[focus_family]

So in the process of removing the transmission from the Focus last night we somehow busted out the rear main seal(RIP Poor foci![xx(][xx(]). Needless to say there was a lot of oil on the ground. Anyhow, the motor has 215,000 miles on it so we really don't want to put any money into rebuilding it. Found a really rough ZX3 that is turboed. The body is in really bad shape so we're considering buying that and swapping the motor to our car. The other option is to just save up untill we can afford to buy a svt motor and trans. But we know that will be a lot more work and a lot more money then just buying this ZX3. So could definitely use some opinions. Thanks.[wrenchin][wrenchin]

 

[benkap]

How much are you looking to sink into the beat up turbo car? You may end up spending less that way, but if the car is beat to ish then what makes you think the motor has been taken care of?

 

[drunkyoda]

exactly what benkap said! i could bet that the motor is close to the end of its life. i say buy a zetec with low miles and turbo it your self.

 

[benkap]

You may even have the best luck with building the motor you have. That way, since you have to tear it down all the way anyway, you can purpose build it for a turbo set up, and have a fresh ready to go motor. If the block isn't torn to pieces, it may even end up the least expensive option of all.

That being said, you could probably get ahold of an SVT motor for a grand, but you'd still be lacking the oomph of a turbo car.

 

[drunkyoda]

and he would still have to buy the transmision and all the rest for a swap

 

[benkap]

You can run the SVT motor with any of the Focus tranmissions, it just isn't recommended because the gearing isn't right to keep it in the powerband. And as long as you don't go crazy with the turbo, you can do the same or only have to add minor upgrades to make it work.

 

[focus_family]

Well we don't really know how the motor of that car runs. Haven't test driven yet and I understand where you are all coming from as to how it would be best to just rebuild the motor we have. Still don't know what kind of shape its in or what the extent of the damage is. We already have a turbo that we bought off of a friend..Max it will push out is like 6 or 7 pounds of boost though so not sure if we want to go with that or if we want more. If we rebuild the motor we would probably want more boost then that.
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[focus_family]

Well guys..My husband freaked out over nothing. Motor is fine the only thing he busted was the thermostat housing and it was antifreeze that spilled every. Better then the crank or rear main seal.
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[EnJoIthaReX]

We already have a turbo that we bought off of a friend..Max it will push out is like 6 or 7 pounds of boost though so not sure if we want to go with that or if we want more. If we rebuild the motor we would probably want more boost then that.
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Well what are you looking for? Small turbos can be fun driving around. Quick spool makes its a snappy ride.

What turbo you got?

 

[focus_family]

Its a Garrett gt series off a saab. He thinks its a GT28.

Hard to believe that when we got the clutch out our car the only thing wrong with it was a spring broke. The disc didn't look bad at all and neither did the fly wheel. Pretty good for 215,000 miles original clutch.
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[700whpfocus]

it will cost you more oney to go turbo, but more power

 

[EnJoIthaReX]

Its a Garrett gt series off a saab. He thinks its a GT28.

Hard to believe that when we got the clutch out our car the only thing wrong with it was a spring broke. The disc didn't look bad at all and neither did the fly wheel. Pretty good for 215,000 miles original clutch.
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Lol yea really good.

You could run that turbo up to 14psi if you want, from the mfg they might run 8 on the Saab, but thats not because the turbo cant handle it. If im wrong, feel free to correct me but turbos smaller than your gt30 can probably run no more than 22psi before they start losing their thermal efficinecy and blowing hot air. Though i think if it is a T28 its similar to an SR20 T28 than GT2871r, still more psi is doable

 

[focus_family]

That's good. That makes him happy knowing that he can get the boost he wanted from that turbo.

Side note..called ford to get a price on axles..they wanted $420 for the driver side and $395 for the passenger. And there was no core..crazy! Guess we're going with aftermarket axles.

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