The latest handling upgrade for my Focus RS from Powerflex!
Specifically, I am installing the front upper right engine mount insert!
The Ford Focus RS MK3 has many rubber-lined bushings. Although Ford had a decent setup for the RS there is always room for improvement. In steps Powerflex to make things better from a bushing upgrade/compliance perspective!
Instead of replacing the entire OE engine mount and bushings, this Powerflex insert fills any voids to add structural rigidity, which will result with improved grip and better performance by vastly reducing engine movement, in particular under load - to see what I mean, open your bonnet and get someone to fire up your car and watch the engine bounce back and forth!
There are 2 versions of the Powerflex bushes available - the regular (yellow) version and the 'Black Series' with the latter being even stiffer. I chose the black series version of this upgrade for my Focus RS because I wanted maximum performance improvement while also making the insertion of the Powerflex insert a bit easier - they are very tight and I feared the standard one would bend while trying to get it installed! Hopefully not too much annoying NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) will be introduced but time will tell! The black series is more track oriented - my main area of driving would be described as 'fast road' with a view to doing some tracking in the future, so the yellow Powerflex setup would probably have been good but I just decided to go maximum attack this time!
There was no bushing lubricant included but I just so happen to have some from my good friends at Whiteline Performance over in Australia which is a molybdenum based lubricant specifically for this type of job. I would recommend having some to hand or something like it at least as it is a pretty tight squeeze - any PTFE / silicon based lubricant will do the job nicely!
Other than a good tool set, the only other items to note that you will need are a trolley jack, some medium strength thread locker such as those available from JB Weld, Loctite, etc. and maybe some Irwin Quick Grips - you will see what I mean in the video!
All in all I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the install was (other that some awkward squeezing!) in particular getting the entire engine mount out and then back in again after was a breeze so if that is putting you off, don't let it! I did have to employ some creative tool use but I give a full explanation as I go along!
The theory behind this Powerflex Focus RS front upper right engine mount insert upgrade is that the stock bushes are very soft rubber as well as having quite substantial gaps as you will see (gaps that we fill with the Powerflex bushing insert!) which can allow excess movement, especially under hard acceleration which can hamper performance. So by filling the gaps as well as having a 50/50 split with the less squishy polyurethane, the excess movement will be dialled out and so should give more predictable, consistent power delivery from the front of the Focus RS as excess engine movement can cause hopping and general unbalancing of the front of the car.
I will see how they affect performance and the ride and report back to you in the future, as well as potentially installing more bushing upgrades!
Powerflex say about the Front Upper Right Engine Mount Insert:
PFF19-1825BLK Front Upper Right Engine Mount Insert fits into the latest vehicle fitment and commonly upgraded to mount. This mount was introduced by Ford in 2013 to address excessive engine movement and knocking, but still features heavy voiding and allows for a lot of engine movement and complaints among enthusiasts.
Powerflex rear diff bushing upgrades:
• POWERFLEX REAR DIFF BU...
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16 сен 2021
