[Blystr842]

Hey guys, I'm from Texas. Just purchased my third Focus less than a week ago. It's an '02 red ZTW, leather, 5-speed, 97k miles.
I bought it for the single purpose of highway travel to and from RC races all over the state, and I vowed that I would leave it completely stock. Well being the true Focus fanatic I am... I can't let it be. I'm looking to slowly but sure do decent, tasteful, clean mods.

For now I'm only looking to slap on an intake and I've had a set of 17x7 Konig Holes sitting in my garage for the last maybe 8 years from my first Focus which I will also stick on my wagon. Do you have any suggestions for short ram intakes? I've been looking at the K&N and Volant intakes. Just looking for something of good quality and will give the best bang for the buck.

The first Focus I owned was a white 2000 LX sedan. It had 17x7 Konig's, dual exhaust, custom graphics, short ram intake, Focus Central 65mm t-body, custom interior, Hidden Hitch trailer hitch, and a little ICE. It ended up getting totaled when a van pulled out in front of me. The second was a white 2002 SE wagon. Sat on 17" TSW (same as Saleen) rims, had a cold air intake, and I think a 2.5" exhaust. It was traded in for my truck.

I hope to learn a bit here and I'm confident you guys will help me get back into the swing of things. Thanks guys!

Jon

 

[PDXZTW]

Welcome to the Jet! I also have 02' ztw! I love it! As for your intake question... I have an FSWerks cool flo intake installed that works nicely and is a quality product - check em out as the're also one of the sites sponsors.

 

[Blystr842]

Thanks! Yeah I'm going to be browsing a bit before I start buying. The wagon is my favorite of all the body styles. Second would be the ZX5. I absolutely love driving this car... so much that I'd rather drive than ride my Ninja!

 

[jinstall]

Welcome! where in Texas?

 

[Blystr842]

Waco. I'm going to get some pics up of the past and current rides soon.

 

[nrayome04svtF]

Welcome! Lots of good info here. Yes pics please

 

[Blystr842]

Going to try to upload pics here in a second. For now I'll give a brief rundown of what I'm looking to do in the near future.

First off I'm getting the windows tinted lol. But I will likely do a K&N drop-in filter (or Volant intake), H&R lowering springs (maybe coil overs), and underdrive pulley. I'll likely get the stock 16's powdercoated since it will be much cheaper than getting tires for my 17's, plus the tires on my stock 16's are almost new.

Maybe eventually get a WW ground effects kit and rear spoiler, Stealth exhaust, and the usual "this" and "that" until I'm satisfied lol.

 

[Blystr842]

As she was when I picked her up.

Side shot at the stealership.

Plasti Dipped the wheels, grille and the rear chrome strip on the tailgate.

Also changed the side markers and just got the windows tinted. Other than that it's all stock.
Looking to get the Massive motor mount, FCM underdrive pulleys, Volant intake, and H&R lowering springs for the immediate (next 6 months) mods.

What do you guys think?

 

[6spd_RS]

Looks great!

You have a unicorn, so treat it well. Not that what you've done already or plan on doing is bad at all.

 

[Blystr842]

Thanks!

Yeah I looked a looooong time for a car like this. That last time I found anything close was 3 years ago way out in Oregon and I never got around to making the trip to get it.

The leather is in very good shape, sunroof, windows, all switches work fine. I did have to solder 2 wires and heat shrink 5 others in the bundle from the rear of the car to the tailgate. The wiper, defroster, and third brake light were all touching. Had to replace a fuse and now it all works great! I believe it has the "winter package" as I found a three-prong plug tucked next to the driver side headlight and it runs back behind the engine block, so I assume it's a block heater. Also has advancetrak? (Is that right?) which seems like it's basically traction control.

Only issues I have now is the driver side parking brake has an issue. It's hanging up somewhere along the line. I have it completely disconnected right now until I can figure out where it's hanging up. Also the volume knob on the stock radio is acting wonky. Probably get a touch screen soon.

Any suggestions for mods? Keep in mind this needs to remain a practical daily driver

 

[TravEsD20]

Congrats on the find and welcome! Wagons can look great if done right. Definitly my favorite of styles :thumbup:

 

[Ronnie@MMotorworks]

Welcome! If you need anything from K&N, let me know!

 

[Blystr842]

Will do! Thanks much! What is everyone's opinion of the Exedy OE clutch? I need a new clutch and for now only need something that will last a good while and will work fine with bolt-ons.

 

[PDXZTW]

Not sure on the clutch as mine unfortunately is an auto, but if you're going to get the H&R lowering springs I strongly suggest picking up some better aftermarket shocks and struts - your stockers won't last long - or just get some coil overs.

 

[Blystr842]

Update:

I'm looking at Koni shocks to pair with the H&R springs but the H&R coil overs are still on the table.

I just changed the spark plugs and wires, and it looks like it still had the original plugs from factory. They looked HORRIBLE. I also cleaned the motor and engine bay a little since it was really filthy. It was obvious that the car had been sitting in one place for a long time as the interior had dust all over it, the outside was caked in a thick dirt, and the engine had dead bugs, dust, old grime, very very very old leaves, and even WOOD on it. Also I suspected the valve cover of leaking and once it was all clean the fears of leakage were confirmed. I'm going to replace the gasket next week but I need to know what brand gasket works best or has best reliability. I'm sure I need to get one that comes with the rubber grommets for the bolts. Any recommendations?

I just bought a brand new Centerforce Dual-Friction clutch from an FJ member, and I'm waiting on a new slave cylinder and Massive motor mount before I do the install. I'll be driving up to Dallas to meet up with a friend of mine who is a former FJ member, he had a MKI green ZX3 turbo with silver flames and it was stupid fast. He and a buddy of his (a current FJ member who I believe has an ST) will help me with the install.

After that I will be doing a timing belt change and CFM underdrive pulleys install. Somewhere in there I'll get a Volant intake and do some work to the parking brake.
Oh and I will be "Dipping" the top of the car (pillars up) flat black. I've got a little neat design in mind as well.

I'll try to get a pic up soon of how it looks since I've gotten the windows tinted, and some shots of the interior.

 

[Blystr842]

As she currently sits

I guess I should start a build thread soon.

 

[the gob]

needs drop and tint... :troll: no seriously though, a drop and SVT front end would look FABULOUS!!!

 

[the gob]

oh and get some pics of the RC, what are you running? I used to run a Losi XXXNT truck :hump: back in the day but I have been outta the game for a long while.

 

[qweesy]

dont bother on the UDP's dude, get the Massive Full size lightweight pulley

 

[Blystr842]

needs drop and tint... no seriously though, a drop and SVT front end would look FABULOUS!!!
oh and get some pics of the RC, what are you running? I used to run a Losi XXXNT truck :hump: back in the day but I have been outta the game for a long while.

Windows are tinted in pic I posted on the 4th. I will lower it eventually, hopefully in the next year. I'd like to go around 1.5" front and a bit lower in the rear.
For now the SVT bumper is out of the question. Likely I'll just slap on the Wings West lip kit and may eventually go to a different bumper, but the SVT is definitely on the list!

Ah you speak my language, RC! Man it is my favorite hobby next to motocross and MKI Focus!
Right now I run 4wd and 2wd Short Course with my Team Durango DESC410R and DESC210 trucks. I'll get some pics up soon. I've just been a little busy lately. I do currently carry Venom RC and Atomik RC as my sponsors! So stoked to have them backing me!

As an update on the ZTW... last night I bought a Volant intake and RAM air scoop online, and I just hit 100k miles! I'll get a build thread going soon. :thumbup: