[HipShot]

Anybody know any details on SVT Header/Exhaust? Is it an improvement? How?
Will we be able to install in our ZX3's? I want a header/exhaust installed, but still leary to go JBA + catback cause of fried cat. posts (diablo chip may factor in fried cats. too?). I've got Iceman/kn filter & Esslinger UDP, but I want more! more! more! hp.

 

[S. on Da 5]

HipShot IMO this is one of the "must have" parts off of the SVT Focus!

4-2-1, appear to be evenly legthed pipes. Uses all of the mounts to secure it.

Totally sweet!

Hopefull we will be able to order when it is available.

 

[Focus#91]

From what I understand, it will bolt right on. It will certainly be better than having the cat 10 inches from the exhaust valve...
I'm getting one as soon as they are available!

 

[doogie78]

Well either I'm getting the header or I'm getting the car.

------------------
injen cai,b&m shifter,borla exhaust,superchip,ford udp, don't underestimate a sleeper

 

[Focus#91]

You should get the whole M'fin car!!!
SWEET!

 

[Peloton25]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade here, but it still hasn't been confirmed one way or the other whether it will fit on the regular Zetec engine. The SVT Focus uses a different head design and it's quite possible that things won't all line up the way you need them to. I'm willing to bet that the header will be an expensive piece of the puzzle too - probably more expensive than any of the aftermarket long-tube headers out there - so you may want to go that route to save yourself some money. Also, relocating your catalytic converter will void your emissions warranty and violate many state's emissions laws - some people don't have to worry about this, but a lot of you do. Lastly, parts from the SVT Focus won't be available till after the car is, so you've got quite a wait ahead of you on this. These are all just things to keep in mind.

Go ahead and continue drooling though, it's quite a beautiful piece of art. The one in the picture happens to be Jet-Hot coated from what I was told, so they won't all be as beautiful as the one on the display engine.

>8^)
ER

For drooling purposes, more pics can be found here: http://members5.clubphoto.com/erik356883/Blue_SVT_Focus_at_Hot_Import_Nights/

[This message has been edited by Peloton25 (edited 06-20-2001).]

 

[Jon]

Peloton25: I agree with your many caveats, although I believe SCC claimed in their review of the SVT that the header would bolt on older Zetecs. They could be wrong, but it did get past the fact-checkers.

Of course, that doesn't negate your other points, which are quite valid.

Although you raise one question in my mind. People seem to think that getting a race header and new cat automatically means a car would fail an emissions test. Is this true? If it were a tailpipe test like those in, say, Mass. or Pa., wouldn't a new functional cat remove enough pollutants for a car to pass? Or are the laws generally written to say -- paraphrasing -- "don't mess with the cat at all?"

-jon


------------------
2001 Twilight Blue ZX3
Mods: Iceman, Focussport plug wires, Focussport stress bar, Nightshaded front grill turn signals
Not Yet Done: Esslinger UDP

It's just Jon, because it's just easier.

 

[Peloton25]

I didn't realize that SCC had said that - time to re-read that article. I'll bug my SVT/SVE contacts to see if someone can give us a definite answer on this. No promises...

On the cat issue:
Well many states have adopted the laws that are written for California and New York when it comes to emissions equipment. Basically, you can't mess with or relocate them, or you will fail the visual portion of the SMOG Check test. I don't believe adding a race header or new cat will automatically cause you to fail the sniffer test - it really depends on the individual specs of those items so it would certainly be a case by case basis. Unfortuantely, it really doens't matter to these silly lawmakers (EPA & CARB mostly) whether your car runs the same or even cleaner - you just can't touch them. It makes certain performance mods on certain cars very difficult - i.e. the addition of a turbocharger for the Focus. Look at the WRX it has like 3 catalytic convertors - it can't really need all of them can it??

I know not every state's laws are like this, and some people simply don't care and will mod away no matter what the law says, but that's the way the system and the law works in most places. That's the main reason you won't find many header mods for the Focus that relocate or eliminate the cat. When you do see them, the only way they are sold is with the "Off-Road Use Only" label AFAIK.

Personally, I think removeing the cat completely is just bad news. It's unfortunate that even the factory SVT parts will get you in trouble on the standard car. Oh well - like I said, blame the government as they are here to protect us from ourselves, right?

The only other thing I was thinking about adding to this is that the SVT Focus header is tuned to work with the SVT Zetec engine and the ECU/PCM on the standard Foci is programmed to work with the stock header and cat. I'm speculating here, but I think that combining the two might not give you the same benefits or the best outcome. One of the really smart people here can correct me on this if I'm way off the mark.

P-51, ZX3Racing, Ducman69, someone from SVT/SVE, anyone...

>8^)
ER

[This message has been edited by Peloton25 (edited 06-21-2001).]

 

[S. on Da 5]

IMO Ford Racing should sell them

!!!
This is a smog legal exhaust and cat set up. If it works on the SVT Focus I see no reason it wouldn't work on a ZX3.

The legal issues would probably be a CARB exempt number for the part. I think it would very easily be aproved. It is so beautiful!!

Peloton the only difference on the Head if I recal right is the size of the ports on the intake and the internals.



[This message has been edited by S. on Da 5 (edited 06-24-2001).]

 

[esseff]

S.on Da 5, you may not see why the header won't work on a regular Focus, but that doesn't mean it will. The head design of the SVT is very different from that of the standard Focus. However it remains to be seen if it will fit. I too hope it does.

 

[Dfocusin]

It would be a factory part on a factory engine. How could it fail a visual inspection?
If it is going to work it looks far superior to all other options! It will be worth the wait.

------------------
2000 Focus Kona Mt. Bike Edt. Dirt Metalic(Focusin)mods. interior-850 watt stereo system 12 disk CD changer, 2 10" Fosgates-window tint-red carbonfiber dash kit-exterior-indiglo rear Ford emblem and license plate frame-Focus Sport red upper front strut brace-Focus Sport red plug wires- Focus Sport Cool Flo Air Intake.

 

[PhocusPhan]

OK, here is a definitive answer from the SVE powertrain engineer: The SVT Focus header as shown in this post WILL FIT the current Zetec head and will bolt to EXISTING cat-back exhaust with some minor mods to the SVT flex pipe. Price and availability WILL be an issue. Installation will most likely require the REMOVAL of the front crossmember and steering rack! Those are the facts!


------------------
Team Great Lakes!!!
2000 ZX3 5 Speed, Loaded Twilight Blue/ Silver Graphics, Eibach, Razzi, Borla, Energy Suspension, Grillcraft, TSW Big Deeps, 215/40-17's, Iceman Intake, more to come!

 

[Ducman69]

Just the facts mam.

The goal of the headers is just to flow the exhaust pulses as smoothly as possible (hence the weird spaghetti shape and why long-tube headers usually produce higher gains)... ok and to act as a buffer and to smooth the transmission of the exhaust pulses (relating to that exhaust pulse scavenging we were talking about here before). Its probably a lot more complicated too, evidenced by the 4-2-1 headers (like the SVT ones) that are best for low RPMs and the 4-1s that are best for high RPM... *shrugs shoulders*

So just like an aftermarket intake, the improved shape makes for freer flowing headers to increase the volumetric efficiency of the engine. That's the effect. So I'd treat it like you would intake, cams, exhaust, etc... Plus, you can only optimize the header over a specific RPM range anyway. Perhaps their extra length will help with low RPM operation, and the smooth bends helping out to boost HP levels. So its a win-win situation regardless, compared to the stock setup.

BTW, and regarding the visual inspections for a cat, I'm sure as long as you have a cat SOMEWHERE down the line and can point to it you'll pass. Worst-case scenario you have to try two different places to get someone to pass you. And I wouldn't feel too bad about moving the cat further back. I'm sure you are still 300% more environmentally friendly than that Excursion rolling by you that gets special "truck standards".

------------------
00 Ford ZX3 / 96 Ford Cobra
90 Yam FJ1200/ 85 Yam RZ350 / 84 Yam RZ350
Engine Forum Moderator -Chris-

[This message has been edited by Ducman69 (edited 06-24-2001).]

 

[2001 ZTS]

Looking from the side isn't it more "C" shaped than one of the existing aftermarket race headers?

 

[ZXmurph]

"The legal issues would probably be a CARB exempt number for the part. I think it would very easily be aproved. It is so beautiful!!"

Very easily approved?- well there is no such thing with C.A.R.B.-- unfortunately Ford Racing would have to set-up the application completely and go through a complete certification similar to normal new car EPA protocol before getting the exemption #. Needless to say this will bring up simple cost/ benefit questions of how many header/cat combos they will sell to make this a worthwhile product. I think they might do it because of the sheer number of cars out there but if they do go through it- I would guess the combo's final price would be prohibitively expensive. Devil's advocate then asks if 800-100O bucks is worth it for 5-10whp legal hp, it may be- --just something to ponder.

Also it is important to note that here in Cali, the good ol' "brozie can smog it for me- wink, wink" situation is getting more and more scarce as fines for station violations are large growing and getting your "smog station" status yanked is no fun. It will be very difficult to find your connection that will "let" you pass a visual.

While I will be the first to criticize some of C.A.R.B.'s administrative crap, I think the normal bashing it takes is kind of silly. The standards of California have essentially provided the engineering drive that has led us into the automotive horsepower,efficiency, and cleanliness renaissance we now enjoy worldwide.

Of course my race car is street legal, my Focus technically isn't, and my diesel is legal too.

Figure that out.....

 

[V]

Ok legal issues aside though...anyone from SVT want to let us know on this one?

 

[V]

Well anyone interested in this? I happen to know someone who has one in stock

 

[hatched]

I'm interested – I bet the dealers would charge an arm and a leg (if not both of them) for it though...

 

[V]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by hatched:
I'm interested – I bet the dealers would charge an arm and a leg (if not both of them) for it though...<hr></blockquote>

Thats what I thought too

 

[stevefooter]

Mike...log onto IM...we gotta talk about this!

STEVE