My New Project - 310bhp Supercharged Focus ST170

[Big Will]

Well, after pulling the plug on the 500bhp Escort RS Turbo project and selling some bits i've funded a new project!

About 4 years ago i joined the Ford Focus Owners Club after buying a lowly 1.6 Zetec Focus. I attended my first show with it and got chatting to a chap called Ian with a brand new Focus ST170 in Panther Black with an EGR bodykit fitted to it - he had some great plans for improving the power...

Well, having stayed friends with Ian ever since i saw the car develop and evolve into a 310bhp Supercharged ST170 with 285 lb/ft of torque, OMEX management, coilovers, 6 pot brakes, Defi gauges, Nitrous and a host of other well chosen mods.

My initial plan was to sell my standard ST170 and some of the Escort project bits and get a Focus RS and take the power to around 350bhp and track prep it...

That plan changed when Ian offered his car to me and agreed to take my standard ST170 in part ex against his new one.

Job jobbed!

Quick Spec:

CNC Ported Cylinder Head
IASA Forged Pistons @ 9.5:1 CR
Saenz Forged Conrods
Powerworks Supercharger
Powerworks Big Boost Kit
OMEX700 ECU
Aquamist Water Injection
Wizards Of Nos Nitrous
Quaife ATB in Getrag 6 Speed Box
Wilwood 6 Pot Brakes
KW Coilovers
Defi Gauges

Picked the car up about 2 months ago and have done a few bits and bobs with it...

Booked on for Oulton Park on 8th October and Donington Park on 29th December, plan is to use those 2 days as shakedowns and then hopefully 2009 can be as reliable as possible!

I knew when i bought the car that there were a few faults such as oil leaks etc.

So jumped on those as soon as i could!










Car comes with proper brakes and suspension:


Arriving at Ford Fair:


Found the drivability of the car to be somewhat down on my expectations and i started to suspect the catalytic convertor to be at fault...

This was what i was met with!


Fitted this instead:




And with 300+bhp through the front wheels - an order with Martin @ Reyland was placed for these!



Sorted out the nitrous bits and mounted them in the glovebox:


Few pics of the car with my private plate transferred:








Decided the silver finish on the rocker cover was looking tired and so crackle blacked it:



Engine bay shot:



Fitted my Corbeau Pro Series Seat


And 6 point harness:


AEM wideband gauge:




And thats about it for now until i find more precious time to do more with it!

Edited by Big Will on Sunday 21st September 19:42

[CostieSR20]

Looks cool mate. Think the wheels really suit the car.

[psn]

Aha i knew ive seen this car before!

Mr Evilbat was the previous owner before right?

i remember going to a meet in northamptonshire and that was there

That thing was seriously quick

[Sim89]

Cool car mate. I shall see you at the Fast Ford trackday on the 8th

[Big Will]

Yes, Ian (Evilbat) was the previous owner

[Cooper1999]

Big Will, having owned one years ago I was really disappointed when you pulled the plug on the RS Turbo project, glad you're back with a new toy - I look forward to seeing how this ends up, Good Luck!

Oh, and how did you do the crackle finish - it looks smart!

[trackcar]

that bonnet is gorgeous!

[Big Will]

trackcar - it's not to everyones' taste, but it is exceptionally functional and for that reason alone it's staying

[rsstman]

nice car, not keen on the light brows though, morretes might look nice or a darker tinted headlight.

looks great fun.

[Chris77]

I was behind you briefly on saturday afternoon down past norcross, In the missus puma. car looks and sounds good

could make a good sleeper???

[Pulse]

Brilliant work has gone into the engine, but the exterior is horrid. Sorry. The trouble is, it looks like someone has just stuck loads of crap on the outside of a 1.4.

Maybe that's your idea though?

Edited by Pulse on Monday 22 September 15:15

[Don1]

Personally I'd lose the stickers, and get the alloys larger... but stunning thing by the look of it.

[hill79]

I expect its fast and lots of fun, but sorry, not a fan of the body kit at all.

[gareth.e]

Really dislike the body work... Body kit is horrible and personally I think you've done the stickers all wrong.. There's no need for so many of the motorsport development stickers (personally)

Also I really don't get the single bucket seat inside the car :s At least do both front seats else it looks very silly.. And where's the roll cage then?

Sorry if I'm slating you!

Two positive things though, the wheels look good and the engine sounds like it would be ace.

[paul26982]

as above posts, would have loved it it if was a standard looking st170, with standard alloys, love the st ones, maybe in a high gloss black, think the seat looks daft too

[Big Will]

gareth.e said:

Really dislike the body work... Body kit is horrible and personally I think you've done the stickers all wrong.. There's no need for so many of the motorsport development stickers (personally)

Also I really don't get the single bucket seat inside the car :s At least do both front seats else it looks very silly.. And where's the roll cage then?

Sorry if I'm slating you!

Two positive things though, the wheels look good and the engine sounds like it would be ace.

Bodywork - the kit, bonnet etc. were all on the car when i bought it... Not my personal choice but hey. For what i paid for the car, i'm sure the engine alone cost well in excess.

Single bucket seat - I have a track day coming up and i for one don't fancy falling out my seat mid corner

My plans are to indeed cage it, strip it etc. and another bucket seat will be fitted. However, as winter is looming (if not already here!) - then for now, i'll keep the standard passenger seat as it allows access to the back seats etc.

Stickers - love them or hate them really But as i work for Motorsport Developments i guess you could call the occasional time i spend on the car during work hours 'sponsorship'.

If you don't like it now - you'll really hate it when it gets the full vinyl wrap :P

[sniff diesel]

Could the induction kit be better placed?

[bingbong]

I have one of them, except mines not supercharged does look better though

[Big Will]

sniff diesel said:

Could the induction kit be better placed?

Potentially - but it would involve relocating the battery to inside the car and custom fabricating new pipework.

[Mark.H]

hows ownership treating you will? I know you bought it like that but for what its worth id put a carbon bonnet on, take the eyebrows off, and totally de-sticker it... it would look mean then!!! but i think you have your priorities right, sort the way it drives before you bother with the asthetics!