Newbie to Spec Focus

[HTP Designer]

Hi,

I have a 2001 Z3 Zetec and have just really made the desicion that I do not want to drag race as much anymore and screw around on the streets. I have put considerable thought into this and have started to sell my parts that are not permitted in this class to fund this project. I have loads of questions and I hope Im not too annoying.

1. Is the Ford racing intake manifold allowed? I dont see the point of a 70mm throttle body and the FR head and free flowing exhaust since the intake manifold will be the restrinction and will not optamize the setup. I have a 2001 and could I put a 2000 IM or svt intake manifold on and do the swap, Is that allowed?

2. I have Tubular front lower contral arms. Are they allowed? I dont not have my stockers anymore.

3. Are aluminum rear control arms allowed?

4. Besides pulling the power steering components, is there a manual rack for the focus?

5. Can I run my stainless steel 4-2-1 header? I bought it from steeda and they might have bought it from Focus Central.

6. Do you for see the Koni sport kit being allowed for the 2007 season? This is what is on the car already.

7. Are strut tower braces allowed. I did not see them in the rules or I missed it.

8. I am planning on using a svt short block just for the security and to keep cost low. Is this swap allowed? I will be using the Ford Racing head unless I can use the SVT head and just add a VCT delete kit.

9. I have a MSD-DIS 2, is this allowed in the car while racing? I could just unplug it while racing.

10. Can I swap to a smaller alternator and relocate it? Not sure if I will or not.

11. Are there any rules do you think that will go through that you could give me a heads up to be aware of?

12. I see that the svt and duratec are limited in tuning. Can the Zetec have a all out dyno tune?

13. The stock compression is 9.6:1. There is a .5pts of allowance. Does that mean the highest allowable compression is 10.1:1?

14. I am asuming getrag swaps are not permitted but... Are the getrage swaps allowed?

I bet I will have more questions soon after these are answered. I live in the northeast and I am also thinking about asking if they would go up to NH international speedway too since there are only about 5 or 6 races on the schedule.

Thanks,

Jason

[Ted7rns]

Here’s you Answers Jayson,

1. For right now you can use the 70mm TB but you must use OEM Intake Manifold. I understand what you’re saying. But for right now, you can’t change the Manifold and it’s not needed. It is mainly design for throttle response, not HP gain.

2. No, You must use OEM LCA. You can do modification to them if it’s for durability only.

3. No, You can only use OEM Products

4. No.

5. Yes, you can use your stainless steel 4-2-1 header.

6. No, The Koni Kit will not be allowed for 2007. The main suspension for 2007 is the Multimatic Dynamic Suspension. Since they do not cost a lot, you should be able to replace your Koni’s without a lot of cost.

7. Yes, you can use any strut tower braces.

8. It would be best that you use the same head-to-block combo. The main reason is if you use a SVT Block, you must use the SVT Gearbox, which means you must use SVT Specs. So, if you use any SVT block or head, you must run SVT Motor Specs.

9. For right now you can use the MSD-DIS 2 on the Zetec motors. The car word is for right now. This could be change for 2007.

10. Good Question. This I would have to get back to you with. My gut says no.

11. We are talking about use a Max HP+TQ/2 to Weight Ratio. If we do this, we will relax more on engine mods.

12. Right now Zetec motors are free for any kind of tuned. But, if we go with the HP+TQ/2 to Weight Ratio, The SVTs and Duratecs will also be open for tuned.

13. Yes, but this mainly use for engine rework. It’s not designed to take it to the max… But again, if we go to the Max HP+TQ/2 to Weight Ratio this could be changed.

14. Getrag can only be used with SVT Motors.

I’m sorry I didn’t responded to your PM. I thought I didn’t but I forgot to push the send button… Oppps. If you have any questions at all….please email or PM me.

[HTP Designer]

Sound like I sholuld buy a wrecked car and build that up.

I was worried about the header being a problem, but the LCA were even more espensive. Thats a bummer.

What do you think about races at New Hampshire International Speedway, on their road coarse?

Also, just to clear it up even further. The svt intake manifold is only allowed if I am going to use the SVT engine spec rules. Can I switch my 2001 intake manifold to a NON-ported 2000 intake manifold?

How soon will we know if the HP cap will be used or not?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by jborden

Sound like I sholuld buy a wrecked car and build that up.

I was worried about the header being a problem, but the LCA were even more espensive. Thats a bummer.

What do you think about races at New Hampshire International Speedway, on their road coarse?

Also, just to clear it up even further. The svt intake manifold is only allowed if I am going to use the SVT engine spec rules. Can I switch my 2001 intake manifold to a NON-ported 2000 intake manifold?

How soon will we know if the HP cap will be used or not?

Thanks so much for your help!

You would have to talk to Joe Casella or Joe Triolo of NASA Northeast about a New Hampshire event.

Yes, you can swith a 2001 intake manifold to a 2000 manifold. That would be under the update/backdate rule.

We're looking into the HP/TQ Ratio now. Once Ford does more Engine Dyno Testing we'll come up with a Number. I would say the number will be around 16.0 to 17:1 HP+TQ/2 to Weight Ratio including driver.

[HTP Designer]

So that would mean Hp would not be as huge as a factor and that you could go below the 2600lbs as longs as your hp:wieght ratio was in spec. Am I interpretting this correctly?

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by jborden

So that would mean Hp would not be as huge as a factor and that you could go below the 2600lbs as longs as your hp:wieght ratio was in spec. Am I interpretting this correctly?

Maybe, I don't want to change the weight too much, because we all have the same brakes, and don't want to give a light weight car an advantage.

What it means is the 2.3L Duratecs have more Torque then the Zetecs, they'll have less HP then the Zetecs

Example

Zetec at 160hp and 138lbs TQ... That total is 298 div by two = 149 net

where a 2.3L Duratec might have 148hp and 150lbs TQ... that is a total of 298 div by 2 = 149 net.... So, both cars would be equal (somewhat). If they are both at a 149 Rating then the HP+TQ/2 Ratio to Weight at 2600lbs would be 17.44:1

We are doing this anyways when we setup the rules... what we would do is be more relax on Engine mods as long are you're under the Ratio.

This is a System that NASA uses in other classes, and it make it's real easy during Tech Inspections. All we have to do is Dyno the car... which is much easier, faster and affective then taking apart a motor. If you guys read the last issue of GRM, they talk about that in the NASA National Championship section. They thought it was much easier then the old SCCA way.

[HTP Designer]

Ok, that makes sense. Now I need to make the decision to continues pulling apart my car or keep it as is and buy a wrecked salvagable car to build to these rules.

How do the stock zetec rods hold up at 8000rpm? I was just going to use svt rods and pistons for a little security. Im pretty sure the mtx-75 bolts up to the svt block so I could keep it all within spec, I would just have a stronger rod and some squirters. I could keep the compression below 10.1:1 too.

If this HP/TQ cap goes through, that could mean the FR intake manifold would be allowed and I could possibly store 2 tunes in SCT setup for spec racing and say Fun Ford Weekends. That would be nice.

How many races can you typically get out of a set of tires?

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by jborden

Ok, that makes sense. Now I need to make the decision to continues pulling apart my car or keep it as is and buy a wrecked salvagable car to build to these rules.

How do the stock zetec rods hold up at 8000rpm? I was just going to use svt rods and pistons for a little security. Im pretty sure the mtx-75 bolts up to the svt block so I could keep it all within spec, I would just have a stronger rod and some squirters. I could keep the compression below 10.1:1 too.

If this HP/TQ cap goes through, that could mean the FR intake manifold would be allowed and I could possibly store 2 tunes in SCT setup for spec racing and say Fun Ford Weekends. That would be nice.

How many races can you typically get out of a set of tires?

The Zetec I used last year had a redline of 7500rpms... It work fine. But, it's up to you about the RPMs. You can change the pistons, rods and etc. They are free.

How long do the Toyo's last???? well, that depends on the track. The tires I used at Mid-Ohio might last 3 weekend (6 races) if you flip them and rotate them. But, at Willow Springs that might only last 1 1/2 weekends. A lot depends on the track, but the RA1s seem to last along time.

[FocusAZ1]

Ted, is a spec event comparable in the amount of track time on the tires to say a redline event? I ask this because the durability seems a little lower on the RA-1's than I've had with the Nt-01's I use for my car. This has been a question I've had to...

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by FocusAZ1

Ted, is a spec event comparable in the amount of track time on the tires to say a redline event? I ask this because the durability seems a little lower on the RA-1's than I've had with the Nt-01's I use for my car. This has been a question I've had to...

The Race Weekends will have less track time then an TT event. I was also getting better tire wear on the RA-1 when I was TT vs Racing. I guess people are harder on the tires when racing then in TT. Plus the fact you do more off line driving in a race then in TT. Also, the track is the big issue. Willow Springs will really eat up tires. It's a fast track and you're also in turn 2 for a long time.

I do know people that have used both the RA-1 and the NT-01s... They seem to last just as long. You might be able to get one more session out of a RA-1. But, I think they are the same.

[HTP Designer]

What about the rear side windows? Should we replace them with lexan or some sort of polycarbonate or even aluminum? I have seen this done several times. I am assuming it is more for weight and not safety, although its would be an easier fix if the car is damaged on the side rather than replacing the glass.

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by jborden

What about the rear side windows? Should we replace them with lexan or some sort of polycarbonate or even aluminum? I have seen this done several times. I am assuming it is more for weight and not safety, although its would be an easier fix if the car is damaged on the side rather than replacing the glass.

The rear side window must be glass or lexan.