My co-worker has a currently stock 2003 Focus ZX3, Zetec motor, 5 speed manual. We have $2200 to play with. First thought was an SHO swap. After researching that, that idea has been thrown out (even if we could get everything we needed for under $2200, I don't feel confident enough in my welding skills at this point to do that extent of work on a car that sees highway speeds).

So now we're back to square one. What would be extremely nice for a swap would be the ability to keep the stock transmission.

Now, with $2200 would you:
a) swap out the motor, and if so, what motor would you swap into?

or...

b) put that $2200 into the Zetec?


This is his first foray into major car work, this is my first foray into EFI.

with $2200 i wouldnt attemt to do an engine swap, with electronics and every thing else envolved with it you will end up at least double that amount, i would put it in to the zetec motor, they are strong and reliable, i have 167k on mine and still rollin, what is your plans as far as power and what you want to do with the car

$2200 can get u a good used turbo kit... i would go with that... the motor swaps for this car will cost $5000 to $10000 so I would stick with the motor and have fun with it

with $2200, get a JRSC with BBK, injectors, tune. Thatll be hella fun and will allow you to retain stock clutch....for a while lol.

Or....right now the Powerworks superchargers are dropping in price, and for $3200 you get a larger supercharger than the JRSC, air to water intercooler, and better reliability. Then tack on another few hundred for tuning and dyno. Should be about 200 whp on an otherwise stock zetec.