As stated in your other post you would need to change the computer and at least engine bay wiring harness. you also need to change the tranny because the SPI tranny would not hold up to long to the torque a 2.3L puts out. THe MTX75(stock Zetec and Duratec manual tranny) is also just a better tranny than the IB5 manual (??I think that it??) in the SPI.
One big thing differant between the original focus motors and the new Duratecs (2.0L &2.3L) is the SPI & Zetec have one coil pack for the 4 cylinders and the duratec's have 4 coil packs (one per clyinder).
The 2.3 also is a Partial Zero Emmissions engine and you won't need all the junk that comes strapped to it if you're just adding the motor.
The motor also sits differently than the Zetec - You'd have to check the mounts.
You can pull a lot more oomph out of the 2.3 with little effort with a few bolt ons as well. It's a noticible difference over the 2.0 Zetec which I have owned as well. (I'm in the 2.3 PZEV now)
Fordgot to tell you one other important thing. The 2.3L is also esentially backwards them the SPI/Zetec. The exhaust comes out of the rear (when looking at it) on the 2.3L so you would also be looking at exhaust work too. As you know the exhaust comes out of the front (when looking at it) on the SPI/Zetec 2.0L.
Here is the Zetec vs 2.3L Duratec (the 2.0L Duratec is basicly identical to the 2.3L)
hello, referring to your 2.0 or 2.3 engine question i do have to say if you have the money always go bigger but in this case you'll be gaining much more. i bought the 2.3 when they first came out, and they really suck for any mods. most of which you would be loosing your warranty. the spark plugs are replaced by electronic ones and the air filter doesn't have to be replaced for a hundred thousand miles. excuse the lack of knowing what's in my engine. buts its a mess with todays technology. hands down racing svt foci they dont even know what im packing for a stock engine.
____________________ rED tO piNK thEN tAP thE yELLoW
The 2.3's are great with mods. The Duratec motor responde better to simple bolt on mods than the Zetec does. If you rip out that stock air box and put an aftermarktn one on it you will see at least a 5 HP increase where if you did the same to a Zetec you might see 1-2 HP increase. The same with the exhaust.
Changing out the intake and exhaust on a Duratec really wakes it up and you need to do a bit mor eto a Zetec to get the same HP % increase.
There is also starting to be as much out there for the Duratec as there is for the Zetec.
And as for warranty. Ford had to prove the aftermarket part caused the failure. If you change your intake and you tranny goes south your still covered. But if your engine hydrolocks (weather its from the intake or not) your voided because of the intake. Also if you change your intake and your wheel falls off or a spring brakes your still covered under warrany on those parts.
good point fx3. i didn't know it would be that much gain compared to other fords. do you know how much loss i would be taking by installing air condition. thanks jtfabela
____________________ rED tO piNK thEN tAP thE yELLoW
Don't know what you would loose but Chelly's 2.3L is nice but when you turn on the AC you can feel the drain on the power.
If your trying to pull as much power out of the car (or any car for that matter) you want as little acessories as possible and lighten the car as well. Withotu AC you have that much less strain on the drivetrain and the added bonus of weight reduction(not much in the scheem of things but every little bit helps).
I also reread your last post and the 2.3L does have regular spark plugs. What is has that is differant is it has 4 coil packs and not one like the Zetec. Cars started with Distributors first and as electronics advanced the distributor went away and coil packs came into play. I am guessing they designed the coil pack to look like a distrubitor just because it is a common design. The Duratec (2.0L & 2.3L) have a completly differant designed coil pack where as there is not 1 coil pack but 4. One coil pack per cylinder and in doing it this way there is no spark degridation caused by spark plug wires. This is just another way the Duratec produces more power (little as it may be but again every little bit helps). Each coil pack is basicly mounted to the top of its spark plug.
To expand on the A/C drain on the 2.3 - it is noticable, however I also notice that if you push it hard enough the engine/computer 'disengages' the A/C temporarily to allow the power to come through. I had the same situation with my Zetec.
If you need to get power and your A/C is on, all you need do is cut the fan off for as long as you need the extra oomph and you're good to go!
I cannot even explain how happy I am with my 2.3 over the Zetec and when my Power train warranty runs out I will be adding mods - I'm not interested at this point in time in adding mods because my car is really a commuter right now and I want the most mpg as possible.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
I just wish I could get a new ZX3 with the 2.3. Oh well, When I get back to the states in September I'm going to trade my Spot Trac in on either an ST or a mazda 3.
Pokes just got a Mazda3 wit hthe 2.3L in it and she is gettign the same milage as her 2.0L Zetec was getting. She is not seing the consistant 30+mpg that Chelly is getting on the 03 focus 2.3L
It'll get better gas milage then my Sport Trac. LOL And that's all I need. But as of now I'm leaning more too the Focus because I can get a way better deal on the Focus. I seen it for 15K and Ford will match up to $2,500 down. Not too mention 1K gas card and the wifes dad works in the plant in Detroit so we get A plan on top of all that.
