2002 Focus SVT

I've got the pedals fixed, but you're right it took about a 3/4" spacer on the brake pedal and OMP alum covers.

Not to start the FWD-RWD wars, but IMHO that handicap basically doesn't exist anymore until the PRO driver level (which I am NOT). I don't even have an LSD and the SVTF can hang with the best of them in the corners, as can the Mini Cooper. The Lotus and E36/E46 M3s leave me on the straights, sure. But not thru corners. On a turn like T12 at Road Atlanta, or the esses, FWD can go thru full throttle while the RWD boyz are puckered.

I have driven an SVT before. Very nice. I don't see as big a difference between them as you are describing, but I had my chassis tuned very well for me. given I kept the power train stock the SVTF had alot more punch.

Yeah, the price is on the high side because I'm trying to get money out of it for extensive repairs we had to do right after we got it.

Stop me if you've heard this one before...

Bought it from a good friend in honest shape. The clutch was a TSB issue exacerbated by being downtown Chicago-driven for all its life. Bought it sorta right because he needed money. Literally not 8 hours after we licensed it, the timing belt idler pulley grenaded, cams jumped time and bent valves. The SVT-massaged head makes this motor interference, the regular 2.0 Zetec is not. The pulley issue is not exactly common, but it's not unheard of; I also have a beater ZX3 with 160k miles on the original belt and pulleys.

So, we're trying to get out of it without eating our shirts, hence trying to get decent money. If we can't we can't, but it's worth a shot.

It's a damned shame, because it's a really fantastic car; just about perfect for our needs. But we can't afford to potentially fork over another couple grand for extensive repair, and I can't justify a 50k belt/pulley service interval on a modern car.

Fantastic but fundamentally flawed, in my humble opinion.

alex wrote: Yeah, the price is on the high side because I'm trying to get money out of it for extensive repairs we had to do right after we got it. Stop me if you've heard this one before... Bought it from a good friend in honest shape. The clutch was a TSB issue exacerbated by being downtown Chicago-driven for all its life. Bought it sorta right because he needed money. Literally not 8 hours after we licensed it, the timing belt idler pulley grenaded, cams jumped time and bent valves. The SVT-massaged head makes this motor interference, the regular 2.0 Zetec is not. The pulley issue is not exactly common, but it's not unheard of; I also have a beater ZX3 with 160k miles on the original belt and pulleys. So, we're trying to get out of it without eating our shirts, hence trying to get decent money. If we can't we can't, but it's worth a shot. It's a damned shame, because it's a really fantastic car; just about perfect for our needs. But we can't afford to potentially fork over another couple grand for extensive repair, and I can't justify a 50k belt/pulley service interval on a modern car. Fantastic but fundamentally flawed, in my humble opinion.

Not heard of any of these problems with the SVTF. Just an FYI the head was designed by Cosworth for the project.

In reply to SVTF:

RWD vs FWD comes down to driver's style and coarse/distance.

AutoX I would lean FWD in most cases, longer sprints, RWD.

The front tires are just doing too much to be effective long term with a FWD.

Back to your regularly scheduled blog topic.

In reply to FlightService:

Then the answer is buy a Miata with the SVT.

Anyone know of a clean SVTF for sale in the southeast? Other than the usual CL & ebay findings.

Thanks

alex wrote: Yeah, the price is on the high side because I'm trying to get money out of it for extensive repairs we had to do right after we got it. Stop me if you've heard this one before... Bought it from a good friend in honest shape. The clutch was a TSB issue exacerbated by being downtown Chicago-driven for all its life. Bought it sorta right because he needed money. Literally not 8 hours after we licensed it, the timing belt idler pulley grenaded, cams jumped time and bent valves. The SVT-massaged head makes this motor interference, the regular 2.0 Zetec is not. The pulley issue is not exactly common, but it's not unheard of; I also have a beater ZX3 with 160k miles on the original belt and pulleys. Fantastic but fundamentally flawed, in my humble opinion.

Actually I wrote on the Focus forums about the timing belt idler and tensioners being the reason for premature belt failure - not the belt. I did both of mine at 70k, and both idlers and both tensioners were toast.

I've had many cars over the years with a 60k timing belt service interval. Not uncommon.....

FlightService wrote: I have driven an SVT before. Very nice. I don't see as big a difference between them as you are describing, but I had my chassis tuned very well for me. given I kept the power train stock the SVTF had alot more punch.

I actually tracked mine completely stock. It was quite capable right out of the box.