Project SVT Focus

[Dave]

... the Ford Racing/Multimatic kit that is used in NASAs Spec Focus series.

Why? You don't track the car, you drive it on the street, NOVA streets for that matter. ANY racing suspension is going to give you a VERY rough ride, some people deal with it b/c they track their cars as well, but that kind of suspension on a Daily Driver with no on-track reward is going to be miserable, and don't say you like to take it on country back roads, country back roads require a completely different suspension than a glass smooth track does. Hell, I'm building 2 suspension for the AI car, one for Summit Pt and one for VIR.

this is what I was thinking as well. I read in GRM that the spec Focus suspension is very compliant compared to most racing suspensions, but I tend to agree that it will probably be uncomfortable as a DD on crap roads. Feerst, you'd be better off getting a rear bar and doing other bolt ons to be able to make the most of the Predator.

[WRXtranceformed]

Supercharge that bish! Go big or go home imo!

[PDenbigh]

I have seen V-8/RWD conversions for the Focus :-)!

[Feersty]

Well that just shot down. Progress makes a nice rear sway bar.

[white_2kgt]

Well that just shot down. Progress makes a nice rear sway bar.

I'm not telling you NOT to do it, just be prepared to suffer if you do. See if you can find someone in the area w/ that suspension that still has tags and see if he will take you for a ride, around the town, not highway. See if you can live w/ it.

[ScottyB]

Well that just shot down. Progress makes a nice rear sway bar.

so were you going for a drop or a stiffer ride? most regular focus's seem to want to upgrade to the suspension you have stock. if your goal was a drop, you could probably do a spring/damper combo like eibach.

if you're looking for better cornering, you probably haven't come close to the stock suspension's limits. a rear bar will make it more entertaining for the money.

[Feersty]

Focus Sport rear stress bar is in! I went down to my friend's house in Manassas.

[Feersty]

Just got my car back from the dealership. 802$ is the damage cost. I dropped it off Tuesday night, and got it back Friday night. Here is what got done:

Check Engine Light was because of P133 Bank 1 O2 Sensor
Oil Pan Gasket(labor 315.00$)
Lube, Oil, and Filter Change
Envirolution Engine Flush

Labor was killer at 583.41$, and parts was 208.61$

[white_2kgt]

Envirolution Engine Flush

:?:

[Mike]

fuckin a.... your one visit cost me double what the s2000 has cost in 2.5 years (includes tires, fluids, and brake pads)...

[JohnC]

Rob, why would you even post that here?

You must like the ridicule and pity.

[white_2kgt]

Rob, why would you even post that here?

You must like the ridicule and pity.

Who's offering pity?

[WRXtranceformed]

Yikes, that's approaching Lexus dealer costs...

90k maintenance is around $1200 including the water pump.
You can get it done at a Toyota dealer for around $700.

I'm probably going to have my friend / master mechanic do it for me, because of the nature of the timing belt change. I'd think with supplying my own parts I could get it done for $400-500 or so.

[JustinG]

im glad i do all my own work, jesus christ thats expensive.

[Ginger]

Rob, are you serious?

You put a swaybar on with your friend, but you can't do any of the routine work yourself? Do you like throwing away money?

[ziich]

they took their sweet sweet time with that oil pan gasket

[Ginger]

they took their sweet sweet time with that oil pan gasket

Probably coincided with a Union Mandated 3 hour lunch... gotta bill that to somebody.

[.RJ]

they took their sweet sweet time with that oil pan gasket

Thats book rate. Pay the same labor for the job whether it takes the tech 30 minutes or 3 hrs.

[Ginger]

Is book rate for an oil pan gasket really 4 hours ($80/hr)? I'd throw a hissy fit if somebody told me that.... then do it in their parking lot in 1.

[.RJ]

Is book rate for an oil pan gasket really 4 hours ($80/hr)?

I dont have access to a shop rate book, but it wouldnt suprise me.

Those book rates are usually provided by the mfr, and involve following all the steps in the service manual, and there's always steps you can skip or take shortcuts to minimize time - it also helps when you work on the same cars every day. I think my dad bills 80+ hrs/week at his shop. There's probably 1.5 hrs allotted for a rear wheel bearing replacement on a honda - you can do it in your garage in 20 minutes, and a good tech on a lift can do both sides in under 20 minutes.