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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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#687 ·
i got the parts for the manifold in and got it finished today. still got to wrap it but that's pretty much it. here are some pics





 
#689 ·
well i have been working on the rearend some lately. it is pretty much in place. deff not finished b/c my welder hates me. im going to get a new welder as soon as taxes come in and i pay off this damn washer and dryer, lol. im going to get a lincoln sp180t. i debated getting a powermig but im sure the sp180 will do great in comparison to the current one.. and i'll just save my splurging on a tig welder... later.

i started and basically welded only what i had to to get it to hold good. i will finish weld and reweld what has been done. i will also be redoing the front crossmember mounting plates once i get a decent welder.







i know the krugel kit uses the stock factory crossmember and bolts to it. but they switch to different upper control arms as well as have a much higher stance in the rear than i want. this new crossmember is much stronger, allows me to use factory links (so irs will work later on) and is up about 4" higher.
 
#692 ·
You may get to ride But i get to drive isnt that right Tim LOL[poke]
 
#694 ·
Bring it on down or send me the intercooler, or better yet ill picj it up and give it back when im done lmao [rofl]
 
#695 ·
lol yeah sure.. i would never see my car again.

im going on vacation in the keys not this year but next. i'll drop the IC off then, you'll have a week [whip]
 
#696 ·
haha you will see it back but i cant guarentee you will have tires
 
#697 ·
well i worked some on the dp today. done enough to get it startable. put a new code on my megasquirt and redone a few settings. it runs much better now. i have to work on getting idle at the right rpm tomorrow. i'll make a new vid once it runs good. couple pics of the dp welds. im ready to have the new welder so i can weld like this on something thicker than 16g





 
#700 ·
thanks. not that bad considering when i started this project that is first time i had welded. im getting better.. now i need a decent welder and more practice.
 
#702 ·
ah sweet memories of my first experiences welding. my buddy "teaching" me nearly blinded himself because he thought he was too macho to need a face shield. myself and his lady friend spent the next few days leading him around with bandages over his eyes. it was great fun for me because i got to walk him into doorways and face first into women who were... umm... well, shall we say very... aahh... blessed... in ways very pleasing to the eyes. [:D] i kinda wish i would have taken little Napoleon to the bar when he had his "condition" now. [hihi]
 
#703 ·
Welds looking good tim. Now got get that Lincoln machine or a millermatic
 
#706 ·
he is probably one of the cock mongrels from the contour forum. i dont care what they think. i have read through all of the posts and these guys dont know what they are talking about. i know some of the welds on the crossmember braces arent the best but the welder i have will not weld that thick stuff.. that is why im buying a new welder. we will see how it turns out in the end. they can talk shit all they want.
 
#707 ·
ya there are doushes on alot of websites and honda-tech has most lol but dont worry about them, if its not all done in mandrel SS bends and perfect welds its shit to them
 
#708 ·
yeah i know.. that was one of the posts. said that i was retarted and if i knew what i was doing i would take it somewhere and have every thing tig welded and stainless. like a mig welder and mild steel arent just as strong.

i mean trains are mig welded together.. wtf do they want lmao
 
#710 ·
if i knew what i was doing i would take it somewhere and have every thing tig welded and stainless. like a mig welder and mild steel arent just as strong.

i mean trains are mig welded together.. wtf do they want lmao
so true, i hate when I have to justify mild steel (properly wrapped or painted) and mig to people.
 
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