{"id":10304,"date":"2015-10-04T16:02:20","date_gmt":"2015-10-04T23:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rallyways.com\/?post_type=specialty&p=10304"},"modified":"2017-12-27T14:37:58","modified_gmt":"2017-12-27T22:37:58","slug":"cobb-tuning-ford-fiesta-st-stage-packages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rallyways.com\/10304\/cobb-tuning-ford-fiesta-st-stage-packages\/","title":{"rendered":"COBB Tuning Ford Fiesta ST Stage Packages"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re looking at the Cobb Tuning Fiesta ST Stage Power Packages. See how great it is to be able to mod your Fiesta ST in predetermined stages with a suitable tune to go with each stage.<\/h3>\n

There is a beauty in being able to mod you car in stages. Not only does this give you the opportunity to take your time and stick to a budget, but you can test your gains at every stage. The best part is that you can stop at any stage if you wish. Think you found what you were looking for at stage 2? Nice, stay there. Want even more power? Move on to stage 3.<\/p>\n

When planning the mods for the RallyWays Ford Fiesta ST aka #RallyFist, I immediately chose COBB Tuning for the parts and the tunes. See, there are many aftermarket suppliers for the Fiesta ST, but I really liked COBB\u2019s offerings. COBB Tuning\u2019s Fiesta ST packages, I felt were very complete and cohesive. Also, I was looking for a finished product that would allow for a very daily drivable car. I didn\u2019t want some over-the-top build that would be too much of a pain to maintain. Balance is key.<\/p>\n

I had no intention of swapping turbos at any point. Also, I was looking for a very safe, yet powerful tune, I felt that COBB\u2019s off-the-shelf (OTS) tunes would do the trick.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at the basics\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"COBB<\/a><\/p>\n

The first thing I did was the logical choice, getting the COBB Accessport V3.<\/p>\n

The COBB Accessport V3 would of course be the central part of modding the RallyWays Fiesta ST. I wanted to make sure I saved the stock tune, which the Accessport can do right before your initial flash. Secondly, although my plan was to go full stage 3 from the get-go, I wanted to at least run the car at stage 1 for a week or two before moving along. This would give me a pretty good idea of the differences and gains to be expected.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that when you buy COBB Tuning Fiesta ST stage packages, some products overlap. You don\u2019t actually buy the Stage 1 Power Package, then a month later turn around and buy the Stage 2 Power Package and so on. No, what you do is you actually choose a package, and if you want to later move on to a higher package, you simply pick and choose the parts you are missing from the next package up.<\/p>\n

\"Fiesta<\/a><\/p>\n

The most important bit however is to complete the package that matches the tune. To give you an example, the COBB Fiesta ST Catted Downpipe is my favorite mod to the car so far. However, the COBB Downpipe is a Stage 3 mod. You can\u2019t just go and slap it on and go for a drive. This mod really needs to go along with the COBB Intercooler and to a slightly lesser degree, the COBB Intake. If not, the extra flow of the downpipe will cause heat management issues. You need that intercooler and stage 3 tune to keep that heat in check. The Stage 3 tune is written to also work with the intake, so keep that in mind.<\/p>\n

You know, there might be some flexibility in the tunes\u2026 for example, referring to the COBB Fiesta ST Downpipe, I know it will only work well if paired with the intercooler, but it might also work OK with just a panel filter and not the full intake\u2026 but why risk it?<\/p>\n

The point is, the reason COBB Tuning\u2019s stage package offerings work so well is because each stage has been tested and tuned accordingly. I really see no reason to try and get away with incomplete packages or mixing and matching unless you are going to get a custom tune. The only reason I can see for incomplete packages is a limited budget. In which case I would highly recommend a package that\u2019s one level lower or just saving enough money until you can complete the package you want. For those mixing and matching parts planning on getting a custom tune, that\u2019s a whole other story. A case like this would not be due to budget since the custom tune will likely cost you well over $600 anyway.<\/p>\n

The COBB Fiesta ST Intake and the Cat-Back Exhaust are probably the most flexible of the parts when it comes to what stage you apply them at. I say this for two reasons\u2026<\/p>\n

1. Because I actually installed the COBB Fiesta ST Catback Exhaust early, while still at Stage 1.
\n2. Because for many, cold air intake and catback exhaust are often the first mods done.<\/p>\n

\"COBB<\/a><\/p>\n

Intake and catback exhaust are generally very easy mods to install yourself. That\u2019s one reason why they are so popular. Additionally, while the gains are minimal, the butt dyno really likes those mods because they make the car sound louder making you feel like you\u2019re going faster.<\/p>\n

Simple intake and exhaust mods oftentimes don\u2019t require tuning. Ah, but here\u2019s the catch! Gains are very minimal without a tune. You\u2019ll get maybe 5WHP from the intake and catback. However, I grew up in a time where stage packages didn\u2019t exist and slapping on an intake and louder muffler was the order of the day.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, COBB offers the Catback Exhaust as part of their Stage 3 Power Package and not in any of the other two. Here\u2019s why I suspect this is\u2026<\/p>\n

You get more bang for your buck when sticking with the predetermined stages.<\/p>\n

Yes, I might have grown up around cars in the era of intakes and exhausts, but take a look at this:<\/p>\n

The COBB Tuning Fiesta ST catback exhaust alone costs $745. The COBB Intake costs $325. That\u2019s $1070 worth of car parts. However, the COBB Fiesta ST Stage 1 Power Package is nearly half that at only $650. And guess what? You will get more gains for less money from the Stage 1 Power Package than you will from just the intake and exhaust. True, you won\u2019t be louder, but you will be faster\u2026 and that\u2019s what matters.<\/p>\n

See, these days, specially with turbo cars, engine management matters so much more than just bolt-on parts. It\u2019s obvious that COBB puts the exhaust in the very last stage package after you have exhausted the other less expensive, but highly effective, options of improving power and throttle response. By then, it\u2019s just another drop in the bucket anyway and spending the extra cash to complete stage 3 is of course the way to go. Not to mention, that sweet downpipe.<\/p>\n

\"COBB<\/a>
Here’s the COBB Fiesta ST Catted Downpipe next to the stock Fiesta ST downpipe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Fiesta ST gets louder and more powerful as you move along in the stage mods, but it\u2019s that downpipe that really opens it up. Pops, crackles and burbles out of the exhaust are only possibly with the downpipe. But, you have to work your way up to Stage 3.<\/p>\n

For reference, these are the components in each of the COBB Tuning Ford Fiesta ST Stage Power Packages:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fiesta ST Stage 1<\/h3>\n