stage 1 cams

[hemet2.3]

I was thinking of getting some cams and im curious at the amount of hp u get from them. I got a 2.3 5 speed FS CAI and roush cat back what kind of #s can i look forward to?

[arty]

Just cams won't help much - mainly HP over 4500-5000 RPM. You will need a good tune also.

[Predator]

I put the stage 1's in my 03 2.3. It has made a nice little difference, mainly in the mid range.

I can stay in od with the ac on and still accelerate pretty well on the freeway.

I have a cai, header, exhaust, stg 1's. The cel is on with the stock tune. That should go away next week.

[Focus_wrc07]

On the cams, you can expect about the same amount of power as if you were to be putting a header on your car.

It really depends on the car though. Cars are different, and you can build two cars, the exact same way, and they'll be different in a lot of aspects.

Also, I wouldn't recommend putting a header on your car with a stock tune. Get a tune from FS, or someone, and keep the CEL off. Not to mention, it'll optimize timing, and everything, and add a FEW ponies, but not much. But if you're adding cams, header, exhaust, cai, etc. The tune wouldn't hurt one bit. Just hold off on your tune for now, because if you buy the tuner, and add everything to your car, then everything's going to be needing to be retuned when ever you buy another part to add. That would get costly.

[Predator]

I have been driving around with a cel for quite awhile, because of the header.
The power it picked up is worth it, I still get 32 mpg. My foot is in it every chance I get.

If you plan on getting the header plan on a tune, but don't let that stop you from installing it.

[Focus_wrc07]

I would recommend tuning after getting the other mods done after the header like Predator's doing. The tune SHOULD take care of the CEL though.

[Predator]

I chose to do the tune last, that way I only pay for it once.

It will be done on monday. I think this will end the focus buildup.

[Focus_wrc07]

That's the way I would've done it too Predator. The tune's tempting and everything, but why do it several times, and pay a lot more?

What all do you have done Predator?

[Predator]

I have a homemaid CAI, f2 torque step header, homemade flexpipe, 2.5" exhaust all the way out through a magnaflow and a glasspack , no cats, (I hung it up there), stg 1 cams, h&r sports, spax on all 4 corners, with konig troubles wrapped with neogens.

and a homemade balance shaft delete.

Since I drive about 70 miles a day I wanted something streetable. It has a nice midrange and is very quick stoplight to stoplight. With a cel and ac on I still get 31/32 mpg. I am hopeing after the tune I will pull 34mpg. I would get better if I would keep my foot out of it.

Its very impressive for a 4cyl.

[Focus_wrc07]

Predator, thanks for the mods list.

I have a 2007 ZX3, and I was thinking about something along those lines, but I was trying to decide between putting a header on it, or actually saving for a turbo kit. I'm still tore there, because I want to turbo charge it bad, but then again, I want it to be streetable too, because I drive around 80 miles, or more a day. You know? The turbo would be fun, but I don't think I want a daily driven car like that. You know?

How did you do your homemade flex? F2's offering a header that comes with the 2.5" flex pipe.

Yes, these are impressive little cars for 4 cylinders. They're not the fastest thing out there, but they're not the slowest either.

[tallguy2.3]

Dude, Predator idk how you still get that good of mileage. I couldnt do anything to get less than 29 (except track days of course ) and I never got more than 31. Now I cant seem to get 28 or 29. But then again, my right foot has something to do with it. I have i/e/h/tune.

A set of stage 1 cams should give you an increase in mid-rang and top end power something like 5-10whp when set mildly. The more aggressive stage 1's (cosworth) will focus more on top-end than midrange. You just have to ask what power you want, and where you want it.

[Predator]

For the flex.
I got a header that had a ball and socket joint. It was a pos. I got a flex pipe off ebay and cut the original midpipe up. I welded the bends on to the flex and made a slipjoint where the donut gasket used to go.

I wanted more bottom to midrange power, thats where I spend all my time. I was looking for torque. The cranes did help to improve that.

[Focus_wrc07]

Thanks Predator. I appreciate that. I'll look into that, but then again F2's header that I mentioned above wouldn't require that. I'll think about which route I'd like to go before commiting though.

Tallguy, I know what you're saying, but I've been able to get around 32 I think at the most out of mine. It's rated for 37 highway, but I've never been able to click 33 even. The worst I've gotten is 27-28. It sucks, because I'm stock with no mods. Haha.... Dang right foot. Anyway, what's the tune do as far as the speed limiter? I know most people say that they shut off at 108, but what if they shut down after passing 108?

[hemet2.3]

Well thats a lot to process but i know my lemiter is 107 and i was going down the cahon pass when the car was stock in so cal and i hit it twice to fast cause its down hill and the car shut off lol then i said out loud " thank god its a stick" slowed down and restarted at like 100 pretty good learning exp. Hey how much is a tune?

[Focus_wrc07]

Well, like I was asking though, they typically shut off at 108 or so. But what if they shut off past 108, actually like at 112, or something? What would be causing that? Break in procedures, driving habits while programming the car exactly how you drive, what? I don't know?

As far as a tune goes, you can get the XCALII from Focus Sport for $380 bucks. You can get it tuned for 91, 87, or 93 octane, early fan activation, etc. It's worth it, but there's more options I didn't list. Go to www.focussport.com and check them out. When contacting them, if you do, you'll be talking to Randy about tuning.

[tallguy2.3]

My stock tune was governed at 120. Idk why the newer cars are set lower or why there would be a variance but I doubt its worth worrying about. I also dont know how high Randy sets the new governor on the tune from FS but its higher than 120 I betcha.

[David Anderson]

If anyone is curious, my xcal is for sale for CHEAP

[Focus_wrc07]

Tallguy, thanks for info on the limiter.

My old Zetec shut off at 112 stock, and my D20 I've had around that, but it didn't shut off yet. That's why I was wondering. It seems that the governors are set differently on each individual car, and pending on auto, or manual trans.

[Cameroon]

The govenors are all set at the same MPH for a particular model the variance is in the speedometer.

I thought it was common knowledge that most speedo's are off by a pretty decent amount from the true speed. Some brands have been tested by AAA and were 10% or more off. The AAA test showed that all cars they tested were indicating a higher speed than the actual speed. The assumption is reduced liability, if your car reads 75mph but you're really only doing 68mph you're less likely to be cited.

Std foci are set at 108 because of the speed rating of the tires that are the std. OEM (ie the cheapest version)

The ST's OEM tire is H rated and surprisingly ford gave it a higher cutoff. The SVT's also had higher cutoffs (around 130 or so) because their OEM tire had a higher speed rating.

This is done to avoid liability as well, your car can't cook the tires it came with.

[Oreo]

While we're at it, it's worth mentioning that a focus, any body style, becomes extremely aerodynamically unstable past 130mph. Even on the track one should avoid taking a focus to those speeds.

[Focus_wrc07]

Cameroon, Oreo, thanks for the heads up on both issues there.

My car is the '07 SES that came stock with the Pirelli's. I know if the set it at the OEM tire (cheapest) like has been stated, it's different unless speed ratings on my Pirelli's are the same. So when my car's reading around 112 or so, it's actually getting ready to shut off at 108 really? Just curious.

I've only ran 130-130+ once, and it was in my mom's 1996 Taurus SHO. It was squirrelly at those speeds too. I could only imagine what the Focus would be like at that speed as light, and everything as they are. It seems like hitting a spec of dirt in one would send you off course at high speeds sometimes.

[tallguy2.3]

Originally Posted by Oreo

While we're at it, it's worth mentioning that a focus, any body style, becomes extremely aerodynamically unstable past 130mph. Even on the track one should avoid taking a focus to those speeds.

Idk about that buddy. I plan on being there as often as possible (only on track of course) and I know other guys here in the dez that have taken Foci higher than that.

(Oh like maintaining 142mph around Cal Speedway without spoiler, diffuser, splitter, etc...)

[Focus_wrc07]

Tallguy, so what would you say that you can get out of a Focus on the top end safely? How far off do you think the speedometers are? Just curious here. My car shuts off around 112 or so according to the speedo. What would that turn out to be?

[tallguy2.3]

Theres likely nothing wrong with your or anyones speedometer. I was just saying that I know for a fact people take foci to and above said limit of 130 safely. Or at least safe enough-ly.


I doubt a focus will ever feel as stable as a corvette or something else with real aero qualities but if my car had the power I would take it to 150 or 160. But since it doesnt, and since I will most likely top out less than 145 no matter how long the track, I'm not worried.

[Focus_wrc07]

Thanks again Tallguy. I was just curious, because I didn't know if the speedo's had play from factory or not. I've always thought them to be accurate.

I've been around 130-140 once like I've said. It was fun, but I never did push the car to it's full potential. I would like to try it again someday, but the opportunity just doesn't seem to happen.