[Daschj]

Howdy All:

I recently purchased an '04 ZX3 with a 5 spd. The mystery is the PZEV 2.3 engine. I've already done my 1st mod in removing the lunchbox resonator. Not much difference in sound or noticeable power, but the thing weighed almost 10 lbs. I just bought some SVT springs and shock/struts to lower slightly and to taut it up a bit.

My question has to do with either purchasing the correct short ram intake (SRI), a Cold Air Intake (CAI) or making a stealth conversion? I've looked, searched and read (and still am) and still do not have a definitive answer. Again, this is on a '04 Duratec 2.3 PZEV engine. I'd apreciate a specific application.

2nd question. In looking over the stock, specific to PZEV, engine air cleaner system I can see a cold air intake down behind the left fog light. I've read about eliminating the carbon trap. My question is- how bad is the stock system? Does anyone have a before and after comparison- in terms of system compatibility, power and economy?

Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the host and sponsors of this sight. Also all who have posted useful info. It has been a god-send. I've had my ZX3 for about a month now and love it for MPG economy and SPM (Smiles per Miles)! It's a hoot!

I live in Eastern Idaho, if that matters.

Adios, David

 

[Blackcatn2o]

I will say a cold air intake will open the engine up, also a BSD kit (you can find those at Focussport.com, F2usa.com, massivespeedsystem.com). the engine you have is a low emission motor.

 

[NAD23ZX3]

well, getting a cai will remove the carbon trap (doesn't affect the engine), getting a brand name cai ensures compatibility (f2, focussport, k&n, cosworth, etc.) Power/efficiency will both improve. It will also free up some room in the bay so it wont be AS cluttered. It's definitely a good first mod.

 

[captcurt_18]

hey man, im just up in missoula. we should have a meet sometime... anyways, what im doing is buying a cai for the summer, and a sri for the winter. i have the steeda sri (highly recommended) and im getting a focussport or cossie cai.

 

[warneej]

I have the exact same car (well at one time is was...) and so I can help you with any problems

I had a CAI for a while but since i have a body kit, the filter position and rain didn't get along so I bought the Steeda SRI this summer for it while doing all my motor work. It doesn't exactly fit with the 04 headlights but if you coerce it enough you can make it fit. Looks hot, sounds great, works well.

The BSD is actually the Balance Shaft Delete, which doesn't add any hp per se, but it reduces the amount lost in parasitic drag and therefore increases wheel HP. It also makes the motor rev extremely happy. Not bad for a $20 mod. Although I have the Cosworth one, I suggest the Massive Speed System one since mine is hard to find and expensive, and its purple haha

Also since your car is older I suggest a strut tower bar to taughten it up further, I also suggest the Massive one since it is super sexy and also the cheapest.

Any other questions, feel free to ask! I've had this car since new in '04 and have done hella work to it, as well as have ran into most of the problems that are normal with these cars. [thumb]

 

[mtadd162]

nice buy, im also curious the power/economy pzev vs. non-pzev....i mean if you want the most outa your car via MPGs you should probably keep the low emissions bologna but if not you should definitely have a talk to warneej about removing all of it ....
as far as picking your intake i know that FS lists a option whether or not you have an extra breather tube hooked up to your stock intake, and if you do (which you should) then you need to let them know in the checkout area so they can provide you with the correct intake....as far as SRI i would assume the same, but i dont know first hand on that

and btw its duratec...not duratech i dunno if that was a typo or not, but just thought id let u know

 

[NAD23ZX3]

emissions usually hurt mpg, just look at the manifold

 

[NemesisEnforcer]

Welcome to the site.

Yes, the stock setup is very restrictive. an exhaust and cai will really open it up. the pzev had, i think, 6 less hp from the factory. evan, i didnt know they steeda worked with the air pump setup on the pzev...thats good to know.

couple of tips...if you are looking at suspension mods, please see this deal thread....http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178155

also, get to know mike at hilbish ford, along with checking out the other affiliates on here. you may find nice deals and discounts with them, just for being a member of the site. mike can get you all the Ford Racing and and ford stuff for great discounts, and also sells Steeda stuff. the above deal is one of just such options.

common popular companies are focussport, steeda, massive speed systems, f2.com, mbrp, trubendz, newedgeperformance, and c-f-m.com.

 

[warneej]

as far as picking your intake i know that FS lists a option whether or not you have an extra breather tube hooked up to your stock intake, and if you do (which you should) then you need to let them know in the checkout area so they can provide you with the correct intake....

there is no extra breather tube on the 03-04 PZEVs, they work just like a non-PZEV as far as intakes go

evan, i didnt know they steeda worked with the air pump setup on the pzev...thats good to know.

air pump hooks up to the exhaust manifold, has nothing to do with the intake. Even so, if you get a race header, you can just unhook the air-pump at its check valve and you won't get a CEL nor will it matter, it will just blow air at the firewall

 

[Daschj]

Thanks

Howdy Back All:

Thanks for all the input. I have the Steeda catalog. Their SRI for an '04 duratec lists for years '05 - '07, and then a seperate # for '08. Nothing for an '04. I may have to call their tech line directly or Mike up in MN. It just seems wrong to me to spend $200 plus on a custom piece and then have to modify it to make it fit.

I have read up on the BSD kit and like the concept. It would definitely lighten the rotating mass and allow an engine to rev quicker. I don't like the thought of adding vibration. The same goes for the lower enginge mount dogbone inserts. At this point in my life I'm built for comfort, not for speed- well except for a little, now and then. To explain further, my ZX3 is a Toad. Actually a 'Towed". It is set up to tow behind my RV and will go to SoCal this winter for touring the sunny (and warm) southland. So it has to be acceptably comfortable to my DF (dominant female), AKA wife. If I get bit by the autocross bug again, my current mindset may change. We'll see.

I have another issue. The engine does not decelerated as quickly as I would like. Say I'm driving along at 3,500 in 2nd gear and take my foot off the gas pedal and slip the trans into neutral, the engine slowly loses revs down to idle. Is there an adjustment, a vacuum dashpot decelerator or a spring that slow engine speed?

captcurt- I pass through, or near Missoula ocassionally on my way to Moscow, ID. I'll let you know next time and we can swap stories over a cup of coffee before I head over the Lolo Pass. Would you perhaps still have the part # for the Steeda SRI you have? How was the install?

NE- I have talked to Mike once already. He listened well and gave me some insightful advice- hence the SVT springs, shocks/struts. I will be looking for a larger diameter rear bar in the future. He also suggested moving up to a set of 16" rims and lower profile tires. He didn't recommend 17's" as they tend to give a harsher ride. Next time I need to retire I'll be looking. Same goes for a Cat-back upgrade.

Mtadd- sorry for the mis-spell. Must be more then one teacher on this forum. I'll edit more closely from now on.

Warneej- "It doesn't exactly fit with the 04 headlights but if you coerce it enough you can make it fit." Just how much "Coercing" does it require? Did it effect any thing else? Mileage? power? Did it trigger any error codes?

Again, thanks to all. I'm so glad to have this resource.

Adios, David

 

[NemesisEnforcer]

evan, sorry, been under the weather...didnt mean air pump, i meant the intake hose.

good u talked to Mike, so then you know hes really helpful for us all on here. if you can do a cai, and you dont have that intake hose issue, why not grab the hps kit? its only 149.99 shipped, and no modifying.

 

[CapnGnarly]

Some '04's had the breather, so be careful there. I have the same car, and I do have it on the intake. The easiest CAI for the car is FocusSport's. Suspension works just the same as anyone else.

As for your deceleration issue, I've never had any problems or thoughts about that. Wouldn't even know where to start for that...

I've been planning the balance shaft delete for quite some time, I just don't have the time to actually do it, so please keep us posted on it, and we LOVE pictures here, so take many and post them for us to look at.

 

[NemesisEnforcer]

so wait, it does or doesnt have that extra hose?

i guess you could just look at it and tell the guys, but i dont wanna give someone the wrong info in the future...

 

[NAD23ZX3]

light weight flywheel will help if you want it to decellerate faster, while the bsd will make the engine feel freer (debatable how much it actually improves since you still have a 5 lb gear on the crankshaft to spin the balance shaft), a light weight flywheel improves rev speed alot in both directions.

 

[N2O Focus]

The BSD doesnt gain hp, its like that maf spray, it just brings it back to what it had.

 

[NemesisEnforcer]

adds vibration though, and from then on, u need to make sure u get one more qt of oil at each oil change, if you have a shop doing it anyways.

 

[mtadd162]

jiffy lube FTL [thumbd]

so yea daschj i think all ur gunna have to do is just check whether or not you got that extra breather tube and let us know

 

[bluefront]

I can tell something about that deceleration "problem". All these cars are a little different in this respect, but basically it's an emission thing, programmed into the ECU. Emissions are lowered quite a bit during a deceleration if the throttle is not allowed to snap shut.

Also a shift to neutral during a deceleration is not expected by the ECU.....no telling what happens then. On my '06 Duratec automatic, my throttle "hangs up" slightly during a deceleration, but not enough to notice very much.

 

[warneej]

There is no "specific" part number for the 04 and most all parts for the Duratec will be listed as 05-07 to prevent confusion by the customer looking for Zetec parts or a lack of knowledge by the manufacturers. The steeda intake for the 05-07 fits just fine, its a tight fit on all years but you just have to wedge it behind the headlights, takes a little bit of sweat but its not bad. Once you have it on its guaranteed for 5-7whp, sounds spectacular and WILL NOT trigger a check engine light. I would assume it would give you better gas mileage as well, if you keep your foot out of it.

As for the BS Delete, the vibrations are hit or miss. My car vibrated noticably at my 800rpm idle with it removed, but after raising my idle to 850 the car ran smoothly. However one of my friend's car after removal ran just as smooth as before. Just don't forget that the car will now take 5.5qts of oil rather than 4.5

Again, the breather hose issue, mine only has one hose that comes out of the intake, and that is in the Throttle Body boot which is retained during the Steeda install. There is no second or third hose like in the later PZEVs.

 

[NemesisEnforcer]

to the OP, to eliminate any question, here is a pic of what we are talking about: