[dyn085]

Very few even going as far as a header/tune.

^ This. Imho, the demand isn't there to drive more aftermarket products.

I think the 'wall' that was hit was basically self-imposed by the ST. Not that someone couldn't take a more entry-level Mk3 and make it comparable, but they would basically end up at the same point for roughly the same or more money. Those that had the means/desire to improve the performance basically just traded up, which gave them a stronger platform from which to build upon and grow further with.

 

[Scougar]

^ This. Imho, the demand isn't there to drive more aftermarket products.

I think the 'wall' that was hit was basically self-imposed by the ST. Not that someone couldn't take a more entry-level Mk3 and make it comparable, but they would basically end up at the same point for roughly the same or more money. Those that had the means/desire to improve the performance basically just traded up, which gave them a stronger platform from which to build upon and grow further with.

Pretty much what I was saying when someone was asking about turbo'ing a stock MK3. If someone already has money invested in a MK3 then it might be worthwhile, but otherwise it makes much more sense to just get an ST (Although I'd be tempted to swap the nose cone back to the stock MK3 one lol).

Of course, someone might be inclined to want to do an N/A build, then maybe the MK3 is a better starting point... maybe.

 

[dyn085]

Pretty much what I was saying when someone was asking about turbo'ing a stock MK3. If someone already has money invested in a MK3 then it might be worthwhile, but otherwise it makes much more sense to just get an ST (Although I'd be tempted to swap the nose cone back to the stock MK3 one lol).

Of course, someone might be inclined to want to do an N/A build, then maybe the MK3 is a better starting point... maybe.

I very nearly attempted to boost my Mk3, and every now and then I wish I had. Not that I'm displeased with my ST's in any way, just that I had put a lot of time and money into my Mk3 and it would have been nice to have pushed the platform a bit further. Unfortunately, no matter which direction I looked at it the cost was going too far exceed the returns when compared to just getting an ST. N/A builds can get quite spendy for the ROI.

With that being said, I can't help but constantly wonder exactly what this platform is capable of. Where it is right now is definitely not the max, and my Mk3 was surprisingly quick to the many that drove it and had a Mk3 to compare it to. Despite my setup, I know now that there was still a lot left to be done/tested.

Nobody ever 'wants' to be the one to push a platform until the point that they have to replace parts broken from stress, but until those power levels are achieved though can't fully say what is left in them. All that we know right now is that there is still power to be unlocked and until someone starts pushing those boundaries there won't be a reason for other companies to support it. By not pushing forward, regardless of reason, only reaffirms the aftermarkets decision.

 

[Scougar]

The DCT Gearbox is the getrag 250 right? From looking it looks to be rated for between 240 and 280nm. (that's about 177lb/ft and 206lb/ft if I'm doing the calculation correctly).

I wonder if that can be improved on... or if that is an effect of the heat?

I also wonder if a DCT 450 gearbox could be swapped in?

 

[Deesiel678]

So!

After 14 pages of debating whether a focus or fiesta st is faster... and whether a cruze or focus handles better...

We are back to we only have 5 performance mods readily available lol am I right?
I have the intake and header, looking at getting the magna flow cat back and thermostat from rdc. And then a tune from Tom.
I have the steeda rsb, ordered the front sway bar, rear shock tower brace. And then I'm ordering the bilstein coil overs and white line front and rear end links from rdc.

So now, after all of that... is there much else that can do been?

Here are some other readily available performance mods:
Limited slip diff (for mtx75, plate type or helical),
lightweight wheels,
high performance tires,
brakes (big brake kit, ST rotors and calipers, and/or high performance brake pads).

Nitrous if you are really feeling froggy.

 

[dyn085]

The DCT Gearbox is the getrag 250 right? From looking it looks to be rated for between 240 and 280nm. (that's about 177lb/ft and 206lb/ft if I'm doing the calculation correctly).

I wonder if that can be improved on... or if that is an effect of the heat?

I also wonder if a DCT 450 gearbox could be swapped in?

I don't remember the specs offhand and I'm not going to math the Newton-meters, but if we assume a flat torque curve up to 7200 rpm that would give approximately 242-285 hp. I would imagine that to be acceptable for a daily.

 

[Jburks]

So!

After 14 pages of debating whether a focus or fiesta st is faster... and whether a cruze or focus handles better...

We are back to we only have 5 performance mods readily available lol am I right?
I have the intake and header, looking at getting the magna flow cat back and thermostat from rdc. And then a tune from Tom.
I have the steeda rsb, ordered the front sway bar, rear shock tower brace. And then I'm ordering the bilstein coil overs and white line front and rear end links from rdc.

So now, after all of that... is there much else that can do been?

definitely get a tune since you already have the intake a header. beyond what you listed there is not really much else to do.

what header did you go with?

 

[FFhb13]

Porting,polishing and custom parts just doesn't seem realistic save for a few Focus freaks

I'm part of lots of enthusiest forums and there are lots of people like this.... seems like people here are afraid to push things...I would love to really go crazy but after many customised cars, I really promised my wife I would keep this one stock-ish...currently looking for a project car though.

 

[codyvann7]

I've got the obx header. And I'd like to look into a larger throttle body, I heard rdc has one in the works.... *I'd love to test it* lol. After that not sure where to go... maybe a port and polish but I'm not sure I have a place here in winnipeg I would trust with that. But time will tell!

 

[RonMaiden]

I'm part of lots of enthusiest forums and there are lots of people like this.... seems like people here are afraid to push things...I would love to really go crazy but after many customised cars, I really promised my wife I would keep this one stock-ish...currently looking for a project car though.

I went crazy with my 1st gen Eclipse GSX (ran just under a mid 12) then a Type R with a JRSC and supporting mods along with drag racing and autoxing then moved onto a 4Runner and enjoyed a little off roading in a very reliable platform but I promised my wife the Focus would just get a few mild tweaks and I'm also keeping the mods simple on my STI so not interested in pushing things to the breaking point anymore.

I like the Focus just being a fun car to drive and raising the average MPGs of my combined rides.

 

[04ZTSJelf]

Just to throw it out there, how about a 2.5 swap? Been done with mk1/2. Couple that with bolt-ons and tune and you should have decent results.

 

[Whitanium2013]

Has anybody considered taking a dremel tool to their throttle body? Kind of like a DIY port and polish and knife edge.

I used to have a 2002 wrx back in the day. Porting everything out and knife edging parts was a really popular and easy way to get a few more ponies out of the 4 cylinder.

 

[RonMaiden]

A turbo car will show some results but just porting out the TB will have a negligible effect unless you port and polish everything on a MK3.

 

[FFhb13]

Well you have to be really careful with a throttle body, you can make car perform worse or even make it drive terrible...too technical to get into here but I would wait until someone has done it and had good results...and using a dremel probably wouldn't be a good idea, you need machining.

 

[RonMaiden]

Yeah,not for amateurs.

 

[Mr.N00bLaR]

Well you have to be really careful with a throttle body, you can make car perform worse or even make it drive terrible...too technical to get into here but I would wait until someone has done it and had good results...and using a dremel probably wouldn't be a good idea, you need machining.

When I PnP'd my last TB I got greedy, the TB would not work without throwing a code. I currently have bought a spare TB, tested it to verify its working, and have sent it to a professional (popular in the cobalt community) to take a look at. Hopefully there's something here for us NA folks.

 

[Whitanium2013]

A turbo car will show some results but just porting out the TB will have a negligible effect unless you port and polish everything on a MK3.

Well you have to be really careful with a throttle body, you can make car perform worse or even make it drive terrible...too technical to get into here but I would wait until someone has done it and had good results...and using a dremel probably wouldn't be a good idea, you need machining.

When I PnP'd my last TB I got greedy, the TB would not work without throwing a code. I currently have bought a spare TB, tested it to verify its working, and have sent it to a professional (popular in the cobalt community) to take a look at. Hopefully there's something here for us NA folks.

My friend and I used a dremel tool on my 2002 wrx, his 2004 wrx, and my brother's fully bolted NA S2000. None of us had negative side effects and my brother's S2000 pulled way harder after we P&P'd his TB.

We made sure not to touch where the butterfly valve make contact with TB, and also no where any of the sensors get air from. Keeping these things in mind, we all had good results.

Keep us all posted on what results you get with your TB after the cobalt guy works on it.

 

[Jburks]

When I PnP'd my last TB I got greedy, the TB would not work without throwing a code. I currently have bought a spare TB, tested it to verify its working, and have sent it to a professional (popular in the cobalt community) to take a look at. Hopefully there's something here for us NA folks.

awesome man! looking forward to what you find out! [thumb]

 

[Deesiel678]

Ported throttle body has been done.
Exhaust - MPx Ported Throttle Body, 13+ Focus ST

It's listed for a ST, but the NA and ST use the same exact throttle body. At least one person on here has installed this on their SE; I don't believe he shared the results though.

 

[Jburks]

are you sure they use the exact same TB from the factory? you would think the ST one is a little bigger. good find though! now you just have to wonder if it's worth the $300 for something that will probably only give the NA engine a couple HP increase.