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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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#923 ·
This is one thing that i have little problem with lol. Being from Arkansas, and having no vehicle checking its pretty easy to run whatever the hell you have... Of course i have seen some not so road worthy vehicles driving down the road, not to mention some being really bad for the environment. But being able to modify your daily to your hearts content is very nice [woot].

Alabama is not to much different in this aspect as there are no state required emissions test. And as long as they dont suspect it as being a custom built car, which pretty much depends on the people at the DMV he is going to. If they deem it as such a custom vehicle, he would then need to be able to show proof of the bill of sales for any major part of the vehicle. Including but not limited to Engine, transmission, rearend, etc. etc.... ..


But since most people in those jobs dont care I SERIOUSLY doubt that would happen.

Now one thing to take into consideration is that although there are several laws that prohibit serous modification to street driven vehicles, there are just as many cracks in the seam that one can use to bypass them.. Now im not saying i agree with some or maybe the majority of them, I understand that really only a select few go about it in this way...


That being said... I would probable never live in Cali ROFL
 
#924 ·
It's looking great. I was just browsing over on TheTurboForums and found your post. Can't wait to see it finished.

Btw, if alabama is similar to tennessee, you shouldn't have to get your work deemed "safe" since you most likely have the title to your focus. They don't even check vins up here. I love it. Same goes for insurance, don't tell them its modified. What they don't know wont hurt or help them charge you more.

Btw, I just snagged up a 5.3 for 150. Not sure if Imma put it in my s10 or rx7 to replace the fresh 383.
 
#925 ·
well the guy above you is kyle, he has a the same set up as mine in a sanoma. i vote rx7 b/c they are so light and low. a s-10 is awesome but really only good in a straight line compared to the rx7... but i doubt the 5.3 will make as much power as your stroker with out a turbo... its only a 326
 
#927 ·
then it would be a great project. they have been proven to 700whp on stock engine and over 1200 with forged pistons and rods, 1/4 times that make me happy lol. gl with the build.. post it somewhere and send me a link [thumb]

mmmm....
http://www.theturboforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=103675.50
 
#929 ·
i redid the water pump neck. it was holding air b/c it was up higher than the rad cap. i made it a 90 and put a fitting on top. also that is where the air filter will be

before


after
 
#931 ·
He is tuning for map but the filter is more of a safety type thing...

Like... I drive places that get dusty. Esp. since i live on a gravel road. So the idea of a filter is one of necessity and Im sure Tim thinks the same, even if he doesn't live on a gravel road.
 
#933 · (Edited)
i got the rear finished besides the sheet metal work and different wheels. the car is sitting on its own 4 wheels now. i also started for the first time in a while. battery is pretty much dead and my alt doesnt charge yet. engine sounds much better and doesnt smoke any more.

here are some pics. kinda hard to tell any thing b/c it is so dark and it looks a little goofy with 15's in the front and 17's in the rear but oh well.









and here is a video of it running. no tuning has been done yet. i have solid mount and it barely vibrates the camera. gotta love that dead battery

 
#942 ·
yeah^^ lol

and in the vid it was 160*. so pretty warm. just untuned and i need to mess with iac and a/f down below 1k before it will idle.
 
#946 ·
never

really it is a project car. entirely done... idk how many years that will take. but as far as having it driving on the street and running at the track... im hoping by next spring when the tracks open.
 
#947 ·
Sounds great man, i can see you have been hard at work. Everything looks great!!!. Im working on the fofo myself so it will be down for a while and the downpipe has finally made its way to Walker's shop. When i get a chance i gotta come over and look at the Suspension.
 
#949 ·
One of the turbo manifold bolts broke so I had to take it the machine shop while I was at it I'm replacing gaskets and a busted motor mount. When the dp comes back I'll turn the boost up to 10 and retune
 
#950 ·
awesome.. sucks about the bolts... i wonder what caused that.

why not go for 12lb? do you have a sct? if so just put a 10 and a 12lb tune on it. [:D]

you should come down after the first and check it out. i should have the alt charging and be able to actually let it run for a while by then.. it is cold enough i dont think i will need my fans. and one of my friends is coming down from AR to visit.
 
#954 ·
Ive been thinking about the boost level, just depends on the efficiency of the new exhaust setup and the best power at the lowest boost when the tuning begins.... Yeah i thats a good time to meet i should still be on vacation, just shoot me a message, ill be down.
 
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