After installing the Fiesta ST induction hose, it was time for the moment of truth! The Fiesta is once again up against the dyno to see what this induction hose brings to the table.
Initially we were expecting this hose to help with flow through the intake, but we were certainly surprised by the results. Our little Fiesta saw gains of 5whp and 10wtq with this induction
We received our final silicone prototype for testing and got straight to installing it on our Fiesta ST. This install is a breeze! After removing two quick clamps and a barb fitting, the stock hose was out and the Mishimoto hose was installed and looking good. Take a look at our black hose option installed on the Fiesta ST.
We had it pretty easy during the design phase of our hot-side intercooler pipe. A simple design with relatively common features, not overly complicated. The cold-side is a different story.
As you can see, this pipe features a few complex pieces and also follows an unusual path. On the right side at the top of this image, you can see the end of the pipe that mates to the intercooler coupler and hose. This portion of the pipe also houses a pressure sensor, a mounting bracket, and a vacuum-line port.
You may have seen our R&D post on the full Fiesta ST intake, but this one is a little different. We are developing a silicone induction hose as solution for drivers of mainly stock Fiestas who don't want to replace their entire intake system. The stock rubber hose can be restrictive due to its shape and size. We believe that by creating a more free-flowing alternative we could see some substantial benefits without heavy modification to the Fiesta.
First we examined the features of the stock hose. Aside from a barb fitting, the hose has a fairly straightforward design. The stock hose has quite a few ridges and flex sections throughout, not to mention a small inner
The 2013 Ford Focus ST has a lot going for it. This 2.0L front-wheel drive, turbocharged, four- cylinder engine pumps out around 250 hp in its stock form, which is impressive for a two-year-old car you can find for under $20,000. Ford now has two weapons in its modern sport-hatch arsenal, and the company is staying competitive. Most car enthusiasts elect to remove the stock intake system first so they can free up some contained power potential. The story here is no different with our development of an upgraded Ford Focus ST intake.
Our garage was graced with the presence of a nice 2013 Performance Blue Focus ST. Per the usual routine, we began taking apart the stock intake system to familiarize ourselves with and understand Ford's design. One unique element of this Focus ST intake is how air is drawn into the box. As you can see below, the air duct is split into two and the airflow gets routed to both the top and bottom of the system.
We have quite a bit going on with this project! Our discounted pre-sale has launched, and we are currently accepting orders. In addition, our final prototype elbows arrived and have been test fitted to ensure appropriate fitment. Without further delay, let's take a look at our finished intake elbows.
First, a lineup of the stock elbow next to our three finish options.
Our E46 product line continues to grow. This series of articles aims to tack another offering on our list of performance cooling components. We've covered the radiator, expansion tank, and coolant hoses. The only radiator-related item left to tackle is a cooling fan solution.
The stock 3-Series E46 offers two different fan options. Automatic models are equipped with an antiquated mechanical fan, while those who row their own gears get an electric fan.
Our goal with this project is to produce a BMW E46 fan shroud solution that will function with either a manual or automatic model. We will be following our trend of successfully producing exo-style shrouds for the E46 M3 and E36 chasses. The idea behind this fan mount style is
Time for another update on our intercooler project! Last time we left off with a foam intercooler core and some cool 3D-printed end tanks. This update is a bit more exciting!
With both the tanks printed and our core cut to shape, we could mate these pieces to check fitment of our existing design.
The tanks feature the mounting pegs and brackets to attach the cooler to the radiator and support.
During the previous articles we mentioned that we would be conducting experiments for the stock oil cooler/warmer. Myths and claims exist regarding its impact on the heating of engine oil as well as its impact on cooling. We decided to check out both sides of the spectrum and support them with some actual data. First up, warm-up speed both with and without the stock heat exchanger.
Setting up the sensors and equipment for this test was relatively simple. For testing the system with the stock heat exchanger in place, we simply installed our oil sensor adapter below the filter and then installed our temperature sensor. Below is a look at the sensor adapter.
Nothing beats taking a tight, responsive vehicle over some curvy roads on a beautiful fall day. The S550 is a nice chassis, track-applicable right out of the box, especially if "Performance Package" is on the build sheet. We've been pleased with our shop car, but we are always seeking improvements. We've completed our product development of cooling components and performance products, and now we are turning our attention to the suspension on this fantastic chassis. To further enhance the stiffness of the suspension and improve response, we decided that an appropriate front strut brace would be a wise addition.
Under the hood of your Mustang you might find (or not) a stock strut brace. For GT and PP EcoBoost owners, a K-shaped brace links both strut towers to the cowl of the vehicle. Below is a look at this stock piece equipped on our shop EcoBoost Mustang.
