1995 Ford Fiesta Si from UK and Ireland - Comments

Before MA Developments Turbo Conversion:

Seats rattled since new.

Interior trim very cheap.

Poor paintwork.

Cam belt went at 27,000 miles.

Exhaust corrodes badly.

Rear windsreen wiper faulty.

Electical problems.

After Conversion:

When it was running at 180bhp...

Problems with boost pressure levels.

Slight carbon discharge problems.

Chargecool problems - required an extra oil separator.

Gear ratios didn't match very well for initial acceleration and top speed.

Now as it's running at 230bhp...

Clutch finally needed upratng at 4,4000 miles.

Chargecooler needed uprating to an intercooler - rally style.

15 inch wheels had to be upgraded to 17 inch - very difficult to do but well worth the effort.

The 180bhp conversion was a big improvement over the standard Zetec engine. 180bhp did create problems with the gearing and pressure levels were a bit unsteady.

However the 230bhp upgrade along with a new clutch and new gearbox were well worth the money.

Once the wheels were done it was far more drivable and looked the business.

Having problems with the brakes at the moment, as they are only standard Probe units and require some hi-spec brakes esspecially with the new 17 inch wheels. I would love to do a rear disc conversion, but I don't know anywhere who will do it as it's never been done before. If anyone knows a place that do a rear disc conversion my number is 07989556693, my name is James.

The intercooler made a big difference to the overall performance. I originally wanted to stick with the charge cooler, but the intercooler is more efficent.

Here are the performance times if you're interested

Standard

0-60: 10.5

0-100: ages

Top Speed: 110

180bhp*

0-60: 8.1

0-100: 18

Top Speed: 128

230bhp**

0-60: 6.5

0-100: 15

Top Speed: 134

* on 15inch wheels, standard box

**on 17inch wheels, standard box

With my new escort RS Cosworth spec box I gained a top speed of 144mph and a 0-60 of 6.2 secs.

What I am going to do next????

Turbo timer and adjustable boost controller.

Traction control.

ICE.

Tinting.

Sideskirts.

Smooth tailgate.

Beesting aerial.

If you read this, please email me at maxpowerlive@email.com as I need 2 speak to you!!!

Please try to email me!!!

Are you crazy? 230BHP on poor brakes with rear drums? Pure ignorance of basic modifying rules.

Typical boy racer!

The money would have been much better spent buying a better car, but I guess you know that?

And it's fun to modify cars.

Be careful.It's tempting to use that performance in situations where you shouldn't, just to show off.

Did you notify the insurance company of the full extent of the mods?

If not, they could legally refuse to cover you in the event of a crash.

No problem if you just wreck the car, but important if you kill someone.

230 FWD BHP on an old Fiesta?

What a load of cobblers.

I'm sure it's quick, and probably quite a laugh to drive, but there's no getting away from the fact that for what you've spent, you could have bought a proper performance car in the first place.

Don't get me wrong, a Fiesta Si is a decent car for the money, but why have you spent all that time, money and effort to produce power that the chassis simply isn't going to be able to deal with?

It's like the plums that fit C20XE turbos into Novas. Ever wondered why, regardless of whether it's got 200 bhp or 300 bhp, the 0-100 acceleration is pretty much the same? Answer is, the chassis just can't deal with the power, and it goes up in smoke. What gear does your Fiesta have to be in before you can even think about using full throttle? 3rd? 4th? Pointless!

Oh, and you realise, you will never get a penny of what you have spent back when you come to sell the car on.

What a 24 Carat Gold Plonker.

Does anyone know how low you can get the Si? and what is the best hight to have it at?

150ft, off a cliff ;)

JOKE! :p.