I have the right vehicle regardless.
Once the Michelins I want on are it, it will be fine.

Apparently the Focus ST front antisway bar is a direct fit.
The rear is not, so I will visit the local racing shop. I am sure they can make me one.

If I get the right tires and the right sway bars, I should be fine.
As far as shocks? If I have to, I will keep replacing them with the OEM ones at the first signs they are letting go, which will be pretty fast, somewhere under 20K miles.

MY whole life I have been changing out shocks long before anyone I know does.
I have been doing this even with high end Koni, Bilstein and KYB.
I have never gone over 30,000 miles ever without replacing shocks and or struts.
I even did this with my 2004 X5 Sport suspension model. It was expensive, I can say that.
I love the ride from reasonably new shocks.

Seems like you could have a set valved for the Escape and the bars and tires you are going to use.

I am not sure I am knowledgeable enough to know if that can be done or not.

It seems to me the tires and sway bars should be easy enough, relatively speaking, and that should be sufficient.

My old X5 Sport was the only car I ever owned that stayed stock.
That was because it worked so well stock.
It didn't need improvement.

Almost every other car I have owned ended up with wider wheels, better tires and stiffer shocks.
The new Escape comes with a 235 wide tire so given it's size, I don't need wider wheels.
That is one thing to cross off my list.

I am giving up on the Kuga ST line.
All I want is stiffer shocks, thicker sway bars and better tires.
2 out of 3 is not bad and I can easily live with that.

With the starting point of a set for a Focus, a good performance suspension shop should be able to do something. Get the stockers on a shock dyno and from there valve and spring for what you are looking for. Not saying this set are the ones, but you get the idea.
https://www.steeda.com/focus/k...3-st-279-2013-sport/

It's a little beyond me but I will bring it up with the shop.

I am not an expert at modifications other than basics.
After that, I consult the experts.
I am an expert at how my cars drive and feel.

I found a place called Livernois Motorsports who seem to have a decent reputation.
They make and have been making tunes for the Ford Escapes going on over 4 years. The tune adds 35 to 40HP.
There a couple of guys running their tunes for several years over on the Escape forum.

I'm intrigued and not worried particularly about my powertrain warranty.

I can afford it if it breaks, I'm just lucky that way.
It's just another reason I am getting into a more modestly priced car.... the parts are cheaper!

Plus, I just want to enjoy this thing.
Oh, and yes, I will give the new Escape a few thousand miles first.

Really like the color choice.

Sway bars are the simplest way to increase handling ability in most cars/SUV's.

What about brakes? One of the first things I've done with cars is make them stop better and without fade. It can be as simple as new pads. Big fan of better brakes on every car I've had for many years now.

It's been as simple as new pads and more complicated with multi piston calipers and slotted/drilled rotors.

I liked the brakes when I test drove 2 of them.
That said though, once they wear out or warp, I will move to something else.

BTW, I found out recently there are a couple guys running the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires on their Escapes and they love them.
I will go with the A/S 3+.

I hear if you run them on E85 fuel and have the computer programmed accordingly you can make some REAL power with the ecoboost motor!

Oh to be in cahoots with lbj's dealer and arrange to have his new Escape delivered with a huge wind up key on the rear! LOL I can just imagine the initial look of bewilderment, shock, and dismay, quickly replaced by a sly and then wide smile. Oh if only.... hehehehehehehehehe

Something like this!


Yes! I'm a bad, bad man! hahahahahahaha

E85 can put out a lot of power.
I think I'll pass on the wind key.
And yes, my face would have an odd expression, and then I'd ask it be removed and look for scratches.

Tires and a tune, I am off to a great start.

A 40 hp tune that sounds pretty cool, I am excited for you - see what you end up building.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
And yes, my face would have an odd expression, and then I'd ask it be removed and look for scratches.

Sorry lbj. I was simply trying to inject a little humor hoping you'd find it funny since you haven't been feeling all that well since your operation. Obviously I failed and for that I apologize.

I emailed them this afternoon and will call them tomorrow.
It's pricey and uses some special electronic tuner you have to buy.

Plus, not only do you get the advantage of a better tune in normal drive mode, the S mode on the transmission also works with the tune.

I am feeling real good, a tune and tires, a tune and tires... it's going to be great.

The suspension stuff is becoming problematic.
I will continue looking at it, but the reality is to do nothing and wait until things may become available.

But in the meantime, tires and a tune should be a lot of improvement.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
And yes, my face would have an odd expression, and then I'd ask it be removed and look for scratches.

Sorry lbj. I was simply trying to inject a little humor hoping you'd find it funny since you haven't been feeling all that well since your operation. Obviously I failed and for that I apologize.

Oh no, it was funny, no issues.

Here is a link to the specific Escape tuner.

https://www.livernoismotorspor...om/product/LPP631110

One of the other archery coaches here in Phoenix has an SE that he has tweaked on. He's got H&R springs at all 4 corners and a beefier from sway bar from one of the Focus variants. Full tune and exhaust and it's a fun little car.

An alternative that I'm considering on my F-150 is Flowmaster's Delta Boost module. It plugs inline from the boost sensor to the ECU and tricks the computer to running higher boost levels. Not as effective as a full tune, but is easily removable and does not leave fingerprints if warranty work is ever needed. They make them for the 4 cylinder Ecoboost motors as well.

http://www.flowmastermufflers....l&engine&category&kw

That is interesting.
I will post this over on the Escape forum.
It's a great idea.

Yeah, I want the full tune as you yourself would.
It may void my warranty if found out, but to be frank, I don't care.
I want to have fun with my little Escape.
And fun I shall have.
When one's time is limited, priorities change, and this is one of them.

Fun it shall be, or at least as fun as I can make it.
Tires and a tune, it is going to be just fine.
That's probably everything I need.

Too bad about the suspension search, but in time, something will come up.

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
He's got H&R springs at all 4 corners and a beefier from sway bar from one of the Focus variants. Full tune and exhaust and it's a fun little car.

I think the H&R springs lower it significantly, so I have been told. Handling would be really good then.
Eventually if I am able to switch out suspension components, I would prefer either stock height or the 9mm drop from the installation of the Kuga ST.
The steering rack electronics on those ST Kugas was redone too.
Kind of like when I switched out the steering rack in my Mustang to the Ford Racing one.