Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
A while back we updated you on our Inventory Control Specialist Eric N’s Project Focus RS, after fitting the car with a Cobb Tuning AccessPORT for Focus RS, we put the car on the dyno and saw firsthand the power gains to the wheels.
The Cobb Tuning AccessPORT woke up the car and made it feel like you EXPECT a Focus RS to feel like, with an additional 15whp on tap but more importantly, an extra 47 lb/ft of torque is served up to sink you into the seat proper.
Firming up the feel of the motor in a notoriously weak area, the Cobb Motor Mount for Focus RS is a carryover from the ST, but like on the ST, it’s a sorely needed upgrade for the car to be the performance machine it’s supposed to be.
It’s supposed to feel like it wants you to go do hoodrat stuff, encourages you to Hoon the thing. The tune really wakes up the car and unlocks a host of features – but the car’s tune can only work as well as the system retains boost.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
We’ve talked before about how leaking a little boost can really slow your car down – that’s why some upgrades from Turbosmart for the Focus RS were just what the doctor ordered. Like most factory cars, the RS’ OEM diverter valve leaks a little bit of boost, resulting in the car spooling a bit slower than it should, and having a harder time holding that boost at wide open throttle.
To remedy the problem, we’re going to fix the leak by fitting a Turbosmart Kompact Shortie Dual Port BOV for Focus RS, in concert with a Turbosmart IWG-75 Internal Wastegate for Focus RS. This combo translates to the car hitting boost more quickly and pulling harder than it did stock with sharper throttle response.
“The Turbosmart Dual Port makes the fun PSHHH sound we all love, but the car’s throttle response is a lot better, it’s more willing to go when you nudge the go-pedal,” Eric tells us.
Having driven the car personally after the upgrades, you can definitely feel the difference. Whereas typically, I feel like Focus ST and RS take a little bit longer to respond to throttle inputs than the Fiesta ST’s dimunitive-but-spoolhappy turbo 1.6 is- the car’s throttle response is literally razor sharp, and you feel it the instant you let off the throttle – your every input is perceptible and the car spools as quickly as the Fiesta does, which is outright silly, making it stupidly fun to drive.
After a quick test drive, our self-control kicked in and we handed Eric back his keys before this car got me arrested. I really can’t tell you enough that the sharp response erases any semblance of “meh” and transforms the car into a grin machine.
And those weren’t the only upgrades we’ve made since the last time you saw the car- oh no.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
At this point it’s pretty obvious that we’ve done some stuff to the car cosmetically, too – there’s no hiding those Monster Energy Green wheels. Custom powdercoated, the car is rolling on a set of HRE Performance Wheels‘ P44.SC’s, spec’d out in 19×8.5 ET48, and paired with the OEM Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, the car can defy physics. Seriously.
In addition to the wheels, the other obvious change is the aero suite from our friends at Rally Innovations. The car sports a Rally Innovations Splitter for Focus RS, Rally Innovations Side Skirts for ST/RS, and Rally Innovations Rear Diffuser fins to really drive home the RS’ rallycar origins.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Of course, wheels and tires are only half of the performance equation – giving it the mechanical grip to match the rubber’s bite, the Focus RS has been lowered with a set of Eibach Pro-Kit Springs for Focus RS.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Fiesta ST on Sparco Terra 16×7.5 ET38 / 225/50-16 Yokohama S-Drive on ST XTA Coilovers
The suspension’s been warmed over in more ways than one, as the Sway Bars have also been replaced with a set from Whiteline Suspension, paired with Massive Endlinks and Camber Arms, this Focus RS is a little more oversteer-happy than your average Focus RS.
Up front, the Velossatech Intake Snorkel for the Focus RS Intake System is both a striking visual addition as well as a tidy performance upgrade.
This simple little scoop corrects a major flaw in the factory intake system, fixing the problem of the factory intake drawing in air trapped in a hot little space between the radiator and the bumper, which translates to heat soak and stupid high intake air temperatures. And I don’t care what anyone says, if you have cooler temperatures going in, you’ll have cooler air coming out of your turbo and FMIC. As silly as it seems, the simple addition of a snorkel reduces intake temperatures from 140+ on hot days back down to ambient air temperature.
Here’s the underhood view. Complimenting the Velossatech Intake snorkel and RS blockoff panel, the filter was replaced by a Cobb Tuning High Flow Filter for Focus RS / ST, which offers a nice little enhancement in airflow.
With the power increased with a little extra boost, this meant our direct injected turbocharged four would be seeing more oil vapor blow by, meaning that an oil catch can was a prudent idea.
The Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can for Focus RS installs underneath the OEM intake manifold, and isn’t removed, instead, you drain the car from below each oil change.
Here’s a look at what had to come off to install our Mishimoto catch can.
This simple looking piece of hardware makes for peace of mind, knowing that it’s keeping our intake system clean and limits the oil vapor to a minimum.
Once installed, this catch can is almost impossible to see, so this is the best view we have of it once installed.
With everything installed, the car looks and performs like a totally different animal than it was in stock form. It’s damn fun. Last week, we did an oil change on the RS, converting it over to LiquiMoly 10w-60 Synthetic Racing Oil to keep the 2.3 EcoBoost happy and revving freely.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Fiesta ST on Sparco Terra 16×7.5 ET38 / 225/50-16 Yokohama S-Drive on ST XTA Coilovers
Since we hadn’t snapped any photos in a while, this rainy day gave us the opportunity to go wild, so enjoy the rest of this gratuitous photo gallery below.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Fiesta ST on Sparco Terra 16×7.5 ET38 / 225/50-16 Yokohama S-Drive on ST XTA Coilovers
Here’s the rear view of the Fiesta ST and Focus RS, both equipped with Rally Innovations aero upgrades.
Here’s a better view of the Rally Innovations Rear Diffuser Fins for Focus RS – the black door vinyls add an extra bit of dimension to the car’s appearance.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
This shot is one of our favorites.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
In this historically heavy downpour, our freshly repaved parking lot is like a mirror.
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs 
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Fiesta ST on Sparco Terra 16×7.5 ET38 / 225/50-16 Yokohama S-Drive on ST XTA Coilovers
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Focus RS on HRE P44.SC 19×8.5 ET48 / Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35-19 Tires on Eibach Springs
Thanks for joining us, we hope you enjoyed the photos. Stay tuned for more on Eric’s Focus RS as time goes on, right here on the ModBargains blog.
Need parts for your Focus RS, Fiesta ST, Focus ST or Mustang? Talk to the Mod Experts, call 714-582-3330 or stop by the shop to place your order. Need something installed? We can do that too! From lighting to intercoolers to coilovers, we can install just about any bolt on mod at the Mod Auto shop.
Story & Photos by Nick Gregson