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#1 | ||
Starter Motor
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1
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Hello everyone,
As you would probably gather from my post title, I am new to the forums, so hi! Second I have just recently been the proud purchaser of an 08 focus ![]() I love the car, drives fantastic, clean and easy to get around in, no BS basically and they are pretty quick little beasts. Anyway I'll get more to the point. With good ole K Rudds $900 economy booster getting deposited into my back account very soon, I have been thinking of performance upgrades for my car. But i want some feedback before I do/try anything. 1. Is it worth it? Should I worry about it, or wait a lil while and buy a xr5/rs? (which won't be for a long while). 2. If It is worth it, what is the best money can buy performance upgrade? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, nor do I want to turbo it. So yeah, thats about it really. If anyone has any helpful information that they want to add feel free. Ill post some pics up soon of my lil black beast! |
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#2 | ||
Eat my Brake Dust
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In the back with Miss Alba
Posts: 985
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go for the biggest brakes you can buy..... lol
seriosly through answer 1. I guess it depends on how much you want out of it. The costs of modifying the base models to match the performance of the XR5 will prove to be much higher than the cost of buying an XR5. So you may as well wait for the XR5 answer 2. most people seem to go for dba rotors, king springs super lows, k&n cai, x-force or magnaflow exhuast system and a new flash tune. Obviosly you can't get all that for $900 so if you want power go for the tune to begin with, if you want handling and looks then start with the springs.
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Small Ford Sunday 2009 - Best Modified Car presented by the EuroFord Club Small Ford Sunday 2009 - Best Focus (Non-XR5) presented by the RS Owners Club of Victoria Sydney All Ford Day 2009 - Best in Club presented by The Combined Ford Clubs of NSW Small Ford Sunday 2010 - Best Modified Car presented by the EuroFord Club ![]() ![]() |
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#3 | ||
Eat my Brake Dust
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In the back with Miss Alba
Posts: 985
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Oh yeah and welocme to the forums..... (almost forgot that part....)
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Small Ford Sunday 2009 - Best Modified Car presented by the EuroFord Club Small Ford Sunday 2009 - Best Focus (Non-XR5) presented by the RS Owners Club of Victoria Sydney All Ford Day 2009 - Best in Club presented by The Combined Ford Clubs of NSW Small Ford Sunday 2010 - Best Modified Car presented by the EuroFord Club ![]() ![]() |
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#4 | ||
Focus & Territory TDCi
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 251
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what type of focus did ya get? diesel, petrol? zetec cx etc?
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#5 | |||
yum
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,417
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Quote:
For the 900 I'd go Eibach springs, DIY intake, exhaust headers and replace the restrictive muffler on the stock system. You'll need to replace the standard rotors around 45,000kms so do the DBAs then.
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2005 LS Focus LX
Nov05 | Manual | Black Sapphire 250,000kms. |
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#6 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Victoria
Posts: 877
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Hi and welcome!
I agree with all the above. For looks and handling - get some springs. A tint also makes a big difference to looks. For power - you'll need to modify the intake, headers and exhuast, and then finish it off with a tune. The brakes do wear out, and I'd also recommend the DBA rotors. |
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#7 | ||
Badly Focused
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 487
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Start by making it stick. Here's how I'd break down the costs (assuming you're handy with basic spanners)
Eibach springs $400 OR XR5 springs $150 Whiteline swaybar $180 Cold air intake $100-200 Bendix Ultimate pads $120 Catback exhaust $300 If you go for the XR5 springs, that mostly fits into your budget, and it'll make for a very worthwhile upgrade. If you've got CL spec rubber, I'd recommend tyres and rims as well. -RM.
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07 LT CL, CAI, timing, XR5 springs, LS Zetec wheels 16.045...0.05 of a second! I wanted a 15sec pass! 93 GSR/Evo3...too much to mention, 12.2sec 1/4, FOR SALE! *Maybe we don't try putting holes in things that sink, yeah?* |
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#8 | ||
Nice kitty . .
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 183
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Hey Shazboz – Welcome aboard.
I’m pretty new to the Focus as well and it puts a smile on my head every time I drive it. You’ll find the guys on here are really helpful and a bit of fun. The easiest mod I have made with significant performance improvement is to run on 98RON fuel. Made a big difference in my car. I’m after function out of the Focus and not really interested in having the best looking car in the street so the path I am taking is pretty much as Mullett outlined:- - XR5 springs and dampers; - Better rubber on the standard CL alloys, (17 or 18” wheel upgrade later) - Better brakes (But nothing like Velociraptors’ Brakes. Man they are some serious stoppers!), - Air Intake. There is plenty of info here on this. Plug “Trenchtractor” into the forum search box and have a look at his first class explanation. - Cat back exhaust – 2.25" or 2.5” is the popular choice. - Then the ECU will be re-mapped But mate, if you want to see the upper end of mechanical mods, have a look at Melbzetec’s beastie – This is a serious bit of kit and no turbo!! Cop ya Fredo ![]()
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Just remember, amateurs built the Ark and professionals built the Titanic! Late 2005 LS CL, 5spd Manual, 5 Door, Titanium Grey To Do List:- :- Using 95 RON Fuel (DONE -easiest upgrade of all) :- XR5 Springs (DONE) :- Lower air box removal (DONE) :- K & N Panel Air Filter (DONE) :- 2.25" Cat Back (DONE) :- DBA Brake upgrade (DONE) |
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#9 | ||
Badly Focused
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 487
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Hey Fredo, just something I'm curious about...what rubber do you have on your car? Are you thinking of replacing it because it's knackered, or are you just after more grip?
If it's grip you're chasing, I wouldn't spend the $$$ unless the standard tyres are dead. The standard Goodyears are pretty damn sticky (even if they're noisy as ), you probably won't do a *lot* better without going to R-Spec rubber. See if you can find a set of 2nd hand zetec or XR5 wheels with good rubber second hand, it'll probably cost the same amount... With the CAI, make sure you're not picking up hot air. I personally think that the K+N kit is probably slower than the standard airbox because there's no heatsheilding or CAI to it... *just my 2c*
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07 LT CL, CAI, timing, XR5 springs, LS Zetec wheels 16.045...0.05 of a second! I wanted a 15sec pass! 93 GSR/Evo3...too much to mention, 12.2sec 1/4, FOR SALE! *Maybe we don't try putting holes in things that sink, yeah?* |
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#10 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Victoria
Posts: 877
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That's the big let down with the K&N kit - no heatshielding. But the kit does include flexible piping to route cold air from in front of the radiator up to the pod filter. Tomorrow I'm hoping to rip out the lower airbox and I've got some addtional 67mm piping to bring some more up from the wheel arch.
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#11 | |||
Nice kitty . .
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 183
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Quote:
Hey Mullett, The mob I bought the car from gave it . . "new rubber all round" Yeah . . . .but it was the $50 Maxiss specials! Made life real exciting particulaly with the amount of on-again/off-again rain we have had in Brisbane recently - just terrible! Got a set of Goodys 2nd hand for the standard alloys. XR5 Wheels are what I wantand I have a birthday coming up! More air in - Replacing the standard filter with a better panel (BMC or K&N)Was thinking of cutting a hole in the lower air box behind the fog light panel and drilling/cutting the panel to let the air in a bit better??
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Just remember, amateurs built the Ark and professionals built the Titanic! Late 2005 LS CL, 5spd Manual, 5 Door, Titanium Grey To Do List:- :- Using 95 RON Fuel (DONE -easiest upgrade of all) :- XR5 Springs (DONE) :- Lower air box removal (DONE) :- K & N Panel Air Filter (DONE) :- 2.25" Cat Back (DONE) :- DBA Brake upgrade (DONE) |
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#12 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Victoria
Posts: 877
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Quote:
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#13 | |||
Badly Focused
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 487
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Quote:
To be honest, the standard airbox probably isn't as much of a restriction as it looks. If anyone can be bothered, make up a vacuum gauge and check different points in the intake for restriction. On the same note, the factory panel filter probably isn't very restrictive either. All of that said, I've got a CAI pipe running down to the front of the passenger wheel with a paper-element pod on the end of it, and it sounds great ![]() -RM.
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07 LT CL, CAI, timing, XR5 springs, LS Zetec wheels 16.045...0.05 of a second! I wanted a 15sec pass! 93 GSR/Evo3...too much to mention, 12.2sec 1/4, FOR SALE! *Maybe we don't try putting holes in things that sink, yeah?* |
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