You are here: Home | Focus | Focus ST Mk4 2.3T
Focus ST Mk4 2.3T
2019 saw the launch of the new Mk4 platform of the Ford Focus ST in both 2.3T EcoBoost petrol and 2.0T EcoBlue diesel models. Following on from our incredible success with the previous generations of Focus, we purchased 2 ST Mk4s as demonstrator vehicles, one petrol, one diesel. Both of these cars have since seen intense software and hardware development, alongside 1000s of miles of on-road and on-track testing at the likes of Donington, Cadwell and Blyton Park.
REVISED 2024 MAPS HAVE THE FOLLOWING OUTPUTS
- STAGE 1R MAKES 360-365BHP AND 560NM
- STAGE 2R MAKES 385-400BHP AND 600NM
- STAGE 3R MAKES A STRONG 440BHP AND 600NM
Pumaspeed's aim is to simplify the whole tuning process for the Mk4 ST owner by supplying no fuss bolt-on bolt-off quality parts and ECU remapping for the new 2.3 EcoBoost motor. Whether you need a simple cat back exhaust to enhance your exhaust note or to push hard on track with a fully equiped 400bhp+ track ready weapon our no nonsense approach to tuning kits has worked well for many years. This approach works so well in fact that since 2015 we have sold over 1400 340bhp hybrid turbo power kits for the Ford Fiesta ST180!
Fully Track Tested at Blyton, Donington, Oulton and Cadwell Circuits
The new Ford Focus ST Mk4 2.3 EcoBoost has a few limiting factors that prevent the car showing power and torque on the rolling road dyno so we decided to purchase a brand new fully dressed engine and strap it to an engine dyno for testing. With unlimited cold water, unlimited cold air, unlimited exhaust size and a fully unlimted SYVECS ECU we set about fully exploring what the new 2.3 EcoBoost could do. I bet you haven't seen that from anyone else!
With all limits removed and the the engine freely programmable we registered some amazing results, 405 bhp at 7200 revs and 650nm at 2600-3000 revs!
UNDER BONNET LIMITATIONS
Under the bonnet is a totally different scenario, there are massive thermal issues for water cooling and induction temps plus massive induction restrictions from air filters and induction tubes not to mention boost pipe size which are a little too small so 405bhp and 650nm is never going to be an easy ask. We have been testing for many months and years and have at last released some very impresive numbers for our bespoke MAXD Engine Remapping.
Intercooler - The stock cooler is tiny, even at 330bhp base power levels it's totally useless in anything over 20 degree external temps.
Air Filter Kit - The stock air box has limitations, most customers elect to replace this even at basic power levels.
Clutch - Even on sub 10,000 mile cars the stock unit is simply too weak to happily live with anything more than 550nm so we have limited MAXD 1R maps to this torque level even though we have pushed well over 600nm in testing.
Exhaust System -
- Stock GPF - Dyno testing at Stage 1 has surprisingly shown there not to be a massive pressure drop accross the stock GPF so it is not as restrictive as first believed, however higher and higher up the revs this changes slightly.
- Stock Catalytic Convertor - This has shown that to push high in the rev range it must be swapped out as it will just not flow the required amount for big power beyond Stage 2 levels
- Stock Cat Back Exhaust - Higher up the rev range the system does have a mild affect and for the best power outputs we do suggest a free flowing Performance Catback system such as the Milltek, Scorpion or Dreamscience systems.
As you can see from above, the clutch and intercooler are the two key areas on the stock car that are limiting factors even for basic levels of tuning, even with our torque limited stage 1R mapping we can't guarantee the stock unit will not slip so please take a quick look at the Pumaspeed range of clutches below that will allow extra torque and will not cause internal damage to you gearbox. The 2.3 EcoBoost motor that powers the ST Mk4 is capable of producing immense levels of torque low down in the rev range, over 640nm in some cases quite easily!
The stock intercooler has a big job to do and is only just suitable for a 330bhp (520nm) Stage 1 map. The temperature of the air exiting the stock intercooler gets incredibly hot after just a few small pulls, in our track testing after just 3 laps of Blyton Park we were seeing the ECU restricting performance on datalogs to try and get the temperatures back under control. We swap the intercooler out when installing the higher torque and higher powered Stage 1R map which develops up to 360bhp and as much as 550nm!
So what power can we actually achieve from under the bonnet?
These are the results, one car, one dyno and over 2 years of road, dyno and track testing.
Stage 1 Power Kit - Up to 330bhp / 520nm - Completely stock vehicle with a high flow panel air filter, MAXD 95 RON calibration (Limiting Factor - Intercooler)
Stage 1R Power Kit - Up to 360bhp / 550nm - Intercooler, high flow panel filter, MAXD 99 RON calibration (Limiting Factor - Clutch)
Comparison of Stock vs Stage 1R (99 RON)
Stage 2R Power Kit - Up to 400bhp / 590nm - Cold air intake, intercooler, downpipe and clutch, MAXD 99 RON Stage 2R calibration (Limiting Factor - Turbo)
Stage 3R Power Kit - Up to 440bhp / 600nm Capped - Hybrid turbo, cold air intake, intercooler, downpipe and clutch, MAXD 99 Ron Stage 3R Calibration
PUMASPEED RECOMMENDS MAXD BESPOKE ENGINE CALIBRATIONS - 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE, BETTER BY DESIGN