Focus shifting

Something that really bothers me about the Foci is how it won't let you downshift if the rpms are too high per se(?) by judgement of the ecu, (maybe its from that, I honestly have no idea.) Every other five-speed I've owned has not been even close to as extreme as the focus in its downshift restriction, especially not my current little Mazda 323. (Oh how I wish the focus had that trans and gearing! It seems sooo much nicer!)
Anyway, is there anything I can do to deactivate this restriction? Like unplug a certain wire, or ??? I'm gonna be taking out the trans at some point over the next few months to install my beautiful new clutch and lightweight flywheel. So figures I, if its something that can or has to be done while in there, I may as well find out asap.

Thanks!
Ben

---

Ben Hetland
1973 Volvo 142 project car (with some cone-smashing on dirt in it's future, however)

"No. Rally Racing is a back alley sport filled with jackals, headhunters and thugs!"
-Pops Racer (Speed Racer movie)

www.utahrallygroup.com

Ben, it's the crappy plastic base to the shifter flexing, nothing electric of ecu controlled.

As for ratios, what are they in the Mazda and what are they in the MTX75?

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Is there much I can do to remedy that?

As for the ratios, the 323 has a 4.105:1 final drive. Thoughts?

---

Ben Hetland
1973 Volvo 142 project car (with some cone-smashing on dirt in it's future, however)

"No. Rally Racing is a back alley sport filled with jackals, headhunters and thugs!"
-Pops Racer (Speed Racer movie)

www.utahrallygroup.com

1fastben Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is there much I can do to remedy that?
>
> As for the ratios, the 323 has a 4.105:1 final
> drive. Thoughts?

Don't know what could solve it except maybe a metal base to the shifter, or the right oil maybe.
I mean my Ford gearbox is also a MT75 even if it is N/S and 4x4 its the same synchros and hubs and shift forks, and it shifts fine.

As for the ratios I meant all the gearbox ratios and the final drives for both, then we're going see about what the car weighs and what tire diameter is.
ALL that bears on how the car will accelerate.

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

I did take weight seriously into account for how much quicker my 323 feels, and there is definitely reason for it as you can see below. Even though the foci has a bit more horsey power, it still weighs a lot more.

Mazdog specs

Gear Ratio - First 3.416
Gear Ratio - Second 1.842
Gear Ratio - Third 1.290
Gear Ratio - Fourth 0.918
Gear Ratio - Fifth 0.731
Gear Ratio - Reverse 3.214
Final gear ratio 4.105

HP: 103
Weight: 2060~
Tire/wheel size: 155/80R13

Foci specs

Gear Base Ratio 4 Cyl
1st = 3.42
2nd = 2.14
3rd = 1.45
4th = 1.03
5th = 0.77
Rev = 3.42
Final Drive = 3.83

HP: 140~
Wheel/Tires: 205/65/15

And (*sob*) the weight: 2551 lbs (not the actual weight of my car, but the factory curb weight, because I haven't weighed the beast yet)

---

Ben Hetland
1973 Volvo 142 project car (with some cone-smashing on dirt in it's future, however)

"No. Rally Racing is a back alley sport filled with jackals, headhunters and thugs!"
-Pops Racer (Speed Racer movie)

www.utahrallygroup.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2008 12:07PM by 1fastben.

A couple of things to check on the Focus if you are having shifting issues. There is little to no electrical interaction with the trans other than a reverse light switch in the shift tower and a speed sensor used to run the spedo.

- Shift cable tension. There is a special tool you buy from ford for around $10-15 that will help you set the tension. If this is set wrong the trans will not go into gear properly.

- Transmission Fluid. Ford recomends a very very thin fluid in the MTX-75. The cheap solution is to use synthetic ATF fluid, do not use standard gear oil. The best fluid I have found comes from the Ford dealer, part number is: XT-M5-QS It is incredibly expensive something like $20 a quart but I have never had any shifting issues when running it in my trans.

- Remove any Short throw shifters. All the foci that I have driven that have vague and imprecise shifting had short throw shifters installed. This might have more to do with the cable tension being wrong but I don't know.

- The plastic base is a fairly stout but I have heard of people breaking them. I know the Boullion brothers broke on at RallyWV. So you might want to check yours for cracks.

I asked my father what he had done to the transmission and shifter on his cone-squisher E-prepared class Focus. It may or may not be relevant.

He said: "B&M Shifter - ... but, I had work done on the transmission to eliminate the
potential problem - main pin in shifter column needs to be machined and part
replaced.

"They need to talk with Terry Haines at HMS (Haines MotorSports). One of the
engineers that worked on the MTX75 - he can help them out.

"I have the number someplace ... just google it."

http://www.hainesmotorsports.net/index.html The website doesn't have much (any) info, but there is a contact email.

I really don't know if this info is really good or not. I don't want anybody throwing thousands of dollars at a problem with a $20 solution (many would argue that my father's Focus autocross car is an excercise at throwing many thousands of dollars at a solution called an 89-91 Civic Si)...but it might be worth an email to the guy.

---

Andrew Steere
Lyndeborough, NH
KB1PJY

Ben, this was just posted today:

-1 MTX75 transmission Quaife close-ratio 'syncro' gear set with 4.6 final drive and RSF Ford Racing Torsen LSD. Blueprinted assembly with brand new parts except case, no miles.
$4,450





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2008 01:30PM by gpbullock.

Just an FYI on that gearset. The Syncro one is significantly cheaper than the $6,000 price that Mark quoted, which is accurate for the dog version. I think it is closer to $3,000 with the current exchange rate.

Thanks Andrew. I didn't see the difference in price from the syncros vs the dog engagement.

Yeah, the snycro version is not posted on Autotech's "Quaife USA" site but if you got the parent company site they list both sets.

Still that would be an awesome transmission to have in a focus. And would still shift like poo if the cables where not adjusted properly