I am new here and looking for some tips. I bought a wrecked '03 ford focus with a 2.0 16 valve engine. I believe the car had zx3 on the back. I bought this car just for the motor which has only 15k miles on it, to use in a sand rail I want to build. I currently build motor cycle powered sand rails and they are alot of fun but I thought I'd like to try a focus motor. I was reading some sites that gave me the hp ratings I saw one that said that the svt motor is a 170 hp motor how do I determine if that is the motor I have off the block? I do believe the car was a 4 door sedan, it was 2 years ago when I stripped it and hauled the rest to the scrap yard. If it isn't the svt motor what or where would be a good source to buy some performace parts to get 200 hp out of the motor? with this motor and a type one transaxle I should be able to keep the rail at 1200 lbs - 1400 lbs wet. in the accident the plastice intake manifold was cracked but the motor did run, just off a little from the leak but is there a company that makes polished aluminum intakes? this is not going back in a car so room isn't an issue and emisions controls aren't either matter of fact if I could take them off I would. any help would be appreciated. here is a pic of what type of frame and rail it will be going into.
It's as simple as looking at the valve cover. If it says SVT you're in business. If it is just a black plastic piece that says "Zetec", you have a non-SVT motor.
200hp is not completely unreasonable without forced induction, but it won't be easy. You'll want to start off with the basics, a MAJOR underdrive pulley, you'll need a custom exhaust and intake for your application I am sure. Good headwork (port + polish, 3-angle valve job) and a custom intake manifold (for your situation) and exhaust header. Don't waste your time with a "shorty" header if you're going for 200hp, cams, larger TB (which you could use pretty much any one you want with a custom manifold).
This is an interesting project, and seeing it come to fruition would be cool.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
It's as simple as looking at the valve cover. If it says SVT you're in business. If it is just a black plastic piece that says "Zetec", you have a non-SVT motor.
200hp is not completely unreasonable without forced induction, but it won't be easy. You'll want to start off with the basics, a MAJOR underdrive pulley, you'll need a custom exhaust and intake for your application I am sure. Good headwork (port + polish, 3-angle valve job) and a custom intake manifold (for your situation) and exhaust header. Don't waste your time with a "shorty" header if you're going for 200hp, cams, larger TB (which you could use pretty much any one you want with a custom manifold).
This is an interesting project, and seeing it come to fruition would be cool.
first off thanks, the valve cover does only say "zetec" so that answers that question. I understand all but the underdrive pulley , what exactly is that? is there a company or two that you would recomend for the parts? I would rather try and get 200 hp the hard way instead of super charger or turbo. I can and will post some pics as I move along with this project as I am sure I will have more questions on the motor build. I build my own frames and am about 65% done with that next I will need to buy the adaptor to bolt the transaxle to the motor to set my motor mounts and suspention mounts. I plan on building the motor before I send all the parts to the powder coaters. the reason I say 200 hp is to stay with a custom built type 1 vw $2500 transaxle only rated for 200 hp instead of a mendiola custom built $5500 transaxle good to 400 hp. On the exhaust end, is there a tuned header you would recomend ? I have the stock one still bolted on right now and with the square plate that is welded to the end of it I can custom make the tail pipe myself, it will only be 18"- 24" long with a super trap or some sort of restrictor at the end, but the intake manifold I will need to buy. I came across ( 2 years ago) a website about racing focus cars called something like seans focus page but can't find it again. this site was selling a small kit to build most of what you suggested, have you ever heard of this web site or builder? here is a pic of a rail I built (as a roller with his motor and tranny set he finished the rest ) for a guy with his buick 3.1 ltre v-6, I tried to tell him to pull a v-6 out of a mustang but he's just not a ford guy, his loss. you can kind od get an idea on the room I can work with on the headers and intake. Any suggestion?
here is another shot, might be a little closer. the only difference is this is a rear engine configuration and I will be running a mid engine ( where the motor is in front of the transaxle instead of behind) for better balance and cutting the turns at higher speeds. I am looking for more bottom end and mid range performace overall. I was wrong on the focus car it is or was actually an '04 4 dr sedan se model.
The SVT motor came in the SVT 5-door as well (4-door hatch). But again, unless it says "SVT" on the valve cover, it's not an SVT.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
ProjectFocusFast wrote: The SVT motor came in the SVT 5-door as well (4-door hatch). But again, unless it says "SVT" on the valve cover, it's not an SVT.
I don't know why I forgot about that... I should be fired
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
Ok first off thanks for the great info. I have been checking out a few suppliers that were listed and I think I know what to get, I am sure I will have more questions though. I contacted weddle ind about a new high strength chromoly ring and pinnion they are coming out with, but they won't be for sale untill late feb, I will have to wait on that one I will need it for a reliable transaxle. I have started on the chassis for now, when I get a little farther along I will post pics of the chassis construction and setting the motor mounts this winter, it might interest some. here is a pic of a what the chassis will look like just a little heavier wall tube and slightly larger engine comartment.
I got a welder a couple months back, just a home 110V one and haven't gotten the gas for it yet. One of the first things out of my buddies mouth was "lets build a go-kart". Kinda like what your doing only smaller. I told him woudl could build one and auto-cross it
Than I started toying with the idea of building a go-kart the size of your rig there but using the motor and drive train out of my 86 Toyota 4x4 plow truck. A 4x4 go-kart. I say go-kart meaning a more "only street" suspension and not the 20" of flex yours will have.
fx3 wrote: Its pretty cool you're building one of these.
I got a welder a couple months back, just a home 110V one and haven't gotten the gas for it yet. One of the first things out of my buddies mouth was "lets build a go-kart". Kinda like what your doing only smaller. I told him woudl could build one and auto-cross it
Than I started toying with the idea of building a go-kart the size of your rig there but using the motor and drive train out of my 86 Toyota 4x4 plow truck. A 4x4 go-kart. I say go-kart meaning a more "only street" suspension and not the 20" of flex yours will have.
I know what you mean by a go cart but if you build a go cart make sure its on roids go onto you tube type in motor cycle powered go carts and watch a few of those video's. those guys are nuts but what a rush. here is a pic of a cheap and easy way to make a toy out of your toyota.
fx3 wrote: Its pretty cool you're building one of these.
I got a welder a couple months back, just a home 110V one and haven't gotten the gas for it yet. One of the first things out of my buddies mouth was "lets build a go-kart". Kinda like what your doing only smaller. I told him woudl could build one and auto-cross it
Than I started toying with the idea of building a go-kart the size of your rig there but using the motor and drive train out of my 86 Toyota 4x4 plow truck. A 4x4 go-kart. I say go-kart meaning a more "only street" suspension and not the 20" of flex yours will have.
here is a pic of a go cart with a suzuki 750cc engine I finished for a neighbor. did you check out the go carts on you tube? my website is http://www.dandsracing.com check it out there are a few pics of rails I have built but a mini rock crawler/cart would be alot of fun even with a small winch on the front.
Have you figured out what you're going to do for engine management?
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
honestly I thought the best thing to do is to get the adaptor plated to attach the motor to the vw transaxle why I was building the chassis since I know that part inside and out and then get back on line and see what you have to say and where you would suggest I go.
It has taken some time but I have a few pics of the chassis. weddle still hasn't released the ring and pinion gears for the tranny and I need the tranny to build the rear end suspention. this rail will have 26" wheel travel and 22" ground clearance with 6" of suspention droop.
go onto you tube type in motor cycle powered go carts and watch a few of those video's. those guys are nuts but what a rush. here is a pic of a cheap and easy way to make a toy out of your toyota.