[was-an-M]

I am willing to spend a few bucks (around $1000) getting my car ready for track season. That budget doesn't include wheels and tires.

I was thinking I could either:
1. Get a tune and buy the Ford Handling kit (B14) from a member on here. That would be about $1000.
2. Get the BC coils from 2j racing and that would also be about $1000.

So which is the way to go? Does the car need a tune for the track? I am not worried about the power so much as not wanting it doing it's torque limiting stuff in 1st and 2nd.

If I do go for a tune is Cobb the way to go? I would like the get the Mountune but that's not stateside and I don't know that it will be soon enough.

Thoughts?

 

[D1JL]

The FRPP handling pack for the Fiesta is not for the ST
Yes it will fit however the springs are about the same as OE ST.
The dampers are also about the same as the ST.
So you will not be gaining much with this kit.

I hear the BC coil overs are good but I have not tried them so I cannot comment further.

As for the Mountune or Cobb tune, I would have to say this is a must for the track.

Dave

 

[RodMoe]

Have to agree with Dave the AP is by far the best first mod for this car if you are going to engage in any track type events.. Maybe look into a set of Springs like Dave has with the left over change. I Have BC's but have not installed yet But I have installed MY COBB AP and enjoy that EVERYDAY I drive not just at the track ...

 

[wash]

For an autocross where you're using second gear a lot, a tune that removes torque limiting will create a tangible difference but if you are doing a road course that's mostly third gear, the effect will not be nearly as great.

It will still feel great on the street when you are actually using the extra torque available at lower rpm.

If you are looking for power, adding an Accessport with a panel filter is about all that we can do to get proven power. That might change soon with people tuning for their bolt-ons but we are not there quite yet.

Suspension is a tricky issue dependent on how you drive and where you race but coilovers and anti-sway bars should be on the list if you want to improve handling.

If you haven't raced a lot, more track time might be the better investment for going fast. The Miller Motorsport Park ST Octane Academy is a good deal because all you need to do is get there...

So far there are several parts for the Fiesta ST that are just for looks or sound. Its pretty easy to figure out which those are.

 

[was-an-M]

For an autocross where you're using second gear a lot, a tune that removes torque limiting will create a tangible difference but if you are doing a road course that's mostly third gear, the effect will not be nearly as great.

It will still feel great on the street when you are actually using the extra torque available at lower rpm.

If you are looking for power, adding an Accessport with a panel filter is about all that we can do to get proven power. That might change soon with people tuning for their bolt-ons but we are not there quite yet.

Suspension is a tricky issue dependent on how you drive and where you race but coilovers and anti-sway bars should be on the list if you want to improve handling.

If you haven't raced a lot, more track time might be the better investment for going fast. The Miller Motorsport Park ST Octane Academy is a good deal because all you need to do is get there...

So far there are several parts for the Fiesta ST that are just for looks or sound. Its pretty easy to figure out which those are.

I went ahead with the Cobb AP. It sounds worthwhile and it has an eco map for commuting

As for suspension I'll probably wait until I've spent a season in the Fiesta. I certainly don't have years and years of seat time but I'm at the point where I am running in the intermediate and advanced group and being signed off solo, so I have more experience than some and less than a lot as well.

I am hesitant on a sway bar because as it is the car will (by nature) understeer so making the front end even tighter will likely just further that issue. Of course, maybe given that the back end is super stiff with the torsion beam a stiffer from sway won't really make the understeer any worse. Like I said, I think I'll spend a season on the stock suspension and go from there.

 

[wash]

Rear anti-sway bars are available too.

 

[was-an-M]

Rear anti-sway bars are available too.

I thought rear sways weren't an option on a torsion beam rear suspension?

Who's making sways for the car?

 

[D1JL]

I have Eibach.


Dave

 

[McRib 1s Back]

I'm coming in late here, but I'll second the rear sway bar idea (I'm running the stock front). Dave has been running his for a long time; though it's the older Fiesta part, it fits well when shimmed. I'm doing the same thing. We're kicking this topic around in "Road Race: Track Days...Willow Springs" now, too.

On the street (at my secret industrial drift test facility), it tends to oversteer a bit more. It's pretty low speed (25-30 MPH). My test is simple. I jam into the sweeper under WOT, then lift. My car rotates, then I jump back on the throttle. I managed to stay off the curbs.

If you want to go faster for track days but aren't racing in a series, you absolutely want tuning! I love my 93 map w/100 octane gas! I can't wait for more power to go along with my suspension changes. I'm still learning the car at the track, but it's already obvious that the car is faster with the mods.

 

[was-an-M]

I'm coming in late here, but I'll second the rear sway bar idea (I'm running the stock front). Dave has been running his for a long time; though it's the older Fiesta part, it fits well when shimmed. I'm doing the same thing. We're kicking this topic around in "Road Race: Track Days...Willow Springs" now, too.

On the street (at my secret industrial drift test facility), it tends to oversteer a bit more. It's pretty low speed (25-30 MPH). My test is simple. I jam into the sweeper under WOT, then lift. My car rotates, then I jump back on the throttle. I managed to stay off the curbs.

If you want to go faster for track days but aren't racing in a series, you absolutely want tuning! I love my 93 map w/100 octane gas! I can't wait for more power to go along with my suspension changes. I'm still learning the car at the track, but it's already obvious that the car is faster with the mods.

It's just for HPDE's. I know it's not a race, but I run with the BMW CCA and there are some pretty powerful cars in some of the groups. I'm decently fast but the Fiesta is down a fair bit of power to my outgoing E46 M3 so I just don't want to be watching my mirrors too much

I know I won't be the most powerful guy out there, but my E46 M3 ran down plenty of Z06's and E92 M3's so hopefully the Fiesta can hold its own...or rather I don't embarrass my poor little hot hatch