Ford Focus RS for Dummies: Modification Guide

[@electricdoor]

1. Downpipe: The DP bolt issue is incredibly rare. What happens more than that is pulling the studs out with the DP. Just spend another $20 and order some w/ nuts before the install. (W712458-S900, W520103-S442) The install sucks but it's cheaper than an exhaust since you get just as much power with a DP or a catback and both is only really necessary if you're upgrading the turbo later. 2. SSC: If you get a filter, get a sound suppression chamber. In Cam's previous WGA video at 16:01 you can hear the howling noise you get without one. It's obnoxious and I'm kind of disappointed he's selling this without one because the install kind of sucks, but the part is cheap. 3. GET. A. CATCH. CAN. as you should with any turbo GDI car. Another one I'm surprised Cam skipped on this build. These are essential to not only keeping your intake valves clean, but also keeping your octane consistent; as oil reduces octane, which means your knock threshold is lowered, which means less performance. TBF it's probably not by much, but you still need one. 4. Coilovers: Seriously, don't. It's a waste. For the same money as cheap coilovers and a strut tower bar you can get better performance from Mountune springs + DSC sport controller, which keeps the active dampers and makes them programmable. 5. Drivability: Short shift plate + shift bushings + Damon throttle pedal spacer was absolutely mandatory for me and my first mods on this car after having them on my old ST. 6. Diff fluids: If the RS is over 30k and you plan on even doing a few autocross, track, etc. events, go ahead and change PTU + RDU fluids. It's cheap and easy. 2 quarts Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-140 (technically 1 but it's a 0.9L fill so be safe) for the PTU, 1 quart Redline 75W-85 CL-5 (50104) for the RDU. These are technically lifetime fluids but changing them doesn't hurt anything and not changing them every 30k theoretically could. My RDU has a magnetic drain plug and it was coated with 1/8" of metal sludge when I did mine. 7. Intake: The OEM intake tube on the RS is MUCH better than the one on the ST. All you really need here is an "induction hose" (elbow to the filter) to eliminate the turbulence from the accordion. A full intake is overkill unless you plan on pushing an NX2 to its limits. (540WHP+) In that case, get a Depo intake. Everything else is throwing your money away. 8. FMIC: Disagree on getting a nice one. This is the one part you can go dirt cheap with. I got a Rev9 from eBay and it performs just as well as "the best" ones and better than anything $200 more. 9. Internals & big power: The "reliable" limit of the stock RS block seems to be 380-400WTQ, with most tunes at that point achieving 400WHP. The power mods Cam did here SHOULD get you there after tuning. It really is that easy. -When building the engine, consider the power you want. The stock turbo maxes out at 425WHP-ish after you've built the bottom end. Stroking a 2.0TS block from late model Fusions back to 2.3L is more economical than the stuff you need to do to make the stock block viable, but in extreme power scenarios (700WHP+) it SHOULD outperform a 2.0 block with the right mods. -The particulars of the block itself are hotly debated, (especially by the Euro dudes, yeesh) but it's generally agreed it wasn't engineered for insane power, as the water jacket between cyl 2+3 is supported by a very thin wall and known to crack when cylinder deflection gets worse in big power scenarios. -520-530WHP is easy after the bottom end is built with an NX2 and either 4-port aux fuel or an XDI Evo fuel pump + injectors. After that it gets stupid expensive. Built head w/ cams ($4k) and an exotic turbo setup w/ dual wastegates & dump tubes ($4-6k) will get you to 590-600WHP-ish, then you need a fuel surge tank - not to mention the supporting mods you'll need like upgraded axles and an unwieldy clutch. People have pushed this thing to over 700WHP though, and the 2.3L platform has been pushed over 1,000WHP in EB Mustangs.

[@CameronAlford]

Thanks for going deeper!

[@11THEW0RD11]

Chuck in the Radium baffle plate. Radium fuel filter probably doesnt hurt as well.

[@zachdailyfost4433]

​@@11THEW0RD11 can the Fuel filter be added to the STs? Or just the RS?

[@HugoHardinge]

Respect these videos even though I don’t own one

[@noah22261]

Focus RS videos are definitely my favorite. We need a cinematic canyon run vid next

[@Jesus_Is_Our_Lord22]

I just bought a 2016 ford focus RS which actually is my first ever stick shift so I have had my dad show me how to drive it on the weekends I think for right now ill stick with stock till i get the car fully paid off but let me tell you I love this vehicle and im planning on keeping it around for a while. I said all this because your videos actually got me to work hard to finally be able to get one. I'll definitely like this video for when I do go to mod it. So thank you for posting these and making the videos easy to understand, being im new to the whole car scene. I do have a question what should I upgrade first I wasnt sure if you were putting them in order because I was told when you upgrade your air intake you want to upgrade your exhaust first wasnt sure if that was correct or not

[@artybrandt]

I also have a 2016 and theyre very fun cars as is. Only thing ive done so far is new intake filter and disconnected the fake engine noise going to the cabin. Honestly long term I dont even plan to change a ton, car doesnt really need it.

[@jamesgiglio1374]

Basically go full bolt ons and don't tinker with the motor itself. Blow off valve, wastegate etc. The minute you go big turbo and start messing with the fuel is when you're going to blow the thing up. I've got full bolt on with a tune, wastegate, blow off valve in a couple of other small additions and I'm turning about 400 to 410 horsepower. I don't need any more than that. What am I going to do with a focus that's 500 and 600 horsepower other than kill myself. I'm 60 years old, I like going fast but not break neck speed and I don't play cat and mouse.

[@ratpudding]

Da boost go brrr

[@Silasssssssss]

Wait so it's not advisable to install something like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIKbZ5yvZ9mYnZI ?

[@jon2761]

I discovered your channel last week. I love your focus RS!! keep it up, it’ explained well!

[@CameronAlford]

Thanks!

[@logan4706]

you need the solid cable bushings on the shift cables.

[@erico4339]

Love my RS!

[@nickolaygavrilenko9962]

12:00 very detailed

[@gibstarplayz2005]

This is the video I need thank you

[@phatt180]

Good video mate, you hit all the go to mods on the head.

[@CameronAlford]

Thanks!

[@DeviCrow]

Now I need a video about the diesel ST :D

[@mintieness4987]

Don’t forget about the sound suppression chamber if you do an intake!

[@jacobMMotorsport]

Sick video! also most of these mods you can do to your ST as well!! mountune is legitness!

[@CameronAlford]

yes!

[@danieldavila4566]

Can I swap a rs engine to a st front wheel drive with no problems???

[@jakrizmo4483]

I just got my Focus RS about 2 months ago (ish). Already beat the video on the Mirror Turn Signals, mine is black so the white housed lens just looked awful. Looking forward to more on your RS for ideas!

[@DieRejctor]

No rear big break kit?

[@JackFrost05]

Loved the vid. Where’s the best place to buy a RS?

[@ruptureviles241]

I like these “__ mods for dummies” videos

[@ralphpeiris5996]

Do the AWE track edition. Nice and loud!

[@Phillipvakulich]

So in the end how much wheel horsepower did it have

[@dasilvacarvalhocarlos2485]

Yes yes Cameron 👍👌focus rs mk3 👍👍👍👌👌👌

[@MrParis311]

The only Intake you should buy is ETS. It’s the only one I’m aware of on the market that is bigger than stock.

[@a.jacobson2932]

Has this been sold yet?

[@bubbajones7486]

Can you make a video on how to apply CRC valve and turbo cleaner for the intake valves? I'm not sure where to start and apply it on the RS. There are plenty of videos on the ST. I'm not sure if they're the same. Even if you have a 'catch can', you can still get carbon build-up on the intake valves.

[@greecoboost]

I hope I'm wrong about this, but we may not see a video on that from Cam. He's reached the end of his Focus RS series and is selling the car. Plus, he really hasn't had it long enough to have built up any serious gunk on the valves, even if he was boosting hard every day. You are right, though. One of the troublesome things about direct-injection engines is the buildup on the valves and even with a catch can, you still get it. I made sure to get both a catch can and PCV plate on my ST when it was just under 30K miles. I still plan on getting a walnut blast done when it's at around 50K.

[@jayvin_2169]

That CRC stuff will not do much on its own. You have to physically get in ther to break off the carbon. Your best bet is to just walnut blast OR justify 4 port aux fuel. Definitely worth it when you have a BT.

[@bubbajones7486]

@Jayvin_21 Unfortunately you are correct. I've been thinking of Walnut blasting soon. I've seen videos of the CRC being used but not to impressed.

[@jessebudelman]

I got the BC’s on my ST but kinda stumped on the tuning aspects of them, got any advice on setting adjustments? First fully adjustable coil overs I have had on a car, right now it’s super stiff and Wisconsin roads are kinda trash (a lot of pot holes, cracks and bumps) trying to find a medium between stiff and soft/comfortably….got rears set to soft (bottom turn knob is only thing I’ve toyed with on the shock. If that makes sense) appreciate any advice and or pointers.

[@kylancarpenter5589]

Can you do this same video for ur wrx

[@CameronAlford]

Noted!

[@avyatar9808]

Cameron, I know the ST and RS have their differences. But would you recommend the BC coilovers for the ST.

[@CameronAlford]

Absolutely! carmaspeed.com/products/bc-racing-br-type-coilovers-ford-focus-st-2013-2018?_pos=1&_sid=afe1263aa&_ss=r

[@KungfufightU]

Bummed to hear you are selling alresdy?

[@jessemcdaniel9689]

Do you still have this car?

[@matthewborgaro8437]

So glad you continue to make content, god bless

[@elliotlindstrom6259]

Never seen a creator who is as mean to his fans as this guy

[@CameronAlford]

What happened that made you think this?

[@RodalAuto]

Official Focus boy confirmed

[@jacobbprisk9374]

Where is the finished 22b man😔

[@CameronAlford]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z53HhJyEZc1kjdU

[@davidpedraza1433]

How much are you selling it for ?

[@zmadewell9638]

I own an se hatch 2014 I wish someone would do a good build on one 😂

[@richardlapoint1845]

People are doing alot with the se. They're st swapping them, manual swapping them, and tuning the na 2.0

[@laurahunt5146]

KW do plug and play. a non issue

[@ForgedbyVi]

How do I throw you an email?

[@jeffherzog6419]

FBO big turbo 415whp

[@zZILLAa2]

😂 1:35 sszszszz sszszszz love it

[@muzmin9849]

Don’t sell it! Lol. Keep going put a ST block, boost it up, e85 etc 😊

[@jasperbryce1577]

Most people throw a ST motor in them and build that motor

[@charliewilliams1474]

Hood struts get rid of that ugly hood rod.

[@trixie4528]

First 😅

[@SektorZer0]

I would say top 5 should be cobb ap, full air intake, high flow catted downpipe, exhaust, with a ets fmic paired with the cpe hks bov fmic piping with these no doubt you would see big gains in performance, but if you have the extra cash def go with kw Dcc Coilovers as this would keep the factory damping modes fully functional and the ride quality would so much better and of course some sweet aftermarket wheel and tires

[@Mpostor]

You outflow the stock turbo before the oem cat. DP does nothing for stock turbo on an RS

[@electricdoor]

@@Mpostor It's either or. Stratified wrote an article about it on their website. Cheaper option is the DP, but the install is the worst of any bolt-on. Lots of people enjoy the sound of aftermarket DP + stock exhaust.