AWD Zetec/SVT Focus INFO thread

[mikebontoft]

why the hell did I never find this thread...... :|

oh well I'll revive it now..... how does this look like it would fit into the rear end? it's the subframe assembly from a 90's Nissan 240SX and the RS200 (or R200 I don't remember) differential (which is actually pretty cheap to find on say, car-part, and is durable). rear track of 1471mm

[hurtinfocus]

It would be easier to fabricate your own rear end by modifying the current rear IRS with a "box" in the middle of it to mount a rear diff, then fab your own "forked" lower control arms to allow half-shafts to pass through them. Then use some front coil-overs meant for a honda civic front end, with the honda lower "forks" on them from a junkyard honda. If I had a car to fab this up on and the money to do it I would already have done it. I have it mostly figured out/planned out in my head.

Uuse the jag trans, remove the output shaft and have one custom made to replace it with the proper diameter and splines for the zetec. use jag rear diff, have jag half-shafts shortened for proper track in rear, have jag driveshaft shortened to go in exhaust tunnel of focus. fab custom rear subframe/IRS to hang it all. BOOM stock-looking focus AWD. Add a powerworks or nice turbokit and you have a pretty serious sleeper

[SpecterXP]

I didn't read all 15 pages and I'm not sure if it's mentioned (probably is) but what's wrong with using the Ford Escape 2.3D 5Spd AWD setup? I think the rear subframe is the exact same as the focus sub frame. It's not true full time AWD but it will do what you want it to do as far as traction on the whole shot and slick surfaces, right?

[hurtinfocus]

Originally Posted by SpecterXP

I didn't read all 15 pages and I'm not sure if it's mentioned (probably is) but what's wrong with using the Ford Escape 2.3D 5Spd AWD setup? I think the rear subframe is the exact same as the focus sub frame. It's not true full time AWD but it will do what you want it to do as far as traction on the whole shot and slick surfaces, right?

the escape originally came in a 2.0zetec with 5spd and "awd", and later with the 2.3

the problem we discovered with the escape system is that it was FWD all the time, however when slippage is "sensed" it transfers 15% of power to the rear. the problem is that this is such a marginal transfer of power, it would be a waste of time/resources/effort/money to swap it in, not to mention the added electronics involved. the subframe could most likley be used and just shortened in heighth, but the diff would need to be swapped out for the jag unit anyway to mate a jag PTO box to the trans anyway.

[SpecterXP]

That's a crap design though, 15%?!?!?!?! I wonder if it would be worth the time for FSWerks to look into modifying the ECU to make that percent a bit higher.. Why would you have to use the diff from the jag if the Escape's setup is already designed for what you need? It would be nice to have a slightly more native solution then just the Jaguar. I wish that Ford would have thought about making a more performance oriented Focus. It's their compact car, why not get into the race that the other manufacturers are in? Hell, just bring the RS over here and be done with it all together! Then again, we would still be talking about AWD. lol

[Timmeh!]

http://www.fordwiki.co.uk/index.php/...al_Information

very interesting info....

58/42 F/R TQ bias....


seems possible if pricey.

[quikstang2]

for what it's worth...

I read through this epically long thread and saw a few mentions of using the 99-04 Cobra IRS... and then that it wouldn't work with the Jag stuff anyways. Well, the 99-04 Mustang rear ends were a good deal wider than the one used in the Kugel Komponents kit (79-93 Mustangs). The frame rails are the same, and the same width from 79-04, but it's a good amount of work to make that IRS "fit" in a Fox body... good luck getting it in an adapted Focus.

[Timmeh!]

Originally Posted by hurtinfocus

It would be easier to fabricate your own rear end by modifying the current rear IRS with a "box" in the middle of it to mount a rear diff, then fab your own "forked" lower control arms to allow half-shafts to pass through them. Then use some front coil-overs meant for a honda civic front end, with the honda lower "forks" on them from a junkyard honda. If I had a car to fab this up on and the money to do it I would already have done it. I have it mostly figured out/planned out in my head.

Uuse the jag trans, remove the output shaft and have one custom made to replace it with the proper diameter and splines for the zetec. use jag rear diff, have jag half-shafts shortened for proper track in rear, have jag driveshaft shortened to go in exhaust tunnel of focus. fab custom rear subframe/IRS to hang it all. BOOM stock-looking focus AWD. Add a powerworks or nice turbokit and you have a pretty serious sleeper

hey would you be willing to give me more info???

i have a 2.5L Duratec in my Focus so i'm a step ahead of most of you guys in that regard... did the jaguar have an LSD in the front and rear too? or just the viscous in the middle?

also has anyone actually started doing this? i think we could do it if we put our heads together.

i'd love to manage this in my car... the jag has a 40/60 front/rear TQ split assuming all the wheels are gripping, the viscous coupling corrects if you lose traction in the rear or front as appropriate.....

i'm reviving this cause i'm very seriously considering it. I have to get my car back on the road first, but i totally think it's doable, especially if i pick up and el-cheapo x-type and use it as a parts car.... and see what will and won't fit on the focus... and i'd love to do it with the custom shafts so that i can leave my hubs just how they are... and maybe even try to retain the stock rear suspension to a point.

[hurtinfocus]

PM me and I'll discuss exatcly how I would do it if I were you, and maybe work with you on the designing (Im an architect and work for an engineer) if I can benefit from it....

[tkyle23]

has anyone considered using parts from a donor awd audi a4 2.0t?