine had the old mount. Just made a appt with Ford to get the tsb done next week. TSB is 13-12-3

http://www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/vdirsnet/TSB/N…

ILLec > Garrett Davis
05/27/2014 at 15:09

Check the sticker on your inside driver door to see the build date.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ILLec
05/27/2014 at 15:19

I see. What more can you tell me on the subject?

ILLec > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
05/27/2014 at 15:41

First off there is a dollar limit to the warranty. $8K I believe, including labor, which doesn't even cover a new engine. Also the warranty doesn't add to yours so the max is 3yrs 36k from the purchase date regardless of when you installed the mods. There are so more stipulations but that's what I remember off the top of my head. Also the cob ap allows you to further tune while the procal doesnt.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ILLec
05/27/2014 at 15:55

I'll definitely look into Cobb then.

ILLec > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
05/27/2014 at 16:42

If you do, try to find one that has better ots maps on it. Such as freektune or Randy from Monutune. Or if you go the SCT route, Torrie from Unleashed.