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Tarrant64's 18' RS LE - Nitrous Blue RS Build Thread

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36K views 123 replies 25 participants last post by  JamoRS  
#1 · (Edited)
Hey there!

Creating a thread to officially commit myself on this new build opportunity. I was previously an ST owner, just recently sold that beast of a car (literally) and picked up an RS. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the RS yet, it's pretty much what I built the ST to be in terms of a road monster. But, this thread will maybe help me get started. I'm a Mountune fan, I think they do great things for the Focus platform and quality of their products are hard to beat. I went all the way through their big turbo/MRX setup on my ST. I will miss it, and after some dialed in E30 tuning it was actually faster than the RS by a bit(~400hp/400tq). I'll see if I can change that, but honestly most of that power wasn't usable realistically.

I'm really happy with the purchase, I think I got a good deal on it. The RS is much more buttoned up and refined than the ST. A lot of the work that went into the ST comes pretty much stock on the RS. So I'm very happy with the starting point. I may look into minor tune adjustments (torque seems lacking). It does seem to be a little flat in response but it's certainly sufficient for daily driving!

Modifications
Mountune shift knob (carry over from my ST)
Mountune Uprated BPV
Mountune Full Intake
Mountune Intercooler
Mountune V2 Air Filter
Mountune Sport Springs w/ Ford Front Revised Shocks
Mountune Turbosmart Actuator
Mountune V2X Exhaust
Mountune Quick Shift, Bushings, and Shift Boot
Ford Performance Drift Stick
Redline Tuning Hood Struts
20% Ceramic Window Tint
MUTEKI SR35 Lug/Lock
Cobb Accessport
NGK Spark Plugs
Raceseng Tow Hook w/ GoPro Mount
Raceseng Reverse Lockout
Hawk DTC-30 Pads
Goodridge Phantom Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Motul 660 Brake Fluid

Tune+ Bluetooth E85 Ethanol Sensor + App
Ventus Veloce Carbon Fiber Hood


Day I took delivery.



My Old ST Build Thread (warning, it's long!): Tarrant64's '14 PB ST2 Build Thread (check it out!)


Unfortunately I seem to be going backwards on this build already! Picked up a rock chip on the way home from delivery (I got it filled so it doesn't spread later).
 
#2 ·
Nice choice! Welcome!
 
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#3 ·
#6 · (Edited)
First thing, these spring blocks have got to go. I took them out day car was delivered to me. After a 20-30 miles of driving I started getting this horrible noise from the front right wheel well. Got the jack and lifted the car up to see what was going on, and a few forum searches later, all was sorted out.



Another few shots of the car while it's stock. This nitrous blue is something I've appreciated in all lighting so far.







 
#53 ·
Another easy/quick mod - removed the cable in the trunk that produces the fake engine noise. The car is crazy quiet now. I kind of like it if you just want a quiet peaceful drive.

At the same time, I miss having the noise when I get on the throttle. Pops and burbles are still noticeable though.

I may look into some kind of switch I can do to enable quick on/off from the drivers seat.

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Sorry for the noob questions:
What's the plastic square thing? What was it supposed to do, and where was it?
And are you saying that it puts fake engine noise through the speakers, like the golf R?
 
#10 ·
Another easy/quick mod - removed the cable in the trunk that produces the fake engine noise. The car is crazy quiet now. I kind of like it if you just want a quiet peaceful drive.

At the same time, I miss having the noise when I get on the throttle. Pops and burbles are still noticeable though.

I may look into some kind of switch I can do to enable quick on/off from the drivers seat.

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#11 ·
Another week, another mod.

Happy to have RACESENG be a part of my build. In search of a tow hook came across their name on this forum so decided what the heck let’s try it out. Great product here. Happy with it.

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I might have the hook painted at some point a different color. Not sure. I don’t like the idea of red for some reason, stands out. Black was too little but grey for some reason was OK. I figured I can always color it later if it need a better accent that “pops”.

Right now I’m not sure what all pops with this paint yet so figured gray was neutral.





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#13 ·
Each to his own I guess, but I can't understand this obsession with tow hooks (people predicting a problem?)...............
 
#16 ·
It's not required that I know of or on the tracks I've been to. You can still tow a car without an official 'hook', it's just a matter of where/how they do it then. Tow hook makes it easier for sure. I think if people track occasionally it should be something to look into if it's an easy thing to add. I bought a custom made tow strap for my ST, just never got it installed because of some drilling work I would need to do to attach it properly to the car.
 
#17 ·
Understood, on the days that i have done, they will make you take the one out of your trunk and put it on the car at inspection. Otherwise they will just put the hook anywhere they want and are not liable for the damage.
I like mine as well, has some blue hints on it which goes well


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#24 ·
I may still be getting stuff in the mail. [emoji16]

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Also got the dremel out and cleaned up where the tow hook connects by making a whole on the factory cover so it fits cleanly in there. It wasn’t a perfect cut or anything but now there’s not gaping hole there.

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More boxes to come, also installation pics in a few weeks. [emoji6]
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#26 ·
Still waiting on an intercooler from Mountune. Then we should see some more action here and parts installed.

I’ve been tuning as well for 91. This is more or less not for power gains but getting the most out of the gas here and be better than stock. Then we move on to E30 and start turning it up from there.

In the meantime, small stuff for the RS and a new addition to the garage family.

New sun shield for the Focus. Fits really well!
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Side shot, because why not.
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2018 CX-5 Grand Touring for the wife. We love it. Much improved over her 2015 model.
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#27 · (Edited)
Got some time today to install the full Mountune upgraded intake.

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Out with the old (that lower intake piping sucked to get off!!).
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Getting the new lower intake pipe on sucked just as bad if only because I dropped my ratchet and had to take a wheel off to get to it under the engine.

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Things went well after the lower intake went on. Buttoning everything up.
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Done!
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However, came across a problem putting the wheel back on...stripped a lug nut. Apparently this is common. Stopped by a discount tire to have it replaced. More pics coming on that soon...

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#28 ·
I didn’t realize the oem lug nuts were kinda garbage. Two pieces instead of one I guess.

Ended up having the stripped lug nut replaced at Discount Tire. Those guys are great.

I’ll be shopping around for a new set altogether.

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#31 ·
New lugs have been delivered. More pics soon on them on the car. It’s a set with the security lock so I’ll have the same security the oem lugs do, just better quality.

Excited to get these on.

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#32 · (Edited)
Lug nuts installed. Like them so far. Didn’t go over without it’s issues though. One of the oem lugs got stuck in my 19mm, thankfully had another one to use. And thankfully it actually came out. So out of 20, 2 were bad.

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Scratched (very minor/light) a couple of the rims, but I didn’t expect not to. I’m not the most skilled at it but I at least try. Not even mad about it.

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#33 ·
I’ve not posted much in performance because I’m dealing with bad 91 right now. Not much to see other than a struggle for any kind of reliable power. I’ll soon be going to E30 but I like to tune for both.

Quality is seemingly 89 even though I’m putting in 91. Threw some E85 in there and like magic no more corrections. Looking forward to moving on from 91 right now. Losing a little sleep over it.

“Premium” 91
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Added 1.5gal of E85 - “magic”
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Next few weeks should have intercooler installed. Will be posting some on FocusFest. Also...will have moved to E30 and will post some vdyno comparisons from my big turbo ST alongside my RS and it’s journey from a lackluster 91 to the trustworthy E30.




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