I just purchased a modified '03 Focus FX3 at a bargain and need a little help, it has cold cold air intake, headers, Borla exhaust with no converter, strut tower brace, 17" tuner wheels, looks awesome and its a blast to drive.. But here's the rub- I put new tires on the front (215/50ZR17) and they bump the inner fender lip when hitting bumps, so I believe the springs are weak (I've temporarily inserted rubber spacers until I can find the right springs), was this model lowered from the factory? and are the purple springs OE? I have one more question while I have your attention, the check engine light came on, and had the code checked, had something to do with the catalyst not working which is absolutely correct since there is none, the O2 sensors are each in a header tube, what can I do to bypass that problem? I appreciate any info. Steve
As for the rub, that's because your tires are too big and the car is lowered (purple springs are not OE, unless someone painted them purple). The biggest tire I'd run on the 17's is 215/45/17. Where did you come up with 215/50/17 for a size? Even if you put new springs on the car, it's likely with that big of a tire you are going to be rubbing still anyways, even if they are factory height.
As for the lack of cat, there is an O2 cheater harness that you can pick up that will eliminate the light.
Last edited on Fri Jan 11th, 2008 05:30 pm by RPIJG
There are no badges on the car, but on the dealership key tag it lists it as an FX3 and online I did find a site that mentions an FX3 model made in northern Mexico but it may be a typo, the new tires were replacement for the size that was already on the car, a smaller tire would be closer to factory but a harsher ride and harder to keep from warping the wheels on these rough Mississippi country roads, the car has 103000 miles on it and a new set of springs and strutts couldnt hurt, I really appreciate the help.
P.s where would be a good place to look for the part you mentioned concerning the after Cat O2 sensor?
StevesTire wrote: There are no badges on the car, but on the dealership key tag it lists it as an FX3 and online I did find a site that mentions an FX3 model made in northern Mexico but it may be a typo, the new tires were replacement for the size that was already on the car, a smaller tire would be closer to factory but a harsher ride and harder to keep from warping the wheels on these rough Mississippi country roads, the car has 103000 miles on it and a new set of springs and strutts couldnt hurt, I really appreciate the help.
P.s where would be a good place to look for the part you mentioned concerning the after Cat O2 sensor?
Yeah, I did a look, I'm 100% positive there is no such thing as an FX3 Focus, is it a 3-door hatch?
If so it's a ZX3. Perhaps they wanted it to sound cooler and called it FX3. I don't know. The size on the car was wrong then, wrong, wrong, wrong. The SVT version of the focus comes with Factory 17" wheels, and it runs a 215/45/17 which is MORE than ample tire to protect from wheel warp, or tire failure on any roads (trust me I live in Maine, we've got some pretty snow beaten, frost bitten nasty pot holed roads). 215/50/17 is simply too big, the overall diameter is over an inch bigger than the stock 195/60/15 and 0.8 inches bigger than the factory recommended 17" size found on the SVT (215/45/17). As for springs and struts, your problem is going to be this, anything taller will inherently be softer (since they will assume you are looking for ride quality and not handling ability) and anything harder will be shorter. So regardless if you go with new springs, you will still have rubbing issues with that big of a tire. A good mix of height and handling is the SVT suspension, which can be found at many different Ford Racing Parts retailers, it comes as a kit that includes springs, shocks and struts, as well as sway bars and some other bits as well, very reasonable price usually around $250 or so I think.
Yes it is the 2dr hatchback.Thanks immensely for taking the time, I've got new tires coming Monday (215/45ZR17), the SVT springs will be the best way to address the suspension, (as I do not know the history on these springs/struts), I found several online sources for those - now that I have the right direction to look.The O2 sensor adapter looks like it will be a breeze, and I am also going to tackle putting a set of remote control auto door locks in.
This is actually one of the best web-sites I have encountered with helpful info, Good Job & Thanks Again.
Don't get my screen name mixed up with the car model. I created my screen name from my real name and the model I drive.
When you get a chance throw up a picture of your motor. There were 3 differant motors in the ZX3 in '03. The Standard 2.0L Zetec, the 2.3L Duratec and the 2.0L SVT motor(This motor also comes with a 6 speed transmission).
As for the 17" tires in the 215/45/17 size. I hit a decent pot hole once and damaged the tire but not the rim. Had to get a new tire but not after driving 300+ miles on it while on a road trip.
It does have the 2.0L Zetec motor, the 215/45ZR17's are working perfect, the Radioshack parts adapter for the O2 sensor worked (cost about $7.00) and mil has stayed off for over a week now, (not a pretty mod but it works fine). I started on the remote door lock kit this weekend but had to abort and regroup, just a little note to anyone attempting the same thing -- these cars use cables instead of rods and its best to use a kit with the new adapters for cables or purchase an adapter as I am having to do now, if TF likes I can send some pictures when I tackle it again and maybe they can use it as a "How To". It appears (after dissasembling the door latch hardware) that even the manual doors have integrated (Bosch) electric locks but no wiring harness, and I believe the aftermarket kit would be easier to install than trying to use the existing socket and changing the harness. Til next time Steve
