Can a lazy, snug, motorway-cruising Ford Mondeo Mk4 actually be modified into one thing that’s able to maintaining with the most effective on them on observe? Sure, it might probably. And we did it…
Twelve months in the past, we had a loopy thought to purchase a bog-standard Mondeo Titanium X and see if we may flip it right into a race automotive. Bold? Maybe. However not not possible. And our ‘Rep to Race Automobile’ undertaking was born initially of 2022.
Truthful sufficient, calling our Mondeo a ‘race’ automotive is a bit tongue-in-cheek. Nonetheless, calling the undertaking ‘snug motorway cruiser to occasional observe toy’ didn’t have fairly the identical ring to it. And we’ll be the primary to confess it’s nonetheless a good distance from a aggressive race automotive. However, as a current (and really moist!) observe day at Thruxton proved, our Mondeo can now maintain its personal on observe because of some sensibly positioned upgrades.
However why begin with a Ford Mondeo? Good query. The reply is sort of easy. It’s not been accomplished many instances earlier than and it might have a better visible affect than beginning with a sporty mannequin like an ST or RS. Plus, in case you select the correct mannequin to start out with, the Mk4 Mondeo gives some first rate tuning potential to faucet into.
The mannequin we went on the lookout for was the Titanium X, with the identical fabled 2.5-litre Volvo-derived five-cylinder Duratec engine as discovered within the Mk2 Focus ST. Within the Mondeo, energy is toned down to only over 200bhp, however there’s scope to unlock much more. That’s precisely what we supposed to do.
However earlier than we may do something, we wanted some instruments for the job. After we spoke to Teng Instruments UK concerning the undertaking, they have been so eager to make the transformation from rep-mobile to race automotive occur that they requested in the event that they might be the headline sponsor for the entire undertaking. After all, they ship out a collection of the best hand instruments for us to make use of when putting in the upgrades too.
Subsequent up, we talked about the undertaking plans to pal of the magazine Mark Sargeant at Ford Elements R Us and he was fast to get on board too, providing to retailer the automotive and use his workshop as a base for the construct. That’s of the fantastic thing about the modified Ford scene; everyone seems to be there to assist each other out, and one particular person’s loopy imaginative and prescient abruptly turns into a crew effort and one step nearer to actuality.
The identical is true for components suppliers and producers too. After sitting down with Mark and understanding a exact construct sheet and itemizing all of the efficiency upgrades we have been going to want if we’d have any hope of constructing our Mondeo go round a racetrack, we began making calls and sending emails to specialists all around the world.
As you possibly can see from the logos splashed all around the automotive, we obtained a incredible response with everybody wanting to assist. The actual fact the automotive might be raffled off and the funds donated to charity later this 12 months means not solely do their efforts help us in having some enjoyable throughout the construct, however they’ll be making a severe contribution to a worthy trigger too.
Modified Ford Mondeo Mk4 exhaust adjustments
These of you who’ve been following the construct may have seen that the primary upgrades have been a Scorpion exhaust and new alloy wheels and tyres. Regardless of having a meaty 2.5-litre beneath the bonnet, you could possibly barely hear the engine operating in any respect. The place was that well-known five-pot rumble? It quickly appeared after we’d put in a full turbo-back system, together with sports activities cat. Now it even has genuine pops and crackles on the overrun too. Good.
Chassis modifications for the Ford Mondeo Mk4
Wheels and tyres have been subsequent. We opted for Rotiform’s BUC-M design as a result of it has a pleasant multispoke fashion that appears a bit like a BTCC wheel. Plus, we all know they’re high quality and might address harsh highway situations like potholes and velocity bumps too. They’re fitted with Toyo R888R tyres; why would you match the rest to a observe automotive?
Sorting the suspension out is a set of totally adjustable coilovers from PB Coilovers. These models provide loads of experience top and damping adjustment and allowed us to dial within the settings to get all the things simply how we wished. The steadiness is now excellent for each highway and observe use, though as we get quicker on observe, we could even look to agency issues up a little bit additional.
Aiding the dealing with, we eliminated a considerable quantity of weight from the inside. The inventory half-leather, heated seats have been very cozy however not very supportive. And extremely weighty. Changing them with a pair of light-weight reclining bucket seats from Corbeau allowed for consolation for highway use and supportive for observe work. It additionally allowed us to suit some correct Luke four-point harnesses for the observe whereas retaining the OE belts for highway use.
The modified Ford Mondeo Mk4 paid EBC a go to at their Northampton-based HQ. The R&D crew set about designing a package that will see EBC’s famed Apollo four-pot calliper and 355x32mm totally floating discs fitted to the entrance. A set of matching grooved rear discs have been additionally added, and Bluestuff pads fitted all spherical.
Below the bonnet, that well-known five-pot breathes significantly better because of a Ramair induction package. The air filter alone made vital enhancements. Nonetheless, we didn’t cease there and determined to put in a big-bore crossover pipe too. Meant for the Focus ST, this meant a little bit of tweaking to the Mondeo’s vacuum pipes. This mainly meant changing it to the identical setup on the Mk2 Focus RS. We now take pleasure in all the additional torque advantages of the higher-flowing pipework too.
Cooling and efficiency upgrades on the Mk4 Mondeo observe automotive
An Airtec intercooler ensures all of it stays cool. Even after a day of motion flat-out round Thruxton, the temps remained regular all through. Not solely that, however the improved design additionally poses much less restrictions than the inventory intercooler. This helps liberate some energy and turns into essential for any tuned Mk4 Mondeo.
Guaranteeing all of it stays collectively, the Mondeo took a visit to BD Efficiency for one among their block mod upgrades. BD all the time goes the additional mile fir clients, they usually definitely did for us. Not solely did they set up the block mod however additionally they gave the cylinder head a skim and refresh. On the listing of labor included fitted a timing cambelt, and gave all the things an intensive examine over too. Additionally they put in the Helix heavy-duty clutch and single-mass flywheel improve we wished to suit too.
The ultimate cease was Collins Efficiency in Cheshire. Strapped on the dyno we have been happy and a little bit shocked to see that the automotive was making 230bhp simply from the {hardware} upgrades alone. However it might quickly be much more as Martin Collins set to work writing some customized software program particularly for this automotive.
The consequence was a really wholesome and spectacular 282bhp on common 95RON pump gasoline. On V-Energy or Momentum, Martin reckons it’ll be making nearer to 300bhp.
We may have pushed the boundaries and smashed by way of the 300bhp barrier even with the comparatively easy bolt-ons we’ve added. However because the automotive is destined for a mixture of flat-out observe use and nonetheless must be reliable to drive to exhibits and occasions all through the summer season, we requested Martin to ensure it’s stored nicely inside protected ranges for max reliability. We’re pleased to sacrifice just a few bhp for the added peace of thoughts that it’ll take something we will throw at it.
Mk4 Mondeo styling upgrades
With all the correct bits in all the correct locations, we then wanted our modified Ford Mondeo Mk4 to seem like a race automotive. With Teng Instruments on board as the principle sponsor, plus assist from a great deal of the largest names within the aftermarket tuning scene, we spoke to our associates at 3M and obtained chatting about wrapping the automotive in a full race-style livery. Helen Stanley was drafted in to attract up an artist’s impression of what the Mondeo may seem like, and 3M’s crew of graphic designers and automobile wrappers set about making that imaginative and prescient a actuality.
Then got here the large check, the observe day at Thruxton. The moist situations weren’t ideally suited however did give us the proper alternative to essentially see what distinction the upgrades have made. The transformation is unimaginable. The Mondeo didn’t really feel misplaced in any respect, which is sort of a testomony contemplating the equipment it was sharing the observe with. It’s definitely far more ‘race’ automotive than ‘rep’ cell nowadays.
We all know it’s not likely a aggressive racer and has simply been a little bit of enjoyable to construct, however what the undertaking has actually proven is that with regards to tuning Fords you possibly can take one thing seemingly unsuitable, and with the correct upgrades, the correct instruments, and assist from the correct specialists, you possibly can flip it into no matter you need. Whether or not that’s a observe toy, a present stunner, or one thing that you may take pleasure in every single day, you possibly can customise a Blue Oval to be no matter you need it to be. Extra importantly, you possibly can have big quantities of enjoyable within the course of. And on the finish of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
Win this modified Ford Mondeo Mk4 observe automotive!
Wish to win this automotive? Go to right here or pop alongside to one of many Quick Automobile Leisure exhibits this 12 months and you may enter our raffle to win this very automotive. Tickets price £5 every, and all funds might be donated to the Youngsters With Most cancers UK charity.
Venture companions
We need to say an enormous because of all these firms who supported and assisted with this undertaking.
Teng Instruments UK
www.tengtools.com
Ford Elements R Us
07446 487799
Scorpion Crimson Energy
www.scorpion-exhausts.com
Rotiform
www.rotiform.com
Toyo
www.toyo.co.uk
3M
www.3m.co.uk
Airtec
www.airtecmotorsport.com
PB Coilovers
www.pbbrakes.com
EBC Brakes
www.ebcbrakes.com
Ramair
www.ramair-filters.co.uk
Corbeau
www.corbeau-seats.com
BD Efficiency
www.retailer.bdperformance.co.uk
Helix
www.helixautosport.com
Collins Efficiency
www.collinsperformance.com
Tech Spec: Modified Ford Mondeo Mk4
Engine:
2522cc five-cylinder Duratec turbo; Ramair foam induction package; Ramair Focus ST crossover pipe; Ramair ECU holder; Scorpion sports-cat downpipe; Scorpion resonated twin-exit cat-back exhaust; Airtec front-mount intercooler; BD Efficiency block mod; customized Collins Efficiency remap.
Energy:
282bhp and 332lb.ft (on 95RON gasoline)
Transmission:
Mondeo Titanium X six-speed M66 gearbox; Helix heavy-duty natural clutch with single-mass flywheel conversion
Suspension:
PB coilovers all spherical
Brakes:
Entrance: EBC Racing Apollo four-pot callipers with 355x322mm discs; Bluestuff pads; and braided brake strains; rear: unique callipers with EBC grooves discs; Bluestuff pads; and braided brake strains.
Wheels and Tyres:
19×8.5in Rotiform BUC-M alloys; 5×108; ET45 in gloss black with 235/35/19 Toyo R888R tyres all spherical
Inside:
Corbeau RS2 reclining bucket seats mounted on Corbeau/Mk4 Mondeo subframes; Luke four-point harnesses; rear seats and carpets eliminated.
Exterior:
Customized Teng Instruments race-inspired wrap by 3M; designed by Helen Stanley.
