Modding to 300bhp

niallu

So looking for some advice and possibly some other members of the motors forum have been through this before.

So the story goes....

Lately I've been thinking about getting a commuting motorbike (like a honda deauville or similar). This all came about with my office rumoured to be moving out of town, and at the moment, me and the missus share her car to go to work.

Now i've never driven a bike before (bar a mates scooter) and i've sat the theory test and received my provisional licence in anticipation but the boss at home isn't so happy about the idea.....danger and all that malarchy!!!

Right now I also have a focus ST (mk2 facelift). I paid quite abit for the car 18 months ago as it's mint with low mileage, but not sure if i can justify spending so much to keep it on the road and also buy a bike to spend 800/900 in insurance plus the outlay of protective equipment, training etc. As it stands I only cover about 6k km's per annum.

So then I got to thinking, if I dont get the bike, will i use some of the bike money to upgrade my current car.

At the moment, it's completely standard and i've been reading about possible modifications (such as mountune & pumaspeed reputable packages for the ST). It'll be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a bike, training, insurance & gear:

http://www.mountune.com/index.php/services/performance-upgrades/focus/focus-st-2005-2011

or

http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/product-Focus-ST-225-Power-Upgrade-295_343.jsp

Does anyone have experience of similar modifications?

Is it too much hassle to insure? (i'm 28 and paying 490 for fully comp and ability to drive other cars). If I go through a specialist insurance co, will i see this increase to double the amount?

Does it add any value? Modded cars were all the rage when i was growing up, now everyone (99%) wants a prius or a cheap diesel. Will such upgrades harm me selling it on in the future? If i was to upgrade the car, i'd keep it for as long as possible, but know when we were having kids / mortgage time we'd prob look to sell one of the cars....and i don't think i'd let the missus drive my car ha ha

So what are the views? Is it worth upgrading? Should i sell it sooner and get a bike?

Cheers,
Niall

Supergurrier

3 inch exhaust system (Mongoose/Miltek/Dreamscience)
Induction of some kind (Auto specialists/dreamscience)
Upgraded intercooler (airtec gen 3/radtec/roadsport)
Good quality remap (Dreamscience/bluefin/pumaspeed)

Maybe a 40 quid steel recirc valve off ebay as standard one is made from a coke bottle cap.

The money you put in you won't get back in reality and there are insurance pitfalls.

Also once you modidy an ST

Driveshafts struggle
Clutch starts to slip
Liners may crack
Oil diafragm may go wawa

Still a stage 3 ST is a fun car and tbh they have about bottomed out in terms of price, if you have 2 grand hanging around i would do it but don't expect to get it back

niallu

Cheers Supergurrier, I know you and a few more of the guys around here have an ST.

I know I'd never recoup any / much off the mod money back, but the car only has 37k kms on it now so would only do it if I was going to keep it for the next few years.

Other people may be put off (insurance etc wise)

Would you go down the route of picking and choosing individual parts like you listed above of just go for a pre made package from one of the tuners like I posted above.

I love cars...but have fook all confidence in understanding anything too techie / mechanical!

The engine is able for up to something like 430bhp, (can't think of the Volvo c30 version) but adding too much will defo require the upgraded RS clutch, which I'll have to budget for.

Have you made any mods to your own?

dar83

Where are you based? If you're in Dublin drop me a PM.

Edit: Not on my phone anymore and see you are in fact in Dublin. :P

Supergurrier

Mine has all of the above except proper induction.

As to buying bits shop around online to pick the best available as you will always pay a premium buying it all in one place.

Realistically ST engine us only good for high 300's as it stands because it doesn't have forged internals like the RS.

Standard turbo/engine = 330bhp or so
Hybrid turbo/standard engine = 370bhp or so
RS turbo/engine/sensors = 420bhp or so

ST's with RS engine and huge turbos and boost turned up have made 570bhp though.

Chimaera

I'd question the wisdom of putting that much power through a front wheel drive chassis. You're right up to the limit of what's usable. Torque steer is probably going to be a nightmare unless you invest in a fancy limited slip differential.

For insurance, phone around before you mod. Allianz cover my remap, and my friend had a remapped car covered by 123.ie. They'll want to see the mods documented and may require an engineer's report.

Mycroft H

Without a trick differential, I'd say you're pushing the boundaries of FWD power.

Supergurrier

It's not a trick differential, it's a Quaife differential

niallu

Cheers guys....i'll drop you a pm Supergurrier

Wouldn't mind checking out your motor sometime!

mik_da_man

Just to follow on from what the guys have said I'll give my few cents!!

You should be able to get the ST to 300 (ish) with the remap, intercooler, Exhaust, induction.
However you will more than likely need the RS clutch to make use of the power.
It does handle the power quite well but I'd also recommend a torque mount and poly bushing to keep the handling in line.

Insurance wise if you do all the above you'll have a very tough time getting a quote tbh.
I was with allianz on that list of mods declared and it was just over 600 (I think..)
However I don't think they are taking on new business quotes like that anymore.

As for the value of the mods, you wont't get it back, people like to put their own stamp on the car.
Personally, when I sold mine I took it all off and sold it on (few guys here got some serious bargains!)
It worked out best as the place I was trading it in preferred standard and I made a nice few quid off selling the stuff on.

Join up to focusstoc.com - some great advice there and a decent classifieds section
Look about buying parts second hand, save a fortune!
However as the Galway guy said I wouldn't expect change from 2k


ps I happen to have a Code Red Induction kit for sale

dar83

Haha, the shill. Love it!

cnocbui

You will probably have a hard time selling it in the future and will possibly get a lower price than if you leave it standard.

I doubt you will get insurance for it.

Don't get a bike.