Ford Fiesta ST
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#119807 - 11/02/08 10:00 PM Power band and gear ratios
carpy Offline
n00b

Registered: 10/10/07
Posts: 34
Loc: uk, newcastle
Iv had my st for around 3 months now and tbh iv been driving it quite moderately as i wanted to take real care of it.
However as always the shine has wore off a little and im starting to boot it alot now.

So im wondering what gears and at what speed do you need to be doing in order to get the best performance.

I have been going around 15 in 1st, then upto 25-30 in second, 30-40 in 4th and 5th the rest.

The other day i got to around 30 in first and it took off, however i dont want to thrash my engine to much.

Edit - i know there was a topic like this, but no member really gave the answer.

so if anyone could let me know there thoughts on the above.

cheers

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#119808 - 11/02/08 10:12 PM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: carpy]
Bradders Offline


Registered: 26/04/07
Posts: 1148
well depends if u want speed or to look after ur ST, the ST ive found has been really reliable with me and ull soon learn with time when the best time to change gear is. The redline normally helps but just gives it time and ull soon realise it aint just about the gear change, but clutch control also! Its a sports car and no offence its not designed to be doing sunday driving in, its a sports car so treat it that way

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#119809 - 11/02/08 10:19 PM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: Bradders]
carpy Offline
n00b

Registered: 10/10/07
Posts: 34
Loc: uk, newcastle
No offense taken.

I know iv been driving it like a granny.
Its the first nice car iv owned, and iv have been treating it like a baby.

But now its time to treat it as you say ''like a sports car'' and i want to know the best ratios to test it to its limits.

SO can you tell me how you would drive it, as in what speed and what gear ect?

For example what speed would you be doing in 4th before you change to 5th?


Edited by carpy (11/02/08 10:21 PM)

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#119810 - 11/02/08 11:43 PM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: carpy]
simon348129 Offline
n00b

Registered: 27/01/08
Posts: 43
Hi mate,

Just a very quick answer from me.

I find that most of the power starts to kick in at about 3500rpm. Therefore I usualy change to the next gear when the rpm reaches about 4000rpm. Maybe 5000rpm but im still running the engibe in. Sorry cant give you speeds to change up as cant remember them of the top of my head. But that is just the basic rule i have given you.

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#119811 - 12/02/08 12:15 AM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: simon348129]
STrick Offline


Registered: 16/09/07
Posts: 1866
Loc: near derby
redline all the way, make it scream
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#119812 - 12/02/08 12:34 AM Power band and gear ratios [Re: STrick]
arapoda Offline
Fiesta Fan

Registered: 27/02/07
Posts: 224
I've had my car for a year and it's only recently I've taken the car up to 6000 revs. I've never taken it into the red.

As mentioned above, it's a performance engine and should be treated as such (occassionally). I find my mood varies. Sometimes, especially when driving to work, I drive it moderately in order to preserve petrol, but on weekends I like to take it for a spin on some stunning local B roads and rag it. Make it sweat.

To be perfectly honest, the car sounds great at about 3500rpm (especially with an induction kit) and just above that is usually when I change gear from third to fourth and then into fifth for a constant speed.


Edited by arapoda (12/02/08 12:37 AM)
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God gave me feet, and Ford gave me pedals. I intend to put both to good use.

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#119813 - 12/02/08 06:45 AM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: arapoda]
ChrisCumbria Offline

Driving as Daily

Registered: 26/06/05
Posts: 23932
Loc: Whitehaven, Cumbria
To an extent it's down to your individual car and how it performs. Generally though, it will peak somewhere between 4-4500 rpm. Although I sometimes like to have a bit of fun and floor it a bit above that, you will start to run out of power and have to knock it up if you want to keep acceleration going.
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#119814 - 12/02/08 08:00 AM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: ChrisCumbria]
sasst Offline
Fiesta Mad

Registered: 10/08/07
Posts: 355
strick has got the right idea.eg, i got 90 the other day in thrid and 115 in fourth, just wanted to see what i could get out of each gear, but power does kick in at 3000 i find to bout 6, but i change at 4000, unless ragging it, but that is with a bluefin, took it off yesterday, and as chriscumbria said power seems to peak nearer the 4k mark.

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#119815 - 12/02/08 08:45 AM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: sasst]
Niburu Offline


Registered: 01/06/07
Posts: 715
Loc: Manchester
Peak power is supposed to only be reached at 6500rpm, so in theory to get the best out of the ST, you should only change at 6500!!
I have personally only taken it up to 6000rpm and I don't do that too often! If I am in the mood for some fast driving, I will take it to 5000 - 5500 revs for the fun of it.
To be honest, it is better to watch your revs rather than speed, as this is a much better indicator to how you are treating the engine. Of course, make sure you keep an eye on your speed .... I'm sure sasst is quoting his/her speed in kph and not mph??!!!
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Escort 1.6GLE, Escort 1.3, Fiesta 1.3, Fiesta ST!

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#119816 - 12/02/08 09:18 AM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: Niburu]
Nick02 Offline


Registered: 19/02/05
Posts: 2608
Loc: Switzerland
Quote:

I'm sure sasst is quoting his/her speed in kph and not mph??!!!




Don't think so as you can just about do 100 kph in second (62 mph) and "sasst" says he/she did 90 in third. This would be about 145 kph which sounds about right.

For best performance as has been said above, ignore the speed, just keep the revs always between max torque (about 3500) and max power (about 6000). It's a generous enough range and in case it were not enough and you should slip below 3500 i find the ST's engine still reasonably torque even below that...

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#119817 - 12/02/08 12:49 PM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: Nick02]
Niburu Offline


Registered: 01/06/07
Posts: 715
Loc: Manchester
Quote:


Don't think so as you can just about do 100 kph in second (62 mph) and "sasst" says he/she did 90 in third. This would be about 145 kph which sounds about right.



I know it was mph, I was just trying to detract from the fact that sasst is suggesting that he/she did over 100mph on public roads
_________________________
Escort 1.6GLE, Escort 1.3, Fiesta 1.3, Fiesta ST!

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#119818 - 12/02/08 01:10 PM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: Niburu]
Scotty Offline
Porsche 997 Turbo & ST150

Registered: 27/02/04
Posts: 18100
Loc: Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Quote:

Quote:


Don't think so as you can just about do 100 kph in second (62 mph) and "sasst" says he/she did 90 in third. This would be about 145 kph which sounds about right.



I know it was mph, I was just trying to detract from the fact that sasst is suggesting that he/she did over 100mph on public roads




Nooooooooo... we don't do that on this site... what do you think this is MaxFlower?
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#119819 - 12/02/08 01:19 PM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: Scotty]
sasst Offline
Fiesta Mad

Registered: 10/08/07
Posts: 355
ive never done them sort of speeds, im just saying you could ,does the power band change when add an exhaust or induction kit?or is it the same, just more power?

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#119820 - 12/02/08 11:51 PM Power band and gear ratios [Re: sasst]
arapoda Offline
Fiesta Fan

Registered: 27/02/07
Posts: 224
Engine performance is increased with a better exhaust system. It's all about efficiency with engines, so the quicker an exhaust can get rid of exhaust fumes from the cylinder, the better.

The ST feels ever so slightly more responsive with a K&N 57i induction kit at about 4000 revs (form my own personal experience). The increased airflow into the engine helps quite a bit I think. At the moment, however, I still have the standard exhaust system. I'm waiting until the warranty runs out in December until I buy a new exhaust. Together, the new exhaust and the K&N will be a great combination.
_________________________
God gave me feet, and Ford gave me pedals. I intend to put both to good use.

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#119821 - 12/02/08 11:55 PM Re: Power band and gear ratios [Re: Niburu]
ChrisCumbria Offline

Driving as Daily

Registered: 26/06/05
Posts: 23932
Loc: Whitehaven, Cumbria
Quote:

Quote:


Don't think so as you can just about do 100 kph in second (62 mph) and "sasst" says he/she did 90 in third. This would be about 145 kph which sounds about right.



I know it was mph, I was just trying to detract from the fact that sasst is suggesting that he/she did over 100mph on public roads




I'm sure it was on a track.
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