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Sniperx

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So, a little history then right to it! I have had a bunch of BMWs since I started driving. I live way up in the east mountains outside Albuquerque at 7500ft above sea level so everything up here runs like a dog compared to all you lucky guys at sea level! I have always loved the way the little Focus looks and wanted one for years. I found myself in need of an eco car but didn't want a utilitarian Civic like my old one again. Thing was friggin boring.

I sold one of my vintage BMW motorcycles last week and had some extra cashola to buy a fun eco car so of course, it was a Focus! I found a super clean 2004 with 56K original miles on it a soccer mom owned and she needed to get rid of it to pay for some of her Infinity SUV she just bought. Got it cheap so have some funds left over for little bolt ons and a set of nice wheels. ONTO the questions!

What are the few best bolt ons that don't mess with the smogability of it to put under the hood, DON'T want to do an exhaust at this time....

Do the SVT wheels not only look killer but make it handle better with stock suspension and they are lighter than stock 15in steelies as well?

Oh, 2004 FX3, hatch, white, 5 speed Zetec DOHC. Actually it is OK quick stock but my need for speed bug has even hit on this car I got YESTERDAY!

Oh and are these things chipped or do you use some sort of tuner and if so, WHAT tuner that is affordable!??
 
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#2 ·
Sniperx said:
So, a little history then right to it! I have had a bunch of BMWs since I started driving. I live way up in the east mountains outside Albuquerque at 7500ft above sea level so everything up here runs like a dog compared to all you lucky guys at sea level! I have always loved the way the little Focus looks and wanted one for years. I found myself in need of an eco car but didn't want a utilitarian Civic like my old one again. Thing was friggin boring.

I sold one of my vintage BMW motorcycles last week and had some extra cashola to buy a fun eco car so of course, it was a Focus! I found a super clean 2004 with 56K original miles on it a soccer mom owned and she needed to get rid of it to pay for some of her Infinity SUV she just bought. Got it cheap so have some funds left over for little bolt ons and a set of nice wheels. ONTO the questions!

What are the few best bolt ons that don't mess with the smogability of it to put under the hood, DON'T want to do an exhaust at this time....

Do the SVT wheels not only look killer but make it handle better with stock suspension and they are lighter than stock 15in steelies as well?

Oh, 2004 FX3, hatch, white, 5 speed Zetec DOHC. Actually it is OK quick stock but my need for speed bug has even hit on this car I got YESTERDAY!

Oh and are these things chipped or do you use some sort of tuner and if so, WHAT tuner that is affordable!??
Click to expand...
Grats on your purchase! Foci are definitely fun cars to drive (bought my first one 3-4 mos back, and even though I'm having a handful of minor issues, I'm still enjoying driving it around)

I'm not sure about the SVT rims in particular, but I do know that bigger (when referring to tire width) and smaller (when referring to sidewall height - aka "low profile" - it's possible to have wide, low profile tires) tires can help with handling. The reason being is that because low profile tires can lower the cars center of gravity, which helps with handling (overall though, tires play a small part in that.) The rest is up to the suspension, and the cars over all weight, and a few other factors.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yep...

i have always done low profile tyres and larger lighter than stock wheels and it always helps not only looks but handling. I am still always amazed at how much better a car can look with just a tyre and wheel swap! Plus it is a good bang for the buck handling deal too since most stock wheels are steel and heavy, and stock tyres have a huge tall sidewall that is for comfort over handling. I am lucky mine has no issues. On the Zetec what are the timing belt intervals?

Oh, and many times the tyre wheel combo even when going from a 15 to a 17 is lighter....the 17 that is since the tyres are so much lighter as are the wheels usually. Some aftermarket wheels are horribly heavy but I google the spces to see what they weight before buying them and the stock euro 17 SVT wheel is LIGHT compared to a stock steel wheel. I saw online the SVT wheel is 18lbs and the steels are 24lbs.
 
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#4 ·
Sniperx said:
i have always done low profile tyres and larger lighter than stock wheels and it always helps not only looks but handling. I am still always amazed at how much better a car can look with just a tyre and wheel swap! Plus it is a good bang for the buck handling deal too since most stock wheels are steel and heavy, and stock tyres have a huge tall sidewall that is for comfort over handling. I am lucky mine has no issues. On the Zetec what are the timing belt intervals?

Oh, and many times the tyre wheel combo even when going from a 15 to a 17 is lighter....the 17 that is since the tyres are so much lighter as are the wheels usually. Some aftermarket wheels are horribly heavy but I google the spces to see what they weight before buying them and the stock euro 17 SVT wheel is LIGHT compared to a stock steel wheel. I saw online the SVT wheel is 18lbs and the steels are 24lbs.
Click to expand...

Tbh, I'm not too savy on the technical specs of the Zetec. The only thing I really know about the Zetec is that it's been in production a little bit longer than the Duratec (1991 vs 1993, respectively), and that the Zetec is limited to 4 cylinders, where as the Duratec comes in 4,5, & 6 cylinder flavors.
 
#6 ·
How much more money to play with are you talking about?

Get a good air intake system (I like the cool-Flo from FocusSport, paired with an IceMan runner from TB to Filter)

A tune from TOM with a XCal3 will do great things and for all future mods (keeping it Naturally Aspirated) will be free so when you get the exhaust (go with SVT header...) and other mods it wont cost you any more. Any Tune / chip you pay less than $200 for is most likely a rip off. With the XCal 3 you are also able to data log, check and clear engine codes, and work with Tom on real time data logging and tuning of your car.

42.6 is most likely un realistic. how did you check that?

As far as the tires... there can be a large debate, while you might have a "lighter" over all rim from a 15" to a 17" and even if you go with a low profile tire, you are moving the rotational mass further out.

I would do an SVT suspension conversion on it, it will keep the ride good but improve handling and is a "cheap" mod.
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Magus2727 said:
How much more money to play with are you talking about?

Get a good air intake system (I like the cool-Flo from FocusSport, paired with an IceMan runner from TB to Filter)

A tune from TOM with a XCal3 will do great things and for all future mods (keeping it Naturally Aspirated) will be free so when you get the exhaust (go with SVT header...) and other mods it wont cost you any more. Any Tune / chip you pay less than $200 for is most likely a rip off. With the XCal 3 you are also able to data log, check and clear engine codes, and work with Tom on real time data logging and tuning of your car.

42.6 is most likely un realistic. how did you check that?

As far as the tires... there can be a large debate, while you might have a "lighter" over all rim from a 15" to a 17" and even if you go with a low profile tire, you are moving the rotational mass further out.

I would do an SVT suspension conversion on it, it will keep the ride good but improve handling and is a "cheap" mod.
Click to expand...

Well right now I have a grand left over for the toys, and every month probably a few hundred and can save for the toys if needed. I have also heard an SVT suspension is the way, as well as the SVT header. so those I'll get as soon as I find them. Where do I look for the suspension and header? And none of the motor bolt ons you mentioned will void the smog right? Oh, and on the mileage, I filled it up yesterday and drove to and from town twice and then again this morning, I had 106.5 miles on it since I filled up and refilled it up this morning and it has only used 2.5 gallons....
 
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#8 ·
air intake should not change the SMOG... as it does not remove any of the emissions equipment. If you are worried the full K&N air kits are usually CARB certified and come with a little sticker so you can point it out to them if they question you about it.

SVT suspension I believe Ford still sells the kit (call Steve @ Tousley Ford don't have his number but its on here somewhere... a search should pull it up)

as for the SVT header this is where you need to start being creative to be SOMG complaint. the "stock" SVT does not have an EGR system (part of your emissions). Ford use to sell a SVT header with a bung located so when installed on a regular zetec (since so many people were). that has since been discontinued, but can still find them in the For Sale section sometimes. The other option is to buy a used / new header with out the bung and then have something welded in for the connection. The SVT header does require a SVT CAT and flex pipe (can find both used, or new from places like C-F-M.com)

I never trust partial fill up MPG readings. go full tanks and then average (if you have a smart phone there are some good aps (like aCAR) that help track this).

Edit: 1-800-328-9552 and ask for Steve
 
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#9 ·
Having lower profile tires does not lower the center of gravity on the car. What lowers the center of gravity is moving the car closer to the ground via suspension adjustments/modification. What you are talking about is the handling aspect. Yes, with lower profile you are going to have less sidewall flex than you would a stock sized tire. You also have to remember there were three different types of SVT wheels available for the Focus. There is the multi-spoke, 5 spoke and 6 spoke versions.

Now for other modifications, it all depends on what you are wanting out of the car. If you plan on going turbo or supercharger in the future don't bother with getting any kind of intake just yet. But if you are going for simple bolt ons you can't go wrong with a quality intake, SVT header and exhaust set up. A good tune would go a long way in helping you make full use of these modifications as well. Also, don't bother with chips or anything like that since it would just be a waste of your money. 1turbofocus is probably the guy you would want go with for a tune since he offers a NA package for $399 including the tuner and free updates. The free updates come in handy especially if you add more stuff later on down the road. You can just tell Tom what you had added and he can add that to your tune. Tom is one of our site sponsors, his site is Focus-Power.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Ok, since I have ADD and don't have the attention span to wade thru countless threads to find this out....

Is the 04 SVT motor a Zetac and will some of the HP parts other than the headers and such fit mine? Like the throttle body and so on.
 
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#11 ·
The SVT is a Zetec motor, but with a different head & cams because of VCT, intake (different length runners for different RPM speeds) computer... the main block is 98% the same. However a the exhaust does fully wap over and have been dyno proven to be one the of the best exhaust header and also provide some of the best bolt on HP gains. I think something in the 12-15HP or so neighborhood by it self...
 
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#15 ·
zetecDon said:
Having lower profile tires does not lower the center of gravity on the car. What lowers the center of gravity is moving the car closer to the ground via suspension adjustments/modification. What you are talking about is the handling aspect. Yes, with lower profile you are going to have less sidewall flex than you would a stock sized tire. You also have to remember there were three different types of SVT wheels available for the Focus. There is the multi-spoke, 5 spoke and 6 spoke versions.

Now for other modifications, it all depends on what you are wanting out of the car. If you plan on going turbo or supercharger in the future don't bother with getting any kind of intake just yet. But if you are going for simple bolt ons you can't go wrong with a quality intake, SVT header and exhaust set up. A good tune would go a long way in helping you make full use of these modifications as well. Also, don't bother with chips or anything like that since it would just be a waste of your money. 1turbofocus is probably the guy you would want go with for a tune since he offers a NA package for $399 including the tuner and free updates. The free updates come in handy especially if you add more stuff later on down the road. You can just tell Tom what you had added and he can add that to your tune. Tom is one of our site sponsors, his site is Focus-Power.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna respectfully disagree. While low profile tires by themselves wont make a HUGE difference, they DO affect a cars CG.

Here are a few references:

http://autorepair.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-101a.htm

Second paragraph, under the section titled "low loads"
http://firechief.com/apparatus/vehicle_cog_0907
 
#16 ·
^^^ to respectfully comment on this... this is true when going from a "stock" tire profile height to a low profile. when you put in going to a larger rim you negate that... ever see the Lincoln's / Cadillac's that have 22" or 24" rims but supper low profile rims... they are a good 6" higher in the air... yes an extreme example.

A "stock" focus with 16" rims run a Firestone Firehawk tire of 205/50/R16 has an over all Diam of 24.1" If you go to a 17" rim you would need to stay with a 205/40R17 tire or smaller to "lower" your CG.

the 15" stock ran with a 195/60R15 version which is a 24.2" over all diamater. so once again after going to a 17" rim you would have to do a 17" with less than a 24.2" over all diameter... to lower your CG.

You can get a 195/40R17 which is a 23.2" overall diameter lowering your car 1/2" with the sacrifice of losing foot print....

So to each there own.

Edit: Where for a 15" keeping a 195 width you can get a 195/45R15 with a over all diameter of 21.8" making your car approx .75" lower while maintaining the same foot print as with the stock 15" tire. however you also have to worry at this point about your speedometer and odometer as they are going to be off by a significant amount.
 
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Discussion starter · #17 ·
Magus2727 said:
^^^ to respectfully comment on this... this is true when going from a "stock" tire profile height to a low profile. when you put in going to a larger rim you negate that... ever see the Lincoln's / Cadillac's that have 22" or 24" rims but supper low profile rims... they are a good 6" higher in the air... yes an extreme example.

A "stock" focus with 16" rims run a Firestone Firehawk tire of 205/50/R16 has an over all Diam of 24.1" If you go to a 17" rim you would need to stay with a 205/40R17 tire or smaller to "lower" your CG.

the 15" stock ran with a 195/60R15 version which is a 24.2" over all diamater. so once again after going to a 17" rim you would have to do a 17" with less than a 24.2" over all diameter... to lower your CG.

You can get a 195/40R17 which is a 23.2" overall diameter lowering your car 1/2" with the sacrifice of losing foot print....

So to each there own.

Edit: Where for a 15" keeping a 195 width you can get a 195/45R15 with a over all diameter of 21.8" making your car approx .75" lower while maintaining the same foot print as with the stock 15" tire. however you also have to worry at this point about your speedometer and odometer as they are going to be off by a significant amount.
Click to expand...
Here's my clairfication, I actually WANT to stay as close to the same, or slightly larger (maybe /5in in diameter with my tyre wheel swap. It is because till I get a suspension installed I don't want a whole buttload of wheel arch showing, no more than stock. Plus living on ten acres of ranch land, I don't want to drop the cars' over stance by more than 1.5in or so total AFTER the suspension. So, if I get a set of 17s with tyres that are right at my stock outter dia, I will be happy.
 
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#18 ·
go with a 17" rim and stay at a 205/45R17 tire. this will give you enough side wall you wont have as high of a risk to damage your rim with pot holes and will be just a hair taller than stock...

I thought there use to be a sticky some where that showed rim sizes, tire sizes and there impact on total OD and how far off your speedometer would be... but cant find it
 
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Discussion starter · #19 ·
Magus2727 said:
go with a 17" rim and stay at a 205/45R17 tire. this will give you enough side wall you wont have as high of a risk to damage your rim with pot holes and will be just a hair taller than stock...

I thought there use to be a sticky some where that showed rim sizes, tire sizes and there impact on total OD and how far off your speedometer would be... but cant find it
Click to expand...
Another point, I don't want too much deviation of my speedo.
 
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Sniperx
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