With over 20 million offered, the mighty Ford Fiesta has been round for simply shy of fifty years now they usually stay some of the widespread automobiles to switch right here within the UK even though the final Ford Fiesta will roll off the manufacturing line this June, successfully spelling the tip for the badge. The reality is that they’ve been the individuals’s selection from the very starting, manner again in 1976.
Actually, nearly yearly for the reason that early ‘90s, the Ford Fiesta has been Britain’s hottest new automobile, interval. So, it’s secure to say that there’s nonetheless greater than a pair on the highway – and we will’t see them disappearing for no less than one other decade or two, both.
However with a well-stocked aftermarket providing efficiency and styling upgrades, and an entire neighborhood of lovers devoted to tweaking Ford’s most well-known supermini, what are the ten finest mods over all eight generations of Ford Fiesta? Properly, we expect we now have the solutions.
1. Alloy wheels
Let’s begin with maybe the preferred exterior modification for many Fiestas to hit the streets for the reason that late Seventies: alloy wheels. Except for a few uncommon variants produced for the Asian market (which got here with 4x100PCD wheels), all Fiestas have the 4×108 stud sample in frequent, and that implies that there’s loads of selection with regards to a cheeky wheel swap. It additionally implies that most of the commonplace alloy wheels are interchangeable between fashions, making for a comparatively low-cost and simple improve if, say you needed to suit second-hand Fiesta ST alloys to one of many Mk5, Mk6 or Mk7 base fashions.
That stated, the aftermarket has all the time been the way in which to go with regards to exhibiting your individuality, and the reality is that almost all wheel kinds – and certainly colors – look nice on any Fiesta. Hottest over time appears to be motorsport-inspired rims, which is comprehensible contemplating Ford’s illustrious rallying historical past.
Simply be cautious with regards to the sizes you select – early Fiestas such because the Mk2 and Mk3 weren’t designed to take big wheels, so rims which might be 15 inches in diameter are concerning the restrict with out main arch modifications. Then again, some trendy variants such because the Mk7 and Mk8 really got here with an 18-inch wheel choice for the manufacturing unit, so there’s much more scope for squeezing huge, vast wheels below the arches.
As a rule of thumb, don’t deviate greater than an inch or two from the usual diameter and also you’ll get all of the seems to be with out upsetting the drivability.
2. Chrome steel exhausts
Technically we’re taking a look at a tuning mod designed to extra effectively take away waste gasses from the engine, releasing up a number of horses alongside the way in which. However, with regards to the infant Ford, aftermarket exhausts are equally about seems to be, longevity and naturally, getting that deep efficiency rumble. Actually, for a lot of on the market, a efficiency exhaust would be the first (and infrequently final) modification carried out. Loads of in any other case commonplace Fiestas have benefited from a stainless-steel, cat-back improve over time.
Bolt-on aftermarket exhausts have many benefits, together with the truth that they don’t rust, so they need to final the lifetime of the automobile. They’re additionally comparatively reasonably priced, simple to put in, and out there for all Fiesta fashions, relationship again to the very first Mk1 proper as much as the newest Mk8.
Bear in mind although, all exhausts are designed particularly for every mannequin, so that they’re not interchangeable between totally different variants or engines. However on the plus aspect, there are many respected producers who supply a selection for nearly any price range.
3. Decreasing springs
Whenever you consider efficiency fashions, you concentrate on the Fiesta Mk6 and Fiesta MK7 ST, or maybe the Mk5 Fiesta Zetec-S. In the event you’re slightly older it might be the Fiesta Mk3 RS Turbo or RS1800, however regardless that all these fashions include manufacturing unit suspension tuned in direction of sporty dealing with, in addition they include the very same downside because the extra bread and butter examples – all of them sit manner too excessive!
What with the Fiesta being a preferred automobile in all walks of life, it’s simple to see why Ford has historically opted for a trip top that works within the metropolis and on probably the most difficult highway surfaces, however it’s nonetheless attainable to regulate the B-road dealing with and general seems to be slightly extra in your favour utilizing a easy set of reducing springs.
In reality, they’re removed from easy. These shorter, stiffer coils are designed to decrease the centre of gravity to all however remove physique roll and to maintain chassis geometry at its optimum by means of the corners. Generally, only a 25mm drop could make all of the distinction in beefing up the dealing with and vastly enhance the visible enchantment.
There are different suspension mods, reminiscent of uprated dampers or coilovers in fact, however the principle benefit of reducing springs is that they’re extraordinarily price efficient, and out there for nearly each Fiesta mannequin to ever come out of the manufacturing unit.
The largest piece of recommendation we may give right here is to do your analysis and search for the perfect high quality. The large-name suspension manufacturers spend thousands and thousands on improvement to make sure that their springs work successfully with the usual shock absorbers. That will not be the case with a number of the cheaper gadgets on the market.
4. Subwoofers
What’s a subwoofer? Merely put, it’s an enormous speaker able to reproducing the sub bass a part of the sound spectrum recorded in your music. With out one in your car, you’re simply not getting the complete image – an enormous a part of the frequency vary will probably be lacking, or on the very least extraordinarily muted.
Now, apart from probably the most trendy Mk7 and Mk8 Fiesta fashions with the best trim ranges, Ford don’t match a subwoofer as commonplace, which is one thing of a tragedy for actual music followers, irrespective of their precise style almost about the tracks on their favorite playlist.
Nevertheless it’s an issue that’s simply remedied. Becoming an aftermarket subwoofer – and infrequently upgrading the remainder of your sound system on the similar time – has been some of the widespread modifications for the reason that starting of time. What’s extra, any Fiesta mannequin can profit from a sonic improve.
Though there are a number of vehicle-specific choices available on the market, for probably the most half subwoofers are common fitment and comparatively simple to put in, even for the modding novice. There are additionally many, many guides on-line that cowl every mannequin.
The in need of it, although, is, by hooking up a sub to your sound system, you’ll be able to construct an incredible setup with an emphasis on full replica and high-end sound high quality. In automobile audio phrases, having a sub is not only about being loud.
5. Alloy intercoolers
Again within the ‘90s, the king of all Fiestas was the RS Turbo. The clue is within the title – it was the primary mannequin to spice up energy utilizing a turbocharger. Surprisingly sufficient, and regardless of its reputation, when the RS Turbo was phased out in 1992, Ford didn’t supply one other petrol-powered turbocharged Fiesta till the launch of the Mk7 in 2008, which included an entire vary of EcoBoost engines, together with the 1.6-litre variant within the 200-horsepower Fiesta ST.
In any case, these days nearly each Mk7 and Mk8 mannequin is turbocharged for each energy and effectivity, and this contains the diesel fashions too. This additionally implies that they will all reap the advantages of a easy intercooler improve.
Your intercooler has the essential job of cooling the new air getting into the engine after it’s handed by means of the turbocharger. Colder air is denser – it has extra oxygen by quantity – and this helps the engine produce extra energy. So, the important thing with regards to any type of tuning is to be as environment friendly as attainable with regards to cooling.
Aftermarket alloy intercoolers not solely dissipate warmth sooner than commonplace gadgets, however usually have a bigger capability or front-mounting place designed to select up most airflow. These features make them way more environment friendly, usually leading to a major energy hike and, most significantly, elevated security for the engine by providing elevated safety from detonation.
An alloy intercooler improve is simply appropriate for the turbocharged fashions in fact, however they all the time supply a cheap tuning mod with comparatively simple set up.
6. Port mapping
A port map – or a remap of the ECU software program by means of the diagnostic (OBD2) port – is undoubtedly the simplest strategy to bolster the efficiency of your trendy Fiesta. Maybe better of all (with various positive aspects relying on totally different engine specs), a remapping specialist can tweak the settings on each single mannequin launched for the reason that Mk5, which was launched over 20 years in the past.
All digital gas injection (EFI) programs are regulated by an Engine Management Unit (ECU). This unit is a small laptop that units numerous parameters reminiscent of ignition timing, fuelling and enhance stress, governing the quantity of energy and torque – and the gas economic system – that the engine is ready to muster.
For the reason that introduction of EFI within the Mk3 Fiesta, it has been attainable to optimise the digital software program for higher efficiency. Within the previous days, this meant ‘chipping’ the ECU, or bodily opening the casing and soldering in a modified microchip. However, by the point the Mk5 Fiesta got here alongside within the late ‘90s, standardised OBD2 ports had turn out to be commonplace tools on the vast majority of European automobiles, providing a direct hyperlink to the ECU. These not solely enable mechanics to carry out diagnostics just by plugging in a pc however supply a handy manner for mapping specialists to vary the software program (generally known as the map) contained inside.
Remapping is all about optimisation of those engine settings. The essential Ford software program has to cater for big variations in altitude, gas high quality and temperature, in order that any Fiesta can work in any excessive local weather, wherever on the earth.
For many international locations (together with right here within the UK) we don’t need to be fairly so cautious about excessive altitude motoring or probably the most excessive temperatures, so a software program remap is a straightforward strategy to optimise each setting for the absolute best efficiency, whereas conserving every thing inside strict security parameters.
7. Fast shifters
A fast shift – in any other case identified a brief shift equipment – is a tool engineered to shorten the throw of your gear stick (i.e. the space it has to journey between the gears) to make gear modifications extra exact and as much as 30% faster.
The essential premise is that the much less time you spend shifting with the clutch in, the extra time you’re on the accelerator. This not solely means faster acceleration however has secured the quick shift the title of final racecar-inspired mod.
Low-cost and comparatively simple to put in, fast shift kits can be found for many fashions for the reason that Mk2 Fiesta, though their simplicity in design, ease of fitment and beginning costs of round £50 for later fashions appears to make them significantly widespread for Fiesta Mk6, Mk7 and Mk8 variants.
And it’s not simply the extra performance-oriented choices such because the Fiesta ST and Zetec S which might be catered for. Every part from the 1-litre EcoBoost to the Duratorq diesels can profit from a brief shift equipment – all it’s worthwhile to begin off with is a Fiesta with a guide gearbox.
8. Air filter upgrades
There’s little doubt about it: a efficiency filter improve is a traditional tuning mod and one which appears to be as previous as time. Tuning, for probably the most half, is all about getting the utmost quantity of air into the engine, so extra gas may be burned for a much bigger bang within the cylinders. That is what produces extra energy.
Efficiency filter upgrades have been out there for each Fiesta since inception and, regardless of various in design for every particular mannequin, the premise has all the time been the identical – they’re in a position to let by means of extra air (and do it sooner) than commonplace whereas nonetheless being efficient in filtering out any probably dangerous particles.
Maybe better of all, this sort of improve doesn’t need to be costly and even time consuming to suit. Costs begin at round £40 for a efficiency panel filter that’s put in immediately into the usual airbox, and rises to slightly extra for a high-performance induction equipment that replaces half or the entire manufacturing unit consumption.
One of many most cost-effective and best modifications to release a number of additional horses for nearly any Fiesta mannequin.
9. Inside mods
On the lookout for finest styling mods on a strict price range? Then look no additional than your inside, the place you’ll discover you may make a number of the most cost-effective and best tweaks. Apart from, generally it truly is what’s on the within that counts; in any case, it’s right here that you just’ll spend most of your time.
From the only upgrades, reminiscent of a fancy new set of mats, LED inside lighting or an alloy gear knob, to these the place you’ll want to interrupt out the spanners to do the becoming, it’s a comparatively simple process to remodel any base mannequin inside into one thing slightly extra particular.
Scouring the labeled advertisements and on-line public sale websites is the important thing to frugality right here. A complete new inside may be had from a car breaker for a fraction of the worth of a single seat from a important supplier. The concept, as you’d count on, is to seek out the specified components from the next trim degree and match them to your individual automobile. This can be a idea that’s been round ever for the reason that first modifier acquired their palms on a set of seats from a Mk1 Fiesta XR2 and popped them into their 990cc base mannequin.
However whether or not it’s leather-based seats and doorcards from a particular version, Fiesta ST sports activities seats, carpets or perhaps a new dashboard and steering wheel, the very best half is – assuming you’re making the swap from the identical variant (e.g. Mk7 Fiesta components in one other Mk7 Fiesta) – that they’ll all the time slot into place completely. Simply ensure you be careful for the variations in three-door and five-door fashions; not each half is interchangeable from the B-pillar again.
Then again, if becoming aftermarket seats with bonafide motorsport credentials is extra the look you’re after, the key seat producers provide model-specific subframes, permitting their fastened again buckets or reclining sports activities seats to bolt straight into your automobile with out the necessity for any customized modifications. These can be found to cater for all fashions, from the Mk1 Fiesta all the way in which as much as the Mk8.
10. Roll cages
There’s no denying that there aren’t many different mods that seem like they imply enterprise fairly a lot as any type of roll cage. Whereas they will not be the most cost effective modification or the simplest to suit, motorsport-inspired roll cages are notable merely due to their excessive reputation. Once more, loads of that is because of the rally heritage coveted so dearly within the modified Ford neighborhood.
Every part from easy bolt-in rear cages and full-on FIA-approved weld-in gadgets can be found for all Fiesta fashions, however they’re not merely for seems to be, and even solely a security gadget for when issues go unsuitable. No, a roll cage may considerably enhance your dealing with.
The concept is to create a stiffer chassis by triangulating key factors across the car. This helps hold the optimum geometry throughout probably the most excessive cornering. After all, most of that is solely relevant when really going racing, and most cages fitted for highway or present use are primarily to supply diploma of motorsport styling. However we will’t see something unsuitable with that both.
Apprehensive how all these mods will have an effect on your insurance coverage? Learn our weblog on how widespread modifications have an effect on your insurance coverage premiums.
Automobile insurance coverage on your modified Ford Fiesta
In the event you determine to switch your Ford Fiesta, you may discover that insurers refuse to cowl your freshly kitted out automobile, particularly should you’ve added efficiency modifications. As a specialist insurance coverage dealer, we’re in a position to cowl modified, traditional and high-performance autos the place others can’t. Name us on 0800 369 8590 for a Ford Fiesta insurance coverage quote or e book a callback at a time that fits you.
