Steeda

Purchased a induction air pipe for my Ford Focus ST MK3. The picture of the coupling is with the original
OEM pipe back on, as the Steeda pipe coverage meant I could not get a decent picture and I wanted to show Steeda the coupling I was referring to.

The pipe did not fit my vehicle. I contacted the UK agent and was asked if my car was a facelift model (as that is the option I had purchased), I replied that my car was built in 2018 and was it not the case that all ST MK3's built in 2017 and onwards were facelift?

They also pointed out that the induction pipe is only guaranteed to work with the Steeda air box. Meaning they had not actually read my email.

I had explained that when fitting the induction pipe I had removed the air box. That the issue was the securing brackets sharp corner was sitting against delicate plastic electrical connectors, so any movement would break them. Also it was pushing against a hydraulic coupling and causing a vibration when the vehicle is running. This is time would also likely lead to the failure of the hydraulic coupling, when again there is any movement.

I emailed the distributor in response to their response and now eight days later, still no response. I am just glad I purchased the induction pipe first as instead of over £170 out of pocket, I would have spent nearly £500 for the pipe and airbox together. And not been able to use either with the pipe not fitting.

In case they respond, I wish to make it clear that fitting with their air box and fitting with the standard air box removed would make not difference. To get a flush seal where the induction pipe meets the engine intake (as stated on their online instruction sheet), it is not possible to move the pipe and get the securing bracket in alignment to get the bolt in. Once you put the bolt in (even loosely) trying to move the pipe to try and get near to flush fit on the induction ( and it is about 4mm gap on one side) means the securing bracket is actually pushing against the electrical connection and against the engine head, also it is pushing against the hydraulic coupling. Very expensive to rectify if damaged.

Basically the pipe is 1.5 centimetres to short and the securing bracket is the wrong shape. In fact it looks nothing like the bracket shown in Steeda's online fitting instruction sheet.