fiestaturbo.com

by **xrsi** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:41 pm

Right i have been trying to keep this as quiet as i could but i cant any longer, i have now began to start the most crazy and hardest modification to the car that i have done in the 7 years of ownership, fitting an mtx75 gearbox. More on this a little futher down in the thread.

Got the car out of the garage for first time since december and gave it a quick wash, as the insurance have still not been sent the agreed value form with evidence of modifications. It still needs a polish but that will be done properly after i have done the work on it.

Here it is looking alot cleaner.

Also as mentioned the car is going to have an mtx-75 gearbox attempted to be fitted over the next couple of months and a few other things done, hopefully all back together and ready for FITP (not holding out to much hope tho)

The gearbox i went to pick up last week was from a crashed focus so has the cable linkage which will make fitting alot easier and also the hydraulic clutch that i have wanted to fit for quite a while.

it could do with a little clean as it has sat in the car for a couple of weeksnot being covered by the bonnet then also a sat out of the car for a couple of weeks, also the front half of the casing will need to be changed to a mondeo one so that the starter is in the correct place for the CVH engine and that the gearbox sensors off the FRST can be screwed into the speedo drive as the focus uses a push fit sensor much like a CPS to obtain the speed.

The main problem i will face is fabricating mounts to hold the box into the car but this is pretty much already thought out and hopefully it will work.

So here is the box.

Looks same as any other MTX-75 apart from the cable linkage

Difference in reverse light switch, will see if it can be sweapped fro fiesta or change the plug on my loom for a focus one

Difference in speedo drive sensor can be seen

Cable linkage, needs a new knob tho as the puma one wont fit being lift up reverse

And the naughty bit

yes it is a quaife ATB! The box came from a crashed focus RS so will save me fitting an ATB at a later date!

will keep updating everytime something is done and new parts are obtained, the engine should be comming out of the car over the weekend if all goes well

by **Xr_Dub** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:41 pm

very nice

by **PMK3** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:00 pm

I haven't really seen many pics of this car but it looks ace,and cool conversion

by **heeman10** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:46 pm

Get moving and get the bugger to the show! Also, I think your camera lens may need cleaning, it's not doing the paint justice

by **ianFRST** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:00 pm

by **Brammer** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:12 pm

Nice

by **andyhardy** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:41 pm

Cool conversion!

I really think this is the future for RST transmissions - I'm guessing that this 'box is alot cheaper to buy than a CTS Stage 2 or similar?

My feeling is that this 'box is a much better prospect as it's starting with a better design than the standard RST gearboxes had in the first place!

I don't want to be seen in anyway as slating CTS gearboxes because I had one myself and was nothing but pleased with it and the way it worked, just I feel as said above that this gearbox is a better starting point!

Good one xrsi!

Cheers,

Andy

by **FRSJON** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:35 pm

cool will be intresting to see how the conversion goes...!!! keep the pics comin..

by **xrsi** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:37 pm

andyhardy :Cool conversion!

I really think this is the future for RST transmissions - I'm guessing that this 'box is alot cheaper to buy than a CTS Stage 2 or similar?

My feeling is that this 'box is a much better prospect as it's starting with a better design than the standard RST gearboxes had in the first place!

I don't want to be seen in anyway as slating CTS gearboxes because I had one myself and was nothing but pleased with it and the way it worked, just I feel as said above that this gearbox is a better starting point!

Good one xrsi!

Cheers,

Andy

im budgeting less than £800 for conversion and that includes all the clutch and shafts as well as the box. the box and linkage cost me £325 so that is alot better than the CTS stage 2+ box!

i do not feel that CTS are aware that their customers do not ALL require or WANT the std stage 2 or stage 2+ box for their cars as i found out and have said many time that their customer service consists of 'i know better than what you need' approach.

Also as this box is rated alot stronger than the BC box if any futher work is done then this will more than likely be over specced for that even, as i am sick of breaking std boxes every month or so.

got my first additional bit for the conversion today.....

a drywipe white board :lol:

that way i can record all measurements etc and not loose or cover the bits of paper in coolant or oil :rolleyes:

by **ianFRST** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:11 pm

so thats a standard focus rs box?

by **ScottP** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:18 pm

Should be good!! I wouldnt see the need for much modification

Looking forward to this one

Scott

by **andyhardy** on Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:58 pm

xrsi :im budgeting less than £800 for conversion and that includes all the clutch and shafts as well as the box. the box and linkage cost me £325 so that is alot better than the CTS stage 2+ box!

That's a good price - factor in a CTS stage 2 box at £1050 or so incl. VAT + AP/Alcon paddle clutch at £250 + ~£25 for manual clutch adjustment TSB parts and you've made a huge saving already, not to mention the fact that you'll be using a standard plate clutch rather than a nasty to use around town paddle! Hydraulic clutch will remove the feckin' annoying clicky standard clutch pedal pawl problem as well!

xrsi :i do not feel that CTS are aware that their customers do not ALL require or WANT the std stage 2 or stage 2+ box for their cars as i found out and have said many time that their customer service consists of 'i know better than what you need' approach.

I didn't get that impression with CTS when I used them, I just told them what I wanted and paid for it. Had to wait but I was aware of that when buying. I think the way CTS see it is that their stage 2 BC 'boxes are essentially a straight replacement, whereas the Focus MTX 'box is actually quite a job for the typical DIY user as it will require a fluid reservoir setup etc. for the hydraulic clutch, as well as the obvious mounting and cable selector change-over.

xrsi :Also as this box is rated alot stronger than the BC box if any futher work is done then this will more than likely be over specced for that even, as i am sick of breaking std boxes every month or so.

That's what I meant - the BC 'box is a bit cack really when you consider that the main shaft is the bearing loading point, meaning it's just a bit poo in general when going considerably over standard torque output!

xrsi :got my first additional bit for the conversion today.....

a drywipe white board that way i can record all measurements etc and not loose or cover the bits of paper in coolant or oil

- good idea! I wish I was that organised! :lol:

Cheers,

Andy

by **xrsi** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:17 am

andyhardy :That's a good price - factor in a CTS stage 2 box at £1050 or so incl. VAT + AP/Alcon paddle clutch at £250 + ~£25 for manual clutch adjustment TSB parts and you've made a huge saving already, not to mention the fact that you'll be using a standard plate clutch rather than a nasty to use around town paddle! Hydraulic clutch will remove the feckin' annoying clicky standard clutch pedal pawl problem as well!
- good idea! I wish I was that organised!

Cheers,

Andy

i am still going to be using an alcon 6 paddle setup but custom made for me as i am so impressed with the clutch, the fact that the clutch is no longer cable opperated will ease the fact its a paddle tho!

im not normally organised, its the most organised thing i have ever done! :lol:

IAN - yep std focus RS item!

SCOTTP - lots of modifications needed, the box for a start is too wide to fit into the engine bay, the starter is on the wrong side, the driveshafts do not fit and the clutch needs changing, and i need to change the peddle box for a fiesta mk4/5 one so that i can have a fluid feed for the clutch. Apart from all that not much needed :lol:

by **knuckles** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:43 am

Fiesta looking sweet - paintwork looks superb

good luck with the conversion - will this be the 1st gearbox conversion carried out on the rs turbo? i havent seen anything like this before

by **Gazeddy** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:38 am

on the rs turbo afaik yes on a mk3/.5 no jimmyhesh done it

by **lucasdemoley** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:51 am

I'll tell you what, that first pic of your car made me come over all funny, its really realy, stunning!
What rear bumper is that you have on there?

loving the work your doing, keep it up!

by **andyhardy** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:57 am

xrsi - it will be interesting to see how long the Alcon paddle lasts with the MTX75. As you know, I had considerably more wear no mine than I first thought! The material is good, but it doesn't seem to last as long as it does on a more powerful Cossie when used on a fwd BC gearbox!

Cheers,

Andy

by **AdamB** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:38 am

i think i've got a spare pedal box

by **Excursion** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:41 pm

Nice one mate, about time this was done. I personally wouldn't fork out £800+ on a B5 box!

Hyd. clutch is a piece of cake, I'm sure you've figured out what to do already.

by **ianFRST** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:00 pm

gazeddy :on the rs turbo afaik yes on a mk3/.5 no jimmyhesh done it

its not an rs turbo

so no, i guess its not the 1st time its been done. 2nd maybe

by **ScottP** on Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:04 pm

what sort of mods will need to be done to the chassis?

by **xrsi** on Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:42 pm

quick update -

not alot to tell really apart from the fact i have half stripped the front of the car in between sorting out the garden and also doing abit more of the fitting of the towbar to the 406 run round that i have, all i have left to do on that is fit the electrics and its done.

so back to the fiesta, all the bumper bonnet, boost pipes, intercooler and other bits that are quick to remove are off. Need to go buy a new coolant catch drain as i have lost mine (prob got thrown out without realising) so that will be done tomorrow and the engine loom removed then hopefully all being well the engine will be dropped out if i have enough time.

here is how it looks at the moment.

as for the comments above.....

Scott - the passenger side chassis leg will need some work doing so that the box will physically fit into the car, the mounts for the gear linkage will also prob need changing and finally the piping and the feed to the peddle box throught the bulkhead will also need sorting. Then all the engine bay will be resprayed to an acceptable standard as this is the area of the car that really lets it down at the moment.

when all the bits are refitted they will all be cleaned and treated to a coat of paint of some form to make them look clean and as new as poss along with all the wiring being wrapped and routed alot neater with new clips to hold it all up out of the way as there are loads missing at the moment making it look thrown in!

adam - how much were you after for the peddle box, will prb throw you a pm later about it anyways.

andy - yeah that could be a problem i do not want to have all the time, however we will see how mine has stood up to 500 ish miles of use of constant on and off the clutch. it may be that i request a harder compound for the pads as it will be a custom made job anyways so i could always over spec the plate and then not have the worry.

lucasmonkey - its an evotech rear bumper from ESP design, was one of the first to have it on a mk3 as i had to wait for 4 months a few years ago for them to become readily availiable after i saw one on a mk5 at trax prob 3 years ago as it was before i started engineering at uni and i have now graduated!

ian and gazeddy - jimmeyhesh has the gartrag 6speed not an mtx, however powercrazy have fitted the mtx-75 4x4 so im sure it has been done before but not alot said about it, if it is the first of the 2wd then i will be very supprised but also goes to show how i think outside the box for cheaper ways to do things!

knuckles - the paintwork is really good but is starting to faid again due to 6 months neglect of not being polished so will have everything done to it then will be pampered so it is again at its best!

by **andyhardy** on Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:09 am

I know Jano Oddkidd does these conversions for mk3/4 Escorts and has probably done one on a Fiesta at some point.

Might be worth taking a look at his forum.

Cheers,

Andy

by **xrsi** on Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:12 am

jano has never done one on a fiesta and we had a bit of a disargeement on his forumover asking questions about the conversion....

http://oddkiddcreations.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7640

by **xrsi** on Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:37 am

another quick update -

everything apart from the fuel lines, oil cooler, engine and drive train have been removed from the car. All its going to take is an hour when i can get hold of an engine hoist to drop the lot out of the bottom.

Managed to break a few bits and then found a few bits to be not at their best so am going to replace a few more bits then first thought (the white board may be having a friend just for new bits to be written on it at this rate!

)

sohere are the latest pics of it looking very very empty compaired to how it was on sat!

by **andyhardy** on Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:32 am

xrsi :jano has never done one on a fiesta and we had a bit of a disargeement on his forumover asking questions about the conversion....

http://oddkiddcreations.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7640

Paranoia!

Good luck with it mate!

by **ianFRST** on Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:37 pm

my mk5 escort brake res would look good on there :wink:

by **xrsi** on Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:09 pm

ianFRST :my mk5 escort brake res would look good on there

lol - you still got that?

it would if i were not to be selling all my chrome stuff off the engine, had enough of it all i want now if for function and a nice looking car not loads of shinny bits under the engine bay that has to be continually cleaned every week to keep it looking 100%

by **jimmyesh** on Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:25 am

Ha thought my ears were burning! :lol:

Looking like a good conversion, you're echoing my very own sentiments by thinking "outside the box" and fitting a more modern Transmission for less than the cost of an uprated B5 box :wink:

My Fiesta Uses the Focus ST170 Getrag MT285 6 speed 'box, see my thread!

Fundamentaly fitting either the MT285 or the MTX is pretty much the same as they all use the same cable gear shift & selector system and have the superior hydraulic clutch already fitted.

All the focus Gearboxes from the B5 to the MTX and Getrag MT285 all share the same mounts, each one just has its own alloy "leg" which is unique to each box and bolts up through the gearbox mount. They also use a rear "torque-link" mount to stop the engine/transmission swaying forward and back.

I kept the electronic speedo drive from the focus as I had the focus clocks and loom/ecu so could still use it, hats off to you though for converting it back to manual drive speedo, sounds like some innovative thinking gone on there well done:Q

by **AdamB** on Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:37 pm

xrsi :
adam - how much were you after for the peddle box, will prb throw you a pm later about it anyways.

£20 + postage?

by **wakeboardtom** on Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:31 pm

looking good! love the look of it

by **xrsi** on Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:37 pm

jimmyesh :Ha thought my ears were burning!

Looking like a good conversion, you're echoing my very own sentiments by thinking "outside the box" and fitting a more modern Transmission for less than the cost of an uprated B5 box

My Fiesta Uses the Focus ST170 Getrag MT285 6 speed 'box, see my thread!

Fundamentaly fitting either the MT285 or the MTX is pretty much the same as they all use the same cable gear shift & selector system and have the superior hydraulic clutch already fitted.

All the focus Gearboxes from the B5 to the MTX and Getrag MT285 all share the same mounts, each one just has its own alloy "leg" which is unique to each box and bolts up through the gearbox mount. They also use a rear "torque-link" mount to stop the engine/transmission swaying forward and back.

I kept the electronic speedo drive from the focus as I had the focus clocks and loom/ecu so could still use it, hats off to you though for converting it back to manual drive speedo, sounds like some innovative thinking gone on there well done:Q

- yeah most of my out of the box thinking is cos i am too tight to pay for other people to do things that i could do myself or have something a bit better without paying for it! :lol:

im going to try to use the fiesta cradle if i can and the top mount so that it will keep the engine 100% rock solid and still use the origional mounting points so that are going to be 100% solid.

few bits to update since the last one...

have got a load of bits all ready waiting to go on that have come over the last couple of days. Got myself a mk4 clutch peddle dirt cheap from the loocal scrap yard and a remote fliud reservoir for the clutch off ebay so that i can hopefully keep the mk5 escort servo. also got 3ltrs of silkolene gear oil and a momo lift up reverse gear knob on the way.

the car is now completely gutted in the engine bay apart from brake lines and servo and also the steering rack and it has all had a good clean with degreasent ready for the mounts to be welded and the bulkhead modified then the engine bay and have a good coat of paint.

the dash is out ready to have bits welded and the bulkhead modified for the clutch cylinder and all of the holes that are not needed plated over.

will try and get the pics up later tommorow or monday and hopefully should have the mounts aswell on monday!

finally some more good news on the clutch! the plate has not worn at all so will show that the clutch is up to the job so an alcon will be used again for the next however i think the existing clutch plate can be used with the middle changed as it looks like the middle with the splines is held in by 3 lugs that can be pressed in or changed so hopefully i can get a new middle with the mtx spline pattern from alcon!

by **heeman10** on Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:43 pm

Glad you're still pushing at a very-un-xrsi pace, you must admit!

:D It could even be somewhere near running by the time FITP comes round! :oooh:

Good luck keeping things moving forward, don't lose your momentum Jimmy!

by **xrsi** on Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:45 pm

quite a bit to add since the last update!

the engine and box were bolted together last night and test fitted into the engine bay, they fit very very nicely and the chassis leg doesnt need a great deal of modification to make the box fit at all.

have also got a few more bits for the car to fit and aid mounting the box, including a focus gearbox top mount that will be welded to the chassis leg to hole the weight of the box.

as for the other mounts, i did get an escort front mount to bolt the under side to the chassis leg however when the mount arrived i soon realised that i dont have the mounting locations on the box as the focus and escort casings are slightly different so i will now be using the fiesta cradle and having a pair of custom mounts made so the box will be held in by 3 mounts and give next to no movement (apart from the slight give in the std mounts) but will stop the lower mounts failing and causing me to have a dent in the bonnet and a hole in the rad.

have got loads of pics on my phone but its being stupid and wont connect to my pc

so will try get them up soon.

by **Jay** on Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:33 pm

Sounds good mate.. Get the pics sorted..Cant wait to see it... I will DEFINATELY be doing this conversion when I 2.0 my 1.8

fiestaturbo.com

Fiesta turbo MTX75 conversion - servo sorted!! 24/05

Fiesta turbo MTX75 conversion - servo sorted!! 24/05

fiestaturbo.com

Fiesta turbo MTX75 conversion - servo sorted!! 24/05

Fiesta turbo MTX75 conversion - servo sorted!! 24/05

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