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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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#332 ·
Actually you CAN keep the turbo spooled up between shifts like the rally car do.... but turbos only last one race when done that way.
 
#333 ·
i didnt want to get back on the other topic but sence u did john...

with launch control u can build boost. all 4 of my friends STI's build about 10-14 psi with it. and so should urs Turtle u have accessport try it out.
 
#334 ·
All launch control is doing is retarding the timing so more of the exhaust is burning in the turbo manifold..... nothing special about it and it not very good on your exducer.
 
#335 ·
Yeah, now you're talking about an antilag setup, where you retard the timing 30deg & ignite the mixture while the exhaust valves are open. It will definitely build boost but you need alot more money in parts to do it safely, you need a huge idle air valve, modified throttle body, and a turbo and manifold that can actually handle combustion happening inside of them.
 
#336 ·
i do have the ability to do it with my sti and so will i on my focus. i wont do it to either for the same reason john said
 
#339 ·
done as much work as i could today on the cold side of the turbo kit. intercooler is mounted, tb side charge pipe is set up, i cant do much with the turbo side until i know exactly where the turbo will sit. i made a brace to strengthen the bumper since i can to cut it for the IC, need my welder to finish that.











 
#342 ·
yeah i had to cut the fire wall. i could have gotten it in there with out cutting it but the engine would have sit to low and the car would have had to sit up real high and look like a 4x4 truck.



what about a rwd zetec?
 
#346 ·
yes it would be basically the same thing but you would not have to worry about changing any of the engine management and gauges... that would be the only difference.
 
#347 ·
new and improved welder. i took it back and they gave me a new one. i also went and got some gas while i was out.

i got the cross over and collector all tacked up. i need to move it a 1/4 inch over. it is to close to the radiator hose. that wont be to hard to fix. :welder:

also cut the inner finder well out so i will have somewhere to put the turbo, lol. little mock up of the turbo and wg.

















 
#350 ·
awesome. how you like that welder? i have a harbor freight welder but mine doesnt use gas. it works but it spatters like crazy. could be i suck at welding but i think a gas one would work much better.
 
#353 ·
yeah it is a master power t76 q trim

i dont know much about their smaller turbo's but there are tons of them being used on the turbo forums. they seem to very reliable turbos and make almost as much power as their turbonetics counterparts. my friend is using a master power t70 p trim on his 4.3l sonoma. working great so far.

as far as the welder goes. it was a gasless flux core welder when i bought.. the same set up as the welder you mentioned. i just converted it to gas last night. it works 10x's as good as it did so far. very much worth the conversion.. the splattering is normal for flux core welding.
 
#359 ·
you can convert it? thats awesome! any online instructions on how to do it? or is it something really simple?
 
#355 ·
yeah it is that. a budget turbo for sure. for 700 i got a turbo that would cost 1400 from turbonetics.

i almost bought a borg warner s475 but thought it might be to large frame to fit under the hood. i would be right, lol. the t76 hardly fits.. and here is a comparison.



if the masterpower messes up then i might go ahead and get this one and move the radiator to the rear and put it in front
 
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