If you’re a gearhead or performance enthusiast, you know the exhilarating feeling of flooring the throttle and feeling your car’s engine roar to life. But have you ever wished your Ford Focus ST could deliver even more power? That’s where upgrading your turbocharger comes into play. Upgrading your turbocharger is an excellent way to enhance your vehicle’s power performance, and the Ford Focus ST, with its efficient 2.0L EcoBoost engine, is an ideal candidate for such an upgrade.
In this guide, we will provide detailed instructions on how to upgrade the turbocharger on your Ford Focus ST. We will help you understand the process and give you valuable tips to make the process smoother. Brace yourselves, because we’re going to dive deep into the world of turbochargers and power gains.
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Understanding the Function of a Turbocharger
Before we delve into the upgrade process, it’s important to understand what a turbocharger does and why it’s so crucial for your car’s performance. Essentially, a turbocharger is a forced induction system that increases an engine’s efficiency and power by forcing extra air into the combustion chamber. The more air your engine can handle, the more power it can produce, making your car faster and more responsive.
A turbocharger comprises two primary components: the turbine and the compressor. Exhaust gases from your engine drive the turbine, which in turn powers the compressor. The compressor then pushes more air into the engine’s combustion chamber, resulting in an increased power output.
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Understanding your turbocharger’s functionality will not only help you appreciate its value but also better comprehend the upgrade process.
Selecting the Right Turbocharger for Your Ford Focus ST
Choosing the right turbocharger is key to enhancing your vehicle’s power performance. You need to consider several factors before making your selection. This includes understanding your power goals, your budget, and the reliability of your engine and other supporting mods.
For the Ford Focus ST, there are several aftermarket turbochargers available that promise significant power gains. Some of the popular choices include the Garrett GTX2867R, the ATP GTX2860R, and the Borg Warner EFR 6758. Each of these turbochargers offers distinct advantages and trade-offs. For example, the Garrett GTX2867R is renowned for its fantastic top-end power, while the Borg Warner EFR 6758 is known for its excellent response and mid-range power.
Remember, larger turbos can deliver greater power but may also lead to increased turbo lag. Therefore, it is important to balance power goals with drivability.
Installing the Turbocharger on Your Ford Focus ST
Once you’ve selected the right turbocharger, it’s time to proceed with the installation. This process involves a series of steps that should be executed with precision and care to ensure optimal performance and safety. Here, we walk you through the key steps in installing a turbocharger on your Ford Focus ST.
First off, disconnect the battery and drain the engine oil and coolant. Remove the old turbocharger, including the intake, exhaust, and oil and coolant lines. Examine these lines for signs of wear or damage and replace them if necessary.
Then, install your new turbocharger. Secure it in place using the provided bolts and gaskets. Connect the oil and coolant lines to your new turbocharger, ensuring they are properly tightened to prevent any leaks.
Finally, refill your engine oil and coolant to their appropriate levels. Reconnect the battery, start your car, and let it idle for a few minutes to allow the new turbocharger to properly break-in.
Tuning Your Ford Focus ST Post Turbocharger Upgrade
After installing a new turbocharger, it is essential to tune your Ford Focus ST accordingly. Tuning ensures that your vehicle’s engine management system is calibrated to work with the new turbo, maximizing power gains and maintaining safe operating parameters.
To start, you need a reliable tuning device like Cobb’s Accessport, which allows you to make changes to your car’s engine control unit (ECU). You can modify parameters like fuel and ignition maps, boost control, and rev limits to optimize performance.
After adjusting your ECU settings, it’s advisable to get a professional dyno tune. This involves a performance specialist adjusting your car’s settings while it’s running on a dyno machine. This process helps to fine-tune your engine’s parameters for optimal power and fuel efficiency.
Remember, tuning should be done by a professional or someone with thorough knowledge of engine management systems. Improper tuning can lead to engine damage or reduced performance.
Maintaining Your Upgraded Turbocharger
Once you’ve upgraded and tuned your turbocharger, maintaining it becomes crucial. This involves regular checks, timely oil changes, and coolant flushes. Also, allow your car to idle before and after hard drives to let the turbo cool down, as excessive heat can damage it.
In addition, monitor your turbo’s performance regularly. If you notice any unusual noises, power loss, or increased exhaust smoke, these might indicate a problem with your turbo. If this happens, get your turbo checked by a professional as soon as possible.
Remember, maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity and performance of your upgraded turbocharger and your Ford Focus ST as a whole. So, always remain attentive to your car’s needs and respond promptly.
In conclusion, upgrading the turbocharger in your Ford Focus ST is a worthwhile investment if you’re chasing power gains. By understanding the turbocharger’s function, choosing the right upgrade, performing a professional installation, and maintaining your new turbocharger, you can significantly enhance your car’s power and performance. And isn’t that what every gearhead dreams of?
Understanding the Possibility of Other Upgrades
Having a deeper understanding of the potential for other upgrades is crucial to optimizing your Ford Focus ST’s performance after turbocharger upgrade. It’s worth noting that the turbocharger isn’t the only component you can upgrade to enhance your vehicle’s power output. By considering other supporting mods, you can potentially unlock even more power from your Ford Focus ST’s engine.
One option to consider is upgrading your car’s exhaust system. A performance exhaust system can help reduce back pressure, improve exhaust flow, and result in more power. Another upgrade to consider is a high-performance air intake system, which can help your engine breathe better and produce more power. It’s also worth looking into the possibility of upgrading your vehicle’s fuel system. A high-performance fuel pump and injectors can provide your engine with more fuel, which is necessary when you’re making more power.
In addition, remember the importance of upgrading your Ford Focus ST’s cooling system. If your engine produces more power, it’ll also generate more heat. An upgraded cooling system, which could include a larger radiator or high-performance coolant, can help keep your engine cool and perform at its best, even under harsh conditions.
Remember, while the turbocharger is the heart of your vehicle’s power performance, other components also play pivotal roles. Therefore, to maximize power gains, it’s crucial to consider upgrading these supporting mods along with the turbocharger.
The Ultimate Reward for a Gearhead
There’s no denying that upgrading a turbocharger is a task that requires a level of technical expertise, time, and financial investment. However, the reward of hearing your turbocharged Ford Focus ST roar to life, feeling the surge in power under your foot, and knowing that you’ve successfully enhanced your vehicle’s performance makes all the effort worthwhile.
Remember that every upgrade you make is a testament to your commitment as a gearhead. With each mod, you’re not only enhancing your car’s performance but also gaining a deeper understanding of your vehicle’s mechanics. This knowledge is invaluable, as it allows you to better maintain your vehicle and diagnose any issues that may arise.
In conclusion, the path to achieving significant power gains in your Ford Focus ST through a turbocharger upgrade may seem challenging, but it’s definitely within reach. With a solid understanding of a turbocharger’s function, careful selection of the right turbo, a meticulous installation process, appropriate tuning, and regular maintenance, you can ensure that your Ford Focus ST will deliver the power and performance you desire.
So, gear up, dive headfirst into this rewarding venture, and experience the thrill of unlocking your Ford Focus ST’s true potential. After all, there’s no greater satisfaction for a gearhead than pushing the limits of machine performance and experiencing the exhilarating results.