Focus RS Conversion Discussion

[JRice]

Lately a couple different vendors have been selling OEM RS Body parts at really good prices, so I have to ask the question.

Can anybody who has done it chime in or does anyone think they know how much it would cost to update the exterior (only) with OEM RS parts.

OEM RS front bumper
OEM RS FRONT QUARTER PANELS
OEM RS REAR QUARTER PANELS
OEM RS rear bumper

Due to the larger wheel wells I would need wider wheels.
Anything I'm missing that is vital?

I need to know if this conversion is worth the money or not.

(note: did use the search button, sorry if this has been asked before.)

Thanks!

[hEaT]

Probably the biggest cost is the paint and the body work required to fit all the parts, especially the rear quarter panels since they are welded to the car.

[wesidede8]

I was going to do it but then I totalled my ZX3.

[2focusd]

Without a doubt the most difficult and expensive part of the conversion is going to come in the rear quarter panels. The F2 RS kit was nice since it merely added fender flares to the existing quarters that were held in place with rivets. However in order to install the OEM pieces, you'll need to pull the glass, remove the welds on the existing panels, and weld the new ones in place. On top of all of that, expect probably $2K - $3K in paint alone for the entire car, not to mention the prep work, body work on said quarters, etc.

-Brian

[JRice]

Originally Posted by wesidede8

I was going to do it but then I totalled my ZX3.

Damn that sucks man.

Originally Posted by 2focusd

expect probably $2K - $3K in paint alone for the entire car

Okay. I LOVE the look for the '04 Focus RS but it's def. not worth that much. Rather build up the engine so I can run more boost.

[blackbird]

While getting a quote for my front bumper cover I asked about the rear quarter panels as those would be the biggest cost/labor portion of the conversion. They estimated it might take 20 hours per side. At $48/hr plus paint they said it could run $1500-2000 per side by the time it's finished. I'm going to get another estimate but I'd expect it to be pretty high. My own guestimate is that a full conversion if you already had all the parts would run in the range of $5-6k at a good body shop for install and paint.

One of the biggest problem I have is that I'm very picky about body work and there's very few places I'd trust to do something as involved as quart panel swaps. They have to remove glass and trim, drill out the factory spot welds and then replace the panel, weld it, seal everything and I'd want it to look exactly like stock. Then make sure you couldn't tell it had been painted.

Once the body and paint work is done you'd have other expenses as well if you started with the FRPP pieces. Side marker lamps, grill inserts and corner/fog lamps, side sill panels, aftermarket wheels and so on. I'd really like to do it but I'm thinking $9-10k total, out the door wouldn't be unreasonable when all is said and done.

[REVSWIN]

Your biggest worry is a few years down the road if you get in an accident, how do you go about replacing the parts? You really have to commit to this.

[CrUziN4L]

^exactly....u wouldn't be able to, because in 2yrs there will be near NO new replacement parts. There barely are now.

u would have to just go custom

[blackbird]

Or try to import parts from Europe if the FRPP supply dries up (which is likely once the current pieces are clearanced out), but if you have regular full coverage insurance on the car they would most likely write it off as a regular Focus. If anyone does the conversion you would definitely want to find a stated value policy so you're covered financially but even then getting it fixed may or may not be feasible.

[CrUziN4L]

Originally Posted by blackbird

Or try to import parts from Europe if the FRPP supply dries up (which is likely once the current pieces are clearanced out), but if you have regular full coverage insurance on the car they would most likely write it off as a regular Focus. If anyone does the conversion you would definitely want to find a stated value policy so you're covered financially but even then getting it fixed may or may not be feasible.

thing is, everything hasnt been made for a while, FRPP has extremely low supply is any (website is misleading) there is a company in the states that has some also but very limited (why so cheap)

...and finding parts overseas is just a huge headache, especially considering u'll do it once for the conversion then other times if u are in a accident....being so rare now, u can almost guarrantee any of it will not be around in the near future. Then adding insurance headaches into the view, ur looking for hell.

if u are serious, the ONLY smart way of doing things is buying two of everything now, period.

[JRice]

True. If you did get into an accident it would be a nightmare to get the replacement parts.. I would LOVE to do the conversion but there are so many cons and so few pros, it's really not worth it.

Now I know why few have done it.

[R0B]

an RS conversion would cost from start to finish over 10 grand

from finding the sheet metal, to shipping to cutting and welding the RS rear quarter sheet metal, to paint etc

spoken from someone who owned a RS Replica and spoken from someone who knows the guy who did all the work and the costs

[CrUziN4L]

i still will sell my kidney to buy ur car^

[R0B]

well its owned by someone near your neck of the woods

[Random Select]

don't tempt cruzin4l to do a drive-by hold up.

cruzin4l: THIS IS A HOLD UP!!!
replica owner: wait...what???
cruzin4l: here take my kidney...i'll take your car!!!
replica owner: wat? no wai!!!!
*cruzin4l drives away with car*
replica owner:

[Zetecpwr]

Everyone is right on the cost issues.. I'm currently in the process of converting my svt. Wheels are a b**ch to find. Along with everything else until recently.. The little parts really nickle and dime you to death.. then you have issues with things like inner fenders.. try finding those.. its no picnic.. Overall I will be very very happy when its all said and done but I would not do this for my daily driver.. I only put like 1500 miles a year on my foci. I label it my "toy" thus i can justify the spending, but I would not recomend it if you aren't totally commited to the project. Just my $.02

- Mike

[CrUziN4L]

Originally Posted by Random Select

don't tempt cruzin4l to do a drive-by hold up.

cruzin4l: THIS IS A HOLD UP!!!
replica owner: wait...what???
cruzin4l: here take my kidney...i'll take your car!!!
replica owner: wat? no wai!!!!
*cruzin4l drives away with car*
replica owner:

and drive right to the hospital.


nanana, i would love it but i got enough on my hands with one foci

[SVT2RS]

Sorry for being so late to the party.

There are less expensive options for tracking down RS parts from Europe, but as with anything worth doing, it takes huge amounts of time and patience. Freight costs are relatively low on transport ships, but again, delivery is discussed in months not days.

I have amost gone through the entire exterior conversion now, and while I have not stock piled all backup parts (nor really acquired the all the first ones yet to be honest), I do know that to me it's worth the time and patience (and a little extra $$) for a completely unique car in the US. In car design and modification you never get the monetary value back out of a vehicle, it's just a hobby, and like most hobbies worth doing you get enjoyment from the task as much as the final product.

While I would love to tell you to abandon all hope, and run for the hills so I can keep the RS replica group small and unique (what are there, 3-4 total in North America?), I will be honest and tell you it's worth the trouble... I friggin' love the look of a RS focus peaking out of my garage each morning when I get ready to go to school.

[CaysE]

The cost of all the bodypanels isn't all that bad, but there are SO many other parts you need to buy to give it the complete RS treatment, many of which have to be sourced overseas. I've been collecting parts for over two years and still need quite a bit more before I can actually get started. Like SVT2RS said, parts can be found cheaply if you're patient and dilligent. I've built a number of good relationships with RS Owners Club guys in the UK which has helped tremendously.

Labor costs can be cut down if you do a lot of the prep work yourself. Hell, you could probably get the quarterpanels and windows off yourself before it even gets to the shop if you have a good drill and some cobalt bits.

Like Zetecpwr said, you really need to commit to it if you want to tackle a real RS conversion, and I too would recommend the base car no longer be your daily driver.

[stoopidsteve87]

If capaldi racing still has the body pieces, that's that place to get it all right now for a little savings and definitely make things a bit easier. but even if they do still have a supply, it'll run out in time as well.

[Lancer211]

3-4 in all of NA??

[CaysE]

There will likely be four more: Zetecpwr, Dominic (the white drag car), HTPerformance and me. Lots of other people have bought pieces of the kit here and there, but it's rare to see someone actually follow through with it.

[SVT2RS]

Originally Posted by Lancer211

3-4 in all of NA??

Let's list all the ones we know about, maybe my estimate is way off?

[CaysE]

Only the ones we know about... there very well may be a couple that aren't on the forums.

F2's black ZX3
SVT2RS's silver/blue SVT
Ford Racing's blue RS8

Off the top of my head, that's all I know of. I believe there were one or two track cars done up with RS body panels, too.

To add to the list of in-progress builds, I'm fairly certain there's a guy in Hawaii planning an RS conversion, too.

[CrUziN4L]

There's one or two more than that....and i really doubt anyone off the major forums doing so only because 99% of the people have no idea of the RS, and if they are driving a focus and looking to mod they usually are more towards shows and that only ends in lambos and neon.