Hey folks, I am a brand new member and I have a few qestions. First, with the layout of the focus sedan undercarriage, is it possible to install a dual exhaust? And speaking of exhaust, would a shorty header be only for race only applications like a lot of the Zetec headers, or could it be for a daily driver?

And lastly, cost and labor not being an issue, would it be worth it to throw a six-speed tranny into it? I'm sure I have a lot of questions left but that's all I can think of right now...

I start automotive school in april, and I plan on putting a LOT of time and money into my Focus, as I plan to open a full service shop with a few realatives and want to use the car as a rolling billboard. I hear a lot of discussion about SPI vs. Zetec, and considering I bought my car used, and there are problems with it that I am unsure of, would it be better to get a newer Focus with a Zetec so I have a better starting point?

Opinions appreciated!

BTW: I did hit the search button...

There are several exhausts available for the Sedan: Bosal is good for the price, IMO. Dual exhaust on an inline engine is more or less pointless.

The shorty header made by Focus Central is goog for a street vehicle. You will be able to use your stock downpipe, if I remember correctly. It won't make your car so loud that you can't drive it.

I don't know if the six-speed will bolt up to an SPI. However, if it does, you can find one cheap, and you're car is already stick, go for it.

The Zetec is a better starting platform for mods, as there is more available for it. However, the SOHC (SPI) is a more proven design. The precursor was the 1.9L I4 that was in the Escort GT. IMO, the SOHC is also more bulletproof than the Zetec. Hope this helps.

first off glad to have another spi on here, i have one for now but im hopin to put in a 2.5 v6 i just got soon.

and yea the shorty header is great for street use

i dont know about that six speed, the gearing is different(obviously) let focaltech take this one.. search on the xhaust topics

His sig says he has an SE.
He should have a Zetec under the hood if that is the case.
Only the LX or no Focus model on the trunk had the SPI.

some of the ses do have the spi engine

Welcome aboard.

Thanks everybody.[wave] [cheers] [pray]

Welcome!

Microtonal: I beg to differ, my 2k SPI is an SE.

Whc emt: Thank God someone here has a grasp of our engine situation. My Focus friends can't believe it's and SPI under the hood.

Fucus: Cool name, and welcome!![thumb]

My mistake. They must of not made the Zetec standard until 2001 in the SE.

Hey thanks waterboy! It's really encouraging to see some SPI's on the forum that are putting up some REALLY good numbers. Once upon a time I was under the impression that the Zetec was my only hope for mods, and it's great to know I do have options. My Focus was a rare find, it was at a Hyundai dealer and I got it for less than 6k with 44000 miles. Not bad at all. Although, if you asked me NOW what the heck I was doing at a HYUNDAI delaership, I would have to plead temporary insanity. I have a friend who has a manual Accent...good LORD does that thing suck. But I digress. As far as the exhaust, after reading an older thread, I thin kI am just going to to go with a single cat-back and split it for a dual look rather than a true dualie. This is purely for cosmetics anyway. I just love a symetrical look. I am really curious about the six-speed conversion...would it be possible to reinforce one if it won't bolt to an SPI? This is NOT at the top of my to do list, but eventually I would like to, if at all possible. And thanks again to everybody's advice!

P.S. I know Zetec's are standard on SE's now, but is the SPI still an option?

With the PZEV coming online, I'm pretty sure the SPI is a goner. Heck, in the not-too-distant future the ZETEC is slated to go. Not to worry, the SPI and its previous offerings have made for a-lot of parts and some slick mods.

I hear what your saying about the Zetec being next...I saw those pics of the '05 Focus...I am not impressed. It really is a shame though, the SPI is SUCH a good little engine. Good thing I take care of it.

[wave] [wave] [cheers] [cheers] [welcome] [welcome]

Hello, and might I say I commend your loyalty to Ford!

there was some talk about converting a pzev to 6-speed...it doesn't seem to be a good idea.

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5244

Ah yes...I really wasn't looking for performance gains anyway. I just hate running out of gears by the time i hit 40mph. Purely a fun factor, nothing more.

Check this out...kellybluebook.com doesn't recocnize the SE as having an SPI either...I was checking my trade in value in case I decide to get a new ZX3...the only engine choices were the DOHC...interesting...does that mean it's a limited edition?? [rofl]

I've got an '02 SE and it's split port, lol.

Ok there are 2 types of SE foci...

THe SPI which i have,
And the one wit teh Zetec engine in it...
It The first half of 2001 the SE came in only SPI form...
THE second half of 2001 it was availible in Zetec form...

There are 2002 models that have teh SPI in it but they were only a couple hundred cheaper than the zetec so people bought the zetec instead of the SPI...

So there are few 2001 SPIs and even fewer 2002 SPIs

and BTW WELCOME TO THE FORUM...

Somehow (before we were married, of course) my wife scored a 2002 SE with the SPI.

Originally posted by carkrazy1234
There are 2002 models that have teh SPI in it but they were only a couple hundred cheaper than the zetec so people bought the zetec instead of the SPI...

So there are few 2001 SPIs and even fewer 2002 SPIs


haha thanks dude.. sorry if i sounded like a [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)] i was just confused.

My focus is a 2001 SE and it indeed does have an SPI. I thought that the an SE with a Zetec was rare. I also thought that the ones with (unmodded Zetecs) are the ZTS, ZX3, ZX5, and ZTW? I might be wrong so don't quote me on that.

Originally posted by spooky
My focus is a 2001 SE and it indeed does have an SPI. I thought that the an SE with a Zetec was rare. I also thought that the ones with (unmodded Zetecs) are the ZTS, ZX3, ZX5, and ZTW? I might be wrong so don't quote me on that.

that's what i had originally thought too.. [?|] damn ford for confusing us.

I don't know if you saw my post on V8 conversions but I am really thinkin about doing that. Money shouldn't be a problem soon. I have also yet to see a V8 conversion done to a sedan. I think it would be nasty. I mean I would take the back seats out, put things like the C02 tanks and Nitrous tanks back there and whatever creative thing I could put back there. Man the possibilities. How cool would a V8 sedan with a body kit and custom rims look?

Spooky check this site out http://www.kugelkomponents.com/focus/focus.html

they have the kits to for the swap