Upgrading a car...

[ThisStarNeverFalls]

Well I drive around in a 2002 ZX5 Focus, and since I really dont play paintball anymore, and my bike wanting has been throughly put on hold, figure ill start to work on my car. I really cant say that I know too too much about upgrading a car or how to go about doing so properly, so I figured im come here to ask. Just wondering what advice you guys could give on where to start with performance and audio mainly(Need to reaquire speakers after selling my 2 12inch rockfords), looks isnt too much of a concern really, Thanks.

[Eagle]

a cold air intake would be my first recommendation. I intend to get one soon for my Grand Am.

[ThisStarNeverFalls]

Yea

That along with the exhaust and new chip were the first things on my list, Id like to turbocharge the car also, but like I said im not 100% sure on how I need to go about aquiring and putting all the upgrades onto the car

[wad04]

start with a good set of tires, brakes, and maybe new coils. Before you start going over your head with upgrades that makes your car go fast, make sure you can control it.

[Big'n slo]

http://www.kugelkomponents.com/focus/focus.html

Theres no replacement for displacement

[ThisStarNeverFalls]

I was wondering when I was going to see someone put a V8 into a focus, nice to see its finally been done, that would be about fantastic, but I dont have nearly the resources to afford something like that at all. Handling the car im in all honesty not too worried about, have given it a good drive in numerous conditions and havnt run into problems at all, for being an all stock car at the moment I couldnt ask for better handling at all..

[Crighton]

You could always try to locate an 02-03 SVT Focus with rear end damage.

[MoeMag]

start with a good set of tires, brakes, and maybe new coils. Before you start going over your head with upgrades that makes your car go fast, make sure you can control it.

[skife]

a good set of tools is the first place to start. I find when working on my car that if i dont have the right tool, its a PITA

2nd get the chilton/haynes manual for the car, always good to know how it goes together.

then, i'd probably go with a full exhaust, new header, drop the cat(depending on if your in a smog state), and go with a full performance exhaust(no fart can) High flow air filter (cold air intake if you must) a good set of tires, strut tower bars, if its a stick go with a short throw shifter.

this is all stuff you can do in your own garage with a jack and a set of jackstands, shouldn't be to hard or anything, engine compartment might be a little tight though.

[RapidTransit]

How about a big hulking muscle car with non powered drums all around?


I stress this do not get a Cold Air Intake heres why:
-You Pay $100+ for a bent pipe.
-The stock Air Box was designed to pull in cold air. But it is covered to keep down the noise.
-The Cold Air HP gains come from a better aftermarket filter.

What to do is pay for a reusable filter and cut the airbox up. The airbox is better designed to keep out heat than those Cold Air Intakes and in some cases increases HP over the Cold Air Kits.

Other things if its an Auto: Shift Kit, New Torque Converter, Full Manual Valve Body with Reverse Shift Pattern and/or trans brake (for the fun of it )

Make sure your transaxle can handle it too.

And Happy Car Building

[SlartyBartFast]

Air Intake, Good Plugs, Exhaust.

Then put all your money into stopping and cornering improvements before you pump up the power.

If the car can't be made to handle more power safely, power improvements are a waste of money.

[skife]

How about a big hulking muscle car with non powered drums all around?


I stress this do not get a Cold Air Intake heres why:
-You Pay $100+ for a bent pipe.
-The stock Air Box was designed to pull in cold air. But it is covered to keep down the noise.
-The Cold Air HP gains come from a better aftermarket filter.

What to do is pay for a reusable filter and cut the airbox up. The airbox is better designed to keep out heat than those Cold Air Intakes and in some cases increases HP over the Cold Air Kits.

Other things if its an Auto: Shift Kit, New Torque Converter, Full Manual Valve Body with Reverse Shift Pattern and/or trans brake (for the fun of it )

Make sure your transaxle can handle it too.

And Happy Car Building

buddy of mine had a '69 le mans with a 400 in it Drums on all 4's

[ThisStarNeverFalls]

I think im going to start with the full performance exhaust and then work on the brakes, tires, suspension and etc what specific parts would any of you guys suggest?

[SCpoloRicker]

I honestly see no reason to spend any money upgrading a Ford Focus.

/owns an 02 ZX3

[kosmo]

I honestly see no reason to spend any money upgrading a Ford Focus.

Listen to this man. He is obviously smarter than everyone who has modded a focus.