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Turbo LSX Focus

310K views 1K replies 149 participants last post by  BoostedLM7 
#1 · (Edited)
ok im making a post of my plans. i was going to wait till i was finished to post this but i figured you guys would really like to see the progress more than just the results.

the plan: To build a turbo v8 focus with upwards of 800hp for less than or equal to the price it cost me to build the 4cyl to make 400hp. this is all of course based on the fact that i am doing it my self and not paying someone to do it. i done the same with the focus build and i plan to do this one as well.

Info on the Build:

Motor: 5.3L Vortec out of a 2002 Chevy 1500 truck from a salvage yard for 500 including wiring, ecu, manifolds, etc. i am not some one that looks at things by brand names, the only thing i care about is the power, reliability, cost, and sensibility of it. i am using a chevy motor because of how universal all of their parts are, how compact they are, the power they can make, how little they cost, and they are very reliable. the 5.3 was very easy to find, i have a ls1 IM for it, and plan to get a corvette zo6 cam. after the project is finished and rolling i will save up and build this motor and push the t76 to the limits.

a modular cobra or navigator motor are both very large, very expensive, and very complicated motors. the 5.0's are junk when it comes to making a lot of power.













Tranny:
TH400 transmission. very inexpensive and very strong. i do not plan to buy a tranny controller so i need a mechanically operating trans. the plan is to either swap to a 4l80e trans and convert it to full mechanical/and manual valve body and build it or to build the turbo 400. this will depend on funds when the time comes. i have this ordered from a local salvage yard for 350.

Rear end and suspension:
the same salvage yard will be supplying me with what ever i need out of a wrecked mustang with a 4 link 8.8. this will include the linkages, shocks, springs, brakes, and wheels. i believe their price is 350-400.

the 8.8 will be what i use till the motor and tranny are finished. then i will be switching to a cobra independent. i will not be tubbing and building a drag car. i will do my best to make this thing handle as good as it does now.

the front subframe will need to be modified, but i will be using the stock focus suspension. my plan is to cut out the section where the tranny will go through the subframe and reconstruct it to fit under. the rack and pinion will need to be in front of the motor so i will be getting a rack out of something that will fit. the stock spindle will work fine. i just swapped the driver and passengers sides to move the tierod hook up to the front side.


Engine managment:
megasquirt will be used because this is a budget project. i am very happy with the reviews i have seen and for the price i dont think i could get much better. it may not be able to do as much as many of the ems's available but it will be able to make a very reliable driver and work great for the power.

gauges:
just going with all autometer gauges.

fuel:
i already have a return fuel system, i just need to buy 4 more injectors and new fuel rails.

pics of the tear down:





what the engine with turbo will look like:


i will be posting every time i buy some thing and telling what i paid. in the end will post a full list of every part i purchased and a list of every part i sold and what they sold for along with what i paid.

hope you guys enjoy

Tim
 
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#598 ·
well some good news on top of the bad. the wiring for the engine is almost done. and the ecu didnt smoke when i connected it to the computer and appears to be working so far. i need to hook up the sensor signal for the crank and cam sensor and that is all for the ecu. then i have to hook up relays and power for stuffs. i have to get a oil sending unit to plug the whole in the block with, i have to put oil in it, get a dip stick, and fuel cell in... should be able to start it soon.

as far as the manifold i am going to have to build i have done some searching. there are tons of these engines in various tight places so there are a lot of different manifold built. so far this seems to be the best i have found. of course my turbo flange will be further back than this but you get the idea.

1.5" primaries into a 3" log, 2.5" cross over in the front comming into the bottom of the manifold, turbo sits on top with wg mounted in collector area. the downpipe will go back, through the firewall (will make a small tunnel of some kind), and out the side of the car in front of the door. wack as hell i know but it should work better.











 
#601 ·
yeah sure.. you wouldnt need such a large plenum since you dont have a crossover of 4 more cylinders feeding in but the design will work.
 
#609 ·
ok i got pics and video but i was to busy with your mom's rearend to get mine finished.

here is the video, kyle (guy with dead sonoma, swaping to 5.3) recording, doug (joe dirt camaro) holding afr gauge, im the cool one inside the car you cant see.


here are some random pics kyle took.

here is me.. idk what im doing.


doug taking his battery back after the start.






i think i have a vacuum leak. and we kinda just threw some maps together to get it running. this was like the 5th start. it pretty much started on the first try.
 
#616 ·
LOL i was thinkng the same thing, ha you didnt sound like that at FocusFest
 
#611 ·
hey so it runs. fantastic. I just wish I could watch the video I've been waiting forever to see.lol.

damn my wireless card for crapping out on me :(
Posted via FF Mobile
 
#618 ·
After you get your top radiator hose done Tim, you need to make a longer video [:D]. Can't wait to hear it run at a reasonable idle (below 1k that vid was almost 2k). Kind of surprised me by how quiet it was [:0], cause i thought it was going to be louder lol.
 
#621 ·
AWESOME! haha I got a new wireless unit [thumb]

damn that sounds good but I need to hear more so I'm just gonna look up 5.3L exhaust on youtube. LOL.

edit: hehe yeah......looks like this truck has the same mods as you, engine wise. (IIRC that is. which I can't)

hey but think it ought to sound about like this, yeah? [:D]
 
#624 ·
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