Project FSP Focus is kicked off!!!

[wrc_fan]

Originally Posted by Blackcatn2o

I was the that found it, there not that easy to come by today.

Yeah, a good craigslist find for sure.

[bcvali]

Originally Posted by wrc_fan

Hey Constantine, good to hear from you.

PDX is SCCA's version of track days, and is similar to NASA's HDPE program. Its really about running at the track wide open, with the same safety gear you can use for an autox. Its a good place to start if you're interested in trying out time trials, and yeah TT is time trials. Time trials, call for extra safety gear, suit, SA helmet, roll bar, etc.

Sounds like with TT more risk is involved since people with push their cars more to get the best time.
HPDE is something that I plan to do, hopefully I'll get to do one this year at least.

[wrc_fan]

Ok, quick non-exciting update:

I changed the oil on the car and the sparkplugs, no signs of any crazy abuse there. I've got a focus sport header and flex pipe ready to go on, just need to get rolling on that.

Right now I have a target date of April 18 to get the engine tuned and running good, and have some koni's installed and ready to go.

[Blackcatn2o]

so alittle update on Wrc_fan's 2.3L FSP car. Bill & I deside to tackel the header today an it went pretty well. my header was a B!tch an a half when i did it (auto tranny).

[wrc_fan]

Yeah the install, at least what we got done, went well. This week I need to finish cleaning up the support bracket that goes from the engine block to the header. I'll hit this with some engine paint to keep it from rusting again.

Then I can get everything back in place on the engine, and bolt on the 2.5inch borla exhaust.

Need to determine what all I can remove of the EGR and evap emmissions system and keep the engine running too.

[JBrotbeck]

Hi Bill. Great job so far! Looking forward to seeing the beast in action at Michelin!

Hi Constantine! You coming to Michelin?

Bill, I mirror Erik's comment about LCR>KMac. I was his first customer to get the race plates for Koni Yellows and he used them as a guinea pig for the top nuts. He had some custom-made and now knows the thread and pitch count for future cusotmers (hopefully you :))

Are you thinking Hawk HPS or HP+? I would recommend HP+ if you are considering track days. I <3 mine.

Don't forget to get Goodridge braided lines all around! :)

OH, have fun with the front control arm bushings. What a PITA.

[wrc_fan]

Originally Posted by JBrotbeck

Bill, I mirror Erik's comment about LCR>KMac. I was his first customer to get the race plates for Koni Yellows and he used them as a guinea pig for the top nuts. He had some custom-made and now knows the thread and pitch count for future cusotmers (hopefully you :))

OH, have fun with the front control arm bushings. What a PITA.

Well, my only grief with LCR, was when they sent me the plates that are on my other focus, they sent one Koni nut and one standard nut. Of course I assembled the standard nut first and ended up having to disassble both sides again, and reinstall the stock plates. Then LCR wouldn't just send me a replacement nut, I had to return the one I had first. Then they "lost" the nut I sent them. Luckily after asking them to quote me a cost for sending me the correct nut, the found the one I mailed them and sent me a replacement one. So then another disassembly of the struts and springs, and this time with the reinstall, I stripped the hex fitting at the top of one of the strut rods, so if I have to disassemble my struts again, I will have to by new front struts.

Cotrol arm bushings shouldn't be too bad, this car has aftermarket springs in it, so removed once before, and its a southern california car.

[Als RS8]

what was your first car?and why did you choose focus for performance?

[wrc_fan]

Originally Posted by Als RS8

what was your first car?and why did you choose focus for performance?

Well, this is the 2nd focus I've owned, bought it used in January '09. My first car was a '89 Aerostar Van

The 2004 focus that I have, I bought new in 2005, and really enjoyed the car. Originally I wanted a 2.3L in this car, but I couldn't find one in Michigan with a manual, or without a ton of options.

I've gotten into autox in the past year or so, and I wanted to get a competitive car to dedicate to autox and track days. I also wanted a car that had a bit more power. I think that a 2.3L focus can really be a competitive car in FSP, so I set out to find one. Other pro's include, I know how to work on foci now, and a first gen focus can be had for a good price.

Its not that I set out to build a high performance car, I've set a goal to build a car that performs the best within SCCA's autox rules.

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Originally Posted by Als RS8

...and why did you choose focus for performance?

Take look at what car won the 2008 ProSolo Championships...(hint: 2.3 Focus).

It is an excellent all-around autocross/track-day car...good aftermarket, inexpensive parts, great chassis...low cost of entry.