This V8 RWD Focus Is A Treat From An Alternate Dimension

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo) 11/07/2013 at 12:37 • Filed to: Daily Turismo

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The 1st gen Focus was a cheap front-wheel-drive economy car, but if you subscribe to William James' theory of unlimited parallel universes, there has to be a universe where the Focus was a cheap rear-wheel-drive V8 economy car. This one must have slipped through a worm hole into ours.

The US market Ford Focus was launched in 2000 with Ford's " New Edge " styling, a unifying design theme dreamed up by Ford's VP of Design Jack Telnack. The Mustang also got New Edginess in 1999 as well as the Cougar (and others) but, mercifully, the cars were allowed to return to segment based styling a few years later. The 1st generation Focus is a cheap beater today, and a surprisingly large number have been converted to V8-rear drive brutes from a variety of tuners, madmen and enthusiasts. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $18,000 in Holland, MI. Featured by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! forum.

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The Focus isn't a bad looking car - in fact it looks like any number of mid nineties to late oughts hatchbacks and isn't something you'd be ashamed to drive to work each day. The sporty SVT model was even fast in its own right, but today's front-V8, rear drive conversion puts any stock Focus to shame.

Under the hood is a carburetor equipped 302 cubic inch Ford V8, good for 340 horsepower with the E303 camshaft and sold from the Ford racing parts catalog for around $4k. The rest of the parts to convert the Focus from a transverse engine front drive to a classic rear drive setup will set you back quite a bit more, the seller of this car claims to have $21k in parts in the car.

It may be a bit late for Halloween, but there is no reason not to put a pumpkin in the back of a Focus - and we can only hope there is some alternate dimension out there where this is factory stock. Praying for a wormhole to appear now...still nothing...waiting...

See a better way to get a 350 horsepower rear-drive hatchback for the price of a new Civic? email us here: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally posted as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Photo credits; craigslist.org

HammerheadFistpunch > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 12:42

8

Its a kit you can buy, there have been several of these. Its a cool idea.

GhostZ > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 12:56

0

340HP with just a cam and carburetor? Is it pulling 7000rpm? I would think it would need a more robust setup for that.

DailyTurismo > GhostZ 11/07/2013 at 12:59

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It is a crate motor you could buy from Ford Motorsports a few years ago. M6007-XB3. Should rev to 6500 IIRC.

GhostZ > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 13:00

0

Ah, that makes sense. I thought it was just a drop-in out of a Fox Body or Lincoln.

Alex87f > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 14:29

7

The second-to-last time I was at a Nürburgring, I was pulling next to the hotel and parked in front of a 1st generation focus, with the hood open and its owner -presumably- tinkering on the engine.

I first though it was the EU ST model, but then I saw the engine bay and realized it had an engine out of a Sierra Cosworth, mounted longitudinally! And it managed to look absolutely stock from the outside, save for the rims.

I didn't get to see it run but I presume it wasn't slow...

ToastyMcBuns > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:27

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....LIKE A GLOVE!

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:29

2

What's more amazing to me is that there a few of these running around with a 4v:

unhcampus > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:29

0

CP. Wrong motor.

Ad Astra > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:30

25

Does this say "Hell Bitch?"

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:31

2

The ATI Terminator Focus featured in SCC years ago is the best example of how crazy you could actually get with these.

The rumor is that while Ford was developing the chassis, they had planned to make the eventual RS variant 4WD, thus there is a tunnel through the center of the car. Since the 4WD Focus RS never happened, they used the tunnel for the exhaust.

It also happens to fit a driveshaft quite well.

There is a guy in SoCal who has an SVT V8 RWD conevrsion that he DD'd for several years before trying to sell it. Not sure if it ever sold.

I've also seen a super-badass RWD V8 Focus Wagon around the web.

Cantalk > Alex87f 11/07/2013 at 15:33

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This is something I dream of doing with a Fiat 126p. Except with a bike engine. I have family in Poland and it'd be nice to have something to run around in on the other side of the pond. And occasionaly take around the 'Ring.

The_Phalanx > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:33

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I live close to it. Maybe I can go get a test drive? Mmmmmmmm...

BeaterGT > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:33

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Still has Ford motor...CP

Blze001 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:36

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This would be seriously fun. Although getting the weight balance right with a big V8 up front would be a challenge.

Now, a kit like this for the EcoBoost V6 the current Mustangs have... now we're talking.

DanimalHouse > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:37

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EARLY 2000s INTERIOR!!!! BLEEEEHHHH!!!!!

Mr. Sinister > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:38

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Local guy has one of these. It gets LOLd at by the import kids, and domestic guys. Until he pops the hood or fires it up. It's got Trick Flow aluminum heads and a rowdy sounding cam, so I'm guessing at least 400chp.

Love My V8 Finder of Paths > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:39

0

+10 for the T grip shifter!

Not sure if B&M or Hurst...or something else, either way it looks gooooood.

nb2abarth > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:41

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actually who still makes FR hatchback these days? not the 3 door coupe(370z/FT86), but 2 door hot hatches? it seems only the 1 series but even bmw will switch the 1 series to FF.

ZXRider > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:41

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This will be my next project for sure. Except I plan to do a Cobra motor swap from an 03-04 Cobra.

ZXRider > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:41

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This will be my next project for sure. Except I plan to do a Cobra motor swap from an 03-04 Cobra.

Party-vi > BeaterGT 11/07/2013 at 15:44

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So did the Ford GT Mk II, and that beat Ferrari in a 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans.

So yeah.

CyanogenModFTW > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:50

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only two pedals?

BeaterGT > Party-vi 11/07/2013 at 15:54

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The motor came from a Ford GT?!

CynicalCyclist > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:55

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you used to be able to buy this in a kit from ford actually

Jeb_Hoge > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:55

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I love these but if I were converting a Focus, it'd be a wagon. Something's got to be the spiritual successor to Newman's Volvo.

Party-vi > BeaterGT 11/07/2013 at 15:56

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hahaha no not at all - it came out of a Ford parts catalog. I'm just saying Ford doesn't make shitty engines - they built the first one-piece V8 engine and have continued to do so for the last 80 years.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DanimalHouse 11/07/2013 at 15:57

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Seriously the 1st gen Focus interior is horrible. And NVH levels are appalling

The Biebster's got a P71 (Formerly not Justin Bieber) > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 15:59

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Omg. I want it.

kyle242gt > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:03

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Honestly - why are so many people afraid of EFI? Nothing says hackjob like a carburetor.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Ad Astra 11/07/2013 at 16:05

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Good catch!

LJ909 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:07

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The only other place ive seen something as crazy as this was when I did an engine swap of a GT500's 5.4 into a Focus RS with awd. That was in Forza 4 though...

lucky's pepper > Blze001 11/07/2013 at 16:13

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Where can I buy a Mustang with a V6 Ecoboost?

Harris_the_Unknowing > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:13

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Apparently I'm in the wrong dimension.

EA888-6MT > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:16

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Something is missing here.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:18

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Needs moar hooning video.

PedalHead > kyle242gt 11/07/2013 at 16:20

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Seriously. I saw the carb and just shook my head. I think you'd have a tough time registering it and getting it through smog in most places.

jeepergeek > Blze001 11/07/2013 at 16:22

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The solid rear axle makes up some of the difference.

foxbody > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:23

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In related news: That 'forest green' shade that's been around since the mid-nineties *might* be the single worst car color in the known universe.

IT'S EVERYWHERE AND I HATE IT.

Blze001 > lucky's pepper 11/07/2013 at 16:25

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My bad, got my engines mixed up

blah > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:25

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I remember working on a 347 RWD swap into a 01 SVT. Thing was caged with stoptech brakes and the widest tires possible that would fit. (Rich guy track toy) The best part is, the look you get (or don't get) as the ppl around you try to figure out where the V8 rumble is coming from.

DailyTurismo > Ad Astra 11/07/2013 at 16:25

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If it was from norcal it would say HellaBitch.

makopolo > Ad Astra 11/07/2013 at 16:26

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I think so. Good eye!

DailyTurismo > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon 11/07/2013 at 16:26

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Coyote Ugly!! Me gusta!!

DailyTurismo > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/07/2013 at 16:28

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The dude selling his was probably featured in this feature from 2012.

Unfortunately I sourced the images directly from the ebay ad and they are gone...so I don't do that anymore...

TylerLinner > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:32

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That would be SO DAMN FUN. Seriously. Sleeper status. Wish it had EFI.

vchengap > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 11/07/2013 at 16:32

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2005 Focus hatchback owner here. Can confirm the NVH comment. It's bad in the summer and downright embarrassing in the winter. The NVH signature appears to vary across the rev range. The worst level is at at lower RPMs.

OtizzyStarBai > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:34

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A+ for doing something out of the ordinary.. but at the end of the day 21k into a pos 13+year old focus... meh pass....

I'd rather put that 18k into a larggee downpayment on a new Focus ST and happily make my 50-100$ /mo payments. (probably save close to that in parts/unexpected issues and Gas)

Stang70Fastback > DanimalHouse 11/07/2013 at 16:36

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Agreed. I got a ride in a 2001 Taurus the other day and almost puked... not from the ride but from having to stare at that awful expanse of plastic misery...

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:36

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I learned of it through FocalJet.com. I'll check when I get home and see if his listing there still has some pics.

Nomind > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 11/07/2013 at 16:41

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YouTube search for ZX351, and you can find several vids for different ones.

lucky's pepper > Blze001 11/07/2013 at 16:41

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They SHOULD build one though. The world needs a modern SVO!

Stevie Welles > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/07/2013 at 16:44

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My father in law is an engineer at ATI and worked on that car. He was very proud of that thing. Good guy to inherit when you get married.

The Parts Guy > DanimalHouse 11/07/2013 at 16:45

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That's funny because at the time Jeremy thought it was fairly good.

DailyTurismo > OtizzyStarBai 11/07/2013 at 16:50

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This is exactly why Ford will sell 10,000 Focii this month and only one used V8 RWD Focus will sell in the next two months. But...for the one nutter who does buy this car....he'll need a significant budget for rear tires.

xx45xx > BeaterGT 11/07/2013 at 16:51

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LS series to the max! maximum douche is more like it.

Umoja > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:54

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Look up ZX351. It was a car over on ClubFocus and had a 351 Widnsor in the nose. Absolutely wild car. About 2 years ago it was for sale. Not sure where it is now. Should be some YouTube videos of startup and burnouts in the parking lot.

Blaquer > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon 11/07/2013 at 16:54

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That stupid thing had me looking for a wagon for months. That build is incredible and totally worth a jalop perusing. http://forums.focaljet.com/team-rigz/6258…

ANYGUESS > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 16:57

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I only see two pedals. :sadbanana:

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > vchengap 11/07/2013 at 16:58

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Haha I know exactly what you mean. My grandparents insisted on buying a first gen wagon...it is absolutely one of the loudest vehicles I have ever been in. And parts literally started to fall off the interior after a few years.

jovimon7 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 17:01

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moar...

raded > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 17:02

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I absolutely love this concept but....

I have a feeling weight distribution is an issue. A typical Focus has more weight at the front than back, which is okay, because it's FWD. This one has even more weight at the front than a stock Focus. There's not a lot of weight on those rear wheels to get traction unless they added weight to the back, which just creates more problems.

Looks good. I'm sure it sounds good. I can't imagine it'd be pleasant to drive in a light rain though.

BeaterGT > xx45xx 11/07/2013 at 17:02

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Someone got walked by a LSX series car recently it seems.

japanophile25 > Alex87f 11/07/2013 at 17:14

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Hell yeah, what a sleeper! Did you talk to them at all? I'd love more info.

hollanddjw 1 > BeaterGT 11/07/2013 at 17:33

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Fanboy alert...

David Gabel > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/07/2013 at 17:33

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While they RS never happened, the tunnel still came in handy for the WRC version of the focus as it had AWD.

David Gabel > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 17:35

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This would make an excellent sleeper once converted to RWD V8.

LTIROCKS > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 17:36

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I question the "340 HP" claim and KNOW it's not making anything close to that in its "as installed" state - unless it's also running a nice set of aftermarket heads, an aftermarket intake set-up, aftermarket crank/rods/pistons, a good set of headers with a well designed "X" pipe exhaust system, etc.

Chassis dyno information would prove or disprove this. 300 HP or so on an inertia chassis dyno (e.g. Dynojet 240) is about what would be expected from 340 actual ("as installed") engine HP.

Also, the referred to cam is a "Ford Racing" part, but Ford Racing advertises it as a street cam because that's what it is.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-e303cam-8…

Here's a Ford 5.0 (302) running that cam and lots of other mods. It only managed 255 rear wheel HP.

Zuzax > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 17:43

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I like this swap done up (sorta) like a Rally car:

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 18:16

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Well... that's actually a C-port 4.6, not a Coyote :P

Blze001 > lucky's pepper 11/07/2013 at 18:35

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The 2.0L I4 in a Mustang would be fun.

But I want the 3.5L V6. 365hp with less weight than the V8? Gimmie.

EDIT: HOLD THE FUCKING PHONE!

http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/future-cars…

carphanatik > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 18:36

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Yeah, that would be hella cool

BeaterGT > hollanddjw 1 11/07/2013 at 18:46

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Where?! HEATHEN!

lucky's pepper > Blze001 11/07/2013 at 18:54

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The word has been out for a while on a turbo 4 for the next Mustang. To that I say... meh.

A few days ago I read somewhere that a year or so after the next generation arrives the horsepower on the 5 liter is supposed to go up to 500 or so, making room to slot the EcoBoost V6 below it. I'd still buy the 5 liter, but a twin-turbo V6 Mustang should exist.

M54B30 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 18:57

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That's big time dough for a Focus. Is it V8 and RWD? Sure. Is it still a 2000ish Focus? Yep. People are still going to run carts into it in parking lots and say "eh, just a focus, so what..."

md495 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 19:03

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What state can this be registered in? Not here on NY for sure. I'M sure a few more states are off the list too. All 1996 and newer cars here must be inspected OBDII and this wont cut it. It has a carb and im sure no cats, AND ITS AN AUTO! No OBD port anymore, no computer at all. I'm sure there is a better way to blow $18K on a Ford Focus and have one you can drive legally, and have way more fun driving around in.

Jake1086 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 19:11

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On A site like Jalopnik I am personally ashamed of alot of you. I hear complaints of interior quality, and "ya but what are you gonna do when it breaks?" Your going to fix it!!! You are on jalopnik and if you dont know how to fix things already or at least have the desire to then you dont belong here! WE'RE JALOPNIK DAMNIT!!! We love ugly wagons, the panther platform, Big V-8s shoved into places they shouldnt fit (keep your head outta the gutter!) Random automotive oddities are ... WERE this sites passion I personally feel ashamed to call some of you Jalops. This thing should score high on everyones want list! sure the price is a subject of discussion ... but INTERIOR!!??!?!? GTFO

swinktron > Jake1086 11/07/2013 at 19:40

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Thank you sir. You have said in more eloquent words (and with liberal but not excessive use of capital letters) what I have thought many a time whilst perusing this very site. Bravo (orsonwellesclapping.gif)

Speedmerchant > Jake1086 11/07/2013 at 19:45

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Heck most of them around here wouldn't know how to change the oil! If you want it and they don't build it, do it to it yerself!

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 19:55

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No there is something that can put the "fun" back into the $30,000 car.

Howie > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 20:00

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Hah, Ford Racing Performance Parts used to and still might sell the kit for this. I forgot who originally developed and marketed it though as I first stumbled across the RWD Focus conversion in Ford's FRPP catalog.

J0SHTK > GhostZ 11/07/2013 at 20:10

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probably high comp pistons and gapless rings, probably close to 10:1. I know with a chev SB 350 with 10.2:1 with a .475 lift cam and a 500 demon 2 bbl i made 400hp at 6500

zipfuel > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 11/07/2013 at 20:11

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Yeah my 06's dash rattles like mad on a cold morning - I think the Focus was a class leader when it came out in 01 though. Things have just moved on massively since, plus the US market didn't get a platform update for a decade!

Delling-quent > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 20:11

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I know its ricey to use an A pillar pod but fuck it looks way cleaner than that shit ghetto setup on the dash. And whats with the gauge cluster? Anyone wanna exolain that one?

e36-burger-lord > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 20:41

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It's got a V8 and 3 pedals! Who gives a shit about the interior?!?!?!?!?! HOON THAT BITCH!!!!!

Monsterajr > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 20:55

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I'm biased in that I owned a 01 zx3 for nearly 7 yrs. The car was bags of fun, cheap to own, stylish, and could haul a lotta crap in that hatch. Too much money for me on this V8 convert but it's cool as hell. Oh, for those of you who think the interior is crap, check out similar year econo hatches and this will look a lot better. I will admit that the US MK II Focus interior was horrible and actually cheaper in feel.

Joseph Shaul > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 11/07/2013 at 21:08

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How is the Focus so bad? I own a 2004 Mazda3, and it's silky smooth and silent. It's nearly identical!

Joseph Shaul > Jeb_Hoge 11/07/2013 at 21:10

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The spiritual successor to Newman's Volvo is stuffing an LSx in a big German wagon. There's nothing like watching a 240d ignite its' rear tires at 90mph.

lxarlo > Jake1086 11/07/2013 at 21:32

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Just like all the fools on here who chastise all the NP or CP bastardizations. I love them all and if money were no object, they would be mine..... Or I would build my own.

SpiritOfTheNight > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 21:43

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This is another example of how a small block can fix anything. Some tuner guys I know hate it when someone puts a SBF, or LSx in a RX7 or Supra or some other little slow car, but it makes sense to small block it. When your requirements are affordable, powerful, and reliable no other motor can match a Ford or Chevrolet small block.

rabbitman > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 21:44

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Not to be that guy.

But you can get a focus of this gen for around 1,500(and a wagon at that if you want a wagon)

Kit to do the conversion with all the needed parts 6,000

Engine and transmission 2,000-10,000( A Donor wrecked car with engine and trans and rear end would be the cheapest)

misc parts 1000

Then wrench away. Yes it could cost the same or 6 grand less depending how you do it.

So this is a good price consider it is all ready done, but with that price it should have the 412hp modular engine in it. Which is on the higher end of my engine prices 8 grand new.

BigGatorChris > HammerheadFistpunch 11/07/2013 at 21:57

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I'm pretty sure Ford offered a factory kit at one point.

Cole > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 22:02

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The 2003 Ford Focus RS8, one of the rare SEMA concepts that could have and should have actually sold well. I really enjoyed Motor Trend's coverage when they pit the RS8 up against a Gallardo.

Ford Racing Focus RS8 vs. Lamborghini Gallardo

Dsscats > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 22:13

0

Needs moar coyote!

LS1RX7_owen > Alex87f 11/07/2013 at 22:17

1

Now you have me wondering if an S2000 powered Focus wagon would be great fun without a big budget

rent > Joseph Shaul 11/07/2013 at 22:19

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They ride on different platforms. The 00-11 Focus rides on the C170 platform while the 3 got the more refined C1 platform.

Iconsider striping out my SVTs interior on a regular basis, but I just haven't been that motivated yet.

rent > blah 11/07/2013 at 22:26

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SVTs were produced from '02-'04, so you either worked on a regular ZX3 or an '02 SVT.

Judge__Mills > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 22:28

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I think this is the Ford 8.8 rear end. I think this axle will become more popular as time goes on.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Joseph Shaul 11/07/2013 at 22:50

1

As someone else pointed out, they are indeed different cars. As usual, the American Focus was a pile of shit Ford thought they could get away with over here. Good thing they've (mostly) stopped that now and have decided to join the rest of the civilized world here in 2013.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > zipfuel 11/07/2013 at 22:51

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Right! I was so shocked when they continued to offer the same car for so long. Yeah the first year it was...good. That's about all there is to be said about it. Unless you bought a Golf, that was better. But every year after...there was no excuse for that thing.

kj1987 > DailyTurismo 11/07/2013 at 23:56

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What about this Coyote powered Focus From Australia:

?

Build Pics: https://www.facebook.com/PACE.Innovatio…