The factory blow off valve on the Ford Focus ST EcoBoost engine works fine at stock boost levels, but it becomes a common failure point once boost increases. Factory plastic valves crack, leak, and lose their seal under sustained pressure, leading to boost leaks that hurt performance and drivability. The Turbosmart EcoBoost BOV Kompact Shortie replaces the factory unit with a billet aluminum valve built to hold boost reliably for the long term.
This post covers what the Kompact Shortie does, the difference between the Plumb Back and Dual Port configurations, and which one fits a given Focus ST build.
What the Kompact Shortie Does
A blow off valve releases pressurized air from the intake system when the throttle closes under boost. Without somewhere for that air to go, pressure builds against the closed throttle plate and pushes back through the turbo compressor, causing compressor surge. Over time, repeated surge events stress the turbo’s internal components and shorten its service life.
The Kompact Shortie addresses this with a billet aluminum body, machined in-house rather than cast or molded. This construction eliminates the cracking and leaking that affects factory plastic valves under sustained boost. Inside, a lightweight brass and aluminum two-piece piston paired with carefully engineered springs gives the valve fast, responsive actuation. The compact dimensions also make installation straightforward, since the valve fits into the same space as the factory unit without requiring modification to surrounding components.
Additionally, the Kompact Shortie ships with both a swivel banjo nipple and a straight nipple included. This allows the valve to be oriented to match the vacuum line routing on a specific install, rather than forcing the line into an awkward angle. Larger o-rings in the base further simplify installation, a refinement Turbosmart added after feedback from installers in the field.
Plumb Back vs Dual Port: Which Configuration Fits the Build
The Kompact Shortie is available in two configurations, and the choice between them comes down to how the vented air is routed and what that means for sound and drivability.
Plumb Back
The Plumb Back configuration routes the vented air back into the intake system rather than releasing it to the atmosphere. Because the air stays in the system, the Plumb Back valve operates as quietly as the factory unit. For owners who want the reliability improvement of a billet valve without changing how the car sounds, Plumb Back is the right choice. This is particularly relevant for daily-driven Focus ST owners, since a quiet valve avoids drawing unwanted attention and keeps the car feeling stock from the driver’s seat.
Dual Port
The Dual Port configuration vents a portion of the air to the atmosphere through twin fixed ports, producing the distinctive BOV sound that many enthusiasts associate with turbocharged builds. Beyond the audible difference, the Dual Port design also flows more air than previous Turbosmart valves in this category, which can help the valve keep pace on builds running higher boost levels. For owners who want both the sound and the flow capacity, Dual Port is the configuration to choose.
The product featured in this post is the Dual Port version. For Focus ST owners who specifically want the Plumb Back configuration, confirming availability with Wrench Masters before ordering ensures the correct version arrives for the build.
Who Should Run This Valve
The Kompact Shortie suits Focus ST owners who have moved beyond stock boost levels, whether through a tune, a downpipe, or other supporting modifications. As boost increases, the factory valve’s limitations become more apparent, and a failure at the factory BOV often shows up as a hesitation or stumble on gear changes, which is a telltale sign of a boost leak at the valve.
Because the Kompact Shortie holds boost reliably across a wide range, it works equally well on a mildly tuned daily driver and a more aggressive build running higher boost targets. The billet construction means the valve does not become a limiting factor as the build progresses, which makes it a sensible upgrade to address early rather than revisiting later.
What Else to Consider Alongside a BOV Upgrade
A blow off valve upgrade is often one part of a broader boost system refresh. For Focus ST owners addressing multiple components at once, the boost controllers category covers options that improve boost accuracy and response when paired with a BOV upgrade. The intercooler kits category addresses intake temperatures, which becomes more important as boost increases. For owners running an external wastegate setup, the wastegates category covers boost pressure regulation options.
For owners who want a different look or sound profile than the Kompact Shortie offers, the Turbosmart Supersonic BOV is a universal-fit alternative available in multiple colors, though it requires more installation space than the compact Shortie design.
Shop the Turbosmart Kompact Shortie BOV
The Turbosmart EcoBoost BOV Kompact Shortie Dual Port is in stock and ships in 24 to 48 hours. Priced at $207.95.
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