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Should i buy the VOTECH...

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#21 ·
supercharger vs turbo debate yet again... when will it end... they both did 12's.... both reputable tuners trying to sell their kits to the public. some people want one thing while others go for another... i love the sound of a bov and would die for a turbo focus, BUT im also afraid of having something go wrong and ventilating my block. it seems that a PROPERLY TUNED SETUP whether it be turbo or s/c will yield nice gains, its just up to the buyer to decide what they want. i want alot of power under my right foot as im sure the majority of us on this board do, its just up to what you feel comfortable installing and tuning
 
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Discussion starter · #22 ·
Ok well Heckor And Tom, both of your kits sound great. and i'm thinking its between the 2 of the kits. besides i still gotta deside if i want to go turbo or supercharger.

i was talking on of my friends cousins. and he knows alot about FI. he thinks i should get a better fuel pump, just to be save...
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how much power can the Zx3 handle before blowing the rods/piston ex- >>with tuning, that Vortech or toms MIC comes with<<

also i would like to know, What 1/4 TIMES does the Zx3 run with VORTECH installed >>everything else stock<<
 
#23 ·
U forget tho. CFM's focus isn't running pump gas. A vortech kit on a normal ZX3 out of the box is going to be lucky to hit 170whp 150tq.

Tom's stage I kit will hit more like 190whp 190+tq. Just rough numbers... but the vortech is anemic out of the box.
 
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#24 ·
U forget tho. CFM's focus isn't running pump gas. A vortech kit on a normal ZX3 out of the box is going to be lucky to hit 170whp 150tq.

Tom's stage I kit will hit more like 190whp 190+tq. Just rough numbers... but the vortech is anemic out of the box.
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i donno bro.. i wouldnt call 170/150 anemic... its barely attainable n/a so yes a turbo will give you higher output.. we all know that, BUT its a matter of preference how much do u wanna spend and how fast do you wanna go?
 
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#25 ·
There's only $250 between the kits.
 
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#26 ·
8.9:1?

Did you swap out stock pistons for a low compression set?

If so, any other bottom end mods done (rods, main caps, arp studs, etc.)?

Either way, I'm still impressed with the car.
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They have not change anything on the bottom end of the car. CFM lowered the compression on the car with a thicker head gasket. They still use stock pistons and the cheap stock connecting rods to make the 285fwhp+ . This show someone how good tuning is important. I bet people would never think CFM would be able to do that much hp on stock internals or on a stock block.


CFM's focus isn't running pump gas
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CFM focus does run 93 octane when driving around on the street everyday. The car runs the same boost levels with just less timing compare to on race gas. CFM said it probably make around 250fwhp still with 93 octane.
 
#27 ·
damn for some reason i was thinking there was alot larger margin between the 2 kits... in which case... go turbo... tom wont steer you wrong, but remember you will NEED i mean absolutely NEED to address tuning issues... toms mic works quite well and there are other tuning solutions out there if you wanted to have a more hands on approach at tweaking every last bit of power out of your car. my suggestion is go get his stage one kit and his mic and be set. run 93 octane ALL THE TIME keep ur boost around 8-9 psi and if you want more later add an intercooler n turn up the boost to 12 psi or so n add racegas. on a supercharger you dont really have that luxury without buying a new pulley set and screwing with things that will void its warranty. damn... now with that being said im goin to check on my bank loan. look out boost here i come.HAHAHA
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#29 ·
i was talking on of my friends cousins. and he knows alot about FI. he thinks i should get a better fuel pump, just to be save...
Image
how much power can the Zx3 handle before blowing the rods/piston ex- >>with tuning, that Vortech or toms MIC comes with<<
Click to expand...
The Focus fuel system is not like your friend's cousin's. The Focus utilizes a returnless fuel system so you can't just replace the fuel pump. MIC tuning is the safest method of tuning. Both Tom's kit and the Vortech are completely safe with the right MIC.

Either way you go you're going to want to get the car tuned, preferably on a dyno.

Nate
 
#30 ·
i was talking on of my friends cousins. and he knows alot about FI. he thinks i should get a better fuel pump, just to be save...
Image
....
Click to expand...
Believe it or not, the Ford Focus has an excellent fuel pump - way more than you will ever need. A lot of mustang racers of older model stangs are using the Focus fuel pump. Unless you have a faulty pump affected by the recall (cuts out) I would keep the one you have.
 
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#31 ·
One thing to keep in mind is install complexity. Are you installing the kit yourself or paying someone to do it? I've read that the Vortech is easily an 8 to 16 hour job. I have not seen any estimates on installing Tom's kit but I'm guessing it should take considerably less time.
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
i was talking on of my friends cousins. and he knows alot about FI. he thinks i should get a better fuel pump, just to be save...
Image
....
Click to expand...
Believe it or not, the Ford Focus has an excellent fuel pump - way more than you will ever need. A lot of mustang racers of older model stangs are using the Focus fuel pump. Unless you have a faulty pump affected by the recall (cuts out) I would keep the one you have.
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thats a good thing. do you know how meny litters or whatever it is that it pushes out pre min. or hour? thanx...
also is it a drop tank? or can you locat the fuel pump under the rear seat? he said he thinks they stoped doing that along time ago.. Paul
 
#34 ·
8.9:1?

Did you swap out stock pistons for a low compression set?

If so, any other bottom end mods done (rods, main caps, arp studs, etc.)?

Either way, I'm still impressed with the car.
Click to expand...
They have not change anything on the bottom end of the car. CFM lowered the compression on the car with a thicker head gasket. They still use stock pistons and the cheap stock connecting rods to make the 285fwhp+ . This show someone how good tuning is important. I bet people would never think CFM would be able to do that much hp on stock internals or on a stock block.


CFM's focus isn't running pump gas
Click to expand...
CFM focus does run 93 octane when driving around on the street everyday. The car runs the same boost levels with just less timing compare to on race gas. CFM said it probably make around 250fwhp still with 93 octane.
Click to expand...
Damn..not bad at all. 12.9@110.5 mph on drag radials and with the mods listed is extremely impressive. At that level of mods (no extensive bottom end work, no fuel system work other than ecu tuning, injectors), I'm really proud of CFM's Focus.
 
#36 ·
Do you have emissions testing that requires a catalytic converter be present? Then none of the current turbo options will work for you, your only choices are the Vortech or JRSC.
 
Discussion starter · #37 ·
Do you have emissions testing that requires a catalytic converter be present? Then none of the current turbo options will work for you, your only choices are the Vortech or JRSC.
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i know, i think i would go vortech because they seem to have alot more power made over the jRSC. also the vortech would get me closer to my 14 sec 1/4 times.
 
#38 ·
One thing to keep in mind is install complexity. Are you installing the kit yourself or paying someone to do it? I've read that the Vortech is easily an 8 to 16 hour job. I have not seen any estimates on installing Tom's kit but I'm guessing it should take considerably less time.
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8-16 hours
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It's possible it took a guy i know that long to install the powerdyne supercharger on his 87 5.0 stang. That thing scoots, makes a little over 400 horses to the tires at 9psi
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#39 ·
Do you have emissions testing that requires a catalytic converter be present? Then none of the current turbo options will work for you, your only choices are the Vortech or JRSC.
Click to expand...
Screw emissions testing!!
Image
 
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ZX3Crazy
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