I absolutely LOVE my svt (it is finally fixed for those of you who remember I did 8k in damage in a curb a month ago). The only thing is, I have an absolute obsession with power and going fast. My dream car is an 04 cobra. I was strongly considering selling the svt next year and putting the money I get for it (sadly probably like 11k) into a down payment on one pending insurance cost (I will be 21 next year so hopefully insurance wouldnt totally kill me). The fact remains that it would be about a 12-15k dollar upgrade for me to get 390hp/390tq and that sweet v8 rumble with instant torque at 1500 rpms!

I have always like the idea of boosting the svt in the past, but dont know if it would be worth it. I love the handling of the svtf and how easy it is to throw around which I know a lot of that would be lost with the stang.

So...my question is...how much hp/tq does it take to get the svt into the mid to low 13's? I think 12's are pretty much out of my price range as I know very very few people have made it there and they were HEAVILY modified. I really like the idea of a turbo as they make so much more torque than most SC's but would be very concerned about tuning for it. I love the sound of SC's! I really like the idea of the procharger with a nice fmic. I have seen some numbers from people with the 8lb kit and I beleive its in the neighborhood of 260/210 or so? I would love to have 300 hp out of the focus (hopefully with decent torque numbers) but my main concern is reliabilty. I dont personally have the knowledge or the availability of equipment to be constantly working on my car.

What do you guys think it would take (hp/tq wise - and what boost that would take to break into the 13's) as well as other mods? I know clutch is obvious and diff would probably need some attention although oddly enough I noticed that after I installed the VF rear mount whenever I launch the svt it leaves two solid patches instead of the one tire fire it used to be.

Is it worth investing the 6-7-8k into the svt?? Your opinions are greatly appreciated! For those of you who are boosted could you post your numbers and your times (with what clutch/diff/tires were used at the time).

*note to the mods* I put this here as I was hoping to hear from svt owners only- I do realize this is an FI topic, so if it does need to be moved feel free to do so.

Ordinarilly I'd suggest you buy a fox mustang and mod that for your power car, and keep the SVTf as your daily driver; heavy FI means heavy maintenance. You can do it correctly and minimize it, but doubling the OEM power of the vehicle is just gonna add to the chance of breaking stuff, and our cars are expensive to maintain as-is.

I dont know if I can give that suggestion tho, I'm young (22 soon), you're younger still. Insurance costs in the vehicles we like play a huge part in the total cost of those vehicles. I default to considering money first, because without that you cant do a lot of the things that make you happy.

Modding the Focus to this extent will cost you money on both ends; expensive to do, and a hit on the resale value. Unless you plan on driving the Focus until it dies, you really do need to consider resale value as a part of the expense.

Insurance on a second, pleasure-rated vehicle is also going to be expensive, but may work out in the end to being cheaper and more effective, if you go older V8 RWD for the car. It will also have the side effect of helping your SVTf last longer and be more reliable.

That may or may not have actually spoken to your exact question, but its my take, its actually what I'm going to be doing, only minus the drive for a boatload of power.

Originally posted by R00ST650


What do you guys think it would take (hp/tq wise - and what boost that would take to break into the 13's) as well as other mods?

1. Good Driver

2. about 300hp and 200+tq

3. LSD with Fidanza flywheel with Stg 4 6 puck Clutchmasters

4. Lose some weight. Drop the spare tire and everthing you can pull out the car.

5. Lightweight rim and good tires

This list will go on and on. [rolleyes]

You have to pay to play.

Good luck.

Drop a lot of weight for sure. Look at cars that are hitting times in the 12-13s range and calculate out their power to weight ratio. That will give you a good answer on much horsepower and torque you will need to obtain the numbers you want.

Honestly, go with what Robzor said if you want to go fast. An LX Fox Body Mustang with a 5.0L V8 is your 1/4 gem and very inexpensive compared to the Focus. You could easily build up an older Mustang for half the cost you would have to invest into your Focus.

Besides, get your car out on track some time and see what the Focus is really about. Go drive a Cobra and an SVT Focus on the same day if you can. You'll love the power of the Cobra, but I guarantee you that the SVT Focus will give you so much more confidence and allow you to be quicker, faster.

Buy a STi.

^no no no dont say that, shed some wieght off the focus, and sc/turbo it, u can prolly make over 300whp and over 300tq and have some good 1/4 times

Well, to break into the high 13's you don't need much more than 215 HP and about 175 ft/lbs, which is pretty much a bbk jrsc. A powerworks which makes about 250 hp and 210 ft/lbs is enough to break into the mid 13's. At that power level, a lsd would help. To break into the 12's probably turbo would be best. 300 hp and equivelent torque would be needed along with all the required drivetrain upgrades.

i hit 13.8's with a 60ft of 2.3, i only have 250 whp and 230 ft lbs. It is all about suspension and tires. i can power my way into the 13's. i say take your pick
any s/c system
custom turbo setup
adjustable rear suspension
15 in tires and full slicks
I know for a fact that their is a zx3 pushing low 14's all engine AND nothing crazy!!! don't fall pray to big power eqauls good time. Good drivers are hiting 13's with the jrsc/bbk and DR'S.
learn your car and yourself. i suck at driving but my car has good power. it won't take much to break 13's but it will take some oh so sweet love to get into 12's

thanks for the input guys! About that STI...I wanted one (WAS my dream car for the last year or so) but finally got to test drive one (05 with 20k miles on it for 24k) and was dissapointed...they are nice cars but I dont know...the rev limit is a little low (was banging gears- guess im just so used to the higher gearing of the svtf) I cant really put my finger on the exact reason I didnt like it but i think it was a combination of things. With that said...hmmm I do LOVE the fox body 5.0 stangs...but dont they generally get a little pricey? I would want one that dosnt have a ton of miles and a decent body on it. My buddies dad has an 83 gt with 19k miles on it that runs high 11's with a super quiet exhaust (sleeper anyone? its a thing of beauty!)

I think that might just be a good option for me...I imagine insurance on it would be relatively cheap as well.

I ran a 13.69 with a 2.1 60ft on beat worn tires....I have 231whp/ 223wtq. Im tuned low at 12psi for reliability. My MPH was 105.68 so its got some top end pull.

Next up is a 2.3 Stroker from Tom and 18psi....maybe 20+.

DARTH post pics of ur progress a Duratec Stroked out Sounds sweet did you sell the SVT?

My SVT made 326HP and 331TQ with BFG G-Force drag radials it ran a 12.95 @ 111MPH with nothing missing from the car (Its FOR SALE as well)

The xios kit will be very limited as to its ability and upgradeability, Putting a turbo down and behind the engine isnt an ideal kit reguardless of what it comes with , And i dont think the xios kit will ever see 12`s

It will take roughly 300/300 to get into the 12`s

Tom

Tom, you're a drag racer (I admit, I'm not) - I was seeing traps of 105-107, why are my traps so close to yours when my hp is ~100 less than you? What are your 60' times with that much power? I put down a 2.1 and Im told on bald street tires thats damn good...

My 60`s were in the 2.1 to 2.3 , More power means more wheel spin

Tom

i always thought that with better traction it might speed you up with the 60ft time but it will take alot of power to push you till the end. I'm going to get the rear suspension set-up and go with slicks i hope that will get me in the 12's + tom tune at 15 psi!!! oh yea

don' t mean to burst your bubble my insurance drop over 50 bucks a month the day i turned 21

i second svtguy21, mine went down when i turned 21.

This summer I'm going to get a set of slicks for mine and I hope to hit 11's..... plus I still have a trick or two up my sleeve that I haven't even installed on the car yet [:D]

Originally posted by 03OrangeSVT
This summer I'm going to get a set of slicks for mine and I hope to hit 11's..... plus I still have a trick or two up my sleeve that I haven't even installed on the car yet [:D]

like what ....a push bumper ??[eek]

slicks+suspension+boost+tom=12 sec svt

Originally posted by finalley
like what ....a push bumper ??[eek]

dick[:p]

hehe

2.3 Stoker to allow more boost?

When I stroked my lt4 it was for two reasons,

#1 Fully Forged/Internally Balanced Rotating Assembly (went fully forged for my 15psi procharger setup)

#2 More displacement= more torque Stock-350ci Stroked-383ci + .030

Can you stroke the SVT what does it take ??? More info would be greatly apprcaited! Thanks Chris.

buy an MSM and add $500 worth of mods, youll be in the low 13s. =)

Originally posted by Focalized31
Can you stroke the SVT what does it take ??? More info would be greatly apprcaited! Thanks Chris.

You would need pistons, rods, and stroker crank... im sure there out there

Damn if they r let me know i cant find um i can only find um for da Zetec and Duractec at Focus-Power