Look into this thread "The N/A Zetec Performance Thread" here you will find lots of helpful stuff.

 

^^ you will spend more on modding a zetec than you will just buying a SVT. IIRC, the zetec models have a 0-60 of about 9.5 seconds, and run roughly 40hp short of the SVT.

Thats a pretty big difference to make up, im not sure what it will take, but im almost certain that just buying a SVTf would be the cheaper alternative, not to mention all of the other upgrades that the SVT comes with stock.

 

your funny. How much are most svt's going for today? 6,000-10,000? He will probably spend 3,000 on that zetec sedan. He could put the most wicket turbo on that car, be 6 times faster than an svt and still spend less. 40 hp for 7,000 more? No thanks.

To the OP, a supercharger really is the best way to get consistent, reliable power. If you request an additional 2,000 on your loan (if you're getting one) you can do that and have plenty of daily driver power, and still get good mpg's. I modded my focus with bolt on's and its getting less and less fun to drive in the city.

If i cant sway you to supercharge, I would say svt intake, stage 2 cams, tune, svt header and exhaust.

Matt

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Zetec's had a 8 sec range 0-60. I beat SVT's with my car with just some bolt on's. Depending on how cheap he can get the car for. You can buy used parts on the forum here saving even more money. With a SVT your pretty much limited since there is not much left on the table with a n/a SVT compared to n/a Zetec. Really it's a toss up IMO but the SVT's do have nicer interiors and such and everything that comes with the SVT.

 

I'd have to go through receipts again but, I've got about $2,500 into my car and making more power than a SVT, more power than some S/C zetec's too. But the swap is tough because parts are hard to come by.

Based on airflow here is abouts the kind of power I'm making at the flywheel:

and just logg'd a 0-60 run, 6.5 seconds, [][][][][]-footing it to keep wheel spin sorta low (which really isn't possible)

 

^You really need to see the SVT prices up here.

It's in-friggin-sane!

 

forced induction

 

To answer your question the best things to add would be

SVT header
adj cam gears
stg3 comp cams
2.5 or 3 inch Exh
SVT intake , air box , Inj , MAF
TB
Full custom tune

That will net you a very good gain and 90% can be found used on here

Tom

 

I agree with drostedrummer. Hands down you can find used Zetec's all day long. With a SVTF your taking more of a chance with it plus it is a higher maintenance car compared to the normal Zetec. There are pro's and cons to both. Every cheap SVTF I've run across has had a salvaged or rebuilt title.

 

Whats funny? Top Speed gained 15 whp on a stock automatic zetec with their intake manifold. Do some reading. A regular zetec with a good intake, TS manifold, svt header and exhaust should put it at close to the same hp as a stock svt. And since the gearing in the mtx75 is better off the line, it should match (or be faster) than an svt from a light. And he'd even have money left over for cams.

For thousands less.

Matt
Posted via FF Mobile

 

Posted via FF Mobile Top speed got 15whp just from an intake manifold...on an automatic focus? I find that hard to believe. Regardless, oh now its an intake, intake manifold, svt header and exhaust. Oh, I guess I miss read your last post. I didnt see a header in there.

Your still going to need a good tune, cams, and adjustable gears. And do some reading? Ive been here since 2004 and have read plenty about people here on the forum doing their own NA builds. Ive also been here long enough to know their isnt a magical intake manifold that will get an automatic focus 15whp, or else eveyone would have one and wouldnt be digging around in the junkyard trying to find a 2000 focus intake manifold or porting their own.

And now Im whipping out another besides the fact, the OP still hasnt told us what transmission hes getting. If hes getting an automatic hell be spending a ton of money to give it good power because he'll also have to upgrade the trans to handle the extra torque. A svt is more because it comes with a ton of stuff, including bigger brakes, rear discs, svt suspension etc. But I guess we just talking about power here.

Id also like to add that he said he wants a zx4...so even if he wants a manual the chances of him easily finding a good condition one with a manual, WITH a zetec motor is slim. People here are talking about the zetec but are forgetting many sedans came with SPIs, unless you got a zetec as an option or got a zts.

 

And the comment about a bolton zetec beating an svt is mostly due to the superior/shorter gearing for drag racing the zetec 5 speed has. the svt is geared for road/autox racing.

 

Posted via FF Mobile Which I agree with, this is why the battle between the SVT and 2005-2007 ST continues. Even though the svt has more power, the ST has more tq, not to mention a 5 speed. Id like to add Im having a hard time finding any Zetec svt header kits out there. Doesnt seem like anyone has them for sale anymore, which is unfortunate because the mod bug has bit again. Also itll be hard for anyone with earlier foci to grab an efficient header that you can also use a cat with. So if one wanted to go this route, youll have to grab a used svt header, add a egr bung and get the rest of the exhaust pieces. Not a huge deal, but oh it was so nice when they sold the modified header kit with the RT high flow cat and larger flex pipe. The good old days.


OP...how much money you wantto spend again? Maybe hed be better off grabbing an ST or 05 focus, mileage would be alittle better anyhow.

 

this thread has alot of rice talk

 

... and too much I've read, I've read, I've read; not enough I've done (but that's normal).

 

http://m.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242141

scroll down, they took the turbo off the car and dyno'd it with just that manifold on.

People look for y2k manifolds because they are cheap and oem. This manifold cost $500+. I'm not saying you're not an informed member, but look in topspeeds link above, they started with 108 whp and ended with 123 whp.

An automatic focus doesnt need to be "beefed up" for bolt ons. With a tune he would be fine.

And yes, the svt is a much nicer car. The leather is gorgeous, the car is clean and understated, comes with great power over the stock form, and better all around performance. The OP requested what he could do in a daily commuter zetec sedan. Which is alot less money than an svt.

Bigred, I mentioned this in my previous post.

this is my bolt on focus against my friend's bolt on svt focus. With even 10 more HP from a manifold, I would have been neck and neck, if not pulling ahead of him.

Matt
Posted via FF Mobile

 

People look for y2k manifolds because they are cheap and oem. This manifold cost $500+. I'm not saying you're not an informed member, but look in topspeeds link above, they started with 108 whp and ended with 123 whp.

An automatic focus doesnt need to be "beefed up" for bolt ons. With a tune he would be fine.

And yes, the svt is a much nicer car. The leather is gorgeous, the car is clean and understated, comes with great power over the stock form, and better all around performance. The OP requested what he could do in a daily commuter zetec sedan. Which is alot less money than an svt.

Bigred, I mentioned this in my previous post.

this is my bolt on focus against my friend's bolt on svt focus. With even 10 more HP from a manifold, I would have been neck and neck, if not pulling ahead of him.

MattPosted via FF Mobile

Yes, looks exactly like times in my red zx3 before I got the SVT. It had SRI, HFC, flex and flex back exhaust.

Off the line: mtx-75 is superior

Down the road: SVT's top end takes over.

But this is really comparing apples to oranges due to the different power curves of the car and their intended purposes. I LOVED the mid range tq and power of my zx3, where the SVT starts really building power at 3k rpms. The mid range power really helps the zx3s get going and why they can keep pace.

Posted via FF Mobile Which I agree with, this is why the battle between the SVT and 2005-2007 ST continues. Even though the svt has more power, the ST has more tq, not to mention a 5 speed. Id like to add Im having a hard time finding any Zetec svt header kits out there. Doesnt seem like anyone has them for sale anymore, which is unfortunate because the mod bug has bit again. Also itll be hard for anyone with earlier foci to grab an efficient header that you can also use a cat with. So if one wanted to go this route, youll have to grab a used svt header, add a egr bung and get the rest of the exhaust pieces. Not a huge deal, but oh it was so nice when they sold the modified header kit with the RT high flow cat and larger flex pipe. The good old days.


OP...how much money you wantto spend again? Maybe hed be better off grabbing an ST or 05 focus, mileage would be alittle better anyhow.

Don't the STs have a taller final gear vs the zetec mtx-75?

Both the dtec and zetec vs SVT battles will rage. Both boil down to power curves and gearing.

 

I don't think you're reading that graph correctly. You can only compare to the RPM range stock was wound out to ... anything above that point is simply gains from math, HP=TQ*RPM/5252.

Now they did gain over stock up top, but what's to say that is only from the manifold?
Would it not be correct to assume that changes in ignition timing may also warrant gains up top? (answer: Yes).

I think it was on the other site TS had claimed to make tons of power with their manifold and that people needed their manifold to make power. Unfortunately I made very near the same power on a stock SVT manifold, was a few WTQ difference which could easily be attributed to dyno error/calibration. Which to me means any claims they make are geared more towards advertising and not fact.

But that's not to say it isn't a good manifold and something people should think about. I'm just saying don't claim everyone will make the same gains from a simple bolt on part. The combination is what made the power and can not be broke down into singular parts.


The other thing I will say, being I've run both the SVT and now the FRIM, having a plenum does seem to help top end power. My educated guess is that it serves as a buffer to slow standing waves and improves the actual tuned length of the manifold ... vs the stock manifold that have no plenum and standing waves escape and don't compound intake air speeds.

 

Yes I think we can all agree... Going to the duratec is a better choice. More efficient, better design, still in production, responds better to performance parts, etc.

Matt
Posted via FF Mobile

 

You could always buy a zx2 and pull on any zx3 with similar mods. I kept up with an 03 svt with aem intake, hfc, and borla exhaust. I was gaining on him at 85mph. Weight and gearing, baby.

 

108 wheel HP is MUCH more then a stock ATX makes stock that more what a 5speed makes

Tom

 

Dear OP,

Keep the car stock, and SAVE YOUR MONEY...

Go to school and build your credit, then once you have stable income buy something you can go faster in.

I wish I did that when I got my first Ford, you'll save a lot more money and less speeding tickets. Don't get "sucked in" trying to go faster, unless it's going to be a track only car.

I know this might not be the answer you want, but I wish someone told me this.

 

He has a point .... but is asking for a SVT TB lol

Tom

 

Thanks Tom..

 

Lol.. i think we scared the poor guy away.

 

A couple of things to bear in mind choosing between a ZX4 and an SVT...

1) The standard Zetec, with a few bolt-ons, makes good torque and gets off the line pretty quick. With decent tires, you can get off the line quicker than an SVT can.

2) A bog-standard ZX3 (no power-windows, locks, etc) weighs around 200 lbs less than an SVT. The sedans weigh a bit more than that, but still weigh less than an SVT ZX5 would. Power-to-weight ratio is far more important than raw power. Also, because of the lower curb weight, it has more potential to be quick through the corners.

Personally, I would go for a ZX5 over a ZX4... simply because you have the versatility of a hatchback and the extra rear leg room the ZX4 would provide. I just don't see as much usefulness in a ZX4.