Getting A ZETEC to Perform - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Hypnodoc · 08-22-2004, 19:17

Hi ladies & gents. I have a BA GT Falcon and part of the deal to keep my other half happy was that she got a Focus ZETEC, its an automatic and totally stock except for a K&N filter. I have just finished modding the GT (265 rwkw) and now she reckons its time to get the ZETEC going a bit quicker and sounding a bit sportier. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

whippet_zetec · 08-22-2004, 22:15

being a newbie at this forum and a newbie focus zetec owner I would be interested here too.

melbzetec · 08-22-2004, 23:25

I am no expert, (so pick me up boys and girls) but basic advice worldwide seems to be:

Filter
Cat back exhaust.

If you want to go further, most go

Cold Air Intake
65mm throttle body

Then we get into cams, underdrive pulleys, adjustable cam pulleys, headers, superchargers and the whole catastrophe.

Chips are a big debateable issue. Most seem to suggest that until you have substantial mods, they add little if any. Powerchip claims 96kw goes to 107kw with their 98 Gold chip, but have yet to hear of anyone getting that.

I was going to add a Unichip piggyback but was tlod by someone who should know not to bother.

best site to start are Focussports. Focus Central, Focaljet, and FFOC (Ford Focus Owners Club) in UK (Aussie cars are Euro spec not US, but very similar).

There is a company in Sydney www.infocusmotorsports.com.au (I think) that caters to Australian Focus Owners but IMO their prices are WAY over the top (ST 170 lower grille $220....................$85 bucks from any Ford dealer!!!!!!)

" Performance Ford" Australia New Zealand Volume 4 Edition 3 (a few months ago) has an article on a Focus CL 1.8 where the owner Kirsten Dally claims 133kW after a big series of mods.

I'm sure someone else will give a better viewpoint than mine, but hopefully this is an OK intro.

Everyone has views on which brands for filters, exhausts etc which no doubt they'll let you know ( I have a stainless steel cat back exhaust from Herrod Motorsport which costs a bomb but I'm happy with) "Zetec" has a catback for substantially less money from an exhaust specialist in Sydney that he swears by

Good luck. have Fun

melbzetec · 08-22-2004, 23:27

http://www.infocusmotorsport.com.au...............not motorsportS

brother · 08-22-2004, 23:53

How much was your Herrod's exhaust?

Zetec · 08-23-2004, 00:46

Realistically in Australia...

Filter
Catback at least 2/14 inches with single central highflow muffler any good local can fit this, sounds SENSATIONAL!
TB 65mm
Race headers or custom headers if you choose, can make a big difference.

That should tide you over comfortably, but then the next steps (I guess PHase II) involves a chip which is debated with the Focus due to lack of local choice and evidence of success, high flow cats, injectors, then turbo or s/c.

I'm assuming all that's in Phase I there would be enough, I have the aforementioned cat-back and a K&N and I'm running at about 110kw at the fly, not a shabby figure at all. A good chip if I cuould find one would make it pretty much eat into ST170 territory powerwise of around the 120-125kw mark.

melbzetec · 08-23-2004, 01:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by brother

How much was your Herrod's exhaust?

$900. ouch! (there are reasons I needed to go that way which I won't go into)

melbzetec · 08-23-2004, 01:26

Rob Herrod puts a big question mark on headers. He brought in a set of Ford Racing headers from the US, played around with some others, and believes they add very little in the way of power. (At least that is what he told me). I'm not smart enough to argue.

fordel · 08-23-2004, 06:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetec

I'm assuming all that's in Phase I there would be enough, I have the aforementioned cat-back and a K&N and I'm running at about 110kw at the fly, not a shabby figure at all. A good chip if I cuould find one would make it pretty much eat into ST170 territory powerwise of around the 120-125kw mark.

Meh to that, seen as the only real chip/program that was meant to be around for the foci was the bluefin and that only gives an extra 12hp or so, but then that was proved to have a few problems.

I am very disbelieving that just an exhaust/chip will get you from stock 96kw to 120+ thats a 25kw improvement.... seriously doubt that as most guys/girls in the UK only get ~ 15kw with no cat on their car.

I have very serious doubts about any chips etc for these cars these days, noone has really provided a good one

chris

whippet_zetec · 08-23-2004, 15:58

thanks for the info guys, I purchased my focus new on the weekend and will be stepping down from a falcon (before that a holden ute), wanted better fuel economy but with a sporty look (on the plus side too you dont see too many foci running around Sydney but see a shit load of Corrollas so am happy with a little bit of individualism)...also dont want to spend a crap load on setting up a little car...

just a quickie, did everyone get a 6 year warranty and 2 years free servicing when they purchased their focus?? :fly: