Welcome! You’re going to love it. What color? Post some pics when she’s finally delivered, pls. We are thirsty for pics here on the forum.

I am curious though: what is the “fuel pressure regulator” mod? Not one of the usuals, nor generally applicable to our OEM fuel system.

 

That's a great question, I'll have to dig in and figure that out as soon as I get the car.

Previously I have had a 3L swapped Contour SVT and a Focus SVT. Excited to get behind the wheel of the RS.

 

Congratulations and enjoy.

 

Thank you!

 

sounds like you are ready to run E30 right out of the gate, just need the tune.

 

Yeah that's what I was thinking too. I need to get a Cobb and read the current tune and have someone help me tune it to make sure she's running smoothly.

Is there anyone on the forum that helps/charges for a service like that?

 

Welcome and many happy miles and smiles!

 

Thank you!

 

Well, Tune+ and Livernois offer software for flex fuel arrangements from what I understand. Would recommend Livernois if that is what you are after. You will need to talk to them about flex fuel - 2016-2018 FORD FOCUS RS 2.3L TUNER | LPP631144 | Livernois Motorsports

I run e30 in mine, but not a flex fuel arrangement, the tune is dedicated either for E30, or swap it for 93. I used Tunewerks for mine with really good results. Custom Focus RS Tune – tunewerks
Seems they also have a sale on packages with an AP if you need one. Tunewerks is pretty well regarded around here too.

 

Thank you! This is super helpful. I would still need to buy a Cobb access port flash utility right?

 

Livernois uses their own unit. Several people here have used them.

For pretty much anyone else, yes a Cobb AP will be needed.

 

Is there a difference between the 2 or does it mostly come down to preference?

 

Welcome to the family! We want to see the car lol! You'll have a blast with it.

PS: I would ditch the MSD coils for some OEM motorcrafts somewhere down the line

 

Noted, I'll have to add that to the list!

 

Was this purchased from a dealer or private owner? I ask because with those fuel mods, I’d have hoped the previous owner would’ve included the main tuning device (more than likely Cobb) since those mods require a tune to run. Maybe there’s a chance the PO could contacted and tuning device retrieved? It’s happened before.

Re: Livernois, as mentioned above, they use proprietary devices, and aren’t exactly the type of shop from my personal experience to take on what is a hodge podge of outside modifications from a new customer car and then make it their own without going through a whole process.

Not saying they won’t be able to help sort out your current tune or build on it, but they may or may not be able to do that as “easily” or remotely (being local to them would prob help though). Just something to consider, by all means do your due diligence as necessary.

All other established tuners tune through the Cobb AP and are likely one of the previous tuners of your car.

EMS/Ryan
Freektune/Justin
Tuneplus/Adam
Edge Autosport/Alan
JST Performance/Bryan
Tunewerks/Randy

Everyone will have different preferences on who and why to recommend but you should be relatively safe no matter who you ultimately end up choosing.

 

It was purchased from a dealer. Honestly a bit of a risk but it only has 20k miles for 32k.

That's kind of what I gathered from my reading between the tuners.

Are those members of the forum that I can reach out to in regards to paying them to help me sort through everything?

 

Not (active) members unfortunately, no. But they all have easily searchable, established websites by their company name. And if you are active on social media (FB, IG), some of them are active there as well.

A lot of the preferences each of us have depends on how each tuner communicates, so you may want to just reach out to one or more, start a dialogue explicitly explaining what your new-to-you setup is, and what your goals are (for example “establish a base tune for your mods, get e30 tune later”).

I know it sounds kind of extra but if I were in your shoes, while deciding on which tuner to go with, I’d also inquire with the dealer and see if you would be able to ask them to contact the PO in order to retrieve the old AP, or at least verify what your car is running on right now. Extra, but it’s happened in the past. Worst case, they just say no.

Another thing others have tried in the past is post up a thread here or reddit or one of the FB groups with a pic and some other form of identifying your car calling out the PO, in hopes they’re still active. It can and has happened before.

 

Great advice! Thank you!

 

Turns out the dealership is having to buy a Cobb access port to get the car to pass emissions so I'll get to keep that looks like I'll be tuning with Cobb at least for now.

 

That’s awesome. Not something I hear happening very often, but since I’m not a dealer, maybe it does with enthusiast cars??

Let’s just hope they use it properly and don’t mess with other than putting a stage 0 map on it.

 

Is this car being registered in Houston? I guess I never really thought of there as being an emissions testing state/area.

 

yeah all major cities in TX have emissions testing, the rural areas do not. I should probably pick up a PO box and register there lol

 

Dealer took it to a tune shop not doing it themselves which I appreciate.

 

I’d be curious what shop 👀

But that’s just me. I’m very leery of anyone else touching my car.

 

AWD Tuning. Appointment is on Tuesday.

 

I just thought of this...if they try to flash your car on a stage 0/OEM equivalent Cobb OTS map, your car won’t run properly with the XDI pump on there.

I don’t know if your dealer or the shop is aware of that. It needs a tune specifically for your setup/pump. And I would obviously make sure the port injection is disconnected (you can deal with that later). Any of the previously mentioned tuners should be able to set that up fairly quick as the XDI pump has been tested extensively by now, but it still is technically a custom tune.

Not trying to worry you at all, but I would let all parties know ASAP, and I would especially be on top of the tuning shop so they don’t assume anything. Since theyre not a Focus/ecoboost specialist shop.

 

Just saw this and I'll make sure the tuning shop knows this for the appointment tomorrow.

 

all that extra fuel on the stock turbo?

i wonder if they swapped the stock turbo back on and kept/sold the big turbo along with the cobb ap?

 

great question, you're probably right. unsure how I would determine that. Going to have an in-depth conversation with the tuning shop tomorrow.

 

Does anyone recognize this pipe or location on the car?
The link below is to a Google Drive video
Disconnected Pipe

 

Just found out the car has a upgraded Garret Turbo. Dialing this in should be fun for a daily driver.

 

You definitely don’t want an off the shelf tune now!

Great find and purchase! Share some pics if you’re willing whenever you can

Wondering if the PO were on here at any point in the past.

 

I will hoping to take delivery this afternoon/evening.

 

I contacted and paid TuneWerks and Randy has been great to work with.

 

 

Good find. Best case scenario it also has atleast upgraded rods.

 

Yeah I’m pretty stoked. Needs body clips everywhere on the underside but that’s pretty easy. I have the vband clamps for the screamer pipe. Just have to figure out the best way to get to it