Focus Racing Exhaust Installed - Focaljet

**SVT Naco** · 04-23-2008, 07:22 AM

Well, my exhaust came in yesterday and I had it installed the same day as well. I was going to have the kids at the high school I work at install it for me, but i just felt like i needed to go to an exhaust shop. That hunch I had worked out for me, because there were some fitment issues. First of all, the part that hooks up to the flex pipe was too big so we weren't able to just bolt on that part. they had to weld that piece onto the flex pipe. the other thing was that you will definitely need an extra piece of piping (about 5 inches) to make it fit. the shop i had it done at was able to make all the necessary adjustments. they finished putting it on in about a hour and the guy only charged me 80 bucks. really good professional work. now i just need to let my computer relearn on its own. ill try to get some pictures of it to post.

**hommie** · 04-23-2008, 09:10 AM

Glad to hear you were able to get it to work. I really want to get one of these because I love the sound of the Borla. I just don't want to mess around with everything trying to make it fit.

However I never thought about having a exhaust shop do it. I will have to make some calls today and see who will do it. Thanks for the tip!!

**Dracconix** · 04-23-2008, 11:45 AM

It's not that hard. I did mine by myself minus the 5" extension. I took an angle grinder to the flange to open the holes, and had a 5" sleeve made at an exhaust shop, so if I ever wanted to swap the exhaust, there is nothing welded on. Looks and sounds good.

**hommie** · 04-23-2008, 12:40 PM

Yeah I know it isn't that hard, however I just don't want to mess with it. However I do love the sound of the Borla on a Focus

**Focus_wrc07** · 04-23-2008, 01:48 PM

Deagle did about the same thing Dracconix did on his exhaust. It worked out pretty well, and sounded pretty good as well.

I have my sound clip for the 2.5" SVT MBRP exhaust, but I haven't gotten it downloaded to photobucket, or youtube yet. I'm having problems in that area. If anyone would like to hear it, I can always email it as well.

**SVT Naco** · 04-23-2008, 02:09 PM

these are the only power mods i plan on adding to my car for the mean time. the only other thing is just getting a SCT and tuning it. i plan on getting a turbo kit 2-3 years from now and i don't want to add things and then not have to use them. i learned the hard way when i used to mod my spec v. did any of you disconnect your battery? doesn't the computer adjust itself on its own?

**hommie** · 04-23-2008, 03:30 PM

The computer will adjust on its own. It may stumble at first start up, but it will smooth out within seconds.

**Focus_wrc07** · 04-23-2008, 04:40 PM

Yes, what Hommie said is correct.

If you're going to be getting a turbo kit within a few years, what's making you want to get a tuner now for just an intake/exhaust mods? The most you'll gain is about 6-8whp, not to mention, when purchasing a turbo kit from FS, it comes with an SCT XCALII as well.

Just thought I'd put that out there. That's why I don't have a tuner yet.

**SVT Naco** · 04-23-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focus_wrc07

Yes, what Hommie said is correct.

If you're going to be getting a turbo kit within a few years, what's making you want to get a tuner now for just an intake/exhaust mods? The most you'll gain is about 6-8whp, not to mention, when purchasing a turbo kit from FS, it comes with an SCT XCALII as well.

Just thought I'd put that out there. That's why I don't have a tuner yet.

6-8 whp isn't that bad still. if i do turbo, i could always ask them to reset it for a turbo focus so it's cool.

**Dracconix** · 04-23-2008, 05:35 PM

I don't think resetting the ECU is as important on an exhaust install as it would be with cams or an intake.

However, if you are wanting to reset the ECU, you must disconnect the battery. The ECU will not simply just "Learn".

**hommie** · 04-23-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focus_wrc07

Yes, what Hommie said is correct.

If you're going to be getting a turbo kit within a few years, what's making you want to get a tuner now for just an intake/exhaust mods? The most you'll gain is about 6-8whp, not to mention, when purchasing a turbo kit from FS, it comes with an SCT XCALII as well.

Just thought I'd put that out there. That's why I don't have a tuner yet.

Not to mention in a year or so from now SCT may have a better unit. I just don't think the $400 for a tuner is worth the 6-8hp at best. I think it would be more 2-4hp.

**2006TZX4** · 04-23-2008, 07:02 PM

have any pics

**SVT Naco** · 04-23-2008, 09:25 PM

here's a video of how it sounds.

**Focus_wrc07** · 04-24-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVT Naco

6-8 whp isn't that bad still. if i do turbo, i could always ask them to reset it for a turbo focus so it's cool.

Yes, you can get the tuner reprogrammed at a later date to accomodate for the turbo, but that's going to cost more money. Why spend more than you have to when you'll get the tuner with the kit?

Hommie, the XCALII is the best out there right now, with the exception of the XCALIII (not sure, can't remember) that FS used in tuning the '08 SCT Focus.

**sayin0487** · 04-24-2008, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dracconix

I don't think resetting the ECU is as important on an exhaust install as it would be with cams or an intake.

However, if you are wanting to reset the ECU, you must disconnect the battery. The ECU will not simply just "Learn".

actually the ecu will simply learn. its called aaptive strategy. it is always learning and asjusting for parts wear, and adding aftermarket parts will also cause to adjust or "learn".

the only thing that can really come out of unhooking the battery is clearing trouble codes.

**hommie** · 04-24-2008, 08:42 AM

So let me get this straight. In order for the Ford Racing/Borla exhaust to work you have to modify the flange that mounts to the flex pipe and extend the piping several inches. Correct?

**SVT Naco** · 04-24-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hommie

So let me get this straight. In order for the Ford Racing/Borla exhaust to work you have to modify the flange that mounts to the flex pipe and extend the piping several inches. Correct?

YES, but from all the hassle, it still sounds VERY nice.

**hommie** · 04-24-2008, 09:52 AM

Well I do agree with the sound. I love the sound of Borla on a Focus. I had the kit on my SVTF and I loved it. It was a perfect sound.

I am thinking about just buying the kit and having a local exhaust shop make it work. I just need to make up my mind before all the kit's are gone!

**Focus_wrc07** · 04-24-2008, 10:35 AM

Not all kits need to be extended. Some has been fine, or pretty darn close right out of the box.

They were misboxed at one point in time, or not made correctly I suppose.

But yes, the flange will most likely need modified, as to everyone buying this kit has had to modify theirs at least.

**RUN_ZX3** · 04-24-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hommie

So let me get this straight. In order for the Ford Racing/Borla exhaust to work you have to modify the flange that mounts to the flex pipe and extend the piping several inches. Correct?

no.

judging by your sig you have a zx3. the people adding length to their exhaust are people with a sedan who got a hatch exhaust that was misboxed. That is why it is too short. You will have to modify the flange if you get one with a resonator instead of a transition pipe. You do not need to cut and notch the main mounting holes on the flex pipe or the borla's flange or weld the flanges together like some people are doing. Simply use a drill bit and elongate the holes in the flange on the borla kit until they line up with the holes in your flex pipe. Do not cut or modify your flex pipe. There is a little alignment peg on the flex flange that fits into a hole on the stock exhaust flange. You can notch the flange on the borla to go around this peg , drill a hole for it to fit through or if you really want just grind it off.

If you did order a zx4 kit and actually got a zx4 sized rear section you will need to shorten it. The zx3 kits are all sold out except for the center exit units. You can get one of those and get a new rear section made or buy the standard exit rear section from a borla svt kit in the for sale section from a jetter who has had one posted for a while (forget who it is). Many dealers were clearing out the duratec center exit units at about 200.00.

good luck.

**hommie** · 04-24-2008, 10:50 PM

Thanks for all the info.

I found a place that still has a few kits left. So I think I am going to have to order one up.

**Dracconix** · 04-24-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayin0487

actually the ecu will simply learn. its called aaptive strategy. it is always learning and asjusting for parts wear, and adding aftermarket parts will also cause to adjust or "learn".

the only thing that can really come out of unhooking the battery is clearing trouble codes.

Trust me... it is better to unhook the battery...

**sayin0487** · 04-25-2008, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dracconix

Trust me... it is better to unhook the battery...

actually it doesnt really make a difference. with just intake and exhaust the computer will learn everything it needs to just by driving it. and think about it. if you unhook the battery, what is it doing anyways? it is learning. ive been working with a driveabilty tech at work that knows his ****. hes the one that explained this to me. so im pretty sure he would be right. but some people like to unhook it anyways, so its not like its gonna hurt anything.

**hommie** · 04-25-2008, 08:11 AM

Yeah I agree no need to disconnect the battery. If you were going to doing something electrical then I could see that. I have worked on many cars over the years and I have never disconnected the battery, and I have never had a problem.

**Dracconix** · 04-25-2008, 06:00 PM

What I was saying is that to actually make the computer relearn... it is necessary to reset the battery...

I didn't want others to think they didn't need to necessarily, that the computer would simply "learn" on it own. For the computer to do so it needs to be reset.

For just an exhaust, no a reset is not necessary...

04-23-2008, 07:22 AM	#1
SVT Naco TEAM Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Del Valle, TX Posts: 179	Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Well, my exhaust came in yesterday and I had it installed the same day as well. I was going to have the kids at the high school I work at install it for me, but i just felt like i needed to go to an exhaust shop. That hunch I had worked out for me, because there were some fitment issues. First of all, the part that hooks up to the flex pipe was too big so we weren't able to just bolt on that part. they had to weld that piece onto the flex pipe. the other thing was that you will definitely need an extra piece of piping (about 5 inches) to make it fit. the shop i had it done at was able to make all the necessary adjustments. they finished putting it on in about a hour and the guy only charged me 80 bucks. really good professional work. now i just need to let my computer relearn on its own. ill try to get some pictures of it to post. __________________ 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST Modified Stealth CAI, Focus Racing Cat-Back Saleen Suspension Kit

04-23-2008, 09:10 AM	#2
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,461	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Glad to hear you were able to get it to work. I really want to get one of these because I love the sound of the Borla. I just don't want to mess around with everything trying to make it fit. However I never thought about having a exhaust shop do it. I will have to make some calls today and see who will do it. Thanks for the tip!! __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.

04-23-2008, 11:45 AM	#3
Dracconix Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,334	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed It's not that hard. I did mine by myself minus the 5" extension. I took an angle grinder to the flange to open the holes, and had a 5" sleeve made at an exhaust shop, so if I ever wanted to swap the exhaust, there is nothing welded on. Looks and sounds good. __________________ FocusSport & Cosworth.... Proving Power > Traction.... 14.01 @ 106.66

04-23-2008, 12:40 PM	#4
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,461	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Yeah I know it isn't that hard, however I just don't want to mess with it. However I do love the sound of the Borla on a Focus __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.

04-23-2008, 01:48 PM	#5
Focus_wrc07 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,207	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Deagle did about the same thing Dracconix did on his exhaust. It worked out pretty well, and sounded pretty good as well. I have my sound clip for the 2.5" SVT MBRP exhaust, but I haven't gotten it downloaded to photobucket, or youtube yet. I'm having problems in that area. If anyone would like to hear it, I can always email it as well. __________________ "Women should come with warning labels.... Everything you do seems to be wrong, and can never be fixed." "Some people are like slinkies.They're really good for nothing but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." 2007 Liquid Grey ZX3 SES Mods: FS Cool-Flo intake, MBRP SVT 2.5" exhaust. Check out my Myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/cougar390

04-23-2008, 02:09 PM	#6
SVT Naco TEAM Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Del Valle, TX Posts: 179	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed these are the only power mods i plan on adding to my car for the mean time. the only other thing is just getting a SCT and tuning it. i plan on getting a turbo kit 2-3 years from now and i don't want to add things and then not have to use them. i learned the hard way when i used to mod my spec v. did any of you disconnect your battery? doesn't the computer adjust itself on its own? __________________ 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST Modified Stealth CAI, Focus Racing Cat-Back Saleen Suspension Kit

04-23-2008, 03:30 PM	#7
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,461	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed The computer will adjust on its own. It may stumble at first start up, but it will smooth out within seconds. __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.

04-23-2008, 04:40 PM	#8
Focus_wrc07 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,207	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Yes, what Hommie said is correct. If you're going to be getting a turbo kit within a few years, what's making you want to get a tuner now for just an intake/exhaust mods? The most you'll gain is about 6-8whp, not to mention, when purchasing a turbo kit from FS, it comes with an SCT XCALII as well. Just thought I'd put that out there. That's why I don't have a tuner yet. __________________ "Women should come with warning labels.... Everything you do seems to be wrong, and can never be fixed." "Some people are like slinkies.They're really good for nothing but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." 2007 Liquid Grey ZX3 SES Mods: FS Cool-Flo intake, MBRP SVT 2.5" exhaust. Check out my Myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/cougar390

04-23-2008, 05:35 PM	#10
Dracconix Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,334	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed I don't think resetting the ECU is as important on an exhaust install as it would be with cams or an intake. However, if you are wanting to reset the ECU, you must disconnect the battery. The ECU will not simply just "Learn". __________________ FocusSport & Cosworth.... Proving Power > Traction.... 14.01 @ 106.66

04-23-2008, 07:02 PM	#12
2006TZX4 TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: winston salem Posts: 510	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed have any pics __________________ www.focussport.com www.killboy.com focus stage 2 turbo kit upgrade atx by lentech

04-23-2008, 09:25 PM	#13
SVT Naco TEAM Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Del Valle, TX Posts: 179	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed here's a video of how it sounds. __________________ 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST Modified Stealth CAI, Focus Racing Cat-Back Saleen Suspension Kit

04-24-2008, 08:42 AM	#16
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,461	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed So let me get this straight. In order for the Ford Racing/Borla exhaust to work you have to modify the flange that mounts to the flex pipe and extend the piping several inches. Correct? __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.

04-24-2008, 09:52 AM	#18
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,461	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Well I do agree with the sound. I love the sound of Borla on a Focus. I had the kit on my SVTF and I loved it. It was a perfect sound. I am thinking about just buying the kit and having a local exhaust shop make it work. I just need to make up my mind before all the kit's are gone! __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.

04-24-2008, 10:35 AM	#19
Focus_wrc07 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,207	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Not all kits need to be extended. Some has been fine, or pretty darn close right out of the box. They were misboxed at one point in time, or not made correctly I suppose. But yes, the flange will most likely need modified, as to everyone buying this kit has had to modify theirs at least. __________________ "Women should come with warning labels.... Everything you do seems to be wrong, and can never be fixed." "Some people are like slinkies.They're really good for nothing but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." 2007 Liquid Grey ZX3 SES Mods: FS Cool-Flo intake, MBRP SVT 2.5" exhaust. Check out my Myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/cougar390

04-24-2008, 10:50 PM	#21
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,461	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Thanks for all the info. I found a place that still has a few kits left. So I think I am going to have to order one up. __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.

04-25-2008, 08:11 AM	#24
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,461	Re: Focus Racing Exhaust Installed Yeah I agree no need to disconnect the battery. If you were going to doing something electrical then I could see that. I have worked on many cars over the years and I have never disconnected the battery, and I have never had a problem. __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.