Switchback's Fiesta Fun Car Build

[M-Sport fan]

Many on here seem to believe that it is the rear factory damper's valving which is the main culprit for the 'bounciness', 'porposing', or any other ride quality maladies they perceive this platform as having in stock form.

I personally do not mind the factory valving all that much.

I would want to change to the Bilsteins simply for their much better build quality/longevity than the stockers, and their ability to better deal with the higher spring rate of the Swift Spec R springs I would pair them with if/when I ever change out the factory suspension.

 

[Switchback]

Many on here seem to believe that it is the rear factory damper's valving which is the main culprit for the 'bounciness', 'porposing', or any other ride quality maladies they perceive this platform as having in stock form.

I personally do not mind the factory valving all that much.

I would want to change to the Bilsteins simply for their much better build quality/longevity than the stockers, and their ability to better deal with the higher spring rate of the Swift Spec R springs I would pair them with if/when I ever change out the factory suspension.

I've never noticed any issues with either my 2016 or now my 2015 with suspension weirdness, but then again I'm not a professional driver and don't notice the difference. But hey, Bilsteins are nice and haven't had any noticeable problems so that's good right!

In other news, I was able to snag an Open Box new Whoosh Motorsports v3 intercooler for $300, so I went ahead and slapped that in the car. Loaded up the latest Cobb stage 2 tune (My accessport hasn't been updated since 2018 so I updated firmware and the tune), loving the temperature reduction with the new IC. I think I have a boost leak though as I'm topping out at 18lb of boost (not 21 like what's expected) so I need to go around and tighten all the bolts I can. Also, the stupid hose clamp holding the Symposer in snapped the tab off, so I think I'm going to pull out the whole intake pipe and give it a piece of my mind before putting in the plug.

Lastly, I unfortunately received some news that the contract I'm on was not renewed so I'm staring down the barrel of unemployment in the coming months. (They've got funding for me for 3 more months) So I likely won't be spending anymore on the Fiesta which is unfortunate, but housing costs must come first. I really really don't want to get to the point where I have to sell my Fiesta off, I just bought it

 

[M-Sport fan]

Yes, affordable (low to medium income/fixed income seniors) housing is NON-EXISTENT here in Joyzee (25K people vying for ONE available less than $3k/month apartment, lotteries just to get onto a 1000 person waiting list, etc. ).

I can only imagine how horrid the 'market' is in that very desirable part of Cali!

 

[rallytaff]

Yes, affordable (low to medium income/fixed income seniors) housing is NON-EXISTENT here in Joyzee (25K people vying for ONE available less than $3k/month apartment, lotteries just to get onto a 1000 person waiting list, etc. ).

I can only imagine how horrid the 'market' is in that very desirable part of Cali!

San Diego is known for its high costs. You also get the stench from the flow of sewage from the Tijuana River flowing north and its free!

 

[Switchback]

Yes, affordable (low to medium income/fixed income seniors) housing is NON-EXISTENT here in Joyzee (25K people vying for ONE available less than $3k/month apartment, lotteries just to get onto a 1000 person waiting list, etc. ).

I can only imagine how horrid the 'market' is in that very desirable part of Cali!

Well I do own my home (Okay well the bank owns it), but yes housing is SoCal is...spendy.

San Diego is known for its high costs. You also get the stench from the flow of sewage from the Tijuana River flowing north and its free!

I mean you don't really get that past Imperial Beach. At least I've never noticed it... (I also don't really go to the beach because sand)

 

[Switchback]

So I found my boost leak. The hose that goes to the symposer had a crack in it. After cursing the gods, three beers and enough swearing to fill a gallon jar I got the symposer out. I cut down the symposer tube and put in the plug using the leftover good tubing. Unfortunately during this process I managed to pull the upper coolant reservoir hose out. Shoved it back it and clamped it down however that didn't fix because it leaks when running the engine. So now the Fiesta is parked waiting on a replacement tube. (Ordered from Whoosh, cheaper than Ford parts which was nice) and a jug of coolant. Going to call my mechanic who did the Timing belt to see what coolant he uses (It was standard Green not the Motorcraft stuff) so I can get some more.

 

[Switchback]

After much swearing and rage I replaced the whole assembly. Should be good for now.

In more fun and exciting news, I found some old-date-code (2022) Bridgestone Potenza RE71-RS tires in my size (205/45R16) for half their normal going rate! ($120 instead of the $260 they usually retail for) So now I have some extra-grippy tires for half what their usual price is, now I just have to wait for a reasonable San Diego day to go find some backroads.

 

[EscortSportage]

So I found my boost leak. The hose that goes to the symposer had a crack in it. After cursing the gods, three beers and enough swearing to fill a gallon jar I got the symposer out. I cut down the symposer tube and put in the plug using the leftover good tubing. Unfortunately during this process I managed to pull the upper coolant reservoir hose out. Shoved it back it and clamped it down however that didn't fix because it leaks when running the engine. So now the Fiesta is parked waiting on a replacement tube. (Ordered from Whoosh, cheaper than Ford parts which was nice) and a jug of coolant. Going to call my mechanic who did the Timing belt to see what coolant he uses (It was standard Green not the Motorcraft stuff) so I can get some more.

Whoosh cold side pipe eliminates the symposer which i hear is known to crack and leak boost.

The Whoosh hot side pipe eliminates one rubber coupler and eliminates the stock baffle, I just swapped the hot and cold side, totally worth it.

 

[EscortSportage]

After much swearing and rage I replaced the whole assembly. Should be good for now.

In more fun and exciting news, I found some old-date-code (2022) Bridgestone Potenza RE71-RS tires in my size (205/45R16) for half their normal going rate! ($120 instead of the $260 they usually retail for) So now I have some extra-grippy tires for half what their usual price is, now I just have to wait for a reasonable San Diego day to go find some backroads.

When these tires are worn, try the nangkang CRS its a monster 200tw tire extremely quick.

 

[Switchback]

Whoosh cold side pipe eliminates the symposer which i hear is known to crack and leak boost.

The Whoosh hot side pipe eliminates one rubber coupler and eliminates the stock baffle, I just swapped the hot and cold side, totally worth it.

I just put in the Whoosh symposer delete to at least temporarily fix that problem, eventually I'll do all the tubing. Probably also coolant lines when I have more disposable income. As for tires I don't particularly /need/ 200TW tires but if they are relatively inexpensive maybe it will be worth trying out. With the Enkei wheels I'm more or less stuck with 205/45R16 or 205/50R16s.

 

[EscortSportage]

I just put in the Whoosh symposer delete to at least temporarily fix that problem, eventually I'll do all the tubing. Probably also coolant lines when I have more disposable income. As for tires I don't particularly /need/ 200TW tires but if they are relatively inexpensive maybe it will be worth trying out. With the Enkei wheels I'm more or less stuck with 205/45R16 or 205/50R16s.

Im waiting for a set of 16inch rpf1 to come in.