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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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#364 ·
the thing i love about this is.... the 5.3 itself would make the focus damn quick, with some bolt-ons itd be fast... the 5.3 in my moms pontiac grand prix GXP is a damn good motor, 303 horse is plenty for her DD. BUT...turbo'd and pushing it to the max is going to be stoooopid powerful (stupid in an awesome way.. I wish I could see that bad boy finished in person, no doubt itll be mint like your other build was
 
#365 ·
kyle is right about the welder. it has to come with the fitting on the back... if it has it you also have to switch the polarity of the gun and clamp.

the manifolds are stock truck manifolds.

got the turbo mounted today. i am going to wait on sitting the car on the ground before i weld any of this up. i dont even know if the tire will clear the turbo, lol.. i hope so, i really like the placement.

























 
#366 ·
where do u plan to run the exhaust, i see it facing the the front towards the front of the car??? you should make a second exhaust for the track and have it go striaght up threw the hood. lol
 
#367 ·
^^^ haha like dual stacks on a big rig but in the front! Which leads me to wonder will this be dual exhaust pipe? straight pipe that bitch to the rear, i did it to my chevelle and i love it
 
#368 ·
the down pipe isnt finished. that is just where i stopped for tonight.

i will run it like this, there is not enough room under the car for a 4" pipe and a drive shaft without building a whole floor.

 
#369 ·
this build is so awesome.. i only see one problem with the placement of the turbo... if it rains your gonna get nothing but water from the tire spitting it up.. i had this prroblem in my car with the intake tube about where you have the turbo.. i even had the injen water jaket thing and still got tones of water... maybe you can make a box over the inlet to seal the tire from spraying your filter or turbo..
 
#370 ·
We know your cars HOT! LOL IT will be hotter when its done though LOL! anyone notice what im talking about?
 
#372 ·
thats an interesting routing. its going to be very loud! and that turbo is gonna scream too with that short of exhuast.

Thumbs up for you pal![thumb]
 
#373 ·
i wont be running maf so water will not be nearly as much of a problem as with the focus. but i will be re-building the inner finder well to shield the turbo... that is if the tire doesnt hit it.

yeah it will be really loud.. but idk. i have one 8" long 4" in/out cherry bomb glass pack for it.

as for the windshield my friend wrote that on there cause i was out there working on it in the garage with it 90* in there
 
#374 ·
That looks awesome. Im not a fan of the exhaust placement though, especially dumping out in front of the tire like that. Too bad you couldnt just dump it behind the turbo and to the ground. Obviously I cant see if there is room or nething b/c im not there though.

Are you just using the stock manifolds to feed into the turbo?
 
#375 ·
yeah stock truck manifolds are good to 1k hp.

if i go behind the turbo beside the engine that would be fine with out a rack and pinion, lol. there just isnt room for any other way. plus i really like the touring car style exhaust dump.
 
#379 ·
Well...sometimes you just get tired of people asking the same questions [:)].

Yeah, your exhaust is going to be loud, but whatevs, it's also going to have...800whp? (thought I remembered you mentioning that). No sense in trying to make it a sleeper. It'll be a cop magnet, though. Also, I don't see a WG anywhere?
 
#385 ·
hey tim it was nice to you and everyone who came with you to focusfest
 
#386 ·
yeah air filter will be a tight fit but it will fit.

yeah nice to meet you and everyone else who showed up too. maybe next year i'll be able to bring my car lol
 
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