Turboing my Focus

[kjsoccerdude]

Hey guys. New to the site. Just got linked here by somebody on FF. I was asking around there about this but asking here sounds like a good idea seeing as you're all local. I've been thinking about Turboing my Focus for a while and would really like to. The thing is, A. I'm not rich, I'm a college student. B. I know little to nothing about Turbos (But I want to learn). and C. I don't know where I should be looking to get a set up. I have talked to Tom from FF and to get his kit and have it installed would run me around 6K, 7K including install and tune. That's a little up there for me.

My question is, is there a better way for me to be going at this in MN? If I do end up just buying a kit where could I have it installed? And is there anything else I should know about this. (I'm sure there is quite a bit.)

Anyway, thanks for any answers,

Kevin

[Y2k]

welcome to the site. we have a few boosted foci around here and sounds like 7k is a bit on high side. Most of our boozted car was installed in our own garage. db performance in Rogers MN have tuned one of our foci here and their price is reasonable and I think we have more supercharged foci here vs turbo. If you want to have someone install it, Pros on RiverFront drive experienced installing one and they can help you out. You should post ride pics

[kjsoccerdude]

Thanks for the response. If 7K is high, what do you think is reasonable? And sorry if I'm asking to much, but what are some good kits? (Links are always nice) I've looked around without too much success.

And on a side note, seeing as you drive a black boosted Neon, I'm pretty sure I saw you drive down Victory last night behind some Mustang going a little fast.



This is my car. It's stock in these pics. Right now all I've put on it is my AEM SRI. Trying to decide what to do next.

[zurno]

oooh, 5 door

what are your power goals?

and I believe this kit would cost you a bit less http://www.xiosmotorworks.com/

[CleanZX3]

On sale:

http://www.focussport.com/supercharger.htm

Yeah its not a turbo, but a good deal.

[Patalrob]

Put a lowering kit and some wheels on there before you go with a turbo.

As for a turbo... I don't want to get started on Tom, i'm just going to say I do not like the guy....

Both of those already mentioned are very good options. How much power do you want to get out of the car? About 200 hp would be a blast. You can check with FORDSVTPARTS and see how much the Jackson Racing super chargers are. There is a stock zetec on here hitting 200 hp with his JRSC.

Also don't forget to add in a heavier duty clutch and a LSD if you really wanted to get spicy.

[kjsoccerdude]

Thanks for the answers so far guys. I guess I hadn't really though too much about a Supercharger instead. That kit looks pretty nice. I might look into that. Another question I had is would these kits run fine on stock cars? Also, just how hard would that kit be to install? If possible not having to pay install would be awesome, but I don't want to end up trying to do it myself and messing my car up.

Also, for power goals. I guess my initial goal would be 200 bhp, but more is never a bad thing.

Any other suggestions about any of this are always welcome.

Kevin

[Patalrob]

If you feel you are mechanically inclined it wouldn't be an extremly diffecult job.

Those kits should be fine with a stock engine. It mainly depends on how well they are tuned.

Pappy or o2 might pipe in here since they have those kits metioned.

[frankjt96]

Personally I'd do suspension before a turbo. Anyhow getting on subject. It'd be cheaper to put a kit together yourself. Ask most of the guys on here if you need help. FORDSVTPARTS can help you with all of your part needs (mechanical and otherwise) and HOTRODWAGON can help you with visual aspects. (Rims, body peices, etc...). As far as getting it tuned, I'd take it to SCI in Minneapolis. That's where I've brought all of my Vdubs in the past. They mainly do euros but they'll work on anything. If interested they can also help you piece together a kit. Some of the things involved are;
Turbo
BOV or DV
Intercooler
Downpipe
Manifold
Injectors
Fuel rail
Spark plugs
Turbo timer
Boost gauge
Boost controller
I'm sure I forgot a few things. A kit will run you anywhere between $2000 and $5000. If you put ia kit together yourself you could do it for under $1500.

If you're looking to run a lot of boost you're going to need new rods, pistons, rings, and a new head. If not then you could run 7lbs of boost and be safe for daily driving. Seven pounds of boost will only get you 180whp or so. If you want to talk to the guys at SCI let me know and I'll pass you along their number.

[kjsoccerdude]

The more I think about it that Focus Sport Supercharger kit looks better and better. It's a pretty good price. Under $2500 shipped and with the programming. And after doing some research I guess it just seems more practical for me. I might even be able to install it myself with some time and patience. I'll just need to save up some money and hopefully it will still be at the price it's at now in a few months.

Again, thanks for any and all responses to this thread. Feel free to tell me anything else I might need to know or what not.

A question I did think of though. If I do get this kit, how hard would it be to wire a boost gauge?

Kevin

[Steve@Tasca]

The Focus sport kit is a great deal as is plus it's upgradeable.

Honestly much past 200whp on a stock Zetec bottom end is just flirting with disaster, ask Cleanzx3 about his old turbo car.

[Patalrob]

I have never wired up a boost gauge but I believe they are very simple.

You will want a Wideband also.

[HilloNative]

The Focus sport kit is a great deal as is plus it's upgradeable.

Honestly much past 200whp on a stock Zetec bottom end is just flirting with disaster, ask Cleanzx3 about his old turbo car.

^^^ Steve is right, you are going to need some kind of upgrades to be sure that you dont blow the engine.

[kjsoccerdude]

Ok, from what I've read and seen that kit brings a stock Zetec up to about 180 hp. So I think I would be alright to start. After that I would upgrade the things needed to have any more hp.

[ch435]

A Boost Gauge is not hard to install at all. Its just a single line running to your vacuum line. The only caution I have about boost - be careful - its addicting! I keep wanting more, lol. And by golly, now I'm gonna get it!