Just got my Focus ST 2013 and have some questions

[Aussieguy]

Just got my Focus ST 2013 delivered from Melbourne and got it all registered today and its really nice, just a few little things I'm wanting to find out or get more info. Before this car I owned a Mazda 3 2010 Luxury 2010 and loved it, it was just getting on a bit in Ks and years and the Focus ST seemed like a good next step and so far, im glad I did.

1. Compared to my MPS the Focus is quicker in 1st and 2nd but seems to lack power in the mid range. I think the turbo was a lot better in my MPS, as 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th you felt the boost kick in way more. So would a custom tune or Dyno tune fix this issue, or improve the boost more in the mid range without changing any parts? I called a couple of places and a couple said they can dyno tune it and another said they have to unlock the ECU and you need to buy a licence and it opens up more things, but they didn't explain it properly. Anyone know the differences between the 2? A dynamic I got quoted $1000 and the other method with licence would cost about $1700.

2. My bonnet seems to have like a 3cm gap when it closes and hard to close also, is this normal?

3. I have pretty stocky legs and its so hard to get comfortable in these seats. In my MPS it had it had tilt seats, where the part your bum sits on, could tilt forwards or back to adjust the angle, there wouldnt be a way to do this in the ST would there?

4. Anyway for the car to autolock itself maybe by a secret setting at the dealer or something? So when you hop out of the car and take the keys out the car would lock itself.

Any info about these would be appreciated, thanks.

[DRU842]

1. Ford Europe appears to have a strategy of limiting torque in 1st and 2nd gear on their low-pressure turbo, performance models; particularly compared to the Japanese manufacturers. Suggest you look at https://www.cobbtuning.com for tuning options, parts & local dealers/tuners. If you are in Sydney I can recommend Croyden Racing at Smithfield.
2. This seems to be a large gap. Is there any evidence of a non-standard battery or some other part impeding the bonnet, either now or in the past? I've seen this happen when an oversized battery has been fitted in error.
3. Sorry only have experience with Recararos in our ST and there is no tilt adjustment.
4. Not that I'm aware but there may be a buried option that a dealer can access via Forescan.

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by DRU842

1. Ford Europe appears to have a strategy of limiting torque in 1st and 2nd gear on their low-pressure turbo, performance models

typically this is to protect the gearbox as often 1st and 2nd often aren't as strong. A tune would fix this but you risk picking bits of gearbox out of the engine bay

[Aussieguy]

I actually find 1st and 2nd good in the ST compared to my MPS, its 3rd, 4th and the mid range where I think it lacks. This would smash the MPS off take off but once the MPS hits 3rd and above, the power of the turbo really kicks in and was hoping a tune would be able to up the boost a little more for the ST?

Btw, ive never like Cobb Accessport so that's not a option for me. Its just ive seen way to many people that have owned this, to have many problems with their cars. When I owned the MPS, you would hear constant complaints from Cobb owners and ever with the ST by browsing the internet, it seems to be a Cobb problem. Least if I got a custom tune, I just get it and leave it and cant touch anything 🙂

[DFB FGXR6]

The Mazda 3 MPS with its larger 2.3 engine produced more torque (380 Nm) vs the Focus at 360 Nm.

From memory, Mazda did their best to tame the torque steer by limiting the grunt in first and second.

I'm guessing that would be why the 2.0 ST would feel a bit off in the taller gears compared to the MPS.

[Aussieguy]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The Mazda 3 MPS with its larger 2.3 engine produced more torque (380 Nm) vs the Focus at 360 Nm.

From memory, Mazda did their best to tame the torque steer by limiting the grunt in first and second.

I'm guessing that would be why the 2.0 ST would feel a bit off in the taller gears compared to the MPS.

Yeah, I got a tune done on my mps to remove the restriction Mazda put on 1st and 2nd, but still the ST feels quicker in those 2 gears, its the mid range where it lets the ST down IMO though and hoping a custom tune would help this with the ST.

I dont know, maybe the turbo of the ST is smaller then the MPS also, but still helping a tune can up the boost safely in it?

[MarkkyMark]

Originally Posted by simon varley

typically this is to protect the gearbox as often 1st and 2nd often aren't as strong. A tune would fix this but you risk picking bits of gearbox out of the engine bay

Yes true the syncros give out in these normally 1st and second as they are weaker, there is not a solid latch that comes off the gears but like a lug if that makes sense

[MarkkyMark]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

Just got my Focus ST 2013 delivered from Melbourne and got it all registered today and its really nice, just a few little things I'm wanting to find out or get more info. Before this car I owned a Mazda 3 2010 Luxury 2010 and loved it, it was just getting on a bit in Ks and years and the Focus ST seemed like a good next step and so far, im glad I did.

1. Compared to my MPS the Focus is quicker in 1st and 2nd but seems to lack power in the mid range. I think the turbo was a lot better in my MPS, as 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th you felt the boost kick in way more. So would a custom tune or Dyno tune fix this issue, or improve the boost more in the mid range without changing any parts? I called a couple of places and a couple said they can dyno tune it and another said they have to unlock the ECU and you need to buy a licence and it opens up more things, but they didn't explain it properly. Anyone know the differences between the 2? A dynamic I got quoted $1000 and the other method with licence would cost about $1700.


2. My bonnet seems to have like a 3cm gap when it closes and hard to close also, is this normal?

3. I have pretty stocky legs and its so hard to get comfortable in these seats. In my MPS it had it had tilt seats, where the part your bum sits on, could tilt forwards or back to adjust the angle, there wouldnt be a way to do this in the ST would there?

4. Anyway for the car to autolock itself maybe by a secret setting at the dealer or something? So when you hop out of the car and take the keys out the car would lock itself.

Any info about these would be appreciated, thanks.

#1 Be careful of the local places, quite a few do direct tuning to the ECU and leave as that and may not know what they are doing. (most get done via overseas)


Accesports are a great way to start.


Let me know what you need, i have pretty much done everything there is to mine



#2 this can be adjusted in the front, two little raisers



#3 most people complain about the RS, as they are much worst, i have stocky legs, but I suppose it is what youre used to



#4 yes this can be done via forscan, it is not done from factory, i have done it in my Mk3.5, auto lock