Tips on modifying Mk2 Focus RS

Tips on modifying Mk2 Focus RS. The Focus has been with us for an incredible twenty years, and while its styling has mellowed and contemporised, it’s easy to forget just how radical the New Edge design of the Escort’s replacement was back in 1998. And, of course, there have always been hot variants to keep the blood pumping for the Blue Oval enthusiast – the Mk1 was revered even in base-spec form for its superlative chassis with control blade suspension, but the RS really was something else. 212bhp, Brembo brakes, Sachs dampers, Quaife ATB diff, it ticked a lot of boxes and has gone down in history as a classic of the genre.

In a sense, its spiritual successor was not the Mk2 Focus RS but the ST, offering 225bhp from its turbocharged five-cylinder motor, and that’s the next car we’re looking at in this guide. And finally, the Mk3 Focus RS – well, it’s just an animal, isn’t it? Half hot-hatch, half-spaceship, it boasts such generation-PlayStation toys as Launch Control and Drift Mode, as well as the sort of performance figures and acceleration stats that were the clear preserve of the supercar back when the Mk1 RS came out. For each of these three iconic models, we spoke to a trio of tuners to ask their advice on the best ways to modify them for maximum performance and thrills; we also set the recommendations at three clear price points – sub-£1,000, £1,000-2,000, and £5,000+ - to give you an idea of what’s possible at different budgets. Words DAN BEVIS / Photos VARIOUS

SCC Performance

SUB-£1,000
The advice for the Mk2 at this entry-level point is to go with Revo’s Stage 1 software, which Demon Performance can install for you for an all-in cost of £358.80. The ones-and-zeroes are designed to increase power and torque smoothly across the rev range while maintaining factory safety mechanisms, and Pete tells us that the Stage 1 upgrade will increase power from 225bhp to 266bhp when running on high-octane fuel like Shell V-Power.

£1,000-2,000
Pete agrees with SCC that the step up to Revo Stage 2 is the way to go at this point. Revo’s own quoted power figures for this upgrade are ‘between 270-310bhp’ which is a broad spread of numbers, but naturally this is dependant on fuel as well as hardware upgrade choices. At this level, it’s required that you upgrade the intercooler, intake and exhaust, and Demon are happy to talk you through all your options here! In fact, if you step over to the next price bracket up, you’ll find a package they’ve put together for you…

£5,000+
Here, Demon are proving that you don’t need to spend outrageous sums of money to turn a Mk2 ST225 into a fairly savage road weapon. Pete and his team can offer you an all-in package comprising Revo Stage 2 software, KMS Section 18 turbo-back exhaust system with decat pipe, Forge DV, K&N 57i induction kit, Auto Specialists plenum, and AIRTEC front-mount intercooler. The cost of all this? A very reasonable £2341.99 fully fitted, well under our £5k threshold here, which will give your Focus 306bhp with total reliability.

Auto Specialists

SUB-£1,000
“As the Focus ST is so well catered for, you can get a lot for your money even at this level,” says Alan Shepard of Auto Specialists – who sell the AIRTEC range, which is produced in-house. “It’s all about getting the car to breathe better with less restrictions both in and out, so we’d recommend our AIRTEC Group A air filter with cold feed scoop (£159), along with our AIRTEC Stage 2 Gen3 intercooler upgrade (£299.95). Coupled with one of larger AIRTEC downpipe and de-cat packages (£259) and our Stage 1 remap (£250) to see the very best of all the new additions, you can see big gains that will transform the way the car drives and for less than £1,000.”

£1,000-2,000
“Upping the budget will see further tuning potential unlocked at this level,” says Alan. “We’d suggest retaining the Group A air filter kit (£159) but upgrading to our larger and more capable Stage 3 intercooler kit (£299.95). To go with it, we would recommend our AIRTEC 2.5in hard pipe upgrade (£330), which sees guaranteed power gains. The AIRTEC downpipe and de-cat package (£259) would remain but coupled to a Mongoose exhaust system (£527.99), and we would go with a Revo Stage 2 map (£418.80). This would see good gains but you’re on the limit of some parts here, so we would always recommend stretching to include an upgraded AIRTEC plenum, block mod and RS clutch kit conversion to ensure further gains reliably.”

£5,000+
Starting with a generous budget, Alan recommends futureproofing the build from the off. “We’d start with a forged engine build, so the internals are upgraded with forged pistons and steel conrods - and we’d do a block mod for strength (£2,250). An AIRTEC Stage 4 intercooler kit (£649) and upgraded plenum (£345) would be added to the previous budget’s modifications, with an AIRTEC hybrid turbo (£1,250). On top of that would be an RS clutch kit (£550), and we’d strongly recommend KW coilovers (£1,470) and a Revo big brake kit (£2,370) to help harness the power, which is costly but necessary. That would put the building blocks firmly in place to build the ultimate ST when you decide to stretch for more power.”
Sources: Fast Ford Summer2018