Ford Focus Tuning and ECU Remapping

The Focus is one of the most common cars we see, and one where the headline number is the most
misleading. If you take one thing from this page, take this: on several Focus models the power
figure barely moves, while the torque figure moves a lot – and torque is what you actually
feel.

Look at the torque column

Typical Stage 1 figures. Yours is confirmed on our own dyno before and after.

Why the ST only gains 10PS

The 2.0 EcoBoost ST is already close to what its turbo and fuelling will sensibly give at peak.
What it is not close to is what it can hold in the mid-range, which is why the torque figure
climbs by 100Nm. In the car that is felt as a much stronger pull from about 2,000rpm
– the part of the rev range you actually drive in – rather than a bigger number at the
top end you rarely visit.

If a tuner quotes you a large peak power gain for a standard ST, ask them where it is coming
from. On stock hardware, it is not.

The diesels are the opposite

The 2.0 TDCi at 150PS goes to 195PS with 70Nm more – a genuine change in both. The TDCi and
EcoBlue engines have more headroom in standard form because they were tuned conservatively for
emissions and fleet economy rather than for feel.

The newer diesels are locked

The 1.5 and 2.0 EcoBlue Focus uses Bosch MD1CS003 and MD1CS005, and the 2019-on
2.3 ST uses Bosch MG1CS017. These are locked from the factory and cannot simply be
read through the OBD port, which is why some workshops will tell you a newer Focus “can’t be
done”. It can – it needs the right method, either a bench read or an unlock first.

Older cars are more straightforward: Bosch MED17.0, MED17.0.1 and MED17.2 on the
EcoBoost petrols, Delphi DCM6.1 and Siemens/Continental EMS2511 and
SID803A across the diesels. We confirm which unit you have from your registration
before you commit to anything.

Related

• Ford tuning – all models
• Transit Custom and Ranger tuning
• Ford servicing in Maidstone
• Performance parts and exhausts

How we do it

Every car is mapped and then verified on our own 2000bhp Mustang 4WD linked dyno at our workshop
in Maidstone, Kent, with 30 years’ trade experience and 2,200+ reviews behind us. Send us your
registration and we will tell you which engine and ECU you have, and what is realistic for it.