Focus SVT vs. Focus not-SVT

I'm not sure I'd look for an svt based on part availability alone. Sure it's a fun neat car to drive but not cool enough to be stuck finding parts on the Facebook groups and eBay. (There are plenty on them but you'll often have to wait for them to pop up or start hoarding them.)

id honestly pass on the frpp kit unless you were doing basic massing and wanted the cheapest set possible to upgrade. Eibach, h&r, vogtland etc all make springs for the car. Plus a lot of companies make c/o's as well. I've seen BC, kw, rice lands and several others.

I'd jump on the 2.0/2.3 train or swap in a 2.5 if you're up for it. They are just easier to live with. Plus doing a face swap from the later cars to the earlier ones (including svt) are a simple bolt on if you think they look better. Hood, fenders, bumper and headlights. Just about every junk yard today will have a plethora of those. (Minus svt stuff obviously)

Fswerks makes good stuff but the tuner everyone loved (Randy I think) left and is working for someone else. Also check out c-f-m, steeda and massive.

Hope I was of help.

I'd go regular 2.3 over SVT any day. I don't think the SVT premium is justified when you can bolt on the entire suspension (shocks, springs, and swaybar) for under $350 if you want. The 2.3 makes more torque as well.

Had a 2004 2.3 ZX5 with suspension upgrades (Konis, thicker sway, Massive brace) that I drove to two local autox class championships. It made a pretty nice daily driver as well.

I would rate the 2.3 Duratec and the regular 2.0 Zetec higher that the SVt Zetec. I was able to get 140 WHP out of my 2.0 Zetec with larger MAF and TB, 2000 intake mainifold, cams, and exhaust. When I changed that to a PowerWorks supercharger the WHP jumped to 223.

IMO, the SVT motor has too many fussy, unreliable parts (intake, etc) that produce very little gain. On the race car I crewed for we were constantly fixing that dual length intake mechanism.

The 2.3 Duratec with a Cosworth intake manifold would be my choice to start with and go from there.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to ProDarwin: In zx3 it's rare, 2 years nationally, with an additional year or 2 of sales in NY and California. For some reason the ZX4 sedan body got a lot more 2.3L duratecs.

So what particular package/option/year/etc do I look for if I want a 2.3 ZX5?

My daughter's 2007 ZX5 with the Duratec 2.0 is fairly peppy, even with an auto.

Another thing, the Duratecs have timing chains and the Zetecs have belts.

In reply to ProDarwin:

Unfortunately there's no easy break down of options or trim levels to tell, it's a visual inspection only, or have a dealer run the VIN. Here's a breakdown, the shielded line is a sign of a 2.3L but only if it's still there

If someone wanted a 2.3L manual sedan, this would be a GRM special...

I'm not sure if this ZX5 is a 2.3L or not, but it's definitely a duratec/manual combo but it's up in PA

This one is definitely a 2.3L ZX5 as the 2.3L were the PZEV motor

and since the OP was about an SVT, here's one of those as well:

I'm not sure why southern PA is such a hotbed for Focuses

If it's an 03 to 04 duratec it's a 2.3 If it's an 05+ duratec and NOT an st trim; It's a 2.0. If it's the ST trim from 05-07 it's a 2.3

This is what you're looking for, the tell tale signs are year, trim and engine cover.

In reply to TurboFocus:

There were non-ST cars with PZEV emissions code that were 2.3L, most were originally sold in CA or NY.

Edit: just saw you posted from 05+, which is correct, after 05, the 2.3L was only in the ST.

03-04 cars were mostly in CA and NY. Wouldn't be surprised about the rest being there either but i don't remember seeing much on 05+ 2.3 being mainly from those states.

It also makes me very suspicious of your 05 pzev being a 2.3... I don't remember anything about that option past 04 on non st cars. Though I don't think I'd toss it out as a fake yet. I'd run the vin thru Ford first before buying that specific one.

captdownshift wrote: I'm not sure why southern PA is such a hotbed for Focuses

Because one of the best Focus tuning shops in the country is in Dillsburg, PA. Been doing the Focus since the beginning in 2000.

Look for a"Z" in the vin for a duratec. The only duratec in 2003 and 2004 is the 2.3. So either of those years with the Z is what you want.

Out of curiosity does any know what is involved in a 2.5 swap. I M guessing that swap would not pass a visual inspection on states where they check, right?

In reply to Hal:

Interesting, I wasn't aware but was curious if it was due to the Focus Rising shows at Carlisle, I'm sure that said shop is involved with those events.

In reply to GTwannaB:

I did a 2.5 swap in a Mazda3. Is it basically a long block swap, everything else needs to be swapped. Nice torque bump though, and the 2.5 is cheaper than the 2.3 in junkyards. We got a 900 mile motor for $700 from a 2012 Fusion, spotless inside as would be expected with less than 1000 miles.

WildScotsRacing wrote: In reply to nepa03focus: In answer to your suspension question: FRPP Focus suspension kits

I wonder what if all that would interchange into my wife's 2008? It is in need of suspension love, it's pretty well worn. I've heard there is some commonality between the gens?

In reply to Hal:

Interesting, what's the name? Why haven't I heard of this before?

In reply to GTwannaB:

I'm guessing it probably would, afaik it's a plug and play motor swap. Exhaust intake and most other parts are interchangeable.

In reply to joey48442:

I don't remember if the frpp svt kit would though if it will you'll want the 'omni' kit from massive. It's basically a set of shims to have 05+ cars fit earlier suspension bits. There is a little crossover though. 05 model year cars built in 04 often have the hubs to already fit the earlier stuff.

Another vote for the 2.3. I still look for manual 2.3 cars on Craigslist because they're so rare.

I honestly hated the SVT Getrag gearing and dual mass flywheel. Hated it. Gutless off the line. Felt like my Miata on 2 cylinders gutlesss.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Hal: Interesting, I wasn't aware but was curious if it was due to the Focus Rising shows at Carlisle, I'm sure that said shop is involved with those events.

PM with Focus Rising story coming your way.

TurboFocus wrote: In reply to Hal: Interesting, what's the name? Why haven't I heard of this before?

Don't know why you haven't heard of McNew's Automotive, 266 Old York Rd, Dillsburg, PA 17019. Bobby and Ray have been working with the Focus since the beginning in 2000. Back in 2002 they got Random Technology to make high flow catalytic converters for the Focus. One of the original 5 produced is still on the car I sold last June.

They have an in-house dyno and Ray has probably tuned a couple hundred Focuses. They are one of the old fashioned speed shops where you can get parts, installations, and tuning.

TurboFocus wrote: In reply to joey48442: I don't remember if the frpp svt kit would though if it will you'll want the 'omni' kit from massive. It's basically a set of shims to have 05+ cars fit earlier suspension bits. There is a little crossover though. 05 model year cars built in 04 often have the hubs to already fit the earlier stuff.

Use this: Massive Speed Systems Omni Kit plus the 1st gen (through '05) upper strut mounts and you can use all the Focus suspension good stuff. Just shop for '04 items.

Ah, I have heard of them.

Never actually looked into them since the name doesn't pop up very much.

WildScotsRacing wrote:

TurboFocus wrote: In reply to joey48442: I don't remember if the frpp svt kit would though if it will you'll want the 'omni' kit from massive. It's basically a set of shims to have 05+ cars fit earlier suspension bits. There is a little crossover though. 05 model year cars built in 04 often have the hubs to already fit the earlier stuff.

Use this: Massive Speed Systems Omni Kit plus the 1st gen (through '05) upper strut mounts and you can use all the Focus suspension good stuff. Just shop for '04 items.

Ok awesome thanks guys! So the Omni kit plus whatever suspension package I go with? Shocks/struts and springs? Any thing else? This is a commuter for my wife, doesn't need much lowering but she does enjoy a well handling car, as she's spent many miles driving miatas and such.

double check with the guys over at www.focusfanatics.com

im sure if you search that site you'll find an answer without needing to make a new thread

EDIT: oops E36 M3, site says thru '11 so yea. summit usually has the svt frpp kit for cheap plus those. enjoy roughly a half inch drop and a much sportier ride on the cheap!

TurboFocus wrote: double check with the guys over at www.focusfanatics.com im sure if you search that site you'll find an answer without needing to make a new thread EDIT: oops E36 M3, site says thru '11 so yea. summit usually has the svt frpp kit for cheap plus those. enjoy roughly a half inch drop and a much sportier ride on the cheap!

Hmm, I'm not seeing an frpp kit on summit? I see two different shock/strut sets for 210 and 237, but no frpp spring.