2017 Ford Fiesta S

[FiEscort]

This is my 2017 Ford Fiesta S Hatchback DCT in Oxford White

Stock


I drove it completely stock for a few months then I added an open cone filter:


The modified intake increased throttle response as well as a noticeable power increase (butt dyno and smoother driving up hills). It also sounds good.


Last year, I started to look for wheels to replace the stock steelies/wheel covers. I found a local selling a used set of black machined wheels that were part of the appeerance package. There were some blemishes, but I really liked theses wheels so I picked them up.

Stock wheel:


The stock 185/60/15 Hankook Optimos were also replaced with 205/45/16 Firestone Indy 500 Summer tires.

New (to me) Ford black machined 16x6.5 wheels:



Next up was adding stiffer springs. I chose Eibach ProKit Lowering Springs 35123.140
An online retailer posted a very low price which was likely a mistake, but I clicked add to cart and the retailer sold it to me at a substantial discount (price immediately returned to its msrp price after my order lol).
These are a progressive rate spring that lower the Fiesta about 1 inch all around.


The springs reduced body roll was and the ride is comfortable. I did keep the stock struts and shocks as they didn't have many miles on them yet and Eibach themselves used factory suspension to test/design these springs.

The next modification was replacing the stock exhaust system with a stock FiST exhaust system. I found a local parting out their ST so I picked up the exhaust (note that they aren't given away for free in SoCal lol) The ST exhaust will bolt right up. ST exhaust on the left and base Fiesta on the right.

The exhaust sound has a nice growl to it and is not too loud at all, instead it sounds sporty on a NA 1.6

Next up was window tinting. I had them put 5% in the rear and 35% in the front.

 

[scotman]

Nice image of the ST and basic Fiesta muffler systems side by side! As nice as the aftermarket muffler systems are, there really isn't much need to spend $600+ bucks to get a noticable improvement in power and sound for the basic Fiesta. I plan to go with the ST exhaust on my 2011 hatchback when I come across one for sale locally.

 

[FiEscort]

Added a 21mm Rear Sway Bar Eibach 35143.312 (did this months ago, but forgot to post this lol). It reduced body roll during turn in, but not as much as the lowering springs already had.

 

[FiEscort]

I have been driving with an AWR Racing RMM prototype (70A) for the past week. I have to say that this has made the Fiesta more enjoyable to drive as the motor is more stable while driving. There is a very slight vibration in the steering wheel which I actually prefer. Acceleration and deceleration is crisper and smoother. There isn't any downside. I highly recommend this mod to all DCT owners! https://store.awrracing.com/2011-2019-1-6l-fiesta-rear-motor-mount-s-se-ses-sel-titanium-models


See my full review here:
https://www.fordfiesta.org/threads/rear-motor-mount-for-dct.7718/

 

[FiEscort]

Added a K&N Typhoon series intake (part # 69-3530TS) recently. This setup feels like it has more torque compared to the bigger modified cone filter that it replaced. I also added a Pierce Motorsports strut brace. I drove with just this bar for about a week. I noticed less rattling over bumps, but not much else lol. I do like the aesthetics of the piece.


I then added a 2 point lower chassis brace from Pierce Motor Sports. Bump steer was greatly reduced. There is increased stability in tracking while driving, both in a straight line and while taking a sharp turn.



Also, be aware that the rear torsion bar from Pierce Motorsports will NOT fit the base Fiesta (mounting points are different)

 

[Handy Andy]

Thanks for the heads up!

What can be done for that Rear Suspension brace?
(Man, that just hurts!)

 

[LionsTooth]

Added a K&N Typhoon series intake (part # 69-3530TS) recently. This setup feels like it has more torque compared to the bigger modified cone filter that it replaced. I also added a Pierce Motorsports strut brace. I drove with just this bar for about a week. I noticed less rattling over bumps, but not much else lol. I do like the aesthetics of the piece. I then added a 2 point lower chassis brace from Pierce Motor Sports. Bump steer was greatly reduced. There is increased stability in tracking while driving, both in a straight line and while taking a sharp turn. Also, be aware that the rear torsion bar from Pierce Motorsports will NOT fit the base Fiesta (mounting points are different)

Thanks for all that! Suggest you drill two new holes to make the brace work? I am quite interested in the Pierce braces. To me top speed is not a thing, it's carrying speed through the entire range of a corner that makes me smile.
[Edit] Actually across that distance/width, one new hole would probably suffice; using one hole that is already there.

 

[FiEscort]

Thanks for the heads up!

What can be done for that Rear Suspension brace?
(Man, that just hurts!)

I was advised to "install the bar on the passenger side hole, then marking (use a paint pen or liquid paper to mark second hole) the drivers side and removing bar and drilling-it's a 1/2" bolt so working up to a 9/16" bit/hole will make for easy alignment/install". The torsion beam material is tough so not sure how the difficulty level would be for that.

 

[FiEscort]

Thanks for all that! Suggest you drill two new holes to make the brace work? I am quite interested in the Pierce braces. To me top speed is not a thing, it's carrying speed through the entire range of a corner that makes me smile.
[Edit] Actually across that distance/width, one new hole would probably suffice; using one hole that is already there.

I bought the Street package, but since the torsion bar requires drilling into the torsion beam, I'm not sure if you would want to do that. I actually ended up selling the torsion bar (local pickup) to a member from the ST forum. I think a 4- point or maybe even the 6-point lower chassis brace would be a worthwhile purchase.

 

[LionsTooth]

I was advised to "install the bar on the passenger side hole, then marking (use a paint pen or liquid paper to mark second hole) the drivers side and removing bar and drilling-it's a 1/2" bolt so working up to a 9/16" bit/hole will make for easy alignment/install". The torsion beam material is tough so not sure how the difficulty level would be for that.

Using a step bit would make this task not so bad. Glob some grease around the hole to catch the swarf from falling in your face...good to go.

 

[econoboxrocks]

One thing you might not know is that the ST has a stiffer rear twist beam than the base car.
Tim Smith explains:

 

[scotman]

I bought the Street package, but since the torsion bar requires drilling into the torsion beam, I'm not sure if you would want to do that. I actually ended up selling the torsion bar (local pickup) to a member from the ST forum. I think a 4- point or maybe even the 6-point lower chassis brace would be a worthwhile purchase.

I have the Pierce 6point brace. I was going to use it on my 16 FiST and then did some measurements. With 15 inch wheels and lowering springs the clearance between the brace and real world road obstacles made me rethink using it!
I decided to use it on the gray 2011 fiesta project instead. That one won't be lowered and will be minus about 170 pounds of roof structure. The extra rigidity of multiple extra braces being bolted and welded into the body tub is very important before I even touch the roof structure with a saw. All that aside, the Pierce 6 point is a very sweet component.

 

[FiEscort]

I have the Pierce 6point brace. I was going to use it on my 16 FiST and then did some measurements. With 15 inch wheels and lowering springs the clearance between the brace and real world road obstacles made me rethink using it!
I decided to use it on the gray 2011 fiesta project instead. That one won't be lowered and will be minus about 170 pounds of roof structure. The extra rigidity of multiple extra braces being bolted and welded into the body tub is very important before I even touch the roof structure with a saw. All that aside, the Pierce 6 point is a very sweet component.

That 6 point is very nice. I'm starting to think that I should've gotten the 4 point. The clearance with road debris would be an issue as you stated. I'm curious to hear how the driving feel will be like with that bar on stock height!

 

[Handy Andy]

I decided to use it on the gray 2011 fiesta project instead. That one won't be lowered and will be minus about 170 pounds of roof structure.

Sun roof or Convertible?

Or something more exotic?

 

[scotman]

That 6 point is very nice. I'm starting to think that I should've gotten the 4 point. The clearance with road debris would be an issue as you stated. I'm curious to hear how the driving feel will be like with that bar on stock height!

Sun roof or Convertible?

Or something more exotic?

Way. More. Exotic. Impractical? Absolutely. But it will be a safer, modern version of one of these.
It would be dumb to have one in Alaska or Minnesota. But totally at home in Naples or Fort Myers .
This is the second pair of sills in process. I should be able to keep the stock speaker locations and cup holders. The small tweeter will be placed lower in the reconfigured door shells, but this wont really have "doors" . i will create a thread for this car as i get the last components finnished up.
This is a very involved project.
The 6 point brace is just one of several braces added to the body tub to make it rigid enough to hold together.

 

[Handy Andy]

I've gotta watch this thread..

I think my wife wants that Blue one!

 

[scotman]

I've gotta watch this thread..

I think my wife wants that Blue one!

The original and even a good knockoff is so insanely expensive that I would be called a liar if i repeated the average price. You have to look up the values to believe it. And they make our Fiesta's look like a true high performance car in comparison.

 

[LionsTooth]

I have never seen 500 like that...don't believe that is a factory car. But, yes, minicars go for insane $s. I regret selling my Isetta in the late 80s...would be worth 6 times what I paid & restored it for. And I miss driving it!

 

[scotman]

They were built in limited numbers by Ghia design in Italy. Primarily for wealthy people who wanted a land tender for their yacht or as a shuttle on large estates. The Fiat 500 and the Fiesta both have a certain charm that is amplified when the roof goes away.
Just to steer this thread back on course, FiEscort is nicely demonstrating that the Fiesta can be transformed into something unique to the owner. One just needs to plan and select the parts with some thought!

 

[scotman]

I will start a thread on the install of the 6 point chassis brace and the 88 durometer bushing AWR lower transmission mount as soon as i can find out when i will have it in my hands.