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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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#657 ·
ok Tim ill try and do what Tom is trying to say. Instead of going straight into the primary runner, angle the tube towards it lol yes this is very simple drawing lmao

Heres your header where it connects to the head........| | | |
......................................................................_ / / / /
...............Heres your outlet towards the turbo->....._
 
#659 ·
so he is just talking about putting the primaries at slight angles instead of straight into the log? i guess i was just trying to make it to complicated, lol. yeah i plan on putting them on as close to the direction of flow as i can. those pics were just examples.
 
#661 ·
lots of pics.. havent done a lot really. waiting on backordered parts.

i got the exhaust wrapped and painted.










hood clearances. it all clears but i am going to cut the ribs off the hood any way so it will clear a lot more.








some pics of the car a little more put together. im going to start on getting the cooling system finished now so as soon as i get the parts in for the header i can get it running more that just a couple seconds.








 
#664 ·
Dude....I can't believe this is in a Focus, haha. It looks like it was just about meant to fit!! Anyways, the black wrapped exhaust parts look evil and menacing...and badass. You have a lot of free time coming up so you can knock this thing out?
 
#665 ·
hoping to have it going down the road before school start for me in aug

radiator has already been installed, just didnt put it in for the pics. i just have to make the hoses fit right.
 
#666 ·
That gray/black exhaust wrap looks SO much cleaner than the typical cream colored wrap. You also seemed to have done an excellent job of keeping it tight, and wrapping evenly.

I am definitely starting to get excited about this :)
 
#667 ·
thanks.. i do my shit right, lol... even if i have to cut it all apart and start over.

the wrap is ebay black painted with krylon bbq paint.
 
#668 ·
thanks.. i do my shit right, lol... even if i have to cut it all apart and start over.

the wrap is ebay black painted with krylon bbq paint.
 
#670 ·
If you look at his other pics...he has a lot. The cabin is completely stripped and he still needs to put in a transmission, drive shaft, and whole rear end assembly.
 
#672 ·
tranny is in... just not built yet. needs to be taken out built and put back in.

inside is pretty much staying stripped. putting back dash and seats, lol. of course i need to make a tranny tunnel :p

and the big thing is the rearend.

the driveshaft wont be a big deal.. just money to pay a driveshaft shop to make one.
 
#674 ·
decided to start some on the rear since im stuck waiting on parts.


this the car with the rearend under it and wheels and tires on. the wheels offset is way off but this is all i can afford right now. so it will have to be a little ghetto for a while.






here is a view of how every thing is tucked up now.
 
#679 ·
Where your steering rack is placed ?
it is going to be placed on the cross member that i made.

Set of rear fender flares? That would totally look sick if it where only sticking out about a half inch. But ya gotta go what can and when ya can.
fender flares would end up costing me as much if not more than 03 svt cobra wheels.

Psst. You have a hole in your floor... Going with Bedrock brakes?
[shhh] lol... what is bedrock brakes?
 
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