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PZEV Doesn't Suck - It's Incredbily Clean!

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FORD_07

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
PZEV sucks... not really.

so i have a 07 zx3 and not knowing any better i purchased it in NY state, so i know that there is some little things like the non servicable filter and 2 cats that restrict airflow a bit too much, any ideas that can help it breathe a little better, and posibly on a budget?
 
#2 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

one...welcome to the forum.

two... depends on your budget.

three... just run a search through the duratec forum
 
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#3 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

Hate to break it to ya ... but no, there is nothing you can do. :) jk

Actually, your car doesn't have that breather and two cats because it's the PZEV model. Mine was bought from non-green state Florida and I have the same issues.

There are plenty of options for you ... depending on how fast you wanna go and how much money you wanna spend.

On the main page there is a list of site sponsors and there you will find the majority of our car's go fast goodies.

Your biggest single gain, outside of forcied induction, will more than likely be a CAI. The stock intake is restricting to say the least. But remember, not everyhting made for the cars passes emissions, and your milage may vary.
 
#4 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

Ford_07, welcome to the forums, and what Reject said, goes double for me. Reject's been very helpful since I've been here.

As far as wanting modest modifications, you could always start out with an exhaust, and a cai. That would make a difference in itself as well. I'd go Focus Sport, or F2 on the cai, and on the exhaust, I would go with a Focus Sport, or MBRP. Those are just my opinions though.

Please keep us posted, and let us know what you come to. Good luck, and happy modding.
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

asive gone lookin into a cai or exhaust though im havin trouble finding a company that makes one for the year and model its the 2.0 there seems to be a lot more for the 2.3, also kinda off topis but has anyone else had trouble with the ford racing tach driver?? i lost my tach signal a couple weeks ago and i checked all the connections but it all seemed fine
 
#6 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

Ford_07, what year, and model do you have? What exactly are you looking for? FS has a cai for the Zetec, Duratec (PZEV, and NON-PZEV), and they have an exhaust for either one too. F2 offers really good products, CFM offers good products, and MBRP offers a good exhaust.

As far as the tach driver goes, I have no clue on that one. I haven't experienced having to change out anything. I've always used the tach in the instrument cluster.

You could always try doing the gauge test, and then setting it to the rpm's mode, where you can see your rpms on your odometer layout. Maybe that would work?

Anyway, good luck, and please let us know exactly what you have, and are looking for.
 
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#8 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

Dreams, thanks for the links that you posted.

As far as other links go, you can check out: www.f2usa.com

And for exhaust, you can check out the FS system that Dreams posted the link to, or you can check out: www.mbrp.com
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

wow, thanks alot guys, but a couple more questions does either of these mods require a re tune as far as the air fuel ratio is concerned? also has anyone had any luck with a custom cai? oh ya it is a 2007 zx3 base model with the duratech 2.0 PZEV
 
#10 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

With just intake and exhaust, a tune is not necessary but it could be done to net a small gain. Anything more than that and a new tune should be done.
 
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#11 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

I agree with Tallguy. Cai, and exhaust there's no need. If you add a header, nitrous, or anything else, I'd recommend getting a tune to optimize your spark, fuel, and timing for a small gain, and to make everything work properly.

You can do a custom cai, but idk if anyone's had any luck with them. I knew a guy that had one on a Cavalier, and it worked ok, but I don't know. There was a link to a site in another thread for a stealth cai for the new Duratec using the stock air box, but I can't remember what thread it's in.
 
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#12 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

i dont mean to thread jack but i was just wondering, i know i dont have a PZEV (05 ST) so why did they equipt it with 2 cats :what: ....now that i have an exhaust first thing that came to my mind was becuase its extremely loud without it :evilgrin: , but i was curious if there was a actual reason?
 
#13 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

They're trying to make things greener Tadd. They want to make us pay through the nose when things go out, they want emissions to be greener, and they're trying to restrict the crap out of it. If they didn't put a second cat on my 2.0, it would've had more than 136hp factory rated. Yours would have more than the factory rated 151hp. It wouldn't be much, but it would be a little more due to a little better flow.
 
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#15 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

Yeah, and PZEV sucks. Why are the PZEV's rated from factory at lower horsepower, than a NON-PZEV? The PZEV is putting out the same power as a Zetec, but the Duratec was supposed to be a better, and stronger powerplant. Why is this?
 
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#16 ·
Re: PZEV sucks

Why are the PZEV's rated from factory at lower horsepower, than a NON-PZEV?
Click to expand...
The answer to your question as quoted is...

1. A hydrocarbon trap in the top of the MAFS tube.

2. Catalytic converter technology.


A SULEV II PZEV Focus is an incredibly clean-emitting vehicle; cleaner than most hybrids even though the hybrid uses less gasoline per CITY mile.

A SULEV II PZEV Focus literally cleans the air as you drive if driving during a "bad air day" air-quality-wise. The exhaust can be cleaner than what's being inhaled by the car.

Since a few of you are new to [FJ] and the Duratec PZEV, you may also not be familiar with the other trick emissions bits like the intake manifold runner's "tumble flaps" now known as "charge motion control".

These engine emissions controls coupled with the PZEV fuel system evaporative emissions controls and digital engine management combine to create a near-zero harmful emissions-emitting car. The EXTREMELY low level of emissions that these cars produce was a freaking fantasy 20 years ago... a gasoline-burning engine that produces little more than water, carbon dioxide and hardly several hudredths of a gram hydrocarbons per mile???

Apparently you have no idea. ;)

It is because of these fantastic strides in emissions technology that we can all breathe in big city traffic these days.

If you're really crying about the few HP gone missing due to these amazing results in air quality, then go buy a Mustang.

:thumbup:
 
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#17 ·
Re: PZEV sucks... not really.

Z63, thanks for the answer on the PZEV. I would like to have a Mustang as well, but me being single, under 26, yeah.... insurance, and everything wouldn't eat me alive. LOL.

My car's the ULEV, which makes it the dirtier burning, more polluting vehicle, right? I'm not running any kind of PZEV am I?
 
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#18 ·
Re: PZEV sucks... not really.

ULEV = ULTRA Low Emissions Vehicle... still a clean burning sonofabitch.

You can pick up maybe 6 HP or so with the combo of a CAI and a slightly larger exhaust system.

:thumbup:


Any other mods short of a track-only car's modifications (different intake manifold, higher static compresion through better pistons big cams, good connecting rods, equal-length tubular steel exhaust header...) just isn't worth it in my opinion for a new, daily-driven Duratec Focus, unless it's FocusSport's Stage 1 or 2 turbo kits.
:lol:

Spend your money on a better spring/damper combo, better tires, big brakes, swaybars, and some select EDM OE style mods. :D ...like I did. Hee.
 
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#19 ·
Re: PZEV sucks... not really.

Z63, I was thinking of a FS cai, MBRP 2.5" exhaust, F2 header, and XCALII tune. I know it isn't much, but it would at least wake my little Duratec up. I was looking into a set of wheels I can get through my work. I can get some 17" Enkei RSV's pretty reasonable. I was thinking about those in the anthracite finish to accommodate the liquid grey. What's your opinion on those?

Yeah, the ULEV's still clean burning I suppose, but isn't it the dirtiest of the Duratecs besides the D23? Or is there a LEV? Low Emissions Vehicle, offered in the Duratecs?
 
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#20 ·
Re: PZEV sucks... not really.

It isn't much? Oh, but it is my friend. When you actually let your duratec motor breathe, it's a completely different car. I promise you'll love it, I do, and the rest of us here definatley do.
 
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Focus_wrc07
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