modifying guide - Fast Ford
modifying guide - Fast Ford
modifying guide - Fast Ford
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HOW TO MODIFY:<br />
1.8/2-<br />
LITRE<br />
The ST170 and Focus RS often<br />
overshadow the 1.8 and 2-litre<br />
Focuses, but don’t think that you<br />
have to own one of these ‘sport’<br />
models to see good power.<br />
With a number of engine<br />
upgrades available, 400-plus bhp<br />
is well within your reach, not to<br />
mention all the possibilities in<br />
between. So, whether you use your<br />
Focus everyday or just as a track<br />
The 1.8-litre Zetec produced around<br />
115 bhp as standard, and the slightly<br />
larger capacity 2-litre version kicked<br />
out 130 bhp. Although not massively<br />
powerful, they do provide a good<br />
base from which to start <strong>modifying</strong>.<br />
Let’s look at tuning the naturallyaspirated<br />
route. You need to get the<br />
air in and out of it as quickly as<br />
possible, so an induction kit, or<br />
performance panel fi lter and exhaust<br />
system with a de-cat pipe will do this.<br />
Add an uprated chip to make the<br />
most of these mods. Engine<br />
Advantages can supply the chip you<br />
need for £450 all-in, this will then see<br />
you with an extra 15-20 bhp.<br />
Next, is a set of high performance<br />
cams. Engine Advantages uses Kent<br />
Cams’ Sports R variety, with duration<br />
of 292 degrees and a 10 mm lift. With<br />
this and the previous mods and you’ll<br />
be looking at 30 bhp over standard.<br />
After that you’ll need to start<br />
working on the head. £400 will see<br />
you with a nice skimmed, ported and<br />
polished item, giving you another 6-8<br />
bhp. The good thing about the Zetec<br />
head is that it uses the same size<br />
valves as found in the Focus RS<br />
engine, so at this point there is no<br />
need to start nailing in bigger valves.<br />
/ MODIFYING GUIDE / FOCUS 1.8/2-LITRE /<br />
FOCUS<br />
Not massively powerful out of<br />
the box, but there’s plenty you<br />
can do to make your Focus fl y.<br />
So, what are you waiting for?<br />
ENGINE<br />
toy, there’s a state of tune that<br />
will suit you and more importantly,<br />
your wallet.<br />
Then there’s the wide range of<br />
exterior and interior styling mods<br />
available, so putting your own stamp<br />
on your Focus isn’t a problem either.<br />
Choose your modifi cations wisely<br />
and you’ll soon be able to show the<br />
ST170 and Focus RS boys a trick or<br />
too. Want to know how? Read on.<br />
Full-on race-spec lumps are available<br />
which feature a lightened and balanced<br />
bottom end, knife-edged crank, bigger<br />
stainless steel valves, throttle bodies<br />
and stand-alone management<br />
systems. These will kick out a<br />
whopping 230-240 bhp, but you’ll<br />
probably have to sell a kidney to fund it.<br />
Another route is turbocharging.<br />
Engine Advantages does a low boost<br />
turbo conversion for less than £3K,<br />
and has recorded some impressive<br />
results. Despite running boost at<br />
6-8 psi, the fi rm had a 1.8-litre<br />
Focus with this conversion that<br />
produced 183 bhp.<br />
The kit includes a T25<br />
hybrid turbo, pipework and<br />
manifolds, a front-mount<br />
intercooler, alloy boost<br />
hoses and an uprated chip.<br />
There is a high-boost<br />
turbo route. Prices depend<br />
on the exact spec of the<br />
engine, but it won’t be cheap.<br />
You’ll need low-comp pistons,<br />
strengthened con rods, more<br />
headwork, different cams and<br />
engine management, but 400plus<br />
bhp is possible. For more info<br />
on high-boost conversions speak<br />
to Engine Advantages.<br />
xxx<br />
ENGINE SWAPS<br />
If you don’t fancy spending<br />
time and money fettling your<br />
car’s original engine, there<br />
are a couple of alternative<br />
powerplants that will drop<br />
straight into the Focus shell.<br />
First up is the ST170 engine.<br />
Depending on how cheaply you<br />
can pick up an ST170 lump for,<br />
the conversion normally costs<br />
around two grand, but this price<br />
does include the ST170 sixspeed<br />
gearbox and ECU.<br />
Another possible swap is to<br />
drop the Focus RS engine in.<br />
There maybe a few headaches<br />
concerning the track with this<br />
option though, as the RS Focus is<br />
wider than standard, but if you get<br />
the RS driveshafts with the<br />
engine and ‘box, Engine<br />
Advantages is confi dent the<br />
problem could be overcome.<br />
Prices for this conversion<br />
would depend largely on the<br />
cost of the RS engine, if you<br />
can get hold of one at all.<br />
However, it would provide you<br />
with 212 bhp and an ATB diff<br />
as standard, with a tuning<br />
potential of 400-plus bhp.<br />
If you fancy trying something<br />
a little different, we haven’t<br />
heard of a Focus with the V6<br />
from an ST220 Mondeo in it.<br />
Engine Advantages has yet to fi t<br />
one but sees no reason why it<br />
can’t be done.<br />
Words: Jamie King<br />
Photos: Gerard Hughes<br />
RS transplant for easy bhp<br />
0 1 1 4 SEPTEMBER 2006 FAST FORD FAST FORD SEPTEMBER 2006 0 1 1 5
INTERIOR<br />
There are a loads of different Focus<br />
models about, including a number<br />
of limited edition versions, so making<br />
the interior of your Focus a nice place<br />
to be shouldn’t prove a problem.<br />
Many of the limited edition models<br />
had leather interior, so upgrading to a<br />
luxury seating arrangement isn’t all<br />
that diffi cult.<br />
If you want a motorsport feel you’ve<br />
got a few options. You could either rob<br />
the lot from a dead Focus RS, if you can<br />
fi nd one. If you fancy something a little<br />
different from factory trim talk to<br />
specialists like Demon Tweeks who<br />
can supply you with products from all<br />
the big name players within the<br />
industry such as Sparco, Cobra, Recaro<br />
and OMP.<br />
0 1 1 6 SEPTEMBER 2006 FAST FORD<br />
/ MODIFYING GUIDE / FOCUS 1.8/2-LITRE /<br />
Buckets will set<br />
off any interior<br />
Colour-coding is an<br />
easy personal touch<br />
Want to keep the air bag? A<br />
retrim will liven up the wheel
Upgrade brakes<br />
to avoid fade<br />
BRAKES<br />
The standard <strong>Ford</strong> brakes on the 1.8<br />
and 2-litre Focus are really quite<br />
poor. You can improve them by<br />
adding all the usual stuff: <strong>Fast</strong> Road<br />
pads; better brake fl uid and braided<br />
hoses, all of which will give better<br />
feel and reduce fade.<br />
However, if you want to stop in a<br />
hurry you should look at a different<br />
set-up completely. One of the most<br />
common brake modifi cations is to<br />
opt for the ST170 kit. The ST170 discs<br />
are bigger, and when it comes to<br />
brakes we all know that bigger<br />
equals better. The real beauty of the<br />
ST170 set-up is that it will all simply<br />
bolt straight on, making it extremely<br />
cost effective. Pumabuild is currently<br />
doing the conversion for £450, which<br />
includes all brand new bits.<br />
As the ST170 also had rear discs it<br />
might be a good idea to upgrade to<br />
these too, but it will dent your wallet<br />
to the tune of £500. If you do opt for<br />
WHEELS & TYRES<br />
When it comes to wheels and tyres<br />
it really is up to you. However, with<br />
the number of different styles<br />
currently available, making your<br />
decision could be a bit tricky. Even<br />
if you wanted to stick with genuine<br />
<strong>Ford</strong> items there is still plenty of<br />
choice from the different Focus<br />
models around.<br />
What you use your car for will<br />
infl uence your decision. If your<br />
Focus is blinged up to the max,<br />
you’ll need a nice set of chrome<br />
rims to keep with the theme.<br />
However, if it’s a proper track slag<br />
then you’ll want a set of lightweight<br />
competition wheels.<br />
So, how big can you go? Well,<br />
you can squeeze a set of 18 inch<br />
rims with low-profi le tyres under<br />
the standard arches, without<br />
/ MODIFYING GUIDE / FOCUS 1.8/2-LITRE /<br />
the ST170 brake set-up all round, fi t<br />
a decent set of <strong>Fast</strong> Road pads as<br />
the standard <strong>Ford</strong> ones aren’t great<br />
and will cake your wheels in brake<br />
dust in next to no time.<br />
If the standard ST170<br />
arrangement still isn’t man enough<br />
for you, this can be upgraded too.<br />
The standard 1.8 and 2-litre brakes<br />
have the callipers attached to the<br />
hub, so bigger discs are not possible.<br />
However, the ST170 set-up had the<br />
lug-type fi xing, and Amber<br />
Performance can sell you a set of AP<br />
Racing four-pot callipers and 330<br />
mm discs to fi t for £1400.<br />
Brembo four-pots found on the<br />
Focus RS are a possibility, and can<br />
also get the upgrade treatment.<br />
An AP Racing kit including six-pot<br />
callipers and 335 mm discs is yours<br />
for £1700, but you won’t be able to<br />
get wheels any smaller than 18<br />
inches to fi t over them.<br />
having to hack away at them.<br />
Anything over this size will require<br />
a certain amount of modifi cation to<br />
the wheelarches, and may cause<br />
problems when it comes to full lock<br />
on the steering.<br />
If your Focus is your everyday<br />
car you’ll want some rubber that<br />
will offer you grip all year round,<br />
and there’s a huge variety to<br />
choose from. If you only use your<br />
motor in the summer for shows or<br />
the odd bit of track abuse, a set of<br />
Toyo R888 semi-slick track day<br />
tyres could be the order of the day.<br />
They’re not terrifi c in the wet, but<br />
when it’s dry they will make your<br />
Focus stick to the road like the<br />
proverbial to a blanket. Tuning<br />
specialists LPS can do you a set of<br />
215/45/17s for £547 delivered.<br />
Quality tyres help<br />
with handling<br />
EXTERIOR<br />
With the Focus being almost as popular in the<br />
US as it is here, there are a number of styling<br />
products available from there too. A quick<br />
search on the ‘net will give you loads of<br />
bodykits to drool over.<br />
If you don’t want to sit in front of a computer<br />
all day, ESP Design has a huge variety of stuff.<br />
Find the ad in FF and get in touch for a catalogue.<br />
If chrome and stainless shiny bits tickle your<br />
fancy, and you want everything under the<br />
bonnet so clean you can eat your dinner off it,<br />
give Auto Specialists a bell. It will be able to<br />
take care of even the most severe bufty<br />
tendencies, and has a huge collection of parts<br />
for the Focus.<br />
Dropping the<br />
standard mirrors<br />
is a good start<br />
Tonnes of styling<br />
parts about so<br />
get shopping<br />
0 1 1 8 SEPTEMBER 2006 FAST FORD FAST FORD SEPTEMBER 2006 0 1 1 9
TRANSMISSION<br />
The IB5 gearbox (1.8) and MTX75<br />
(2.0) are pretty strong, and are<br />
capable of dealing with up to 200-<br />
250 bhp, so there’s no real need to<br />
change them. If you want to speed<br />
the gearchanges up a little a B&M<br />
quickshift will set you back<br />
around £100.<br />
If you are intent on big power,<br />
and the IB5 ‘box just isn’t going to<br />
be strong enough for<br />
Quaife ATB<br />
— the daddy<br />
The IB5 is a tough ’box but over 250 bhp<br />
and you may need an upgrade<br />
what you have in mind, then the<br />
best option would be to throw in a<br />
Focus RS gearbox. Not only do<br />
they come with the ATB diff that<br />
will help you put all of that power<br />
on the road, they are also<br />
incredibly strong. We have heard<br />
stories of motors in excess of 400<br />
bhp using the MTX75 Focus RS<br />
‘box, with no problems at all.<br />
SUSPENSION<br />
When it comes to handling, the<br />
Focus is in pretty good shape as<br />
standard, but as ever there are<br />
ways to improve. If you just want<br />
to lower your car, the cheapest<br />
option would be to simply swap<br />
the springs over for some lowering<br />
items. This is fi ne for looks, but don’t<br />
expect any great improvements in<br />
handling, if any.<br />
For that you will need to bolt on a<br />
full lowering kit, which includes<br />
lowering springs plus a set of<br />
uprated dampers designed for the<br />
job. Amber Performance can supply<br />
you with a SPAX sports suspension<br />
kit for £275. If you want adjustable<br />
damping a kit will cost around £400,<br />
but will dramatically improve the<br />
handling of your Focus.<br />
If track days are your thing, you’ll<br />
be looking at whacking on a set of<br />
coil-overs, to give you better ride<br />
height and damping adjustments.<br />
These are also available from Amber<br />
Performance for around £650.<br />
Drop your Focus for<br />
a super low stance<br />
FAST FORD SEPTEMBER 2006<br />
0 1 2 1
MINE ALL MINE...<br />
This black beauty belongs to Steven<br />
Ashby. He’s owned it for six years, yet<br />
only started <strong>modifying</strong> it from<br />
standard spec in the last 18 months.<br />
“It started when I saw the bodykit<br />
and wheels I wanted on the Internet. I<br />
was searching around to fi nd<br />
someone decent to fi t them and<br />
stumbled across the FFOC. Since I<br />
joined up it’s all spiralled out of<br />
control,” he tells us.<br />
This is the 2-litre version, and the<br />
engine pushes out around 150 bhp<br />
thanks to a BMC induction kit, Bluefi n,<br />
OBX 4-2-1 manifold and de-cat, and a<br />
Powerfl ow cat-back exhaust.<br />
It stops quickly too thanks to the<br />
ST170 brake upgrade.<br />
Handling is taken care of by tasty<br />
SPAX coil-overs, which even with<br />
those huge 19 inch Kei rims, allows a<br />
60 mm drop in ride height.<br />
Performance isn’t the main<br />
attraction of this Focus though — it’s<br />
looks. A full Rieger RRX bodykit, carbon<br />
vented bonnet and wings, and<br />
some really trick<br />
headlights<br />
0 1 2 2 SEPTEMBER 2006 FAST FORD<br />
/ MODIFYING GUIDE / FOCUS 1.8/2-LITRE /<br />
that sparkle when light hits them has<br />
made sure he won’t lose his Focus in a<br />
car park.<br />
The interior has had the same<br />
treatment. A full retrim in white<br />
Alcantara and black leather, including<br />
those Cobra Sidewinders, and some<br />
clever lighting in the roof, which is all<br />
hooked up to the stereo, makes the<br />
inside more elegant than a palace. ICE<br />
is provided by an Alpine touch-screen<br />
DVD player with screens moulded into<br />
the back of the seats, a PS2 and a<br />
custom boot install.<br />
You’d think Steven would be happy<br />
with what he’s got, but as is the way<br />
with modifi ed motors he’s already got<br />
a long shopping list of bits to come<br />
next. These include custom door<br />
cards, a custom dash with sat-nav and<br />
an array of gauges all moulded in,<br />
replacing the PS2 with a trick X-Box,<br />
and topping the bill is either a<br />
turbocharger or supercharger<br />
conversion. We love it!<br />
Steven’s done well with<br />
his Focus engine bay<br />
SPECIALISTS<br />
Amber Performance<br />
0845 2600015<br />
www.amber-performance.co.uk<br />
Auto Specialists 01375 850062<br />
www.autospecialists.co.uk<br />
Demon Tweeks 0845 3306245<br />
www.demon-tweeks.co.uk<br />
Engine Advantages 01376 502522<br />
www.engine-advantages.co.uk<br />
ESP Design 0870 7518000<br />
www.espdesign.co.uk<br />
LPS 01473 610102<br />
www.lpsauto.co.uk<br />
Pumabuild 0121 3562638<br />
www.pumabuild.co.uk<br />
TYPICAL PRICES<br />
Uprated chip (fi tted) £450.00<br />
SPAX lowering kit £275.00<br />
Rieger RRX bodykit<br />
ST170 front brake<br />
£634.00<br />
conversion<br />
£450.00<br />
Toyo R888 tyres<br />
£547.00<br />
CLUB<br />
<strong>Ford</strong> Focus Owners’ Club<br />
www.ffoc.co.uk