Your shopping cart is empty
You are here: Home | News, Events & Advice | Sean Coles STR Build by Pumaspeed
Sean Coles STR Build by Pumaspeed
The birth of a real one-off special edition ST180.
It's not very often you take a phone call from a customer with the request for the ultimate ST180 Fiesta upgrade.
The customer had a very special vehicle and wanted to go for the best of the best.
The very Special Fiesta ST180 in question was reportedly the very first production car registered in the UK.
The Lucky owner , Mr. Coles who traveled all the way from Exeter, compiled a comprehensive list of parts and upgrades to take his Fiesta ST180 close to the 280bhp figure whilst adding braking and suspension modifications that would enhance the road driving experience and allow it to rip around the race track at record pace. The date was set, the parts were made ready and Pumaspeed took on the 2 day challenge.
Parts List is as follows
Pumaspeed X-27 Billet Hybrid Turbo
Pumaspeed Quickspool Tubular Manifold
Turbo Back Milltek Exhaust with 200 Cell Sport Cat
MAX-OUT Stage 3 Map
Powerflex Bushes all round
White Special Edition ITG Induction Kit
R-Sport Garrett Stage 3 Intercooler
R-Sport Hard Pipe Kit
330mm AP Brake Kit - Stealth Black
Eibach Anti Roll Bar Kit Front and Rear
ST Suspensions XTA Coilovers
Compomotive MO6 wheels 17x7
RH - Quick Shift
Quaife ATB Differential
White Silicone Hose throughout
Forge Blow Off Adapter (dump Valve)
Vibra Technics Torque Link Engine Mount
Zero Sixty Rear Brake Discs
08:00 hrs the car entered the Pumaspeed Workshop.
The first item to be removed was the front bumper, it all had to come out to make room for works to the engine and pipework. The stock ford Intercooler was ditched in favour of the 300+bhp Capable R-Sport Stage 3 Garret unit.
Access to the gear box was needed in order to fit the diff, so out came the driveshafts. The restrictive, toneless standard exhaust was removed and a top quality Milltek Sport unit added.
Next to come off was the subframe to have the front antiroll bar fitted and to give access to the turbo, manifold and downpipe. Suspension arms where then removed from the frame, stuck in the vice and the old bushes removed.
Possibly the biggest, most awkward task was removing the gearbox to have the Quaife diff fitted, no challenge for our workshop experts though. After the 'box had been removed the engine was looking very bare, as was the car with most of the front end completely stripped down.
Last but not least was the suspension, leaving the car bare and ready for all its brand spanking new performance set up.
Now the exciting bit... adding new parts!
Suspension
Sean opted for the newly released ST XTA coilovers paired with Eibach anti roll bars and Powerflex Bushes. These components combined will make a perfect set up for fast road and track use, improving chassis rigidity and agility.
The rears were done first, quite a simple set up on the rear that can be fitted quickly. Adjusters were set to the same height, springs seated and dampers bolted in. Next up was the Eibach rear anti roll bar. A very nice simple bolt on modification giving fantastic results and alongside the yellow springs providing a very nice colourful rear axle.
Once the coilovers and Rear ARB were fitted it was time to move onto the rear axle bushes. We gave them a good coating of grease before popping them in!
On to the front suspension now..With the subframe off, the Eibach anti roll bar was installed. Quite a big difference over the standard unit, much thicker, increasing front end rigidity.
As the subframe was off the front suspension arms had their Powerflex poly bushes installed. A pretty tricky job getting the last one in!
Last but not least, we bolted in the front coilovers. These new ST XTA coilovers are fresh to the market and take over from Weitec as one of KW's sub-brands. These make a great alternative to entry level KW and Bilstein set ups.
Brakes
As with any increase in power an increase in stopping power is advisable. With this car set to be making 280BHP, Sean only wanted the very best stoppers for his little fiesta. He decided on some 330mm 4pot AP Racing brakes upfront, Goodridge braided lines and Zero Sixty dimpled and grooved discs for the rear.
He wanted a subtle look so opted for stealth black for every external colour option. Less is more so they say.
The rear discs were a nice easy quick swap over, not just adding performance the Zero Sixty discs have a more pleasing aesthetic value too, win win!
With the Goodridge hoses installed, ensuring the effectiveness of the new big brakes, this car is fitted with enough stopping power to rival a race car!
Engine and Performance
We've been working hard to come up with the best power solution for the ST180 and still retain it's refinement and day to day usability. We think the key to this is to go Hybrid! By that we mean hybrid turbo....not like a Prius. The new Pumaspeed X-27 billet Hybrid unit is fully 300bhp capable and ready for race or track.
First things first, get the gearbox back in with the Quaife Diff and Quickshift fitted.
And Back in it goes! Keeping all the new found power in place is an uprated Vibra Technics lower engine mount. Less engine movement means more power transmitted to the wheels.
Next to go in was the root of all the power, Billet X-27 Power (Stage 2 - 7 blade) hybrid turbo with our quick spool turbo manifold and a Forge blow off adapter. Once the snail was in Dan promptly bolted up the Milltek downpipe with sport cat followed by the Milltek race cat back.
Back round the front of the car for the R-Sport hardpipe kit and Stage 3 Garret Intercooler to be fitted. The crash bar has to have mounting points drilled in for the intercooler to be fitted. Once the 'cooler was mounted up the hardpipe kit was bolted up and the white hoses fitted and clamped up. The uprated intercooler will help keep the turbo temperature down when under hard driving conditions. Making an intercooler a great modification given increasingly hot summers we are having!
With the car now able to go back down on the ground, the final pieces of hardware can go on. The R-Sport crossover pipe and ITG long induction kit in frozen white, to match the car paintwork. These provide a smoother, more efficient flow of air into the engine and a beautiful induction noise under hard acceleration.
At 16:00 on day 2 the car exited the workshop drove down the road for testing.
2 days of hard work and boxes of hardware have transformed this car from a turbo charged shopping trolley into something seriously special. Packing around 280bhp, this car will give the big boys a run for their money. All managed without making the car look any faster to the untrained eye. The ST XTA coilovers give it the perfect aggressive stance, but nothing about the car screams power, giving it that sleeper element.
This car is a true testament to the owners subtle taste and Pumaspeed workshop capabilities.
The term "hot hatch" doesn't quite cut it after we got our hands on it ,we invite you to come to us and take the Pumaspeed experience for yourself.
With 280-300bhp this a real weapon of a car and ready for the road or track.
We give you a true Pocket Rocket.
