Ford Focus SVT suspension crazy deal?

So I have finally had it with the tired old suspension my 2003 Ford Focus ZX5 daily driver. I bought the car last year with 132k miles and knew the shocks/struts needed replacement. When looking into the cost of replacement shocks and then reading some forums I came across the Ford Racing SVT suspension kit. The kit is Ford OEM SVT Focus parts, (4) shocks, (4) springs, and a rear sway bar, all which are stiffer and a bit lower than the stock Focus suspension, all for $275:

http://www.amazon.com/RACING-2000-2005-FOCUS-LOWERING-SUSPENSION/dp/B004J02BUY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333809440&sr=8-1

I ordered the kit. Pretty amazing deal right?

When Ford Racing Offered it, It was going for around $400 through retailers. So thats pretty damned good!

05 ZX5, Would that be a Duratec?

That's a good setup at a really good price. I think you'll like it. In related news, my brother is selling my old ZX3 because he doesn't want to teach my 16 year old niece to drive a stick. He claims it's too hard for her, she's just too much of a girl to learn. I'm a very disappointed uncle. Sorry to go off on a tangent, I always thought the SVT setup was a great factory kit and was impressed that ford racing made it available to people who bought the cheaper cars. The fact that the did it at a very affordable price was very cool.

In reply to BobOfTheFuture:

Yes, it's the 2.3l with a 5 speed. I bought the car for $3,350 and have since put 8k miles on it. It is such a great car, good on gas, reliable, fun to drive, holds a ton of stuff. It is the first Ford I've owned and I love it.

Good deal. That is a very good setup. It is the one that I run on my cars and some of my friends have run it on their trackday cars.

Apparently my next car will be a Focus, because the last car I bought lowering springs, shocks, and a rear sway bar for was a Saturn coupe and it cost $700 for all that

KevinM wrote: In reply to BobOfTheFuture: Yes, it's the 2.3l with a 5 speed. I bought the car for $3,350 and have since put 8k miles on it. It is such a great car, good on gas, reliable, fun to drive, holds a ton of stuff. It is the first Ford I've owned and I love it.

Cool! Ive got a 02 SVT. That car with the SVT suspension will be just about as quick. Dooo iiiit.

Great setup

mine is stock except the biggest rear swaybar ever made:

my SVTF well here's a link instead. lots o great pics there.

Good looking car Duetto. Did you have to reinforce the rear arms for that bar?

Update: FedEx delivered on Saturday so the Focus got SVT'd yesterday. It is jaw-dropping amazing, the handling difference compared to my worn out stock suspension. Thank you Ford Racing! It is in fact a crazy deal.

Bob, haven't reinforced yet cause i haven't checked if it is needed. First season with the new giganto-bar.

Instead of swapping to reinforced rear LCAs, I just put a big stiff washer on top of the LCA for the sway bar link bushings to press on. That spreads to load away from the oil-canning center of the LCA out to the "corrugated" sides. I've got a 26mm rear bar (but I also have H&R race springs).

Track time and some hard DD - LCAs still look good!

Good to hear it. The goal for my export is to surpass the performance of the sr package. Suspension should always be the first step. I beeline you should be updating with pics?

Yeah, the M-3000-ZX3 kit is a good deal (and available for similar pricing from just about any where). M-18000-ZX3 is a similarly good deal if you already have an SVT and just want to freshen up the suspension wear items.

random pricing example - http://thefordsource.com/store/motorsports/focus.htm

Tousley Ford is another place for good pricing (check out their subforum on FJ).