The latest handling upgrade for my Focus RS from Powerflex!
Specifically, I am installing the Black Series transmission mount polyurethane insert!
The Ford Focus RS MK3 has many rubber-lined bushings. Although Ford had a decent setup for the RS there is always room for improvement. In steps Powerflex to make things better from a bushing upgrade/compliance perspective!
Instead of replacing the entire OE transmission mount and bushings, this Powerflex insert fills any voids to add structural rigidity, which will result with improved grip and better performance by vastly reducing any movement of the transmission at the front, in particular under load - it is hard to see this movement given the location of gear box as well as the mounts but it is going to be happening!
I mention that this is for the front of the transmission as of course the transmission has some length to it and we already have upgraded the mount at the rear - the part that Mountune call the 'roll restrictor' which I believe actually has a Powerflex Bush!
There are 2 versions of the Powerflex bushes available - the regular (yellow) version and the 'Black Series' with the latter being even stiffer (up to 80% over stock!). I chose the black series version of this upgrade for my Focus RS because I wanted maximum performance improvement while matching with the Powerflex engine mount insert that I already have in place.
Hopefully not too much annoying NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) will be introduced but time will tell! The black series is more track oriented - my main area of driving would be described as 'fast road' with a view to doing some tracking in the future, so the yellow Powerflex setup would probably have been good but I just decided to go maximum attack with these upgrades! I will be doing a review video in the future with my thoughts and feelings on the Powerflex Black Series poly bush upgrades so keep an eye out for that!
There was no bushing lubricant included but I just so happen to have some from my good friends at Whiteline Performance over in Australia which is a molybdenum based lubricant specifically for this type of job. I would recommend having some to hand or something like it at least as it is a pretty tight squeeze - any PTFE / silicon based lubricant will do the job nicely!
Other than a good tool set, the only other items to note that you will need are a trolley jack, some medium strength thread locker such as those available from JB Weld, Loctite, etc. and maybe some Irwin Quick Grips or a vice - you will see what I mean in the video!
All in all I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the install was (other that some awkward squeezing!) the top square insert was a breeze and the under side insert wasn't too bad with the vice so if that is putting you off, don't let it! Having to fully remove the battery and battery tray to get at the mount is obviously a bunch of extra work but is is reasonably easy just a but time consuming!
The theory behind this Powerflex Focus RS transmission mount insert upgrade is that the stock bushes are very soft rubber as well as having quite substantial gaps as you will see (gaps that we fill with the Powerflex bushing insert!) which can allow excess movement, especially under hard gear changes which can hamper performance. So by filling the gaps as well as having a 50/50 split with the less squishy polyurethane, the excess movement will be dialled out and so should give more predictable, consistent gear shifts from the Focus RS.
I have of course installed multiple shifter upgrades in pursuit of the ultimate gear shift in the RS, all of which have made an improvement so I think that this mod will be the cheery on top of shifter upgrades!
Powerflex say about the Transmission Mount Insert:
PFF19-1826 Transmission Mount Insert provides further engine and transmission stability to improve shift feel and performance.
Powerflex Black Series upper engine mount insert:
• ENGINE MOUNT BUSHING U...
Powerflex rear diff bushing upgrades:
• POWERFLEX REAR DIFF BU...
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