This is my first post and my first Focus. I just picked up a 2001 ZX3 with 70K (Carfaxed), and I'm amazed by the amount of relatively inexpensive performance parts. I'm thinking of adding a turbo (intercooled). How much boost is normally considered "safe" in these things with 70K on the clock? Are there any other "weak links" I should address when adding boost? Any opinons/tips/experiances would be appriciated. Thanks up front.

This is my first post and my first Focus, and I think my first mistake (I originally posted this in another forum). I just picked up a 2001 ZX3 with 70K (Carfaxed), and I'm amazed by the amount of relatively inexpensive performance parts. I'm thinking of adding a turbo (intercooled). How much boost is normally considered "safe" in these things with 70K on the clock? Are there any other "weak links" I should address when adding boost? Any opinons/tips/experiances would be appriciated. Thanks up front.

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Merged the duplicate posts, and moved them to the Forced Induction Chat forums. [;)]

well, depends. check ur compression. if its good, you don't want to go much above 12 psi. 12 psi is usually very safe! that will put you at about 220-250 whp pending turbo choice. things like rods start to go after 250 whp. also, do you have an auto or manual?

well, depends. check ur compression. if its good, you don't want to go much above 12 psi. 12 psi is usually very safe! that will put you at about 220-250 whp pending turbo choice. things like rods start to go after 250 whp. also, do you have an auto or manual?

Sorry....I should have mentioned it is a 5 speed.

Unless I figured the power to weight ratio wrong 225-250 RWHP should be almost enough to have some fun. So if I stay on the safe side of 12 lb's of boost I shouldn't have to go into the bottom end? Is there anything else on the intake, top end, or driveline that has to be upgraded at these power levels? I'm ABSOLUTELY sure that there are many things that can be upgraded, but is there anything else that would you consider a necessary upgrade?

Sorry....I should have mentioned it is a 5 speed.

225-250 RWHP

I think you mean fwhp bro these aren't rear wheel drive [facepalm]

But you also need to look at tuning as well, a wideband is what I consider a must have, then a bigger tb to help airflow, a fmic and exhaust.

Unless I figured the power to weight ratio wrong 225-250 RWHP should be almost enough to have some fun.
You calculated it wrong then. "Almost enough"? Hah. 250whp will put a hurting on so many cars. The reason being you'll be putting down probably 240 lbs-ft o' torque. You'll be happy with 250 for a while.

I think you mean fwhp bro these aren't rear wheel drive [facepalm]

But you also need to look at tuning as well, a wideband is what I consider a must have, then a bigger tb to help airflow, a fmic and exhaust.

Ok....now you KNOW I'm a newbie. I haven't even made the adjustment to FWD yet sorry.

Tuning no problem, Wide band O2 got, TB I got, exhaust I got, so what is a fmic, I'm familiar with FMC (fuel management unit) but not quite sure of what an fmic is.

You calculated it wrong then. "Almost enough"? Hah. 250whp will put a hurting on so many cars. The reason being you'll be putting down probably 240 lbs-ft o' torque. You'll be happy with 250 for a while.

I think I figured right. I found the weight of a 2001 ZX3 to be 2598. Divided by 250 is about 10.3 lbs per HP....right? I've kinda grown accustom to something more in line with about 6lbs per HP.....but don't get me wrong I think a 250 FWHP Focus would be a ABSOLUTE BLAST!!!! Thats what I found so interesting about these things. Thanks

FMIC= front mount intercooler. I suggest reading up before you go down this road. The stickies are a great place to start.

FMIC= front mount intercooler. I suggest reading up before you go down this road. The stickies are a great place to start.

Thanks, that's the plan. I'll look at the stickies.

Just for the sake of conversation.....on front engine vehicles isnt it just taken for granted that you would want the intercooler in the path of the cleanest (least disturbed) and coolest air. I mean...on the mid and rear engine cars it is far easier to plumb them at the rear, but why on a front engine vehicle would it be necessary to signify it mounts in the front....unless of course someone makes one for a Focus that mounts in the rear.

Ummm....ok: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercooler

Yep, I recognize that rear,top, and side mount intercoolers are made. Thats why I mentioned mid and rear engine vehicles. I also realize that air to liquid intercoolers are less dependent on air flow than an air to air to do an equal amount of cooling. I guess that being the newb that I am I'm just wondering why front mount needs to be specified when referring to a Focus intercooler. Are there rear, top, or side mounted intercoolers made for a Focus?

Front mount is by far the most practicle.

Short route piping. Direct air flow for max cooling. and u can fit a decent sized core behind the bumper.

on a side note. 250hp will be enough to get u to 12.99 in the 1/4. i was running consistant 13.4's with 2.1 60's and i dyno'd 244hp.

There are no intercoolers made specifically for the Focus. If you want a top mount or a side mount, it's up to you how to fab it. There is plenty of space for a 3.5" thick core in front of the radiator, so everyone goes there.

Front mount is by far the most practicle.

Short route piping. Direct air flow for max cooling. and u can fit a decent sized core behind the bumper.

on a side note. 250hp will be enough to get u to 12.99 in the 1/4. i was running consistant 13.4's with 2.1 60's and i dyno'd 244hp.

What tires where you running to get into the 12's...Slicks, Drag Radials, Street tires?

u would need a slick. i was running BFG DR's

ehhem. If I may ask, Jmadhouse- What vehicle were you getting 6lbs per horsepower?

Something with a better ratio than a Z06, hmm.....

ehhem. If I may ask, Jmadhouse- What vehicle were you getting 6lbs per horsepower?

Well I'm not going to get into it too much (trying to stay on topic here)....but it's plastic, has 8 holes, it's stroked and poked, has a full round tube chassis, coilovers on all four corners, weighs just alittle more than 2300 lbs and is street legal.

hmmmmm