Just Bought A Focus RS And Think You Need To Mod It Already? Here’s Exactly How To Do It.

Our friend Scott over at CJ Pony Parts had sent us this useful video and article on the brand new Ford Focus RS a little while ago. We’re just getting around to reading it and quite honestly, it’s worth it.

And let’s face it, the RS is going to be a car that people want to tune. That just comes with the territory of the hot hatch. There isn’t a hot hatch in existence that has all examples untouched from a mod stand point. Personally I own a WRX and haven’t done a thing to the engine or drivetrain, but there are endless WRXs that have been modded to kingdom come. The RS will have people tweaking it and if you’re good at it, you can extract a bit more. Here’s Scott’s take on it.

MODIFY: Exhaust

Any car guy will tell you, one of the most fun things to modify is the exhaust so you can give it that roar that you’re looking for.

MODIFY: COBB Accessport

Add a Cobb Accessport to help fine tune your performance.

MODIFY: SpringsUpgrade to sport lowering springs to create a lower center of gravity and give you better handling.

MODIFY: Brake Rotors and PadsUpgrade to performance rotors for improved cooling and performance pads for better grip and less dust.

MODIFY: Sway BarThese are all stiffer than the ST and can be modified or upgraded to give it the feel you desire.

MODIFY: Carbon Fiber PartsThe RS doesn’t come with any carbon fiber parts, but you can add plenty of your own to reduce weight or just for looks, including spoilers, oil caps, interior trim, and more.

MODIFY: Intakes

The first thing all car guys will do is replace the factory air intake. Replacing them gives you more power and opens up the engine bay.

Conversely, he notes what you should leave alone to get the more out of the mods you’ve just done.

LEAVE AS IS: Intercooler

The RS’s intercooler was operating so well that Ford had to install a blanking plate to reduce its efficiency.

LEAVE AS IS: Brake Calipers

It doesn’t get much better than the Brembo calipers that come standard with the 2016 RS.

LEAVE AS IS or MODIFY: Wheels

The RS currently has Michelin Pilot Super Sports wrap light alloy 19 inch wheels, with 18 inch winter tires as an option. Modify to get the custom look you desire.

LEAVE AS IS or MODIFY: Seats

The base Recaro seats are the same as the ST, which look great but lack passenger height adjustment. An upgraded package adds heated adjustable seats and heated steering wheel.

For me, the modify list is strong with the Cobb AP giving you a better engine map than what you’ll find from the factory and sway bars will flatten out the ride without sacrificing ride comfort. Two things do stick out on the leave list. 1) The wheels shouldn’t be touched. There’s no need to add rotational mass to your car. Unless you plan on replacing your wheels (which by the way were designed for the car in the first place) with RPF01s or better, best best is to leave them alone. 2) The Recaro seats I’d also leave as is as they hug you tight and adding the heated and adjustable seats ads unnecessary weight.

All in all, this is a solid list and any of these things will make your RS that much faster. Though with 350hp/350lb-ft on tap, do you really need more for a road going hot hatch?

(Source: CJ Pony Parts)