Who knew FiSTing was so fun?

AustinSN

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My wife has one very similarly optioned to yours OP. I'm probably going to pick up a used one as my commute is about to increase 10x.

There really isn't a more fun car under $30k. At least not that I've found.
 

Crimson2v

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My longterm average is sitting at 30.4mpg right now and I dont baby it ever. It gets incredible mileage for even having a heavy foot.
That’s pretty damn impressive. Do they have any reliability issues? I’ve always liked the Fist, I may look into one whenever my camry decides to retire.
 

PhoenixM3

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I'm just shy of 6' and 195lbs and the leg room is plentiful. It's the side bolstering of the Recaro's that give me trouble after about 30min. But, it's the gf's car and she's about 5'2" and 120lbs so it's perfect for her. FBO car too per her request. I converted her into a car chick. lol Taught her how to drive stick and away she went. Cobb catted DP, MRT cat-back (she drove the RS and wanted hers to snap, crackle, and pop too), Cobb IC, and intake. Numbers in sig are on a Mustang dyno. Broke the tires loose on the first two pulls. Definitely a rowdy little buggy!
Nice stable you get there too. She’s a keeper.
 

svtfocus2cobra

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That’s pretty damn impressive. Do they have any reliability issues? I’ve always liked the Fist, I may look into one whenever my camry decides to retire.

I've heard there are a couple minor things but I haven't experienced anything and there are probably other guys who know the issues better than I do. The only one I have is that after I fill up with fuel the car wants to stall for the first mile or two of driving. No check engine light or anything major from it which is surprising because EVAP issues usually always throw a light for the slightest thing. It's not a big deal to me so I haven't looked into it at all, and I run a mechanic shop if that says anything about how minor it is to me lol.
 

PhoenixM3

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I've heard there are a couple minor things but I haven't experienced anything and there are probably other guys who know the issues better than I do. The only one I have is that after I fill up with fuel the car wants to stall for the first mile or two of driving. No check engine light or anything major from it which is surprising because EVAP issues usually always throw a light for the slightest thing. It's not a big deal to me so I haven't looked into it at all, and I run a mechanic shop if that says anything about how minor it is to me lol.
Do NOT top off these cars when fueling. My experience with a dull (non ST) Fiesta was first really slow fuel filling, which required replacement of the tank. Does your car accept fuel “normally” (full blast) or is it temparmental?
 

svtfocus2cobra

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Do NOT top off these cars when fueling. My experience with a dull (non ST) Fiesta was first really slow fuel filling, which required replacement of the tank. Does your car accept fuel “normally” (full blast) or is it temparmental?

It takes fuel normally. I have tried not topping it off and leaving it a few gallons short and it still did it. If I go really short, like a half tank, then it doesn't happen.
 

PhoenixM3

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It takes fuel normally. I have tried not topping it off and leaving it a few gallons short and it still did it. If I go really short, like a half tank, then it doesn't happen.
Agreed that the problem should throw a code. Sometimes insects clog one/more of the lines, which I thought the may have caused my issue (slow acceptance of fuel), but Ford mechanics could not locate the issue so they just replaced the fuel tank, and associated return lines, charcoal canister, etc... Your problem sounds like it is similar because you’ve observed the issue after each fill up. Have you visited the FiestaST Forum? Wealth of info there.
 

ram150

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I’m glad I found this thread because I’m looking into getting a fist or Fost for DD. More leaning towards the Fist can’t beat that weight Lol.

Not to high Jack the thread but are there any reliability issues? How’s Aftermarket support since Ford stopped producing them.
 

TerminatoRS

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I’m glad I found this thread because I’m looking into getting a fist or Fost for DD. More leaning towards the Fist can’t beat that weight Lol.

Not to high Jack the thread but are there any reliability issues? How’s Aftermarket support since Ford stopped
producing them.

I was torn between the Fiesta and Focus originally, but went Focus simply for more space. Started with a '13 Focus ST3 that became an FBO car with some suspension work and lighter wheels on top of it. Both cars make quite a bit of torque - relatively speaking - once you get into modding them. Then they're limited by how much the poor front tires can actually put down prior to third gear. Traded the FoST in for the RS and solved that issue. lol

In my experience with the Fiesta, the only thing I've had to replace is the relay for the radiator fan. Original one decided to self destruct randomly which I discovered after a panicked phone call from the gf when the car was starting to overheat in stop-and-go traffic. Never had any issues with either Focus.

Plenty of aftermarket for the Fiesta and Focus. Basics, bolt-on turbo upgrades, E85 kits...you name it. They've even got obnoxious mud flaps for all the time the car won't spend on a dirt track at WRC.
 

72SBC

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Who makes the best off the shelf canned tune? I’m just planing on a drop in filter and tune.
 

svtfocus2cobra

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Agreed that the problem should throw a code. Sometimes insects clog one/more of the lines, which I thought the may have caused my issue (slow acceptance of fuel), but Ford mechanics could not locate the issue so they just replaced the fuel tank, and associated return lines, charcoal canister, etc... Your problem sounds like it is similar because you’ve observed the issue after each fill up. Have you visited the FiestaST Forum? Wealth of info there.

I haven't really looked into it at all because it just doesn't bother me. I may go check it out though just to see if anyone has the answers in case I run into a no start issue in the future. I have access to Identifix and a bunch of other diagnostic tools also that will tell me the most common problems and fixes when I look them up, but I just keep forgetting to do it.
 

WutApex

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Who makes the best off the shelf canned tune? I’m just planing on a drop in filter and tune.
Dizzy or Stratified seem to be the most popular on the US FiST forums. I'll be loading my Dizzy Stage 1 soon if the weather gets better and can give some feedback after that.
 

TerminatoRS

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If you go Cobb, the Accessport comes preloaded with all their staged tunes. Ours is on the stage 3 93oct tune. Friend of ours is a pro tuner and had it on the dyno. Said everything looked really good as is. For what it's worth...
 

WutApex

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True, but the torque increases are the bigger factor. I've read that the Cobb stages are more conservative than others but the driveability is vastly improved over the stock map. I'll play around with both the Cobb and Dizzy Stage 1 tunes and see if one is better than the other in certain driving conditions.

Also, you can buy ana AP used that often have a bunch of tunes on it already...
 

Kevins89notch

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The only one I have is that after I fill up with fuel the car wants to stall for the first mile or two of driving. No check engine light or anything major from it which is surprising because EVAP issues usually always throw a light for the slightest thing. It's not a big deal to me so I haven't looked into it at all, and I run a mechanic shop if that says anything about how minor it is to me lol.

LOL, ditto here.

Random stalling leaving gas stations, and I actually am getting a check engine light from time to time because of the EVAP. It comes on for 50-100 miles and then goes away for a couple more tanks.
 

kevinatfms

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Good to know, I have a few barrels and one of my wifes rifle cerakoted. Never thought of coating exhaust parts.

Not just exhaust parts! Cerakote works wonders on any metal part that could see heat, cold, dirt, debris and strikes. I saw a guy coat a skid plate in cerakote and it lasted longer than powdercoat during his rally-x year. It bakes into the metal instead of just clinging to the outside so its much more permanent.

The only gripe i have is that if the person doesnt know what they are doing the coating will crack and flake. Saw that on a Miata header recently. Buddy had it cerakoted while i was getting my downpipe coated and for some odd reason they did an amazing job on my downpipe but the header started cracking and flaking within a week(and not even installed).

So make sure the company who is coating the parts are well versed with the application and baking process.
 

kevinatfms

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I may consider an E30 tune for occasional use during the summer months. From what l can gather, no major mods are needed and power gains are impressive... just kinda a PITA to mix fuel, but for weekend fun maybe it won't be so bad...

ANY tune you go with should be accompanied by a more efficient front mount intercooler. Any increase in boost pressure and the thing heat soaks even at full flow through the OE intercooler.

Whoosh Motorsports sells a pretty nice little factory fit intercooler for under $300. Takes about an hour and a half to install.

E30 and intercooler is basically maxed out on the stock turbo. All other bolt on parts are just noise.
 

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