Transmission

Early ST220s were equipped with the strong, slick MTX75 five-speed gearbox, complete with revised ratios for optimum performance. From June 2003 it was swapped for an, arguably-tougher, MMT6 six-speeder, meaning better fuel economy and higher top speed, along with a slight acceleration disadvantage.

Although it’s possible to swap the gearbox from one model to another, it’s not a straightforward job, and certainly isn’t worth the effort. Likewise, it’s impossible to imagine any eventuality in which you’d need to upgrade either the MTX75 or the MMT6 – even a 500bhp turbocharged ST220 wouldn’t exceed the limits.

You may, though, choose to follow the lead of Noble owners, and add uprated selector forks and bearings to a six- cog variant. Shot-peened gear sets are also available for both ‘boxes, as is a Quaife ATB limited-slip differential, which reportedly provides decent benefits in traction.

Generally, we’d advise against upsetting the smooth Duratec V6 by fitting a solid flywheel in favour of the factory-fitted dual-mass flywheel ( DMF). But if you’re pushing big power it’s possible to use Ford Transit solid flywheel components, along with a new crank pulley – or if you look towards America or Noble tuning, you’ll be able to source a lightened flywheel and uprated clutch kit too.

Finally, if you’re feeling very brave, how about a fourwheel drive conversion? It’s been tackled on at least one ST220, using a mixture of Mk1 Mondeo 4x4 and Jaguar X-Type V6 underpinnings. Bear in mind that the four-wheel drive X-Type used a Mondeo estate rear suspension layout, so an ST220 wagon could, potentially, make a fabulous starting point.