"Big Daddy Handsome" (bigdaddyhands)
08/07/2014 at 00:29 • Filed to: None
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"Big Daddy Handsome" (bigdaddyhands)
08/07/2014 at 00:29 • Filed to: None | 8
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I bought a 2014 Ford Focus SE after my first car, a 2003 Kia Spectra, finally died. In short, I love it! I really thought about getting the ST but I don't know how to drive a stick and honestly, it would probably be a bit of a pain to have as a DD in the greater LA area for someone who has never owned/driven a manual before. So far the SE has satisfied all my wants in a car, and it's a blast to drive so I have no regrets.
Anyway: Does anyone have any suggestions for modifications I can make for performance gains? That might be too generic, I don't know- I'm sort of new to the gearhead scene. I swapped out the stock air filter for a K&N and it seems to have made a (slight, but noticeable) difference, which is pretty sweet. I'd like to eventually add the entire cold air intake K&N offers, but it's a bit expensive for right now and it's also not technically legal here...
Oh, and what's a good hose nozzle for washing a car? I took it to a decent place for its first wash, but honestly I want to just start doing it on my own. I've been lurking OppoLock for a bit now and enjoy reading the posts here... hoping to become a bit more active myself now.
AM3R
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 00:32 |
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Congrats on the car!
I just have one of those nozzles you connect to the hose that has different modes. It's worked well so far, picked it up cheap at Home Depot.
Frosted
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 00:33 |
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On the cold air intake/pod filter front -
As for mods? Suspension suspension suspension. Get some antiroll/ sway bars. Better springs, better struts, coilovers if you can afford them. Brakes too. Always do brakes and suspension before going for power.
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Big Daddy Handsome
> Frosted
08/07/2014 at 00:38 |
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Well, shoot. Definitely glad I didn't just spring for the cold air intake then. And noted... where do you buy your parts from?
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Frosted
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 00:45 |
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Depends on what you want and drive. But big brands are where you should be looking. Eibach/Tein/Megan Racing for suspension stuff, K&N does good quality intakes if you end up wanting one (I have one on my car since it's never gonna be a racecar. It looks cool and hearing some intake noise is kinda fun). Stillen may make some stuff too. I've also ebayed a few OEM Nissan parts just to get a cheaper price than the dealer. Could probably do that with Ford too.
K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 00:53 |
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I'm not sure there are any worthwhile mods to an NA(naturally aspirated) Focus if you're looking for an increase in power. There are some good aftermarket exhausts out there but they'll cost you. If all you're looking for is some sound upgrades, the intakes and filters will do you some good, but again, an exhaust would definitely help in the sound. The other thing you can do is increase handling performance my changing out the stock springs and shocks and putting in much sportier ones.
Take it from an ST owner here, this is my first stick and I learned as I got used to the car; sure I stalled and F-ed up a couple times in traffic, but it was well worth it to finally learn to and drive the stick. If LA traffic is anything like Atlanta traffic then I understand you're reasoning(but it's not that bad really, I'm in Michigan but have some heavy traffic experience), but if you're looking for some kinda power gains, I personally think it's not worth the money, and the ST would've been the better buy IMO. Really should have got the ST instead, and I almost bought a manual NA hatch instead. Gotta take the rough with the smooth!
If you're dead intent on "upgrading" the performance, I suggest you check out FocusFanatics.com and ask around in the MK3 section; someone should be able to either help you or reiterate what I said above. Best of luck!
Abject_Penitent
> Frosted
08/07/2014 at 01:02 |
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Nailed it. And plus 10,000 internets for mighty car mods
Dusty Ventures
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/07/2014 at 01:05 |
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LA traffic is waaaaaaay worse than Atlanta traffic.
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K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> Dusty Ventures
08/07/2014 at 01:14 |
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If that's the case, then the SE doesn't sound like a bad idea then..But there still isn't anything in the way of power gains for the car that's worth doing IMO; suspension and exhaust and that's it really IMO.
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Big Daddy Handsome
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/07/2014 at 01:27 |
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Right on, I have no qualms with that. I don't need my car to be crazy fast or anything. Thanks!
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Dusty Ventures
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/07/2014 at 01:34 |
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Suspension and exhaust sounds good enough to me
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K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 01:35 |
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No problem! Do check out the Focus forums though; there's a plethora of advice, mods, tips, DIYs and some members might even be local to you! Ya never know. They'll give you the best idea because they've already pondered, considered and done these ideas already, instant win! :)
RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 02:10 |
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Congrats. I drove a Focus SE for 2 weeks — returning to the wife's Camry was a letdown afterwards.
I'm also in the LA area and I avoid downtown and west LA if I can help it. Auto or manual tranny, driving there just sucks.
XJDano
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 07:59 |
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jack that thing up and study it.
Learn where drain plugs are, how the suspension works, where it connects, where exhaust system is hung up from, Ect.
Just get familiar with components where stuff goes. If you don't have some a jack & stands should be your next purchase so that you can modify it off the ground.
Good luck.
Rico
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 10:56 |
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The place you took it to was a brushless car wash I'm hoping. Key to keeping it looking nice is to hand wash it, you live in LA so no rain. Don't take it to these automated washes because you're just going to end up with scratches and swirls in the paint.
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Big Daddy Handsome
> Rico
08/07/2014 at 13:13 |
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Yeah I mean, the place I went was where they just have dudes washing your car for you - it wasn't like a gas station or anything. And it's funny you say that.. I had it washed and then waxed/cleaned the interior for an hour (overkill? haha) and it rained later that day for the first time in months. It was a very dirty rain.
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Rico
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 13:19 |
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Never overkill, this new car is your baby. If you ever need tips or suggestions on cleaning products let me know.
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Big Daddy Handsome
> Rico
08/07/2014 at 13:44 |
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Thanks dude!
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Big Daddy Handsome
> XJDano
08/07/2014 at 14:36 |
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Hey you know, I hate to be a bug - but do you have any recs on jack & stands? I was looking around and honestly . . . I don't know what to look for. The last thing I need is to buy junk product and have my car fall and kill me, or itself (if only partially).
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XJDano
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 14:55 |
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go big.
The 3 ton Stands work good for cars, 6 ton for trucks or my lifted jeep. You aren't of course going to put 6000 pounds on one stand, but they are lower than the 6 ton ones so better for cars. Also check your manual for jacking or lifting points, sometimes that's for a 4 post lift or jack that came with it.
Unless lowered, I'd get a 3 ton jack. Again its what I have and works for everything from jeep to metro. I got mine from Sam's a long time ago 10 years or more, so get quality. Its not Snap-on, but I've seen the skinny jack tip to one side. That is also why to get 4 stands not just 2.
Bad idea:
Better idea:
The wider wheels & base helps a lot.
Stands:
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Big Daddy Handsome
> XJDano
08/07/2014 at 14:59 |
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thanks again!
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XJDano
> Big Daddy Handsome
08/07/2014 at 15:10 |
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Also a worthy mention would be the car ramps, great for oil changes when you don't want to drag the jack & stands out or don't need to remove a wheel.
