Ford Fiesta Mods

[jackchips1990]

Hey everyone,

I just bought a used Ford Fiesta 1.3 Finesse 2003 (Mk6) and have read a few things about it. I have test driven it once and it felt great to drive (this is my first car after all), but ive read that its quite slow and sluggish and does have trouble on motorways. I just wondered what are some affordable ways i can improve on acceleration? (without making the car sound too ridiculous) , ive read that putting a K&N panel filter in it helps, anyone have any experience with this? Looking forward to some comments,

Thanks,

Jack

[james_60]

Hi

I beleive this engine produces 70bhp correct me if iam wrong. (1.3 ohc 8v rocam engine)

Your car is not a show stopper but it is a good healthy output.

There are many ways that you can increase your hp output but it depends on how healthy your wallet is.

options are as follows

1. Change your air filter to a performance model such as a k&n cotton air filter. (At the most 1hp maybe 2hp)

2. Have your ecu remapped (possibly up to 5hp gain)

3. Stainless Steel Exhaust system (Cat Back) (approx 5hp)

This car is designed on the economy market thus is not geared towards performance modifications.

I hope this helps

Jamie

[jackchips1990]

Hi James, thanks for getting back to me

Yes it does have 70bhp and the air filter was the first thing i was going to change! They're not too expensive and pretty easy to install myself!

Do you also happen to know how much i can change without breaching my insurance policy? haha im paying quite alot for my insurance, as its my first car and im young, and i dont really wan to pay any extra for mods or anything!

Thanks,

Jack

[Gazjs]

Hi James, thanks for getting back to me

Yes it does have 70bhp and the air filter was the first thing i was going to change! They're not too expensive and pretty easy to install myself!

Do you also happen to know how much i can change without breaching my insurance policy? haha im paying quite alot for my insurance, as its my first car and im young, and i dont really wan to pay any extra for mods or anything!

Thanks,

Jack

Things you can do without changing insurance premium = Nothing :(

TBH, I have the Mk6 facelift 1.25 and its more than adequate power for a first car. I use it Mon-Fri going back and forward to uni on the motorway and have absolute no problem whatsoever with the power. Can get to and exceed 70MPH very easily on this journey.

[james_60]

Hi Jack

I would be wary about keeping changes from them.

God forbid if something happens and they asses your vehicle and find a mod they can say that you have breached your policy's terms and conditions.

The most i personally would do and this is my own opinion so dont take it as gospel. Is to change the air filter maybe a flat panel filter rather than the most obvious cone filter which everyone who looks under your bonnet will see.

A visual mod that will look good is a set of Zetec alloy wheels (195 50 15 tyres) as i assume your car is running on 175 65 14 tyres at the moment.

Interior mods such as brighter interior light bulbs.

Headlight bulbs can be changed for brighter bulbs for better night vision. do not be tempted for 100w rally bulbs as they are illegal.

ok to summerise or however it is spelt.

Interior light bulb changes may not incurr extra insurance costs.

Headlight bulbs may not incurr extra insurance cost.

Alloy wheels will make the insurance more

Flat panel air filter inside the factory fitted air filter box.

Jamie

[jackchips1990]

Thanks again James and thanks Gazjs,

obviously i havent drive my car alot, as i said i have test driven it but it was a new addition to the garage, so they needed a couple of days to service it and cant pick it up until monday haha. I am very excited to drive it, and ill obviously get a better feel for it. I guess i dont really want to breach my policy so i dont think ill be doing any mods, to be honest the only mod i really want to do is to change the stereo unit! but im pretty sure i have to spend about £100 just for the adaptor and the bezel thingy! plus another 70 or so on the stereo, and i do think my policy allows up to £375 in audio modifications, which is great! do any of you have any experience in changing the stereo?

Thanks,

Jack

[james_60]

If you have an mp3 player/ipod like my g/f does then as i have said in another topic get yourself a cheap fm transmitter they are now legal.

Look on eBay.

They wont be as good as a cable would sound but you would have to listen hard to notice the difference.

I think at the most it will cost £20.

Save that money for a better stereo in an account.

Jamie

[jackchips1990]

Actually that is a great point, the thing is is that i used to live out in Dubai, and our family went through a couple of these things and were just useless, but i guess it might work better in the UK, more stable frequencies i dunno! so ya ill give that a try!

Thanks,

Jack

[james_60]

she uses her fm transmitter all the time and never grumbles

Jamie

[coysht]

Things you can do without changing insurance premium = Nothing :(

TBH, I have the Mk6 facelift 1.25 and its more than adequate power for a first car. I use it Mon-Fri going back and forward to uni on the motorway and have absolute no problem whatsoever with the power. Can get to and exceed 70MPH very easily on this journey.

Very true, but the 1.25 and 1.3 engines are totally different beasts!

1.25 wins hands down....and on the Mk4 was a good couple of insurance groups higher as a result.

[jackchips1990]

Yeah ive heard that the 1.25 is quite a bit more powerful than the 1.3, which is why it was discontinued i guess, but id been looking for a good used car for such a long time and got tired of waiting, and it was one of the best things i could find in my price range, plus i got a good impression from it when i test drove it! So i guess ill just have to deal!

[james_60]

5hp and 8 extra valves

Jamie

[Nico.]

as already said, the air filter is a good step, i know my monster under the bonnet ;) aint gonna leave much behind at the lights, but since i put that K&N cone on, the throttle is much more responsive and picks up the speed a little better... MPG dont change really after you get use to the sound, at first yes cos your goin 3k revs plus everywhere get the best out of it! but its mostly down to you i think... you could go back to basics with the car, a good clean off of the engine, check everything i.e. spark plugs are workin fine, your car may of lost some of them horses first put in and this may get you back there (ish)... a exhaust system would be good for you if you get the right set up... and lower profile wheels helps acceleration... i aint no racing god or car mod person but thats all i can think of!

[Kelly Ireland]

as already said, the air filter is a good step, i know my monster under the bonnet ;) aint gonna leave much behind at the lights, but since i put that K&N cone on, the throttle is much more responsive and picks up the speed a little better... MPG dont change really after you get use to the sound, at first yes cos your goin 3k revs plus everywhere get the best out of it! but its mostly down to you i think... you could go back to basics with the car, a good clean off of the engine, check everything i.e. spark plugs are workin fine, your car may of lost some of them horses first put in and this may get you back there (ish)... a exhaust system would be good for you if you get the right set up... and lower profile wheels helps acceleration... i aint no racing god or car mod person but thats all i can think of!

Hey folks

Ive got a wee fiesta zetec too, just a baby 1.25 and am looking to modify it :D I love the modification scene but I am finding it difficult to find a decent exhaust, all thats on offer are little miss daisy pea shooters, peco pea shooters but all the same a pea shooter I really want a twin pipe. Any Ideas folks?

Any one looking to do some modificiations I would definately recommend Limo Tints it changes the image of the car immediately and gives it a more sporty look. Get some stickers on there too :D