Many mods = many questions

Hi all,

As you may have see there haven't been many updates on my project thread in a while. This has been down to a combination of factors, work, weather, cash etc...

Anywho, I have many things planned and typically all of these plans are accompanied by questions I hope you can help with.

1. My Puma is a 2002 model with two hego/lamda sensors. I understand this is why the FRP map cannot be installed on my ECU as the FRP only has one sensor but does it mean that I cannot have my ECU mapped at all? It's not something I'm looking to do at the moment but once I've completed all the mods I want to do I would like to map the ECU to get the best out of my additions.

2. Related to the sensors again. Which, if any, aftermarket exhaust manifolds can accomodate both sensors? I'm edging towards a Milltek system but I may have to have a bit of a rethink if it can't take the sensors.

3. I've got a flowed MAF and TB from Jacko. Once fitted will I need to do an ECU reset? If so how long should I leave the battery disconnected for?

4. I would like some different seats for the car as the current ones offer little support, does anyone have any experience of seats other than the FRP ones that will fit and offer more support?

5. Brakes! There is so much talk about brake upgrades, which is the best in terms of stopping power and feel? I know that the Mondeo setup is the biggest but I've heard good things about the 280mm setup from the Fiesta ST and the 300 mm setup from the Focus ST170. Not too fussed on the price I can make up my own mind on that but I really want your opinions on the diferent setups. Also from experience which pads seem to work best?

6. FRP airbox mod - of those who have done it, did you just use regular glue sticks in a glue gun or did you find a better adhesive?

7. Has anyone installed a set of Sparco pedals? If so, how? I've not managed to find much online other than it's a pain in the arse!

Looking forward to all your advice on these topics! I know that a lot of this information is stashed away in the site but I'm struggling with the search function! If you can't be arsed writing a response to me just post a link, I don't mind digging if I know where to go.

Thanks folks!

I can only help with no 7. What I done with the pedals is take the old rubbers off, mark out were the new ones go, once all marked out drill the 3 holes what is needed and put the allan key/ grub screws in place and tighten them up. But rember to leave a 50mm gap between each peadal or it could fail the mot.

no 1 yeah you can map your ecu but its not as mappable as a tape, i mapped my dive ecu but wasnt happy with it, so i got a tape ecu then got it mapped, the fuellings better with a tape ecu, i had know pops and crackles from a full milltek with the dive ecu at all

5. I'd just stick Mondeo in the search function and I'm sure loads will come up about the brakes. FYI there is the Mondeo V6 upgrade, then the Mondeo 300mm conversion which USES ST170 discs but Mondeo calipers which I have. I can't fault them at all and they're running on standard Mintex pads. Cost for that conversion was under £100 but I'd budget for £150 for it MAX.

As for other conversions, I don't know as we all have different opinions. Suffice to say, I'm VERY happy with mine compared to the old 260's I had.

I have a Spare FRP airbox which i will part from for £70 .

Oof tempted but I think I'm going to give the mod that some other folk have done a try, cheers mate

Have a read through my project thread, many of your answers are there, however in summary;

jimmer69 said:

1. My Puma is a 2002 model with two hego/lamda sensors. I understand this is why the FRP map cannot be installed on my ECU as the FRP only has one sensor but does it mean that I cannot have my ECU mapped at all? It's not something I'm looking to do at the moment but once I've completed all the mods I want to do I would like to map the ECU to get the best out of my additions.

Click to expand...

Yours can be mapped, but an easier option is to swap to a TAPE ECU, this ignores the second lambda and will take the FRP map. It is what I did, and would do again.

jimmer69 said:

2. Related to the sensors again. Which, if any, aftermarket exhaust manifolds can accomodate both sensors? I'm edging towards a Milltek system but I may have to have a bit of a rethink if it can't take the sensors.

Click to expand...

You can fit the second sensor behind the sport cat, but you must have a sport cat to use two sensors, and the cat must be in between the two.

jimmer69 said:

3. I've got a flowed MAF and TB from Jacko. Once fitted will I need to do an ECU reset? If so how long should I leave the battery disconnected for?

Click to expand...

30 min

jimmer69 said:

4. I would like some different seats for the car as the current ones offer little support, does anyone have any experience of seats other than the FRP ones that will fit and offer more support?

Click to expand...

See my project thread, try Puma Millennium or retrimmed 95on Escort RS2000 Recaros, these are the same but the Escort seats sit a little higher. Easily rectified by rebuilding on early Puma seat bases.

jimmer69 said:

5. Brakes! There is so much talk about brake upgrades, which is the best in terms of stopping power and feel? I know that the Mondeo setup is the biggest but I've heard good things about the 280mm setup from the Fiesta ST and the 300 mm setup from the Focus ST170. Not too fussed on the price I can make up my own mind on that but I really want your opinions on the diferent setups. Also from experience which pads seem to work best?

Click to expand...

What wheels are you running? I have tried ST170 calipers with 300mm discs, Mondeo Mk3 calipers with 300mm discs, and the standard 260mm calipers. If I was doing it again I would probably stick with 15" wheels and Fiesta ST brakes, but I would definately upgrade the master cylinder and servo to those from an earlier Puma, makes a much bigger difference, I was always quite underwhelmed with the 300mm upgrade. Resistant to fade, yes, but not huge bite. And I tried several different pad compounds. Standard pads should be fine.

jimmer69 said:

6. FRP airbox mod - of those who have done it, did you just use regular glue sticks in a glue gun or did you find a better adhesive?

Click to expand...

Hot glue gun should be fine.

Flash, cheers for that, I remember reading a lot of your thread now!

I'm on FRP wheels (not the purists choice I know) so space behind the wheels isn't an issue, would you choose the Fiesta brakes based solely on being able to use standard wheels or are there better reviews for them?

How much of a hassle is changing over the ECUs and did it affect your emissions come MOT time?

No problems with changing ECU's, but try to get a TAPE ECU with two key transponders. Otherwise you will have to wait until you get the FRP map put on to get your keys to work. Fitting is easy, drill out 2 rivets holding ECU cage in place, remove cage, unbolt plug from old one, open the plug up a bit, move the temp gauge wire and refit using new ECU. No issues come MoT time, nothing to worry about there.

What you do about brakes is down to you, you might look at getting some chunky 4 pots fitted, but whatever you got for, do the servo & MC swap first.

Good stuff, cheers for that, looks like I'm going to be a busy bee!