Mk1 focus, to upgrade or not to upgrade?
Discussion
So I'm planning on getting a 1.6 1999 focus, it has about 90k miles on it but I know the full history and it's solid, and I just wanted to ask if it is worth upgrading. I'm not interested in cosmetics, I want this car so that I can have some fun around the country lanes and potentially take it for a track day. SO, do you think for that purpose it's ready to rock and roll, or, are there some fundamental parts I'll need to consider buying like new brakes and tires etc?
There will be many improvements to be made without actually "modifying" it. Decent tyres, fresh droplinks/track rod ends/suspension components and of course brakes with good pads will make a world of difference if the old ones are on their way out. A service would be a good idea if you're planning on thrashing it.
Otherwise, if you really want to spend some money on it, zetecs are easy to tune, aftermarket parts are common and there is a lot of knowledge about them. Tyres, brakes, then engine parts like cams & exhaust would be the way I'd go (in that order). After that, sky's the limit. I wouldn't spend anything on suspension (other than new standard parts) as Focuses are really well sorted as standard.
http://www.burtonpower.com/tuning-guides/tuning-gu...
Otherwise, if you really want to spend some money on it, zetecs are easy to tune, aftermarket parts are common and there is a lot of knowledge about them. Tyres, brakes, then engine parts like cams & exhaust would be the way I'd go (in that order). After that, sky's the limit. I wouldn't spend anything on suspension (other than new standard parts) as Focuses are really well sorted as standard.
http://www.burtonpower.com/tuning-guides/tuning-gu...
Viperz888 said:
There will be many improvements to be made without actually "modifying" it. Decent tyres, fresh droplinks/track rod ends/suspension components and of course brakes with good pads will make a world of difference if the old ones are on their way out. A service would be a good idea if you're planning on thrashing it.
Otherwise, if you really want to spend some money on it, zetecs are easy to tune, aftermarket parts are common and there is a lot of knowledge about them. Tyres, brakes, then engine parts like cams & exhaust would be the way I'd go (in that order). After that, sky's the limit. I wouldn't spend anything on suspension (other than new standard parts) as Focuses are really well sorted as standard.
http://www.burtonpower.com/tuning-guides/tuning-gu...
thanks for the tips!Otherwise, if you really want to spend some money on it, zetecs are easy to tune, aftermarket parts are common and there is a lot of knowledge about them. Tyres, brakes, then engine parts like cams & exhaust would be the way I'd go (in that order). After that, sky's the limit. I wouldn't spend anything on suspension (other than new standard parts) as Focuses are really well sorted as standard.
http://www.burtonpower.com/tuning-guides/tuning-gu...
also to the guy below, im going for the 1.6 as it's a family owned car so i'm 100% sure I know what I'll have to begin with without any surprises
So I've just been researching (i.e. vaguely typing stuff into google)about brake kits and conversions etc. And now I have a couple more questions.
Firstly the focus I'm getting is a '99 1.6 and as such it has drum brakes on the rear. From my googling I seem to be getting mixed messages about whether to replace them, drum brakes are known to be S**t but the rear brakes also do less work. So this leaves me as a total novice at a loss as to whether I should replace them, what are your thoughts?
Secondly what should I be looking to replace, for example just pads, just discs, front brakes only, the whole everything ever?
Finally what is a reasonable price (considering I will mostly be using this on the occasional track day but the rest of the time just out on country lanes) for said parts. After a quick look, pads are about £40, discs £120 and 'full kits' nearly £1000, is this right or am I looking in the wrong places?
Thanks again for anyone who can help!
Firstly the focus I'm getting is a '99 1.6 and as such it has drum brakes on the rear. From my googling I seem to be getting mixed messages about whether to replace them, drum brakes are known to be S**t but the rear brakes also do less work. So this leaves me as a total novice at a loss as to whether I should replace them, what are your thoughts?
Secondly what should I be looking to replace, for example just pads, just discs, front brakes only, the whole everything ever?
Finally what is a reasonable price (considering I will mostly be using this on the occasional track day but the rest of the time just out on country lanes) for said parts. After a quick look, pads are about £40, discs £120 and 'full kits' nearly £1000, is this right or am I looking in the wrong places?
Thanks again for anyone who can help!
I have a mk1 Focus race car im currently breaking. Have tried and tested most options as to what works best!
Would suggest with brakes the cheapest and best option is to upgrade to ST170 brakes. You will needs hubs, calipers, carriers, pads, disc and brake lines. Easiest and cheapest option.
A decent set of tyres is a must! also, there is quite a lot of body roll. Eibach ARBs are a good buy to help with the roll. Also, if budget allows would suggest to start looking at a decent set of coilovers.
Would suggest with brakes the cheapest and best option is to upgrade to ST170 brakes. You will needs hubs, calipers, carriers, pads, disc and brake lines. Easiest and cheapest option.
A decent set of tyres is a must! also, there is quite a lot of body roll. Eibach ARBs are a good buy to help with the roll. Also, if budget allows would suggest to start looking at a decent set of coilovers.
An ST170 rear axle would be the best way of getting discs on the rear, but its a pretty big job if you don't know what you're doing. In all honesty, if you're doing it on the cheap, I wouldn't bother. rears do very little work, and to get to the point of having something that will make a noticeable difference, you're looking at spending a fair bit (in money and time.)
Fronts are where you want to put the effort in. It depends on what you want to spend, really. A big brake kit would be well over £1000, but this is completely unnecessary for a standard focus. New discs and good pads (EBC Yellowstuff, Ferodo DS2500 etc) probably about £100. If you get ST170 setup, slightly more (plus the cost of the ST170 hubs etc). Braided lines some more again.
Passionford is maybe a better place to ask for more specific details and advice on setups and prices.
Fronts are where you want to put the effort in. It depends on what you want to spend, really. A big brake kit would be well over £1000, but this is completely unnecessary for a standard focus. New discs and good pads (EBC Yellowstuff, Ferodo DS2500 etc) probably about £100. If you get ST170 setup, slightly more (plus the cost of the ST170 hubs etc). Braided lines some more again.
Passionford is maybe a better place to ask for more specific details and advice on setups and prices.
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