Increasing the BHP on a 2.0 Focus

[Robbors]

Orite lads.
Ive got a 2.0 3 door zetec for my first car (Im 17) now ive had this car a while and its nippy enough, although id like to squeeze a little more bhp out of the thing maybe get it to 150bhp abit more not going down the turbo route as im saving for a Cupra R for my next car anyway.
What gains could i see from a ST170 manifold maybe a full ST170 exhaust, K&N filter maybe some fast road cams?
Any suggestions?
Cheers.

[tybo]

I'd say a 2.0 Focus has plenty of 'go' for a first car.

Don't waste your money, just enjoy it for what it is.

Welcome to PH

[Robbors]

cheers pal. Haha it is i just want to add that little bit of edge to it dont worry im not goign to slap a big spoiler and a body kit on it haha!!

[rsstman]

if you really want to the best things to do would probably be a remap and exhaust system, and possibly some sort of induction mod for the air intake too. will make the car feel a bit more spritely and make a nice noise.

[Alfa_75_Steve]

You're starting with around 128bhp.

Exhaust / remap / cams *may* get you to 150bhp - but you'll have spent so much doing it, you may as well have traded it for an ST.

[Robbors]

No i wouldnt have done better trading it in for an ST because im 17 would you like to pay the insurance for an ST170?
So 421 manifold and a exhaust system maybe take it to around 150bhp?

[tybo]

Robbors said:

No i wouldnt have done better trading it in for an ST because im 17 would you like to pay the insurance for an ST170?
So 421 manifold and a exhaust system maybe take it to around 150bhp?

But they're going to bump the insurance up too.

Surely the insurance is a bit steep for you as it is?

[rsstman]

Robbors said:

So 421 manifold and a exhaust system maybe take it to around 150bhp?

no, but maybe some sort of chip,induction kit/mod, cams and the full manifold and system.

Edited by rsstman on Monday 4th May 18:26

[Robbors]

Ah brilliant thanks for all the help (Y)
Well yes but my 2.0 is in insurance group 8 a ST170 is in insurance group 15 or somthing.

[M@T.R]

Robbors said:

Ah brilliant thanks for all the help (Y)
Well yes but my 2.0 is in insurance group 8 a ST170 is in insurance group 15 or somthing.

Yes but when you tell them about you mods they will bump your insurance up. I presume you were planning on declaring any mods!

[Robbors]

If i use an ST170 manifold and maybe the full exhuast system will it produce the same harmonics as the ST170, is it worth Decating or will it sound like a corsa with a big bore?

[Chris_w666]

Don't modify it, the insurance will either go up or not pay out.

If you do need to modify it then a 65mm throttle body, ST170 air intake snorkel with a new panel filter, de-cat manifold and 3inch exhaust then a remap, are about the best you could do without buying a turbo, supercharger or a lovely throttle body system with new management. Ford took that engine almost as far as it would go in N/A form with the ST170 so for about £1500 outlay you're probably not going to see more than 20bhp extra.


You would be better off running it for a year or 2 and putting the money you could have spent towards insurance for the more powerful car.

[Zoki]

The mod's I have on my 2.0 focus only bumped it up to group 10ish prices, in terms of power getting a good induction kit, ST manifold, Decat and good exhaust will probably see you hit around 150bhp. The manifold and exhaust is quite restrictive on the 2.0, have you taken it to a RR yet to see what it puts out standard? My one got 137bhp with no mods.

[camgear]

For what it's worth, putting an exhaust on my 1.8 Focus incurs no additional charge.

[Zad]

Get some insurance quotes first. Chances are that most places won't even insure you at your age with proper performance mods. If you want to make it feel faster, consider replacing some of the front suspension bushes with uprated items. Don't replace the rears unless you have to, otherwise it will lose roadholding and tend to slide around all over the place. I doubt you could get away with a full set of polybushes etc on standard insurance, but you might. How about treating it to a rolling road session? That should reveal any problems and maybe point to a way forward.

[camgear]

Would you really need to declare bushes?

[rsstman]

camgear said:

Would you really need to declare bushes?

surely not, thats like declaring michelin tyres.

[matmoxon]

rsstman said:

camgear said:

Would you really need to declare bushes?

surely not, thats like declaring michelin tyres.

If the part is different to the manufacturers part list for that car then you have to declare it. To me it is a bit silly because the difference in cornering performance and general grip from using cheap no name tyre to something like Conti Sport Contact 3's, and more extreme; Toyo Proxy 888's would be noticeably different, but you don't have to declare them.

To the OP: It is good that for mods you are thinking about performance improvements rather than body kits and big stereo's etc. but for your age as much as it pains me to say it (I decided to take similar advice and stuck with standard cars) keep it standard for the time being build up your cash and no claims and buy something that has it already fitted - it will cost less.

I can understand you wanting to tune and modify, I have the same bug and my Focus ST is probably going to be furnished with the full Mountune Conversion at some point this year, as the subtle cosmetic work is already done (see profile pic). Resist modifying for the time being you'll be all the better for it in a few years time when you have something that is worth spending the money on.

Matt

Edited by matmoxon on Thursday 7th May 21:39

[Alfa_75_Steve]

This:

matmoxon said:

I can understand you wanting to tune and modify, I have the same bug and my Focus ST is probably going to be furnished with the full Mountune Conversion at some point this year, as the subtle cosmetic work is already done (see profile pic).

Contradicts this:

matmoxon said:

Resist modifying for the time being you'll be all the better for it in a few years time when you have something that is worth spending the money on.

[Mattt]

My old one ran 142bhp 136lb/ft at a Rolling Road day stock (well with a K&N panel filter).

It was a good car, liked to drink though, but was solid and is still running strong 4 years later as I sold to a friend!

Get some NCB and trade up.