[Jimmeh]

Hi all, so 2 weeks ago now I purchased my modified 06 plate Focus ST from member @Timmac (a great guy who really helped with all my queries regarding the sale). I've just ticked over 58k and want to see this car go to 100k+ under my ownership and maintenance. Therefore, I want to get some suggestions on where to start in future proofing my car/bringing everything up to the best it can be (not literally bullet proofing).

Mods wise, I absolutely love it as it currently stands. It has had a lot of time, effort and money to bring it up to the current spec, which includes:

· Block Mod

· RS Clutch

· JamSport320 Remap

· Cobra 3" downpipe

· Blueflame 200 cell sports cat

· Blueflame 3" cat-back

· RS air intake with Pipercross filter

· RS injectors

· RS spark plugs

· Powerflex lower engine mount bushing

· RS oil breather

· Eibach lowering springs

· Polybushed front wishbones

· RS style 18' black alloys

· RS bonnet vents

· RS parts rear diffuser

· Zunsport upper & lower grilles

My only future mod plans are to add:

· Gas bonnet struts

· Rear window tints

· Uprated brake discs & pads

· Braided brake lines

· Wheel spacers?

· Possible remap refresh some point down the line (thinking CP320)

So maintenance, preventative measures wise, my ideas so far are:

· Engine bay detail & replace rusted bolts

· Full detail/paint enhancement & stone chip correction (currently some quite bad ones on front lip and bonnet) - best way to do this?

· Seal any rusted/potential rusting areas (eg, under bonnet vents)

· Regular servicing - what are the common areas/fluids etc to be missed?

Please help me out by recommending areas to look at/preventative measures I can take to keep this car running like a dream. Perhaps waxoyl treatment, key components to replace in advance etc.

Look forward to all of your input.

Cheers!

 

[Darren Bowen]

I've applied a clear vinyl protection strip over bonnet lip as this gets battered , use ford genuine performance blue and do it yourself , as for fluids people often forget brake fluid , I'm gonna use http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-894-motul-rbf-600-factory-line-racing-fully-synthetic-dot-4-brake-fluid-rbf600.aspx as its better than dot 5.1

I also did bonnet vents myself with for genuine , u wouldn't know they weren't original

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120782474239

 

[scottyfocus]

Suspension re-build/re-fresh would be in my plans. These things get 'wallowy' :s as hell after a while and looking at your spec list you could probably do with some uprated dampers.

Actually i suppose that's not really an answer to what your asking. But it will improve the feel of the car a lot.

 

[Blazebro]

Bigger rad/RS rad and RS oil cooler will help to keep temps down.

Fully polybush the suspension components.

 

[Darren Bowen]

Don't bother with rs rad , they rot out , get a direnza alloy one as its all alloy so won't fail as easily

 

[Blazebro]

They don't rot out. What happens is the ends can blow because they're crimped. My ST rad lasted 10yrs before it blew, so I'm not overly bothered if it goes again.

I would suggest not to bother with a Direnza as they blow fairly easily. They're just like they're intercoolers, cheap ****.

The only person I know who can compare is Jamie Paterson. He's ran a few different types and the one which controled temps the best was the RS rad.

If you knew who made it you'd understand why.

 

[WoodzyUK]

Get an airtec rad they're a cracking piece of kit. http://www.autospecialists.co.uk/AIRTEC-Focus-Mk2-ST225--RS300-50mm-core-all-alloy-radiator-upgrade-Product-1090.html

 

[Blazebro]

Get an airtec rad they're a cracking piece of kit. http://www.autospecialists.co.uk/AIRTEC-Focus-Mk2-ST225--RS300-50mm-core-all-alloy-radiator-upgrade-Product-1090.html

I'm unsure if they're that good. Someone needs to go out on track and monitor temps.

 

[StuH93]

A good future proof as well is to remove the rear bumper and clean up any rust on the rear wing, paint it and apply clear tape before it gets bad. The STs will rust there because the bumper wears through the paint 😢

 

[Jimmeh]

Thanks for all your responses so far. Please do keep them coming. Might help others too who want to ensure the longevity of their ST. I am absolutely loving it - the second and third gear pull and noise is so good!

 

[Timmac]

Hi James, glad to see you are enjoying the car so much. I had a RS oil cooler fitted by Jamsport the same time as they did the block mod.

 

[Darren Bowen]

They don't rot out. What happens is the ends can blow because they're crimped. My ST rad lasted 10yrs before it blew, so I'm not overly bothered if it goes again.

I would suggest not to bother with a Direnza as they blow fairly easily. They're just like they're intercoolers, cheap .

The only person I know who can compare is Jamie Paterson. He's ran a few different types and the one which controled temps the best was the RS rad.

If you knew who made it you'd understand why.

Been running a direnza rad for over a year now with no issues . I wouldn't touch the intercooler but the rad is all all alloy and would of been leak tested so the pressures it's subjected to aren't a lot tbh