SO I have a black '05 St focus ZX4 with the 2.3L engine and I'm trying to figure out what I should mod first. I need to get new tires right now so I was thinking of getting new discs and calipers and upgrading to 18" rims. I should have about 2k to burn in bout a week so I'm hoping to find some ideas or what anybody else thinks. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Mod Ideas
Ryan_zx4st
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SO I have a black '05 St focus ZX4 with the 2.3L engine and I'm trying to figure out what I should mod first. I need to get new tires right now so I was thinking of getting new discs and calipers and upgrading to 18" rims. I should have about 2k to burn in bout a week so I'm hoping to find some ideas or what anybody else thinks. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
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Well I plan on doing both, like the problem I have figuring out where to start right now is like I want to mod the appearnce but I don't want people to think I'm a ricer and I want to do all the other mods but right now the paint is chipping on my car. So I'm just not sure where I should start.
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Tint the windows if they aren't already...Also, a new suspension will help with both looks and performance.
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Here's my suggestion with that money...
FSwerks Intake $199.95
FSwerks Exhaust $389.95 - $449.95
FSwerks SCT tuner $379.00
H&R Cup Kit suspension $679.95 (as long as your vehicle is an early production 2005 these will fit)
Spend the remaining money on some wheels and tires.
Thanks,
Vik
FSwerks Intake $199.95
FSwerks Exhaust $389.95 - $449.95
FSwerks SCT tuner $379.00
H&R Cup Kit suspension $679.95 (as long as your vehicle is an early production 2005 these will fit)
Spend the remaining money on some wheels and tires.
Thanks,
Vik
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Well I already tented the windows, thanks for the suggestion though, but when my brother-in-law did it he was drunk so we gotta re do them next time I go to san diego. Thanks for the suggestion Vik, I'll have to check those out!!
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You can also just do lowering springs if you want and spend the remaining money on nicer wheels, it's up to you there. But this would give you an overall nice balance between power gain, better handling & nicer looks.
Thanks,
Vik
Thanks,
Vik
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119 Posts
"and upgrading to 18" rims."
This is where the show vs. go comes in.
Lightweight 15" rims (rota slipstream, etc.) are the way to go if you are into autocross or racing.
![Image]()
There's a lot of discussion on this, just search the forum.
but 18"s have that look...
![Image]()
This is where the show vs. go comes in.
Lightweight 15" rims (rota slipstream, etc.) are the way to go if you are into autocross or racing.
There's a lot of discussion on this, just search the forum.
but 18"s have that look...
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Right, well I'll just have to take another look at rims but idk. Guess if anything I'll look it up ike you said.
On my other computer, like a month ago,I found these springs that lowered it and reduced under steer I believe, but it's kinda out of commission for the time being. I don't remember where exactly it was that I found them at but I planned on getting them. So thanks yet again Vik.
On my other computer, like a month ago,I found these springs that lowered it and reduced under steer I believe, but it's kinda out of commission for the time being. I don't remember where exactly it was that I found them at but I planned on getting them. So thanks yet again Vik.
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True story:
I just started autocrossing this year, and thought I was getting to be a pretty good driver. I took my car up to Road America for a Track day. I ran in a couple of sets and thought I did ok, for a nearly stock Focus. I know one of the instructors there and he asked if he could drive the car, to show me some technique. That's when I learned that I wasn't pushing this thing anywhere close to its potential.
His analysis of the car was that it was an absolute blast to drive, but WAY under-powered. He said he had the thing floored through almost the entire course. He said the suspension felt like a go-cart and the brakes were strong enough for the mass of the car. Keep in mind, this is stock suspension and brakes.
My point is.. the limiting factor on this car is not braking, it's acceleration. Therefore, unless I got a stage 2 turbo, I would rather have 15's than bigger brakes. If I had 250hp+ it would be different.
When I replace my 15's with my 17's in the spring, I feel the weight, definitely. I wish I would have gotten the Rotas.
And Formula 1 is a better representation of a no-compromises race car. My understanding is that rotor materials are limited in the WRC rules, that's why they have to use the bigger size. I'm not an expert though..
I just started autocrossing this year, and thought I was getting to be a pretty good driver. I took my car up to Road America for a Track day. I ran in a couple of sets and thought I did ok, for a nearly stock Focus. I know one of the instructors there and he asked if he could drive the car, to show me some technique. That's when I learned that I wasn't pushing this thing anywhere close to its potential.
His analysis of the car was that it was an absolute blast to drive, but WAY under-powered. He said he had the thing floored through almost the entire course. He said the suspension felt like a go-cart and the brakes were strong enough for the mass of the car. Keep in mind, this is stock suspension and brakes.
My point is.. the limiting factor on this car is not braking, it's acceleration. Therefore, unless I got a stage 2 turbo, I would rather have 15's than bigger brakes. If I had 250hp+ it would be different.
When I replace my 15's with my 17's in the spring, I feel the weight, definitely. I wish I would have gotten the Rotas.
And Formula 1 is a better representation of a no-compromises race car. My understanding is that rotor materials are limited in the WRC rules, that's why they have to use the bigger size. I'm not an expert though..
Joined
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119 Posts
True story:
I just started autocrossing this year, and thought I was getting to be a pretty good driver. I took my car up to Road America for a Track day. I ran in a couple of sets and thought I did ok, for a nearly stock Focus. I know one of the instructors there and he asked if he could drive the car, to show me some technique. That's when I learned that I wasn't pushing this thing anywhere close to its potential.
His analysis of the car was that it was an absolute blast to drive, but WAY under-powered. He said he had the thing floored through almost the entire course. He said the suspension felt like a go-cart and the brakes were strong enough for the mass of the car. Keep in mind, this is stock suspension and brakes.
My point is.. the limiting factor on this car is not braking, it's acceleration. Therefore, unless I got a stage 2 turbo, I would rather have 15's than bigger brakes. If I had 250hp+ it would be different.
When I replace my 15's with my 17's in the spring, I feel the weight, definitely. I wish I would have gotten the Rotas.
And Formula 1 is a better representation of a no-compromises race car. My understanding is that rotor materials are limited in the WRC rules, that's why they have to use the bigger size. I'm not an expert though..
I just started autocrossing this year, and thought I was getting to be a pretty good driver. I took my car up to Road America for a Track day. I ran in a couple of sets and thought I did ok, for a nearly stock Focus. I know one of the instructors there and he asked if he could drive the car, to show me some technique. That's when I learned that I wasn't pushing this thing anywhere close to its potential.
His analysis of the car was that it was an absolute blast to drive, but WAY under-powered. He said he had the thing floored through almost the entire course. He said the suspension felt like a go-cart and the brakes were strong enough for the mass of the car. Keep in mind, this is stock suspension and brakes.
My point is.. the limiting factor on this car is not braking, it's acceleration. Therefore, unless I got a stage 2 turbo, I would rather have 15's than bigger brakes. If I had 250hp+ it would be different.
When I replace my 15's with my 17's in the spring, I feel the weight, definitely. I wish I would have gotten the Rotas.
And Formula 1 is a better representation of a no-compromises race car. My understanding is that rotor materials are limited in the WRC rules, that's why they have to use the bigger size. I'm not an expert though..
I absolutely hate driving our cars with the stock brakes. After driving with the Brembos, the OEM set up just feels lacking. You have to run dirty ass, noisey pads to get the stock brakes to hold the power we put down. I have two ruined OZ Records because I didn't wash the brake dust off my wheels after some serious driving. I have to have them repainted now. Lame.
However, I will admit looks are important to me and 15s just don't cut it. Even the OZs we have on our old project zx3 don't impress me.
I'd rather add some power than run small wheels.
However, I will admit looks are important to me and 15s just don't cut it. Even the OZs we have on our old project zx3 don't impress me.
I'd rather add some power than run small wheels.
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I really like those wheels and plan on buying some soon! Plus I want to upgrade the brakes as well. What did you guys use for the rear SVT kit maybe?Show and go. Yes. What about stop? 15" wheels have their place, but sometimes you gotta go bigger.
![Image]()
![Image]()
If you want 18" wheels get 18" wheels.
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"and upgrading to 18" rims."
This is where the show vs. go comes in.
Lightweight 15" rims (rota slipstream, etc.) are the way to go if you are into autocross or racing.
![Image]()
There's a lot of discussion on this, just search the forum.
but 18"s have that look...
![Image]()
This Honda hurts my eyes...
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I am thinking about sending my car to you guys and having some work done. I will send you a email so we can talk about it
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Cool, thanks for even more info. I really appreciate it!
So would the stock brakes be able to stop the 18s very well? and if not, how much do the 328mms run? I'm thinking of just going with some 17"s though so I could use my money else where on the car. Even though it doesn't save very much money.
So would the stock brakes be able to stop the 18s very well? and if not, how much do the 328mms run? I'm thinking of just going with some 17"s though so I could use my money else where on the car. Even though it doesn't save very much money.
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