SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

So I'm guessing you Focus ST guys don't have to upgrade the fuel pump internals like the Mazda Speed guys do?

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Congrats on the new goodies

charliemike

One of the vendors got Work to do some 57DRs and 57 Extremes.

Cost is $1500-1600 for the set. Hubcentric and 18x8.5 ET38s.

Only thing is (and I don't know enough to not be concerned) is that these are likely re-drilled 5x100s.

charliemike

How are you getting such good gas mileage in comparison to me?

Do you have no rush hour?!

<a href="http://www.fuelly.com/driver/charliemike/focus-st" target="_blank"><img src="http://badges.fuelly.com/images/sig-us/192803.png" width="500" height="63" alt="Fuelly" title="Share and compare MPG at Fuelly" border="0"/></a>

And that MPG is skewed high by my 1000 mile highway trip to Ohio and back.

RPhilMan1

Nope, fortunately we haven't reached that point yet.

Aren't those Rays?

http://fordstnation.com/focus-st-tir...st-nation.html

Of course I have rush hour. It can be pretty terrible. But my gas mileage sure is great!

I just fueled up again on Saturday, and that tank was 27.7 MPG. But 93 octane was $4.779.

charliemike

Rays, Works, Little Column A, Little Column B ...

RPhilMan1

I parked at my usual spot at the gym on Friday evening, and Fridays are nice since there is a lighter crowd, and when I come back out to leave I notice a car way down at the end by me. I thought to myself "oh, a WRX is facing me". When I get up to my car, I see it's just a 2.5 RS that's heavily modified.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

Thats great gas mileage....

A local friend got the ST as well and if he stays off the boost, he gets closer to 29-30mpg....that is impressive...

UA6

RPhilMan1

System is due in tomorrow. Looks like the install date will be Friday the 21st.

RPhilMan1

Question - what do you think of the look of Rally Armor Mudflaps? I was never was a huge fan of the mudflap look but it actually looks pretty decent on the ST and with the farther out offset of my wheels, it would really help to get some debris and dirt protection from the mudflaps.

Pictures:









On top of that, what do you think would look best? Black with gray lettering or black with red lettering? Gray lettering would be more subtle and match well with my silver ST, but red lettering would compliment the red accents well (ST logo, tail lights, rear reflectors, etc).

00TL-P3.2

I like it, w/ red lettering.
Interesting they had one with your wheels, or at least similar.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

No Rally Armor flaps.

neuronbob

Please, no mudflaps. Just install clearbra on the areas susceptible to rock chips instead.

I did that and it has worked well.

RPhilMan1

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll stick with my gut instinct and not go that route.

By the way, the exhaust is extremely beautiful in person.

RPhilMan1

Gave her a much-needed detail yesterday. It has been raining every few days and I finally had a chance to clear her up. This should be the last time we see her with the stock exhaust.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

car looks CLEANNN Phil....

a local friend has the ST in Yellow (dont know the exact color code) but he has been having tonsss of issues with the car....his hood latch broke off, the headlight had an issue which Ford decided to replace the headlight, and the new headlight had a scratch on it, the SYNC menu buttons dont work anymore....just something or the other with the car....

have you been experiencing anything? or is his like a Lemon?

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

Such a sexy car.

RPhilMan1

Sorry to hear about your friend's ST. Do you happen to know (or does he know) his build date? From being on forums, it seems every once in a while a member will have a myriad of problems such as your friend is experiencing. It seems to come down to incompetence at the production facility or a rare bad part.

I've seen a few members have had their top brake light or headlight replaced due to moisture/condensation or a malfunction. But each time it was replaced under warranty no problem, so at least they are working with the customers to keep them happy.

I don't know if he's technically experiencing a lemon since it isn't a persistent problem with one issue/part or hasn't been in the dealer's possession for more than thirty days.

Best of luck to him. I hope the issues are ironed out and he won't have to worry any further.

For what it's worth, I haven't had a single issue with my ST. I've been very happy so far. *Knocks on wood*.

RPhilMan1

Couple more since she is staying clean. This week's weather is actually dry!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I fight for curb spots, even more so when there is shade

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

Car looks awesome Phil and Thank you for the reply, I asked the guy to check this thread out

charliemike

I really wish I could get rid of the front plate. Looks awesome, man!

RPhilMan1

New license plates came in yesterday, and the downpipe and catback exhaust are on today. I took a couple of photos while there is still daylight, but I will take more tomorrow, along with video.

Initial impressions: wow, it sounds much sportier in person than it does in videos. I love the sound of the spool of the turbo with the new downpipe. Butt dyno feels the throttle response is quicker. At cruise, the exhaust really isn't that loud at all. Windows down, sure I can hear it and know it's there. But with music on, I can't really hear it. On the other hand, when accelerating hard or going WOT, the exhaust really growls. Loudly. Puts a smile on my face.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

damn that looks nice....I have been digging quad tips recently...

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Sound clip.

RPhilMan1

Today has been rainy, cloudy, and muggy, but I recorded a cold start for you. Uploading to the Tubes right now.

Tomorrow is only a 20% chance of rain so I hope to wash her and go out for a photoshoot and record some drive-by and in-cabin video.

Took a few more photos after I recorded the video. I messed around with them in P-shop while the video is uploading.







I have a lot to learn about photography but I'm eager to improve.

RPhilMan1

I recorded it with my D3200 and an external microphone. I did a fun experiment where I placed my GoPro right next to it as well to compare. The audio came out pretty much perfect on the D3200 thanks to the external mic. But the GoPro definitely has better video quality. I'll reserve the GoPro for the in-cabin and on-car stuff.

Also, yes, I realize I should have placed the camera a bit off to the side to avoid the moisture from the exhaust.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

ohh my fuqqing GOD !!!

love that sound....eager to see/hear more...

charliemike

Sounds great. Can't wait to hear what it sounds like inside the car.

Let me know if you hear any kind of drone in the 2300-2800 RPM range. That's the spot where the MRT really sucked :/

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

DAMN that sounds good

It looks great as well! Great pictures

What external mic are you using with your D3200? I want one for my D3100.

RPhilMan1

No drone. I frequent the 2000-2500 RPM range during my commute to work and so far the exhaust has been great at that range.

I just grabbed my cheapo Zalman microphone that I use for my PC. I am actually incredibly amazed with how well the sound quality is when pairing it with the D3200.

RPhilMan1

So today was fun! Washed the ST and went out for a photo and video shoot.

I have new videos uploading to the Tubes right now.

While that waits, I'll share the photos. I am officially in love with the D3200. I'm definitely a beginner but I am very happy with how the photos turned out. This is my first DSLR and I'm really having a lot of fun with it.

I went to my usual spot on a quiet road, next to a spot with water. When I arrived, there was another guy there with his Nikon taking photos of some swans and ducks in the water. I just stopped at my spot and got out and started shooting. Eventually another car came up, too. It all worked out, though, in the end. By the time I was done taking photos everyone had left so I had a chance to take a video.

On to the photos. Here's what I selected out of the several dozen that I took:





I wish I would have brought my Adam's all-purpose spray and a rag with me. The exhaust tips were perfectly clean when I left the house, and I was not happy at how they looked when I arrived at my spot.



























I definitely want to retake this shot. It was at an awkward angle and I was holding the camera and tripod in the air.



For those that were interested in the rear legroom and seats:



Here's what the others were showing up at my spot for. Next I need to get a nice telephoto lens:





My new COBB shift knob. It sits a little higher than the stock one but I love the feel of it.





Please excuse the dust and the fingerprints:

RPhilMan1

First video is up. Shot with the D3200 and an external microphone.

neuronbob

Thank you for the clips. The one you just uploaded is excellent, even the sounds of nature when your car isn't there.

I love the sound of that turbo spooling up. Makes me want to garage queen the CTS-V and buy an ST as a fun daily driver.

charliemike

I don't know where this is but that's an awesome location to shoot the video.

The setup sounds really good as you drive around. Very throaty and not thin at all.

Congrats!

24boosted

I want those Recaro seats, been a fan of the STs, nice ride, coming along nicely.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

thud:

great shots and video Phil....LOVEEEEEEE IT !!!

on the pix, do try to capture some background as well....if you capture only the car it doesnt add "depth" in the picture....

RPhilMan1

GoPro video: