Ford Focus ZX3 (Starting build!)

So about six months ago I picked up a ZX3 with intentions of building a stage rally car. As of now I have it too where I could rally cross it but here is some progress!

My plans include a cage built by either Doug Davenport, or Whiskers.
JVAB Suspension (already in the works with a one off 50mm focus setup with Bilstein HD's! Cool!)
3,4,5 close ratio set and a different final drive
Already have a pretty rad motor. About 180whp tuned on 91 octane
May run a more aggressive cam with higher compression and puts for 195 just because
Seam weld everything of course
Sparco seating
Other then that I'm not sure what's going to happen!
I have some fab work ahead of me to get the JVAB in back
Also reinforcing arms and rear sub frame
Not sure on the focus front control arms as they are boxed and have to reinforce...
Rear is going to be tubular with forged aluminum adjustable Camber arms
All the rear control arms will be rhino lined or something along those lines
Roof venting, and I'm going to need change my intake setup as I don't want dust getting sucked up through my cold air intake... Ojibwe Forest and headwaters are very sand and dusty in places
And from what I understand,
Motors don't run well on dust fuel additive

Any information I can get is great, as well as lines on parts or other focus rallyists. I know O'reilly, and the juggernaut guys, Erik hill, as well as Few others.

Before John beats on you. Update with real name and location.

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Don Kennedy

John get in here and show yourself! Lol.

Welcome! I'd not bother with cracking into engine for the cam and higher compression until you've got three events or a blown engine. The 180 will be plenty and running on 91 instead of needing higher octane or converting to E85 will help with operating costs and getting onto stage!

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Grant Hughes

Great point. MR Van Vurpa was turning me to the aggressive cam side

And realistically with my light weight car 180ish hp should pull itself just fine with proper gearing... No need to go overboard, even though I probably will.

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imnotcrazy
Before John beats on you. Update with real name and location.

He's a good kid. He understands..

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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.

DOHC Zetec engine?
Curious as to what it takes to get that to 180hp.

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Robert Culbertson
DOHC Zetec engine?
Curious as to what it takes to get that to 180hp.

Somebody spent some money.

More curious of course is what Foot-Lebz it makes

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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.

If I remember correctly it was around 167ft lbs?

167ftlbs I believe . I'll list mods in a bit

Welcome. That motor should scoot along pretty well even with the stock gear ratios.

Make sure to add reinforcement plates to the front strut tops as those tend to bend.

Seem welding outside of the front and rear suspension mounts is really not needed on these cars. But if you have the welder and the time go for it.

bought a plug and play welder a while back for sheet metal work I think itll do nicely. do you cut the tops and replace them or just reinforce them?

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RileySteenFRT
bought a plug and play welder a while back for sheet metal work I think itll do nicely. do you cut the tops and replace them or just reinforce them?

Double them..maybe a touch thicker material..No need to go toooooooo crazy...If stock thickness lasts 200k miles then maybe 2-2.2 times stock will last a few years..

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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.

just sheet metal then? say like 1/8 inch? wait this is rally... whats the metric conversion? how does 5mm sound...