Focus questions...

I have a couple of questions about the Focus. I MAY be getting one as a DD for my father to replace a very high mileage Taurus.

First: pros and cons of the Zetec

Second: pros and cons of the Duratec 2 liter.

Can the handling mods developed for the SVT be "transplanted" to the wagon bodystyle?

Can handling in stock form be "tweeked" with a PLUS 1 or even Plus 2 tire / wheel fitment or should I just not bother.

Car will be my father's so it will be an automatic so keep that in mind when answering all questions.

Duratec v Ztec

The duratec is a far more modern motor- it was developed by Ford and Mazda to replace the ZTEC and BP series of motors. It's big advantage to most consumers is the aluminum block, which is far lighter than the BP or ZTEC iron blocks.

A more subtle improvement- the duratec is much cleaner thanks to a very nice intake design.

All in all, it's a much better engine than the ztec of BP that it replaces.

All I noticed, offhand, was that the Duratec produces a bit more power 136 versus 130 for the Zetec, but I wondered if "mods" would close that gap. My "ideal" Focus would have the 2.3 Duratec, but finding one with automatic isn't easy.

The wagon suspension is different IIRC, and mods on the zetec can close the gap. There always used to be more available for the zetec than the duratec when I was in that community several years ago.....it might have changed by now. Also, the auto's all either die around 120k or never....no rhyme or reason.

integraguy wrote: All I noticed, offhand, was that the Duratec produces a bit more power 136 versus 130 for the Zetec, but I wondered if "mods" would close that gap. My "ideal" Focus would have the 2.3 Duratec, but finding one with automatic isn't easy.

Interesting, around here I've never seen a 2.3 (the PZEV motor) Focus with a manual, only automatics. I think they were sold in California for an extra year or two, though, so that might be why.

The extra torque of the 2.3 is definitely nice to have if you're getting the auto. "no replacement for displacement" and all that.

In reply to integraguy:

Apply the same "mods" to a duratec. Win, win. This is the engine used for the Formula Mazda series, so there's a lot that can be found in the duratec engine.

codrus wrote:

integraguy wrote: All I noticed, offhand, was that the Duratec produces a bit more power 136 versus 130 for the Zetec, but I wondered if "mods" would close that gap. My "ideal" Focus would have the 2.3 Duratec, but finding one with automatic isn't easy.

Interesting, around here I've never seen a 2.3 (the PZEV motor) Focus with a manual, only automatics. I think they were sold in California for an extra year or two, though, so that might be why. The extra torque of the 2.3 is definitely nice to have if you're getting the auto. "no replacement for displacement" and all that.

FWIW, my parents had a 2.3l manual Focus. It was a sedan, though. I think the 3/5 door manual wasn't made, since it was slightly better than the SVT ZTEC version.

For the elusive 2.3l Focus, look for a PZEV version.

Duratec = timing chain Zetec = timing belt

The only pro I can think of for the regular Zetec is that the overall car purchase will be cheaper because it will be an older car.

Look for the letter 'Z' in the VIN for a 2.3L. In CA they definitely made Duratecs with both autos and manuals in 2003 and 2004. From 2005-2007 I think the only way to get a 2.3 was in the ST, all others were 2.0 Duratecs.

Regarding the wagons, I believe the rear suspension is different from the ZX3, ZX4 and ZX5 so finding upgrades for the wagons is tougher.

For wheels, just look for some 17" SVT wheels they should be a nice upgrade. I expect 18s are do-able with aftermarket.

I also think they changed the dash 2005+ and maybe again around 2008. I have no problem with my funky 2003 dash but apparently some don't love it.

Wagons had struts in back, others were shocks/springs.

Duratec is a better engine that the Zetec but the aftermarket for the Zetec has more available. I have seen plenty of 2.3L hatches and sedans but have never seen that engine in a wagon. Best places to look would be California and New England.

The wagon rear suspension is different and there never were many aftermarket options available. On 2000-2004 models the SVT suspension is a bolt in.

As for wheels and tires, they came with everything from 14" to 17" so take your pick.

the Zetec is very durable. I have no experience with the duratec There was a special model Focus with the 2.3 and manual, some suspension mods, wheel and tires' I drove one once, very peppy. forget what it was called ST=SH or something. 4 door only. HT ?

Aderol.

Hal wrote: Duratec is a better engine that the Zetec but the aftermarket for the Zetec has more available. I have seen plenty of 2.3L hatches and sedans but have never seen that engine in a wagon. Best places to look would be California and New England.

We had a 2003 2.3L PZEV wagon, here in California, but sold it when we bought the Odyssey.

Hal wrote: Duratec is a better engine that the Zetec but the aftermarket for the Zetec has more available.

While the Zetec may have more options to choose from for many mods, since it's been around quite a bit longer, I can't think of any mods that most people would ever want or need which are not available for the Duratec Foci. And mod for mod the Duratec typically makes more power, since generally speaking it's just a better breathing engine. I believe it also tends to get a little better fuel economy, but not by all that much. The 2.3L sounds like it's nice for acceleration, but not so much for fuel economy.

iceracer wrote: There was a special model Focus with the 2.3 and manual, some suspension mods, wheel and tires' I drove one once, very peppy. forget what it was called ST=SH or something. 4 door only.

Focus ST 2005-2007 Only model with the 2.3L in those years.

I realized after posting my original question, that the Duratec MIGHT have a timing chain (which posters have confirmed is the case) but since the Zetec is a NON-interference engine that's sort of a wash.

ST's were available up until 2007, but with a manual only (for some reason). I was trying to remember which years had the 2.3 as an option, but even so, my VERY quick scan of CL hasn't turned up any Duratec 2.3s with auto...yet.

Can I get a definitive answer on the SVO suspension swap? Will it work / can it be done on a 2006 or 2007 Focus? Or is 2004 the "cut-off" year? As of now, I've found 2 nice 2007s, one is a 3 door and the other a 5 door hatch. I'm trying to go with a hatch for utility's sake.

The Duratec is chain with no keys anywhere, the Zetec is belt with a keyed crank sprocket. The Zetec top end is alot easier to work on in the car than a Duratec as a result of this.

Starting in 05 the 2.0 Duratec was also an option, best budget route is to get a 2.0 Duratec car (cheap), assemble a Ranger 2.3 Duratec engine (cheap) using the oil pan and cams from the 2.0 Duratec and the front cover from a 2.3 Duratec Focus (deck height of the 2.3 is taller than 2.0, front cover is thus unique to 2.3 ST/PZEV Focus). Add desired exterior bolt ons at the same time, get it 'tuned' for a solid ~170-180 whp and then run it till the body rusts away.

All Focus front suspension until 2012 is interchangeable as long as struts and springs stay together. Front springs are straight, single and double pigtail depending on year, so the spring mount on the strut and top mount must stay with the correct spring. From memory the cutoffs for fronts are 00-05, 06-07, 08-11.

Rear suspension is unique to wagon: subframe, springs, dampers, control arms, but wagon is eye/eye shock and not the eye/stud as hatch/sedan so finding dampers is straightforward, Koni's are probably still available. Wagon rear springs are unique and would pose the greatest challenge today if Eibach is no longer making their wagon 'Pro Kit'. Although they can custom wind if you pay them enough.

Stabars front/rear are interchangeable 00-11 assumimg the rear subframe has the stabar mounts. Front stabar is a PIA but small stock bar with 'grippy' bushings is preferred anyway.

FSP_ZX2 wrote: Wagons had struts in back, others were shocks/springs.

Umm. I think that is the other way around.

iceracer wrote:

FSP_ZX2 wrote: Wagons had struts in back, others were shocks/springs.

Umm. I think that is the other way around.

Sedans and hatches have rear shocks and separate springs...you can almost just pop the (lowereing) springs right out of the LCAs

FSP_ZX2 wrote:

iceracer wrote:

FSP_ZX2 wrote: Wagons had struts in back, others were shocks/springs.

Umm. I think that is the other way around.

Sedans and hatches have rear shocks and separate springs...you can almost just pop the (lowereing) springs right out of the LCAs

Yup, wagons lost the control blade rear suspension, which is more or less the best part of the car as I understand it.

In reply to grpb:

The Ranger Duratec into a 2005+ interests me. Why go Ranger? Better internals or just cheaper? Would accessories bolt in same places?

grpb wrote: All Focus front suspension until 2012 is interchangeable as long as struts and springs stay together.

Not quite totally interchangeable. The front strut diameter changed around 2005. You can change for the older SVT suspension but you will have to change the hubs to do it right. Or you could try shimming the diameter of the strut, it is only ~2mm difference.

In reply Hal:

Oops, yes, I have never NOT put an SVT knuckle into a pre-05 car so I forget that some people may want to (why?) keep the pre-05 non-SVT knuckle. Pre-05 they're usually so rusty that I would rather not try to separate the knuckle from the strut and just take the knuckle/strut/spring assy out and into the trash.

Also I forgot the out tie rod end changed to non-handed in 06 maybe? I forget now, been out of that stuff for a long time.

In reply to GTwannaB: 2.3 Ranger because they are plentiful, cheap and non-balance shaft, non-VCT. Also 2.3 Focus motors are quite rare and therefore not realistic to find easily. As I recall with the Focus timing cover/oil pan/accessories Ranger 2.3 was a very nice Focus bolt in.

In reply to Kenny_McCormic: No. All focus rear suspension to 2012 are the same basic geometry. Because of the parcel floor requirements on the wagon the subframe ear heights are different which changed the damper mount and upper control arm. Toe and camber curves are slightly different, damper motion ratio is reduced because of the mounting angle, but spring motion ratio is the same, just lengths are different.

Lower lateral arms are interchangeable, upper later arm on wagon is just a tube instead of a curved forging, and the trailing arm/blade is different because of the double shear through-bolt mount on the wagon instead of the weldnut/through bolt on hatch/sedan.