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Build Plan! what am I missing?

dhminer

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#2
Lowering springs will be more expensive unless you’re installing yourself.

RMM is a critical upgrade. CPE and vibra technics are the only ones that use rubber which is preferable for longevity.

Mountune short shifter is outstanding if funds permit. There are other options, but mountune is far superior.

Otherwise, great mild build.
 


OP
GAVN8R
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Thread Starter #3
Alredy ha
Lowering springs will be more expensive unless you’re installing yourself.

RMM is a critical upgrade. CPE and vibra technics are the only ones that use rubber which is preferable for longevity.

Mountune short shifter is outstanding if funds permit. There are other options, but mountune is far superior.

Otherwise, great mild build.
Will be doing all the work myself, just ordered the timing belt kit doing it next weekend! Bought the car w a Cobb RMM holds up pretty well from wheat I can tell thankfully, and I keep reading about getting a short shifter how does it change the driving experience so much everyone who gets one love them??
 


dhminer

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Alredy ha

Will be doing all the work myself, just ordered the timing belt kit doing it next weekend! Bought the car w a Cobb RMM holds up pretty well from wheat I can tell thankfully, and I keep reading about getting a short shifter how does it change the driving experience so much everyone who gets one love them??
That’s awesome. It just reduces the throw length by about a third which feels great. For me, I hate how low the shifter is relative to the steering wheel so it enabled me to put a 2” extension without the throw being absurdly long. I now have a Coolerworx but probably going to remove it and go back to the extension.
 


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GAVN8R
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Thread Starter #5
That’s awesome. It just reduces the throw length by about a third which feels great. For me, I hate how low the shifter is relative to the steering wheel so it enabled me to put a 2” extension without the throw being absurdly long. I now have a Coolerworx but probably going to remove it and go back to the extension.
Lol I guess im missing out, rn I feel like I’m living in luxury w this clutch and shifter, I came from a 08 Scion, that shifter was like throwing gears with a spaghetti noodle
 


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That’s awesome. It just reduces the throw length by about a third which feels great. For me, I hate how low the shifter is relative to the steering wheel so it enabled me to put a 2” extension without the throw being absurdly long. I now have a Coolerworx but probably going to remove it and go back to the extension.
I actually used that method in my Subarus. Short shifter with a height extension keeps it tight without increasing the effort. It’s weird but works well. I like the shifter in this car so I added a heavier knob and have bushings to put in to tighten it up, but it’s damn good already. Like nearly Honda good.
 


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GAVN8R
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Thread Starter #7
I actually used that method in my Subarus. Short shifter with a height extension keeps it tight without increasing the effort. It’s weird but works well. I like the shifter in this car so I added a heavier knob and have bushings to put in to tighten it up, but it’s damn good already. Like nearly Honda good.
See that’s more what I was thinking I was so impressed with the shifter I was looking at bushings it does a beaver knob really make a difference, if so what knob do you use? What’s it like in a FiST compared to a short shifter of you can compare?
 


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#8
I got a Billetworkz knob from Amazon. It honestly didn’t make the difference i anticipated. I haven’t installed the solid bushings yet. I’ve also not driven a FiST with a short shifter so can’t help there.
 


dhminer

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#9
I got a Billetworkz knob from Amazon. It honestly didn’t make the difference i anticipated. I haven’t installed the solid bushings yet. I’ve also not driven a FiST with a short shifter so can’t help there.
I also ran a weighted knob for a bit and found it to make no difference whatsoever
 


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#10
Most of your list is solid, but first, I’d recommend you stop and think about what you want for the overall build of the car rather than just throwing parts at it and hoping they stick. Is this a daily driver, canyon carver, or are you thinking of occasional track/autocross events (or more serious)? Do you have a certain look in mind, or do you like the car as is but just want something a bit OEM+?

How many miles on the car? Seems like you’re missing shocks to go with your springs especially if yours have >50k miles on them

(By the way which Whoosh kit are you seeing for $300?)

- Bilstein B6’s or B8’s are a good choice. Koni also makes quality stuff.

If you’re after outright performance rather than just looks, I’d avoid springs that drop the car more than an inch. Ideally less. Swift is a popular option, or if you want no lowering at all, I cooked up an off the shelf custom setup that’s about the same price as the swifts:

https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...ce-springs-for-oem-b6-style-suspension.30829/

Alternately, you can stick with the stock springs which are actually pretty decently tuned. They are basically already “Ford Performance” lowering springs on a Fiesta and most lowering springs (except the Swifts) either don’t change the spring rates meaningfully or are in some cases softer since they were designed for the base Fiesta. In that case you can just go with the shocks only.

For sway bar, I’d recommend just starting with a torsion beam brace (Pierce, etc) which is a bit milder than many of the thicker rear bars. All are easy swaps and you can switch out for a stiffer rear bar or add one on if you want more

If you’re doing any power upgrades (intercooler+tune), an upgraded rear motor mount and front subframe brace (2-point or 4-point) should make it on your list.

Regarding tunes, on the stock turbo, many of the flash tunes (Dizzy, Stratified, Tune+, etc) out there are have been refined pretty well, and you won’t gain much, if anything with a “custom” tune. Not familiar with Panda, but an intercooler and a Stage 2 flash tune will get you most of what there is to get short of upgrading the turbo. Basically especially for a mild/stock turbo build, stick with a flash tune and save your money for other stuff. Custom tune is really only worthwhile for a hybrid or other turbo upgrade.
 


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