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SVT 3/5 DR 1/4 Mile times stock?

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scharnhorstc

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi everybody, just wondering if I could get some quick information about SVT Foci. I'm currently the owner of an ATX 2.0 Duratec, recently got a job paying 25 bucks an hour and me and my buddy are looking for some SVT's. My only problem is, that I can't find any 3 doors around my town. I've found some cleeeaan 5 doors, which I don't mind settling with if the 1/4 mile time is not too much different from the 3 door.

So, my question is, given that you're a seasoned driver, what is the 1/4 mile time of a stock 3 door and 5 door SVT?

Also, does anyone know what the fastest 1/4 mile time in a SVT is? I'm just wondering what I have to look forward to since I'm ready to spend some time and money:).
 
#3 ·
I'm not sure if there will be much of a difference between two, if there is it'll be very small. I hear with a good driver you can get low 15's. I haven't gotten my SVT to a drag strip yet, but by the time I do it wont be stock lol.

I'm sure more experienced people will chime in eventually.
 
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#4 ·
Love this car, but if 1/4 mile times are important enough for you to spring for a 3-door instead of a 5-door, you are looking at the wrong car. This isn't a car you buy for bragging rights or straight line acceleration. And I doubt I could tell a difference between a 15.5s car and a 15.3 second car. Most people can't. And at those speeds you're still looking at the decisive factor being the driver.

A lot of Mustangs, Z-cars, etc that can be had for SVTF money will give you more thrills in a straight line.
 
#6 ·
The SVTF doesn't really do to well on the Quarter Mile track, honestly the standard ZX3 does pretty well because of the gearing.

BUT, the SVT is a real good car in the AutoX race group. In there the competition is up and down and all depends on driver, not the car.

The car helps, and the SVTF has pretty good handling and power for the class you start in from stock.

-Ray-
 
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#7 ·
scharnhorstc said:
I'm really just looking to build myself an import-killer. Highway races, may end up doing some autocross someday, occasional 1/4 mile.
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What I find is the best way to test how good your car will do in highway races is to first test your cars stopping power. Brick walls are pretty good for this test. Get up to 100 and bash into the wall. If you survive hopefully it'll knock some sense into you.
 
#8 ·
^^ Nice catch ...

I agree with SvenskSpeed ... highway play isn't really a good thing to promote nor get into.

A long time ago, when I was learning about this, I flipped my car. Coming from a once stupid driver, I recommend you keep it in the legal areas where a wreck can be called in and have help right away and also keep money in your pockets than at your local court room.

-Ray-
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
I appreciate your advice and I'm very aware of the risks it's just that most of the competition around here gets laid down on the highway. Gosh it's so difficult to get someone to run you at the track because of how far away it is..


Back on topic though, so it really makes no difference what model I get, but you're saying it would be impossible for me to do say, high 12's or 13's in the SVT? I really though with a nice build and boost I might be able to attain somewhere within the 300-350 hp range, and I know that the car is made really light which helps a ton.
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
SVTF can be beat from a dig, but on the highway once they get going and I run out 4th so the SVT would be better for that. They are geared good for highway racing if that's what you really want to know. But don't expect some mustang killer, though I will say I beat a 2005 gt conv. from highway speeds up to [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)] in a 02' mini cooper S which has the same tranny and gearing. Dunno if a SVTF could do that though? But the gearing was fantastic!
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Nah I'm not real concerned with mustangs.. San Antonio isn't real big on domestics that's why I love my Focus and I can't wait to find myself an SVT. Everything around here is import. Civics, Integras, Z models, Maximas, S2000, Mazdaspeed, WRX, etc. You do see alot of SRT-4's and the occasional Cobalt SS. But never any Foci. I want to show them what they can do.
 
#12 ·
well i dont know to much about SVTF but i would think that the 5dr would be a little slower do to added weight. It sounds like you have your mind made up that you want one. I think the question is want body style do you like better or the one that works better for you. In my case i have a family and needed the extra room.
 
#13 ·
You should look into racing people with common sense. I drive to san Antonio raceway from austin to run, if Yall can't make it from san Antonio, you really shouldn't bother running those guys. Sorry to be blunt or rude, but those are they guys who make me get pulled over just because I'm "white in rice".(I also have a 93 civic Si.)
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Lmao sorry to laugh at that I just thought that term was hilarious, "white in rice" ha. Yeah I know man it's ridiculous i get called out around here and end up wasting my money at the track only to find a chicken was trying to act tough. It's like the street right there at our local meets is the best place to get to someone so that's where it ends up happening
 
#15 ·
A true racer does want to beat people who talk smack, but you should also try to better yourself. And I don't know of a better way to shut someone up than shoving a timeslip in their face. Pm me sometime and ill roll to the track with you.
 
#16 ·
With all the a$$holes driving their 40K+ AWD factory turbo tailgating,slow driving until you try to pass them, you need a SVTF with good quarter mi/0-60 times. I got 36+ years driving experience under my belt (last 14 years as a field tech) & my SVTF is the best car I ever driven for my line of work. 0-60 in <4.5, 12sec 1/4 mi times in a focus can be done for less money than a Evo or STi. etc... The SVTF not a good straight line car give me a break. LOL.
 
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#17 ·
I don't mean to be contrary, and I love my Focus... but it's hardly a drag racer and I think getting into 12 second territory would entail some serious $$$.

I got the SVTF because it was hands down the most rewarding car to drive (that I could fit in, 6'4") in the $10k-$20k range (and was a relatively great deal in that respect at $8k in '06). It's not the fastest car on the road but it sure is fun to drive. And it looks beautiful.

But if you want to go in a straight line, and fast, for cheap... my old 93 Eagle Talon AWD would do just that. But that car required a lot of tinker time and the drive line could get expensive quick if you dropped the clutch a little too hard, a few too many times.

Evos hit those numbers out of the box. They're sweet, not the most attractive car. I wouldn't mind having a Lamborghini either but we're comparing apples to oranges.

The Focus is (relatively) cheap, fairly quick, and extremely fun to drive (and from what I've seen from some other peoples videos, can hold its own on a track). Even the standard focus is a fun car to drive (the older ones anyway). I don't think my SVT will ever crack 15s in a 1/4 mile but that's not why I bought it.

It is tempting to think about dropping in a turbo sometimes, though.
 
#18 · (Edited)
It's only "serious $$$ if you have to pay someone to build it for you. When I went shopping for a awesome sport compact 9 years ago I had a budget of 35k on what to buy. I didn't need AWD or factory turbo to attain a 13sec car (what a evo does out of the box). I spent 20k for a brandnew SVTF EAP off the showroom floor which left me 15k to mod. What I needed was a street car with awesome brakes like a stock SVTF, a awesome handling car like a stock SVTF, not only a straight line shooter. I have/had 6 1st gen. focuses since 1999 & very familiar with them. Today my 35k SVTF can hold its own again other cars costing way more than 40k. I don't drive it on the street to race or compete with other drivers, my car keeps me out trouble. My driving record can attest to that.
 
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#19 ·
WillJongIll said:
I don't mean to be contrary, and I love my Focus... but it's hardly a drag racer and I think getting into 12 second territory would entail some serious $$$.

I got the SVTF because it was hands down the most rewarding car to drive (that I could fit in, 6'4") in the $10k-$20k range (and was a relatively great deal in that respect at $8k in '06). It's not the fastest car on the road but it sure is fun to drive. And it looks beautiful..


The Focus is (relatively) cheap, fairly quick, and extremely fun to drive (and from what I've seen from some other peoples videos, can hold its own on a track). Even the standard focus is a fun car to drive (the older ones anyway). I don't think my SVT will ever crack 15s in a 1/4 mile but that's not why I bought it.
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+1

This car is the reason people hate Ford for giving us a crap Focus later. If this car was rubbish, or if the ST170 was rubbish, the attraction to other hot Foci wouldn't have been as great. This car gave us a taste of the brilliance Ford could produce and then it was yanked away from us. No one (at least I hope) has purchased this car for speed. If you have, you've missed the point completely. For a front driver, the SVT has some pretty incredible abilities. It's tossable, it grips, it changes direction without a hit of understeer. (I'm sure it's there, but I haven't quite pushed it enough to find it.)

I love my R, but the Focus makes me forget what that power feels like. To each his own, though. You can make your car do whatever you want it to do. There are no rules. Just don't lose sight of why this car is great.
 
#20 ·
Fordcus Fan said:
It's only "serious $$$ if you have to pay someone to build it for you. When I went shopping for a awesome sport compact 9 years ago I had a budget of 35k on what to buy. I didn't need AWD or factory turbo to attain a 13sec car (what a evo does out of the box). I spent 20k for a brandnew SVTF EAP off the showroom floor which left me 15k to mod. What I needed was a street car with awesome brakes like a stock SVTF, a awesome handling car like a stock SVTF, not only a straight line shooter. I have/had 6 1st gen. focuses since 1999 & very familiar with them. Today my 35k SVTF can hold its own again other cars costing way more than 40k. I don't drive it on the street to race or compete with other drivers, my car keeps me out trouble. My driving record can attest to that.
Click to expand...
Well, we have different opinions on what serious money is, and I'm sure your cars are incredible. And hell, I'd love to have that kind of power in my Focus.

My only point is that if someone is out there, with no automotive allegiances or particular expertise with one car over another, and they are buying a car to go in a straight line fast and on the cheap, the Focus is not the ideal car for such a project.

If you have $35k to spend on a car -- there are a galaxy of options (some much more cost effective than others) from all over europe, japan and the US. Personally, I always wanted to put together a screaming, sleeping old Galant VR4. Just throwing that out there for perspective. Not knocking your likely very sweet collection of rides or your preferences.
 
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