Frustrating, annoying and costly

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by ShockWaveXR6na

Timmeh what sorta power is your Focus making compared to its stock dyno run, (assuming you did run it stock first). I think B2TF expectations are much to high as things like an ECU upgrede and underdrives probarly aren't going to happen for him. The Focus is a nice car but is there really that much power you can pull out of it by modding it, or is it limited?

Shockwave, a few things:-

* My expectations are not really defined. As I have said on numerous occasions, im not out to set/break records, i dont want a dragstrip monster, all I want to do is try a few things out, see how they work (if they work), and go from there. I dont have a figure in mind in the way of kW, i have a goal to increase drivability and power throughout the whole rev range, and once ive achieved that, I'll know it.

* ECU upgrade (by this I mean chip) and underdrives are most certainly within reach. It's just a matter of locating the right parts (which im farily certain I have done), and then purchasing them - the only holdup with these 2 parts at the moment is the distributor is having supply issues. Once they're available, and once I know enough about the products to hand over the cash, they'll be on the way.

* As for your question about how much you can get out of the Focus, thats the same question I have. Why else would I be modding it?

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by FFOracing

if I had purchased a Focus, performance was not one of my requirements.

Reliabilty & economy is the reason I bought my focus.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Reliabilty & economy is the reason I bought my focus.

But that doesnt by any means mean that you cant ever mod it, does it.

[needturbo6]

what about st170 parts, or do ford want too much for them?

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by needturbo6

what about st170 parts, or do ford want too much for them?

They do charge for them and the only real ones of any benefit are things like engine parts etc which are incredibly expensive and involve a fair bit of work. From what I gather the exhaust system they have is very again but again its rather pricey, and I can (and am) having a custom system designed for what I feel to be a very good price anyway.

[Timmeh]

You're very right when you say the only real parts of benefit are the engine parts, the main difference being the variable timed head.

But most other ST parts are dirt cheap - clear side indicators $4 each, ST lower grill $60 odd bucks, etc, even the rims aren't bad compared to the hideous prices Ford charge for alot of others.

Still, as you say, engine parts are always costly when you're talking about new heads and the computer to run it.

Tim

[Walkinshaw]

There may be little support here, but thats due to the segement the car is sold into, the "mums shopping cart or older sisters Zippy runnabout a-b car."

In the UK or US they have their act into gear, they put in a decent attempt to try and remove the "shopping trolly" tag that plagues 99.95% of foci's. Most here are just simple cosmetic plastic cars.

My mate had a demo 5door 2L auto as a loan car as his car was being fixed, and to say the least i was extremely dissapointed. I couldn't believe what they were asking ($$) for a car which seriously would have had trouble pulling the skin off a rice pudding. We had it arround some hills and general city driving, and in some instances it bordered on dangerous with its lack of responce and power, it made merging and hills driving a painfull experence. This said, i suppose if you are lumped with one, any performace work is bound to help.

[BA GT-HO]

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

My mate had a demo 5door 2L auto as a loan car as his car was being fixed, and to say the least i was extremely dissapointed.

Oh yes, THAT THING.

I like to burn rubber as much as the next bloke does so naturally we decided to take the Focus for a run up a section of road (mates driveway) that has claimed many a stockie tyre due to its up hill nature. But alas the focus wouldn't come to the party..

But seriously I think in 2 - 3 years time when more of these cars fall into the P plater market you will see more stuff available for them.. Its just that there isn't much interest from younger people as the price of them may be a little high.. maybe? its just a theory :togo:

[MITCHAY]

As Shockwave said there has to be a market for a company to be bothered to invest money in development of performance parts. The whole point of being in business is to make money and when your not goin to make a lot then there is no point. Im sure as in anything in life there is a feasibility study with development of aftermarket tuners.

B2TF i get what your saying you just want a little bit more, not a monster. For exhaust id just say get a sports muffler put on. Just a generic off the shelf product. Ive got a big mofo on my TX5 and it is loud.

Yes its a shame but i reckon it would probably end up cheaper sourcing parts from overseas than custom parts. Good on you for trying to do something different cause im the same. There is way too many VL commies and EL falcons goin round where i live and they usually all look the same. This is why i went for a TX5. Yes there is heaps of them aswell, but ive never heard one louder than mine, and only seen 1 or 2 more better looking ones round where i live.

Whatever you decide to do all the best and be sure to give us an update.

[Timmeh]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

As Shockwave said there has to be a market for a company to be bothered to invest money in development of performance parts. The whole point of being in business is to make money and when your not goin to make a lot then there is no point. Im sure as in anything in life there is a feasibility study with development of aftermarket tuners.

I think my point in my post has been overlooked. The car is an extremely popular tuner vehicle in the states, there is no need for the development of performance parts, it's already been done in the states and europe.

It just takes companies to start stocking the parts, and bit by bit they are.

Tim

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by Timmeh

I think my point in my post has been overlooked. The car is an extremely popular tuner vehicle in the states, there is no need for the development of performance parts, it's already been done in the states and europe.

It just takes companies to start stocking the parts, and bit by bit they are.

Tim

Yeah thats another solution. Sorry if this sounds stupid or anything but dont the emission regulations and all sort of stuff differ country to country?

[#Russ#Es#]

Is it just me, or are some people just stating the obvious!!?? I think Aust. (B2TF) knows that the Focus isn't a sales success in oz, and that he may have to import performance parts. Some of you seem to be repeating yourselves a bit.
I know what it's like Aust., I've had a little bit of negativity about my future plans for my project car (and mine will be a tad more complex :( - unless you go for the Focus V8 conversion )

Keep the chin up - any car can be modded...as some have said, some are just easier (and cheaper). As the large car segment loses popularity, small cars (and SUV's) will get easier to mod.

[Timmeh]

Originally Posted by #Russ#Es#

Is it just me, or are some people just stating the obvious!!?? I think Aust. (B2TF) knows that the Focus isn't a sales success in oz, and that he may have to import performance parts. Some of you seem to be repeating yourselves a bit.

The "obvious" is being stated because people are asking questions about the best course of action to be taken when dealing with this situation, and why we think it's required.

It's called a discussion! :

Tim

[Casper]

Speaking of which, time for this thread to head into the Focus forums.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

For exhaust id just say get a sports muffler put on. Just a generic off the shelf product. Ive got a big mofo on my TX5 and it is loud.

Absolutely not. Never will a cannon find its way onto ANY car i own, let alone this one. I want go, not show.
Im in the process of having a 2.25" exhaust made up for me, it will be pretty darn quiet too (at my request). Currently considering whether headers are worth tracking down, I feel they will be but again its a question of what's going to work the best for the dollar.

Everybody who bags the 5dr Auto, yes I can see where you're coming from, yes it is by no means a fast vehicle. But for my needs (and in those needs i count the gf - she cant drive a manual and to be honest im not great at it either), and for what im willing to pay in fuel, upkeep etc etc, its the perfect choice. Say what you will, I guarantee that in a few months time I will be showing you what Ive done to the car, and it will be a vast improvement on stock. I say that not to brag, but rather to set a goal for myself.

This Focus WILL move.

[MITCHAY]

Ive got 2.25" cat back to 3" Cannon. I was just gonna chuck on a Lukey muffler but when the guy showed me the cannon i was like F**K YEAH. Yes i fell for it hook line and sinker.

Ive been looking for mods for your Focus and can see what you mean ive found sweet f**k all. Just thought id try help out but aint working.

[b2tf]

The main Place Im really interested in is www.infocusmotorsport.com.au - dedicated Ford Focus products, so obviously its a great place to start.

The trouble is the owner isnt very interested in my business - wont return my calls or emails, and i know he's getting them.

[murcod]

Live with the fact your car will never be a drag strip rocket- and instead enjoy the handling! I drove an auto Zetec a while back and would buy a Focus purely because of the superb handling. A stock Falcon may beat you off the lights- but see how long they will keep up through some tight twisty corners. ;)

I'd much prefer a nice balanced handling car anyday over a powerful thing that's a pig to drive.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by mondeost24

Live with the fact your car will never be a drag strip rocket- and instead enjoy the handling! I drove an auto Zetec a while back and would buy a Focus purely because of the superb handling. A stock Falcon may beat you off the lights- but see how long they will keep up through some tight twisty corners. ;)

I'd much prefer a nice balanced handling car anyday over a powerful thing that's a pig to drive.

I dont want a dragstrip rocket, Ive made that very clear. I just want it to have a bit better performance than it does now.

[Mick K.]

Re: your original post, I have similar thoughts about dealer servicing and the lack of availability of 3rd party aftermarket tuners.

Neither Ford Aus nor Holden seem to have much of a clue about anything except their main Falcon and Commodore ranges. I haven't had the Focus serviced yet, but Holden couldn't diagnose or fix an overheating problem with the Vectra that an independent auto-electrician was able to fix quickly and cheaply.

I used to have a VW Golf and in Brisbane there are 2 or 3 VW/Audi specialists as well as the dealers. There are also aftermarket specialists in Swedish cars, Italian cars, BMWs etc. It seems the Euro Fords and Opel sourced Holdens are a bit of a black hole wneh it somes to aftermarket work or non-dealer specialist servicing.

I go with what the others say - get your performance bits through UK / Europe.

Good luck.

MK

[#Russ#Es#]

Originally Posted by Timmeh

The "obvious" is being stated because people are asking questions about the best course of action to be taken when dealing with this situation, and why we think it's required.

It's called a discussion! :

Tim

I was referring to everyone stating that the Focus isn't popular in Oz...it seems like its been said every second post (YES, WE KNOW ITS NOT A SALES SUCCESS - thats why there's not much available for it yet)...thats why Aust. is here telling us about his problems finding performance bits and people are offering solutions.

[zetec]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

The main Place Im really interested in is www.infocusmotorsport.com.au - dedicated Ford Focus products, so obviously its a great place to start.

The trouble is the owner isnt very interested in my business - wont return my calls or emails, and i know he's getting them.

I feel bad for referring you to him. Marcus is a very hard person to reach and whilst I am sure he is very interested in business and making money and making customers happy, never once have I ever heard a good story from someone who has dealt cleanly and happily with him. I washed my hands of him with our club in Sydney and his lack of support, his disinterest in the Focus and anything beyond his own Turbo project which seems to still have not been completed. MAybe he had financial problems, but I am amazed that this guy is still in business. If I had this many door knocks from enthusiasts I'd bend over backwards to help them.

I was, along with Tim, one of the first people in Oz not only to buy a Focus AND have a heartbeat at the same time, bu to mod it. I started slowly, with the indicators etc, but soon took a leap of faith and installed KW springs (interestingly sourced through Infocus for a Dealer Demo Focus which the owner then traded for my stock Zetec springs, she couldn't live with the lowered car AND bodykit.). I also custom designed my own 2 1/4 inch exhaust having never modded a car in my life, chucked in a K&N back in the days when it cost $90 plus GST and had to be imported into Australia form the USA. I just put up with it, didn't expect anyone to give a toss, Herrod gave up too (why am I not surprised... Focus owners don't have a lot of money and aren't prepared to pay high prices for well developed parts in general unlike FPV owners). My air filter and zorst combined are probably putting me at the 104kw mark after a stock run of about 97kw. I'm more than happy and I know I could do more like headers, chip etc but in all honesty, I couldn't be bothered. I congratualte you for having the balls to go all the way and search for the best, but simply put, you're going to have to still delve into unknown depths and be the first, there just aren't any established tuning houses...

Matt gets an idea... Zetec Motorsports.... Turbo my beauty in the business name, claim the GST, niiiiiice!! If only I wasn't so happy working for Ford. At least there'd be one decent Focus tuning house in Oz.

Keep at it Aust.

[b2tf]

Matt,

mate dont feel bad for recommending me to Marcus, his gear seems very good and Im sure that when you can actually find and speak to him he's a wealth of knowledge. But as has been said, it's the finding him bit thats the hard part.

In all honesty, I dont know what to expect. Im new to this extent of modding, ive done the usual stuff to my old falcon before, but this is all new territory to me. At the end of this year I might be driving a Supercharged Focus, I might be driving a slightly modded one, but one this is for sure - I wont be driving a stock one.

Many thanks to especially Timmeh and yourself for giving me a wealth of info over the past few weeks, both in the leadup to buying and now owning. It'll certainly make it easier having you guys around as a source of knowledge and advice.

If I can find a Jackson Racing Supercharger kit......... :Up_to_som

[zetec]

Well at least Tim and my hard work has paid off, I feel old, wise and learned!!! And slow compared to the mods y'all are doing!!!

[needturbo6]

if its an auto you could also bump up the line pressure slightly to give quicker shifts

make a better CAI, a heatgun and pvc pipe can be used...

advance timing for 98ron fuel, dunno what the gist of the procedure is but there could possibly be a connector that needs bridging...dunno though, or you might be able to trick the AIT sensor to advance timing. then again i dont know if the focus ecu will also adjust air/fuel ratios.

Make up a jaycar digital fuel adjuster, as long as the MAP/MAF sensor gives out a voltage signal youll be alright. If it is frequency-based- like all (ea-ba) 6 cyls then it wont work.

The above jaycar kit would most likely give excellent gains if setup on a dyno.

[Timmeh]

Good ideas, but just for info, the Focus fuel system is completely different to the Falcons. The Zetec engine actually runs a returnless fuel system with a fuel rail pressure regulator so it requires a different sort of modification to the Falcon setup. This means you can't just add another fuel pump in series, or change the signal to the fuel pump, etc, without also modifying other areas.

The Focus also runs a MAF, for info.

Tim

[needturbo6]

Originally Posted by Timmeh

Good ideas, but just for info, the Focus fuel system is completely different to the Falcons. The Zetec engine actually runs a returnless fuel system with a fuel rail pressure regulator so it requires a different sort of modification to the Falcon setup. This means you can't just add another fuel pump in series, or change the signal to the fuel pump, etc, without also modifying other areas.

The Focus also runs a MAF, for info.

Tim

ah ok, well i wouldnt think the fuel system would need to be upgraded, unless of course a supercharger/turbo was used.

Considering the Focus uses a MAF, so it would be voltage-based and the jaycar digital fuel adjuster kit could be used. If you havent seen the kit then i will find a link.

[b2tf]

needturbo6, i havent seen the kit. I gather it allows you to even out yuor A/F ratios? Or am I way off.

Im going to spend at least a few weeks just reading up on info before I commit to anything in particular. By that, I mean research all the different ways of doing things and then make a decision based on what I know.

That, and I think Ill buy another guitar first before spending anything on the car py:.

At this stage Im sticking to the original plan of full exhaust nic. headers,chip, underdrives and whatever else i can find that will improve torque. Thats the real lacking bit - torque. The car just doesnt want to move unless you floor it, in which case it breaks its neck to get to the speed you want. Fun, but a little tiring and by no means efficent or easy. It just feels like there is another 2 tonnes of car somewhere i cant see, and the engine just cant move it. I remember when I did the exhaust on the EF, and the K&N, it felt like the car had found a new way to breathe (mainly cos it had lol). I know a Focus is fairly different to a Falcon but I think the principle behind it is the same - get the engine to breathe better, remove as many restrictions as possible, and it'll be a good start.

Oh btw, only doin bolt no mods at this stage. First and foremost, this car is and will continue to be my daily driver. So reliability is an absolute must.

[Resty]

Cam gears, tb, cat back, headers, chip, intake, pulleys, clutch, lsd, fly, all items 100% deliverable to Oz. I have no idea on how much u want to spend, but its all there.

As for a few comments earlier about the focus being at its limit even ford did not know that the potential is 3-4 times the original hp output with the right application.

I have made the same comments about shops not wanting to touch the focus ages ago - almost 2 years ago now. Since then I have sourced probably every mod and where to get them.

At the end of it all you really need to define how much more grunt (not 1/4 monster) you are after. How much hp do u want? I can forward u from there easily. At no stage in any part of this thread are we aware of the goals and how much needs to be spent even if it's a round number. Sorry I need to be blunt here, coz its obvious that ur really interested and enthusiastic about ur focus and good on ya for being so.

I wanted this and that and some more of this, in the end I chose a turbo kit. Why? Coz I want a 1/4 monster as u put it. I had to make a clear decision on what I was willing to spend, how much power I wanted, how much road holding and how much stopping power was also required. With this in mind I did the figures and now with the current mods im appoaching the 15k mark.

After reading that ur thinking "but I dont want a turbo or spend that much". My point is, I was clear on what needed to be done and how much I need to get there. Dont let people throw u off and good luck. Shoot me a PM and I'll try to help u out if ya like.

blah,
riz

[needturbo6]

Here are the links for the digital fuel adjuster and hand controller,
just type in the product codes KC5386 and KC5385
GO HERE

You have to assemble the kits yourself.

The kit allows you to adjust the fuel mixtures, either leaner or richer. If you were to use this kit then you might wanna to find out if the ecu adjusts ignition timing, and by how much.
I would assume it woundnt adjust it much, if at all. but i could be wrong.