Hello FF's,
I'm so stoked about my new to me car. First, my username is an old nickname garnered from other things than tuning street cars. Sort of a misnomer for this site. But, It's my most common nick name on the net.
So I needed to find a supplement to my Expedition with 300,000 miles. Since I'm a die hard Ford guy I was thinking Focus. After doing research I realized I had to have a SVT. Found one about two hours from my Northern Indianapolis home.
Silver with 135,000 miles. Paid 3950. Thought that was pretty good considering in my area they are between 5 and 6 k. But, it needs a few things that's why the price.
First the good.
1.) It's an SVT [ffrocks] lol
2.) Engine is solid
3.) Clutch/tranny feels just fine.
4.) Has full accessories package including cold weather.
5.) All stock.
6.) Interior well above average for age and miles.
7.) unused spare still in proper location along with owners manual.
8.) Drives really well considering shape of tires. (not round lol)
9.) Can tell variable intake is opening.
The bad
1.) Front bumper cover has been ripped half away on a parking block. Inspected suspension, there's no under side damage so convinced a block tore it away.
2.) Front tires are shagged.
Couple typical SVt issues(learned from ff.com thanks)
3.) Cat Heat shield rattles
4.) TC and ABS light are on. And the only thing inside that doesn't work is cruise control. I'm making a leap and since the lights are a wheel speed issue that the cruise is also affected.
5.) Looks as if the oil pan has a better than seeping leak of oil. Looks easy enough to replace gasket.
6.) One slight creaseless dent above right front tire. And one decent scratch on the right side.
7.) Some of the red thread in the drivers seat has worn away making look as if it's stained. No floor mats.
8.) Also the cool SVT sticker on the cam cover is gone. [bigcry]
9.) Window tinting is crinkling.
Other than that I plan all the regular maintenance and more. Timing belt/belts and pulleys along with water pump. I recieved a car fax but, this car was traded to a truck dealer and no know records. All fluids and filters. And new discs were installed but pads are not new. Causing a strange feeling since I can tell the pads are not seated to the new discs. Plugs and wires. Fixing the few dents and scratches.
The only upgrades I plan are.
1.) A tune. Probably go with Tom. In my short drive time I can feel all the typical drivabilty issues I've read about.
2.) Off road pipe and some type of exhaust.
3.) Bespoke CAI of my own making. I have a very slight idea that I haven't seen yet. When it happens I'll get some pics.
4.) MAybe try removing the shifter weight since I can return it easily enough if it doesn't suit me.
5.) And a rear engine mount. The engine wraps up so hard even under light acceleration it makes 1st to 2nd shift nasty.
6.) I'd really love a lighter flywheel. But, based on economics of what needs done first and the fact the clutch feels completely fine it will have to wait. I may add a ss clutch line to avoid what seems to be a common problem on SVTs as they age.
7.) Some head headlights. Stock lens are fairly fogged.
So here's a good chance to help fix up an SVT on someone elses money. lol I'm open to all suggestions on things I've mentioned and maybe one's I've over looked. Most importantly is a bumper. I've admittingly only done little research on a bumper cover. Mostly hoping for some good ideas here. But, the standard Focus cover seems to fit but lacks the Fog lamps. And covers for the standard focus seem way cheaper. Not sure what they would look like though. Not familiar enough to know if they are really the same besides fog lamps. Not a huge deal since I'm forced into a smallish budget to get whole again. I've seen some custom style bumpers but, I'm trying to stick to mostly stock appreaing. Mostly I'm an older fellow trying to not grow up so I'm not into to much garish crap. But, open to ideas based on slightly subdued looks.
I plan on some Kumho AST's . Which I'm not real excited about. But, with all the other things I need I don't want to blow my entire budget on tires. I can upgrade later once completely sorted. I'm a person of the mind set that a great car is crap with out good rubber. But, it's more important to start making the mileage this car can get me paying off. Any ideas in the approximate 100 per area? I know tires is a hashed subject sorry.
Luckily, I'm a very well experienced Mechanic/ fabricator with access to paint booth and full machine shop at work. Even have a vinyl shop. So I can handle pretty much anything that needs done. Even rebuilt many engines of varying types. I live in Indy(the Motor Racing Capital of the World) so maybe you can imagine what my day (and weekend) job might be.[8)]
Now that I;ve broken the ice I can wait to start inputting my (likely mostly unwanted ) opinion some some subjects. Thanks.
I'm so stoked about my new to me car. First, my username is an old nickname garnered from other things than tuning street cars. Sort of a misnomer for this site. But, It's my most common nick name on the net.
So I needed to find a supplement to my Expedition with 300,000 miles. Since I'm a die hard Ford guy I was thinking Focus. After doing research I realized I had to have a SVT. Found one about two hours from my Northern Indianapolis home.
Silver with 135,000 miles. Paid 3950. Thought that was pretty good considering in my area they are between 5 and 6 k. But, it needs a few things that's why the price.
First the good.
1.) It's an SVT [ffrocks] lol
2.) Engine is solid
3.) Clutch/tranny feels just fine.
4.) Has full accessories package including cold weather.
5.) All stock.
6.) Interior well above average for age and miles.
7.) unused spare still in proper location along with owners manual.
8.) Drives really well considering shape of tires. (not round lol)
9.) Can tell variable intake is opening.
The bad
1.) Front bumper cover has been ripped half away on a parking block. Inspected suspension, there's no under side damage so convinced a block tore it away.
2.) Front tires are shagged.
Couple typical SVt issues(learned from ff.com thanks)
3.) Cat Heat shield rattles
4.) TC and ABS light are on. And the only thing inside that doesn't work is cruise control. I'm making a leap and since the lights are a wheel speed issue that the cruise is also affected.
5.) Looks as if the oil pan has a better than seeping leak of oil. Looks easy enough to replace gasket.
6.) One slight creaseless dent above right front tire. And one decent scratch on the right side.
7.) Some of the red thread in the drivers seat has worn away making look as if it's stained. No floor mats.
8.) Also the cool SVT sticker on the cam cover is gone. [bigcry]
9.) Window tinting is crinkling.
Other than that I plan all the regular maintenance and more. Timing belt/belts and pulleys along with water pump. I recieved a car fax but, this car was traded to a truck dealer and no know records. All fluids and filters. And new discs were installed but pads are not new. Causing a strange feeling since I can tell the pads are not seated to the new discs. Plugs and wires. Fixing the few dents and scratches.
The only upgrades I plan are.
1.) A tune. Probably go with Tom. In my short drive time I can feel all the typical drivabilty issues I've read about.
2.) Off road pipe and some type of exhaust.
3.) Bespoke CAI of my own making. I have a very slight idea that I haven't seen yet. When it happens I'll get some pics.
4.) MAybe try removing the shifter weight since I can return it easily enough if it doesn't suit me.
5.) And a rear engine mount. The engine wraps up so hard even under light acceleration it makes 1st to 2nd shift nasty.
6.) I'd really love a lighter flywheel. But, based on economics of what needs done first and the fact the clutch feels completely fine it will have to wait. I may add a ss clutch line to avoid what seems to be a common problem on SVTs as they age.
7.) Some head headlights. Stock lens are fairly fogged.
So here's a good chance to help fix up an SVT on someone elses money. lol I'm open to all suggestions on things I've mentioned and maybe one's I've over looked. Most importantly is a bumper. I've admittingly only done little research on a bumper cover. Mostly hoping for some good ideas here. But, the standard Focus cover seems to fit but lacks the Fog lamps. And covers for the standard focus seem way cheaper. Not sure what they would look like though. Not familiar enough to know if they are really the same besides fog lamps. Not a huge deal since I'm forced into a smallish budget to get whole again. I've seen some custom style bumpers but, I'm trying to stick to mostly stock appreaing. Mostly I'm an older fellow trying to not grow up so I'm not into to much garish crap. But, open to ideas based on slightly subdued looks.
I plan on some Kumho AST's . Which I'm not real excited about. But, with all the other things I need I don't want to blow my entire budget on tires. I can upgrade later once completely sorted. I'm a person of the mind set that a great car is crap with out good rubber. But, it's more important to start making the mileage this car can get me paying off. Any ideas in the approximate 100 per area? I know tires is a hashed subject sorry.
Luckily, I'm a very well experienced Mechanic/ fabricator with access to paint booth and full machine shop at work. Even have a vinyl shop. So I can handle pretty much anything that needs done. Even rebuilt many engines of varying types. I live in Indy(the Motor Racing Capital of the World) so maybe you can imagine what my day (and weekend) job might be.[8)]
Now that I;ve broken the ice I can wait to start inputting my (likely mostly unwanted ) opinion some some subjects. Thanks.