Considering........

[b2tf]

Turboing the Focus. As any of you who read my thread in the Pub will know.

Basically I feel it's in need of a bit more go, and a Turbo project would be fun and interesting to develop.

Im in need of as much info regarding turbo applications on Foci as anybody has. I remember hearing about one in Adelaide (is it owned/done by CAPA?) and would be very interested in finding out as much as I can about it. Ive contacted CAPA and am waiting for a reply.

A few points:-

* How strong are the Zetec engines i.e. would a stock, well maintained (my engine has just under 40,000kms) handle a low boost application? Im not chasing huge performance figures here but I do want it to be worth doing. A Procharger sounds like a possibility because it reduces the need to upgrade engine internals to safely handle boost, so I'm told anyway.

* Assuming a FMIC would be needed, I would say I'm looking at major front bar modification for it to be effective. Just wondering, is it at all possible to be mounted and if not, where else could be a possible spot to mount an intercooler?

* Can the stock ECU with a Zetec tune in place of regular CL/LX one handle a low boost application or would I need to run an aftermarket unit or piggyback unit?

Apologies for all the questions and I realise some may be hard to answer. I will be asking people in the know (CAPA etc etc) but Im just interested as to what we already know in regards to turboing.

TIA for any info anyone has.

[Teki04]

You were having troubles insuring the Focus with 17s, try it with turbo... out:

And, isnt your car Auto? I think the engine will take a low boost turbo... but i question the Auto...

Good luck anyways... would be interesting if it all works!

[b2tf]

Yeah, insurance is probably going to be the deciding factor on this whole thing, I havent asked yet but if they say no I'll stick to the simple mods.

From what I gather the auto is the same one used in US Spec Focus', and there are a few of those getting round with turbos with, as far as i can tell, no modifications to the transmissions.

[neb]

for a turbo setup i'm guessing you would most likely need to go through justcars insurance or similar

[murcod]

http://www.turbo-kits.com/focus_turbo_kits.html
http://www.turbocalculator.com/Focus-turbo-kit.html
http://www.importperformanceparts.ne...fordfocus.html
http://www.musclemustangfastfords.co.../0406mm_focus/

Get onto Google and do a search- those were the top five I found.

Personally I would be careful getting a local company doing a "one off" - they will be experimenting with your car and your money. I got bitten big time when I was one of the first people trying to mod a 1.8l 4WD turbo Laser many many years ago- modded high flow turbo self destructed within a week and bits went through the engine. Also had endless problems with pinging and trying to overide the boost cut out. Lots of $$$ from my pocket helped local companies to perfect their products!?

Search overseas forums and websites and you'll find plenty of proven off the shelf kits. Then try and find a local distributor - or spend the $$ and import a kit yourself.

[brother]

www.aseturbo.com

They seem to have done it before on the zetec focus so no experimenting. I think they're in Adelaide and there is no need for front bar modifications for the intercooler.

Website seems a bit under construction but they have contact details.

[b2tf]

MondeoST24 I was looking at those links you pointed out last night after googling it myself, but thanks for pointing them out again .

Brother that link seems pretty good, I will email and ask them about some more details. See how we go.

[Timmeh]

I have some excellent books on the Zetec engine, and have looked at all this before. I am currently working on my Turbo RS2000 project.

Let me just say, you will either be:

a) Spending 5 grand to run a small boost setup as the stock driveline won't handle any serious torque. I am talking 5 pounds of boost, maybe get an extra 50 flywheel kw out of your car, the new inlet and exhaust manifolds, new throttle body, new injectors, fuel pump, fuel pressure reg, no intercooler required, piggyback chip, custom tune. That will shatter any insurance with any major insurance companies and you'll be paying several thousand a year with Just Cars etc. Your warranty will be void, and you may need a new clutch soon after.

You'll then be looking at a mid to high 15 second car, I estimate.

b) Spending 20+ grand on a proper setup, to run 15 pounds of boost or more, to get 200kw+ at the fly. This includes, on top of the previous setup, a new driveline, clutch, intercooler, aftermarket computer, bigger turbo, new total fuel injection setup, upgrading brakes to suit, engineering report, etc. Again, you'll be after Just Cars type insurance, warranty will be voided, and you'll be risking breaking engine internals, which will require a costly rebuild.

This could run potentially anywhere from low 15 seconds to 13 seconds, depending on how wild you go over 20 grand.

I just hope you fully understand the costs involved, you're looking at 5 grand for absolute minimum setup costs and then add a grand or two to your insurance every year, plus tire costs, clutches possibly, small things you break. Add the extra fuel you will use. Add any more money when things break and they are not under warranty. As a minimum, you'll be looking at an extra cost of well over ten grand over three years over leaving it as is, and that's if you never have any problems at all, taking everything into account.

Then add the time the car will be off the road tracing down small problems, either hardware or software, and install times.

People say the driveline can handle 'x' amount of power, but turbo power is different to N/A tune power, when the torque comes on from a turbo, it comes on strong, and thats what breaks things.

It's not cheap, it's alot of mucking around, and every car is different. And at the end of the day, you'll have a fast Focus, but at a big cost. I estimate my RS2000 project will cost me about 30 grand by the time it's done, but it's going to be faster than a 13 second car at the same time.

My Focus is the parts fetcher for the fast car! ing_sm

Tim

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Timmeh

I just hope you fully understand the costs involved

Well no, I have no idea and that's why I'm asking, although I never did expect it to be cheap by any means.I'm not afraid of spending money (to a point) to do the job properly but whether I do it or not is going to be determined by just how much money that figure ends up being, and whether I feel the outcome would be worth the outlay.

grand or two to your insurance every year, plus tire costs, clutches possibly, small things you break. Add the extra fuel you will use. Add any more money when things break and they are not under warranty. As a minimum, you'll be looking at an extra cost of well over ten grand over three years over leaving it as is, and that's if you never have any problems at all, taking everything into account.

Yep - I know about the warranty being kaput and the Insurance, again this is all part of the decision making about whether it's viable or not. Don't know unilt you ask do you?

Then add the time the car will be off the road tracing down small problems, either hardware or software, and install times.

That's another point - I have always been under the impression that no matter how good an install is done or how good the system is, it will always require a lot of maintainence. From what Ive read so far, it looks like this is the case and seeing as the Focus is (and always will be) my daily driver, this is something that is of concern to me.

It's not cheap, it's alot of mucking around, and every car is different. And at the end of the day, you'll have a fast Focus, but at a big cost. I estimate my RS2000 project will cost me about 30 grand by the time it's done, but it's going to be faster than a 13 second car at the same time.

I'm not interested in spending anywhere near $30k! I have figures set out and if it gets to the point where it wont be worth doing for the price I'm willing to pay, then I quite simply wont do it and just stick to N/A with all the usual modifications.

Thanks for the info ;).

[Timmeh]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

Well no, I have no idea and that's why I'm asking, ...Don't know until you ask do you?

Correct! I ask a billion questions when doing things myself!

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

Thanks for the info ;).

Anytime. I have a book you should really read. It's called "High Performance Ford Focus Builder's Handbook" by Richard Holdener, sounds ****y but it is so good. Has all the different modifications you can do to the Zetec and Duratec engines, what combinations work, what gives you horsepower and what gives you torque, all with dyno graphs.

I think you would get so much out of reading it, we did a club bulk purchase of this book a while back, it's very worth it if you're considering modifying your Focus!

Tim

[b2tf]

I was looking last night at a Focus which Im pretty sure was developed by SVT in the states - called IS200 or something (i know that sounds more like a Lexus lol), bright yellow and had the ugliest rear wing I have ever seen.

It was turboed and had a top mount intercooler due to space issues i presume, but was making some decent figures. I'll see if i can find the link for it.

[#Russ#Es#]

Have you thought about modding a different car? Mini's are good to mod! hehe

[Martyvan]

Possibly wait until the new Focus ST Turbo (or RS?) comes out (may not be right away, But should happen!)

That should give you decent base to spend a little money on getting awesome performance!
but you may have to wait a few months.....

[Polyal]

Hmm while it would be cool to have a turbo'ed focus, I just dont see the benefit in the long run.

You must be looking at increasing driveability than all out performance. Because IMO, if you have brought an auto focus then outright pace is not your main focus (lets not start auto vs manual).

5k minuim to run a mid 15 pass doesn't add up in my books. What Tim is doing now is the best option (and one I would love to do). Get another car (2 door escort) and do up that.

At the end of the day even if you have 300 fwkws, its going to be a bitch to drive. I say stick with bolt ons and be happy with your good milage and easy driving.

Sorry if thats blunt.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Hmm while it would be cool to have a turbo'ed focus, I just dont see the benefit in the long run.

You must be looking at increasing driveability than all out performance. Because IMO, if you have brought an auto focus then outright pace is not your main focus (lets not start auto vs manual).

5k minuim to run a mid 15 pass doesn't add up in my books. What Tim is doing now is the best option (and one I would love to do). Get another car (2 door escort) and do up that.

At the end of the day even if you have 300 fwkws, its going to be a bitch to drive. I say stick with bolt ons and be happy with your good milage and easy driving.

Sorry if thats blunt.

Nope thats quite a fair statement and to be honest I'm starting to agree with you.After reading more about it all last night it does seem like it would be a major outlay of cash for at best a moderate gain i.e. 50-60kWs, and would be a big hassle in the creation and maintainence stages.
I'm still waiting to chear back from CAPA and a few other place but at this stage it does look like bolt ons will be a better option.

[Resty]

I read through all this very quickly. I want to ask 2 things. 1.How much do u realistically want to spend? and 2.What are ur power goals?

We cant just say do this and do that without any idea of what ur willing to put into it. Here's x amount of dollar make me go fast. Dont get me wrong, another T focus in the mix would be awsome to trade ideas and specs. There are many foci's out there putting down decent numbers and are still very streetable. The main issue any focus owner going turbo would be tuning. I would say that u buy a starter kit with FMIC and look in to tuning. But without any idea of what ur goals are ($$$ vs hp) there is no starting point.

Mine is costing $6700 for just the kit. Then install, bigger brakes, custom exhaust, gauges, clutch, flywheel, lsd..etc the list goes on...

Don't mean to discourage you,

blah,
riz