2014 Ford Fiesta ST project

44084 Views 126 Replies 27 Participants Last post by twendt, Oct 13, 2015

razorlab

Discussion Starter · Jul 21, 2014

So I picked up a 2014 Ford Fiesta ST to play with. There are a bunch of reasons I did this so I'll just make a simple numbered list to help explain why.

1. I wanted a small lightweight car again (It's 27XXlbs)
2. I wanted to learn the Ford ECU
3. I wanted to track a small lightweight car
4. I wanted a small lightweight car that got great gas mileage for my commute

That's about it overall for the reasons. With over 20 years of driving Mitsubishis, Subarus and VW's I never ever ever ever thought I would own a Ford....

For some reason the Focus ST never really intrigued me. After reading all the press about the Fiesta ST, it did intrigue me, I went and test drove a bunch and I totally fell in love with the car. It really feels like something special, a Ford engineering baby.

I still own my current Evo, an Evo 10, for now. It's in a different league for sure, but I didn't buy the Fiesta ST to replace the Evo. So enough about that.

This thread will serve as a place to post my findings as I learn the car, the ECU, etc.

I come from a tuning background. I used to tune Mitsubishis professionally, mainly Evos. Most recently a 2005 Evo 8 MR for 10 years that was my personal project, that I tuned and tracked. It had 500hp on E85. I also had a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart that I also tweaked and tuned to 400hp on E85. As stated above still have my Evo 10, 400hp, also on E85. You can sense what's coming for the Fiesta ST then.

Initial photos, 100% stock minus upgraded wheels/tires.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST
Options:
Recaro Package
Navigation
Sunroof
"Rado" wheel package (painted wheels and brake calipers)

Wheels replaced with Sparco Assetto Gara 17x7 +42 satin black
Tire replaced with Bridgestone Potenza S-04 205/45/17

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McRib 1s Back

· #77 · Aug 25, 2014

djdennehy said:
I have found several options for the rear but not the front, can anyone else shed some light on this for me?

I just saw this and maybe I'm missing some context, but there are better pads for stock brakes. See the related brake pad threads (use key word "Porterfield")!

My experience is with Porterfield R4 (race) compound, only. If you're looking for a track pad, this is it.

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McRib 1s Back

· #81 · Sep 17, 2014

djdennehy said:
Not looking for a 'track' pad as much a competent Autocross pad that I can use everyday... I used to use Hawk performance pads when I raced my MK3 Supra, they were loud but got the job done and I didn't need to replace them after every race. Would you say that the Porterfields fit that description or???

I'd say swap the pads at the track (and use R compound), but I know that's a pain. In other cars, I used the R4 street compound and it's about what you'd expect for a compromise. They're probably like your Hawk experience.

These are very durable pads -- it's your rotors that lose. Even still, very reasonable wear. You could run a season of autox no problem, I'd guess.

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McRib 1s Back

· #83 · Sep 17, 2014

Cligedy said:
Yep, after 80+ autocross runs and 11k miles, my oem pads still have plenty of life left.

I remain impressed with the stock pads. Autox leaves room for proper cool down, but road race courses hammer them. Two long track days were it on my first pair (running multiple run groups).

The Porterfield pads improve things there, and you gain a big boost in overall braking power (at the unfortunate expense of feel).

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