Sabre Tuning

Stepping up the development with the MK3 RS platform, and the key with any Sabre upgrade is not to target or showcase "BIG" numbers, but to target and showcase "BIG" numbers coupled with "BIG" drivability. If you can make a car fast and fun throughout that drives like it rolled off the production line then that's the biggest battle of all. A new Sabre upgrade is currently under development, but for now we have options to create a fully fledged 500-530bhp & 500-530lbs/ft set-u...p that offers exceptional real world performance...
Nathan's RS Edition is just that very beast, an exceptional RS throughout that is driven daily as a family car by the better half, and by Nathan for some big fun and weekend trips. It's very much a garage queen that does rack up the miles... used, abused and pampered. It also features a shopping list that I am honestly not going to try writing (think brakes, suspension, bushes, bling, bling etc...), but we have a few basic fundamentals for the performance element beyond the Stage 2 bolt ons:
Forged engine Cams HPFP EFR turbo Water/meth injection
We bring this all together with some Sabre custom mapping, and the end result is fantastic giving 528bhp & 514lbs/ft with power pulling all the way to 7200rpm (Low power mode 460bhp). It is a very different beast to the standard car, power comes in hard at 3500rpm, but a really big second wave hits at 5000 all the way to 7000+. No drop off, just relentless performance punching through the gears. Sabre key features include:
- High/Low power map switch - Custom drive mode - Custom overrun (pops/bangs) - Custom exhaust valve - Custom cold start - Custom car parameters
Looking forward to seeing this in action on track at Pureford at the end of May (assuming we are all well and restrictions lifted!). It is a weapon... a true daily weapon, fast road weapon and track weapon. That is a rare combo that you can really enjoy whatever the occasion.
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We hope everyone is staying safe and finding a way to get through these difficult times. Chin up where possible and do what we can do to keep moving in any direction that is positive!
While we are closed for day to day customer operations, work continues for development and we look forward to when we can go full throttle again!
In the dwell all enquiries are being answered and keep an eye for recent developments that continue to push the boundaries for performance and drivabiity!

N.B. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL SAT 30TH MAY DUE TO VIRUS PANDEMIC
It's going to stop raining very soon... maybe. As long as we are not all quarantined then we are building up to Sabre at Pureford @ Castle Combe race circuit on Sat 30th Mayl!!
We have space for 30 cars, and will be featuring some really exceptional Sabre cars covering the full Ford range with some track time to really go with the show!
... If you are interested then please keep an eye for the event booking link tomorrow!
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The junior member of the Ford team, but like Bumblebee it punches hard and fast! It looks the part, and that's down to Joshua the owner who has made this ripper stunning and fast.
Sabre Stage 2 mapping sees 185bhp and 200lbs/ft, that's a torque limited set-up for the 1.0 engine, but fully optimised throughout. These engines may be small but they don't let up all the way to the limiter. Josh wanted some overrun, dialed in to suit, controlled so you don't have to be social pariah!

Really good Stage 2 ST180, just doing everything perfect all the way through (other than intercooler hose popping off... too much power!).
It features the usual spec with exhaust, sports cat, intercooler and induction and 99oct fuel. Final results see 250bhp & 307lbs/ft, and that is some very strong torque and power! Fully optimised throughout with some brief and cat-enabled overrun.

Let me introduce you to Alex and Dan, two brothers that certainly make me smile and enjoy tuning their cars! They both have ST MK2s, one was already Sabre 400R spec @ 375bhp (Dan) and the other was modified with an RS conversion and forged engine @ 400bhp (Alex). Some nice upgrades on both, but time to take it to the next level...
Both cars now feature the Sabre 500RS turbo, and with Dan we had him on the stock engine at a limited 410bhp & 380lbs/ft until it was forged for th...e higher level. Alex was already maxxed out on the standard RS turbo with Sabre mapping at 410bhp. A few changes for Dan to accommodate the higher level i.e. pump, maf. Alex pretty much plug & play with Sabre mapping.
For this upgrade both use the original ST ABS module, no requirement to change this. Dan is full ST otherwise. The goal is maximum drivability and power, and both have this in spades. These cars are set-up to use the power from 3000-7500rpm, it is relentless to the limiter! No lag, no torque spikes, no on/off switch... control with the throttle and maximum traction, something that defies what a FWD car can achieve even for a daily car with manners.
Alex 463bhp 417lbs/ft
Dan 455bhp 423lbs/ft
Very even between these two, Alex has water/meth tuned in which is working well. Dan looking to incorporate!
This is real world performance, drive it every day, get it dirty, clean and smile...
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The MK1 RS, still punching as hard now as it ever has... Featuring the Sabre 400RS turbo with Sabre Stage 4 upgrades, the usual bolt-ons and still with a standard engine because they made these very strong!! Not many cars even now that will see 400+ with a hybrid turbo and standard engine...
It's exceptional, 412bhp & 392lbs/ft, so much fun with fast response and drivability and just very fast. If you haven't driven one like this then find a friend because it's quite different

Stunning RS200 replica, this has been Ian's project from the early 90s! Life can often backseat many a project, but he has kept with it and it really is exceptional. Not many would brave a wet December day, but here we are fine tuning the L1 ecu for optimum power and drivability. It came in on a generic plug & play chip, not refined as they just can't be... that's what live mapping is all about. No increase in boost pressure at just 14-15psi, and with a BD inlet cam it's just pure tuning to make everything better.
We have an intermittent misfire at higher revs, not uncommon on the early ignition system, but easily rectified. Final results see a very enjoyable 256bhp pulling hard all the way to the limiter. It weighs very little, and goes very well... one of Ford's greatest in a very well represented homage to the original!

Great to see Ashley again with his Sabre 400R ST. We first completed this upgrade in 2017 and then a further update with water/meth injection in 2018. It's a full on track car living a life of full throttle and maximum hard driving! The last track session was hindered by a loss of boost to just 16psi the culprit being a sticking Turbosmart recirc valve! It's now back on point and a quick checkup still sees it pushing the same 401bhp & 420lbs/ft...
A weapon indeed and there is no question Sabre have pushed the boundaries and redefined the limits of the standard ST engine and platform over the last few years with the highest level of tuning. Time to enjoy 2020!!

More MK3 RS fettling, and this one is looking very sharp with some clean carbon interior upgrades. It's in for some Sabre Stage 2 mapping and Andy the owner is well versed in the Sabre upgrades having had a Sabre Stage 3 RS MK2!
It features a larger intercooler, full 3” decat exhaust system, crossover pipe and induction kit. The standard map gave 358bhp & 367lbs/ft, good solid power with these upgrades in place. Onto the mapping and it was clear early on that this was a stron...g car. Torque is limited especially at lower rpms for the standard engine, but we see a very efficient, consistent and powerful set-up pulling to 6500rpm. Final results see 449bhp & 445lbs/ft, an exceptional result no question.
Andy was looking for a few extras:
- Custom overrun - Stop/start disabled - Custom drive mode
It really does drive fantastic all round making a great car just that bit greater!
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We pick up in the new year with further Sabre developments, and this is for the wider Ford community featuring the Mondeo 2.5T, S-MAX 2.5T and our brethren the Volvo C30 2.5T!! They all feature the same hardware, and yes it is a very similar platform to the ST and RS MK2. However, the ecu does not follow the same rules. Time to break free and realise the potential!
This is Sabre Stage 3, so featuring all the usual upgrades i.e. intercooler, exhaust, plenum, clutch etc and of ...course the block modification. The next level upgrades introduce a hybrid turbo, 650cc injectors and the final solution that brings the whole orchestra together... Sabre mapping!
This particular car was not without issues (no aftermarket sensors please!) but we still see an exceptional 350bhp & 386lbs/ft!! There is more to come once everything is on point, and plenty more Sabre options to take it well beyond...
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Just before the curtain fell on 2019 we have an exquisite upgrade on the ST MK2. It was already Sabre Stage 3 pushing 375bhp on the Sabre 400R turbo, but the new owner Dan is very game to take it further (like his brother Alex, more on that later!).
This is a standard engine ST with block modification, and with the current Stage 3 modifications we introduce the Sabre 500RS hybrid turbo (RS hybrid). No other upgrades required! The 500RS turbo is barely breathing at this level, but still we see 410bhp & 380lbs/ft! This is of course limited for the current engine set-up and there is no reason to change, but if the desire to go further starts to swell... then once fully built no need to change anything other than Sabre mapping as the 500RS can fully let rip!
So many options, that's the Sabre option!

"It shouldn't move like that..."
Amen to that sir!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LZPP5z5C To

Happy New Year to everyone, a new decade and 2020 now sees us flying around in transportation vehicles, hover boards for our kids and imminent WWIII. Well one out three isn't bad... hmmm!
Don't fear petrol heads, we have a few years left to enjoy! Let's get on with it, and in early December while listening to “It's looking a lot like Christmas” I had the pleasure to develop Michael's RS MK3 with a new Precision Turbo set-up. Michael has been Sabre Stage 2 for the last year, a... daily drive with lots of hard track action in 2019 throughout the UK, Ring and Spa! Native territory for an RS no doubt...
It features the same basic Stage 2 upgrades i.e. exhaust, intercooler, etc. Michael decided to build with forged pistons/rods for the next level and add the Precision Turbo, no other upgrades! There are injector and fuel pump upgrades in the wings ready to go, but for this set-up we are able to optimise without further changes to the fuel system. It is close to the limits, but still within specification.
Final results see 473bhp & 460lbs/ft and now it is a very fast and rewarding car! The MK3 are fast as standard with a few tweaks, but the higher gears start to soften once past peak torque (reminds me of my Evo 7 back in the day!). The new set-up is where you do feel the power pulling much stronger and longer, no letting up! There is more potential from the set-up with some extra upgrades, but for now time to enjoy. A daily/track car that will drive like factory, but when it needs to rip a new...
Sabre offer map switching with low and high power modes to suit. Low power on Michael's RS is now 400bhp & 400lbs/ft for economy driving and general day to day. This is a Sabre map switch option that can be changed while driving via the factory controls on the fly.
Sabre map features currently available for all stages:
- Map switching : High or Low power - Enhanced overrun (burble) - Custom launch control setting - Custom drive mode
More Sabre developments on the way!
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I know some people have been waiting since the sun was still shining in July! The nights are truly dark now, and it's a very Black Friday at Sabre this year...
http://www.sabretuning.co.uk/Black-Friday -2019.pdf
SABRE TUNING
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