Ford Focus ST ecu remapping

Ford Focus ST ecu remapping

Author
Discussion

JezF

Original Poster:

326 posts

235 months

Monday 21st November 2005
quotequote all
I know the engine is Volvo, but does anyone know of a tuning company that might be doing something for the Focus ST? I have had a quick look around on search engines, but cannot find anything yet. Maybe too early?

I have driven one and also ordered the ST-3 if anyone wants an opinion...

Guess

94 posts

230 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2005
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Just heard that new Ford ecu software will prevent invisible "chipping" (like Bluefin) on the ST (and all other new Fords shortly). Watch out 'cos when the Bluefin codes are re-flashed, the entire ecu will close down and you will be stranded. And the warrantly will probably be invalidated too...

JezF

Original Poster:

326 posts

235 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2005
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Well that's a bit annoying if true. I'll keep my eyes peeled re any information, then. Thanks for that.

nightdriver

1,080 posts

233 months

Sunday 27th November 2005
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If you want to remap the ecu then get a mappable ecu! Then you can get you map set perfectly for your usage. Look at company's like Emerald, Lumenition, Omex etc. They should all be able to supply an ECU then you'll need to get it set up on a rolling road and then you'll be away.

zetec stuart

3 posts

228 months

Wednesday 30th November 2005
quotequote all
good news, puma build have just chipped their focus ST, and it pumps out 260bhp....

www.pumabuild.co.uk

JezF

Original Poster:

326 posts

235 months

Saturday 3rd December 2005
quotequote all
Thanks for the link. I know that Superchips are working on a remap via Bluefin.

I won't keep the car long, so certainly don't intend to change the ecu I have been told that it's cobblers that the ecu will cause problems if you reset to the original settings.

The cost of buying an Emerald(£500+), fitting it to the Focus wiring loom and then the cost of mapping (bound to me more than Dave's usual £200 charge as it's a turbo) makes it an expensive exercise. It's also ever so slightly noticable and I would expect would totally invalidate the manufacturers 3 year warranty.

>> Edited by JezF on Saturday 3rd December 13:24

Tripps

5,814 posts

279 months

Monday 5th December 2005
quotequote all
zetec stuart said:
good news, puma build have just chipped their focus ST, and it pumps out 260bhp....

www.pumabuild.co.uk
Reckon more than that will be possible, as the 1.8L VAG unit on my old Cupra-R pushed out the same 225bhp and could be tuned to above 260, so with .7L extra, 300bhp might be possible

Better order the ST2 to make sure I've got the traction control!

JezF

Original Poster:

326 posts

235 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
It's going to depend largely on the turbo they have used. Oh and whether the engine and gearbox are strong enough in standard trim. Looking at one Volvo tuning site, they take th V70 T5 to 310bhp and 430nm. Now we're talking!!

thetruemackie

8,165 posts

240 months

Sunday 18th December 2005
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My friend works for Superchips doing reverse engineering and they did the work on Alan at Pumabuild's ST.
There is likely more to come, I think they did the 260bhp job in one day without ever seeing an ST before
It uses a new type of Ford ECU but I think it's similar to that used on the Fiesta ST which they've cracked already.

I don't think I'd want more than that in a FWD car to be honest.

nords

1,031 posts

238 months

Sunday 18th December 2005
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The ST engine is a S/V50 5pot (2522cc) rather than V70 (2300cc? or new version 2500 or so cc?)

labman

7 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th December 2006
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My ST has been superchipped to about 260hp and is very well behaved. I recommend it.

oh behave

339 posts

232 months

Wednesday 20th December 2006
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Try Graham Goode Racing - I believe they do an ECU remap for the ST

marcellus

7,163 posts

226 months

Saturday 23rd December 2006
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The are several "remaps" available for the ST;
> Superchips (stage 1, 2 and 3)
> Alan at Puma Builds
> Graham Goode Racing
> Wolf

A company called "dreamScience" are also close to releasing theirs as well.

nords

1,031 posts

238 months

Sunday 31st December 2006
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Hi Marcellus (GSXRthou),

A quick plug for www.focusstoc.com, all you need to know about the Mk2 ST is on there. The need for intercoolers, induction systems, how no remapping is invisible (Ford can find out if you have had it on, if they try hard enough), warranty issues etc.

I have a bluefin on mine (which can have the std map replaced onto the engine via the handset you get with it) and it is a different engine! It pulls really strongly from 4K although the electronic torque limiting is still present in first and second (and probably third). It seems that mine pulls harder in fourth than it does in third. Over 12K miles, there is no difference in mpg either (half with, half without). Overall, bluefin makes the ST into the car it should have been from Ford. Money well spent.



Edited by nords on Sunday 31st December 04:03

trackcar

6,453 posts

233 months

Sunday 31st December 2006
quotequote all
I've just had 2 focus STs on my dyno .. One guy had spent 1500 pounds the other 4500 pounds. One guy left very pleased, the other slightly less so. Both made about 270bhp.

marcellus

7,163 posts

226 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2007
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trackcar - so let me guess;
> £1500 - blufin, Exhaust and Intercooler
> £4500 - Wolf

marcellus

7,163 posts

226 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2007
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nords said:
(GSXRthou),



GSX - nice to see you make things simple!!!

theponce

30 posts

216 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2007
quotequote all
thetruemackie said:
My friend works for Superchips doing reverse engineering and they did the work on Alan at Pumabuild's ST.
There is likely more to come, I think they did the 260bhp job in one day without ever seeing an ST before
It uses a new type of Ford ECU but I think it's similar to that used on the Fiesta ST which they've cracked already.

I don't think I'd want more than that in a FWD car to be honest.


Indeed, Superchips did copy an early version of RICA software by using Puma Build to steal it (this is 100% fact, and not just heresay), so there is little or no Superchips development in the tuning of this car at all except for the bluefin hardware. All of you with Superchips on your ST225 probably have an early version of RICA software, which is no surprise since RICA are the gurus of Volvo tuning. This also suggests that superchips don't actually understand how to tune cars, which is why they have to resort to copying.

trackcar

6,453 posts

233 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2007
quotequote all
marcellus said:
trackcar - so let me guess;
> £1500 - blufin, Exhaust and Intercooler
> £4500 - Wolf




No idea what firms were involved, i just ran the cars back to back. I've been reading the stoc forums since though to try and find out about the focus tuning.

marcellus

7,163 posts

226 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2007
quotequote all
theponce said:
thetruemackie said:
My friend works for Superchips doing reverse engineering and they did the work on Alan at Pumabuild's ST.
There is likely more to come, I think they did the 260bhp job in one day without ever seeing an ST before
It uses a new type of Ford ECU but I think it's similar to that used on the Fiesta ST which they've cracked already.

I don't think I'd want more than that in a FWD car to be honest.


Indeed, Superchips did copy an early version of RICA software by using Puma Build to steal it (this is 100% fact, and not just heresay), so there is little or no Superchips development in the tuning of this car at all except for the bluefin hardware. All of you with Superchips on your ST225 probably have an early version of RICA software, which is no surprise since RICA are the gurus of Volvo tuning. This also suggests that superchips don't actually understand how to tune cars, which is why they have to resort to copying.


Very interesting, how come jamie & co have several versions to download depending on what modifications the ST225 has and have since developed bespoke maps for GGR?