2008 Spec Focus Rules and Technical Bulletins

[Cameroon]

Originally Posted by Soundguydave

Maybe I'm missing something, but the Foci are all EEC-V controlled, no? If so, a basic flash tuner and some easy-to-use software, with a cost of well under a grand, will take care of that. I'm actually a Mustang guy, who is looking to get into SF in 2009 (2008 will be spent learning how to drive on the track) or 2010. With the S197 Mustangs, re-flashing the computer is the first thing to do, and I would bet that it would be the same with the Focus.

I don't know if Ford left as much power on the table with the Zetec/Duratec motors, but with the 4.6, we're seeing 25-30HP with just a CAI and tune. The rev-limiter is a simple change, nowhere near as complicated as re-mapping spark tables, which isn't THAT hard, either. You guys are optimizing spark and fuel for all the changes you're making, right?

Very good points, thought the HP gains from a tune are less on the focus.

A totaly stock SVT zetec would be illegal. This sort of flies in the face of the "low cost" concept.

I guess it's just that I could run a totaly stock motored 2.3 litre and be legal, sure I'll be a back marker, but I can't do that with an SVT.

Heck I don't even have a dog in the fight it just seems like a very odd way to create "pairity". Thats why at first I figured it was a typo.

[BUR_ZX3]

We'll see just how much power we can get outta a 10.5:1 Zetec with some 110 and a crapload of timing thrown at it.

[sleeperlove]

Are you guys doing it?!?!?!?!?

And I am pretty sure you have to use the same tune as everyone else so doesn't that mean that you use the same spark as everyone else?

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

Are you guys doing it?!?!?!?!?

And I am pretty sure you have to use the same tune as everyone else so doesn't that mean that you use the same spark as everyone else?

Tune is open. You can use any tune you want. You just have to use OEM ECU unit.

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by Cameroon

Ok, I may be mistaken but... isn't the stock rev limiter on SVT's 7250 or something close to that?

If so then a tune would be manditory for SVT's to lower the rev limiter from stock?

Just wondering because sounds 'off' to me.

Yes, it was a typo. Change SVT to 7,400 rpms. Good catch, thanks.

[f2focus]

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

Are you guys doing it?!?!?!?!?

And I am pretty sure you have to use the same tune as everyone else so doesn't that mean that you use the same spark as everyone else?

I am swapping out my 2.3L on my car and putting in a 2.0L with our F2 2.3L head and I expect some good numbers...I will find out later this week! the engine is in and just need to finish odds and ends. I already know what I can get out of a stock 2.3L with a file and bolt ons......163whp is what we came up with in the 2.3L

[68 Touring Car]

Originally Posted by f2focus

I am swapping out my 2.3L on my car and putting in a 2.0L with our F2 2.3L head and I expect some good numbers...I will find out later this week! the engine is in and just need to finish odds and ends. I already know what I can get out of a stock 2.3L with a file and bolt ons......163whp is what we came up with in the 2.3L

Ricardo, That is nice for the street and other track guys but do not confuse the NASA people that are building a car that they can use it in NASA Spec Focus the F2 head is not legal in the class.

[brads03zx3]

As I understand it, Ricardo is submitting his head/paperwork to be SF legal.

[f2focus]

That is correct that it is not legal YET...I am letting people know that we are testing our heads for both street and Spec Focus. That is why I am building them for Spec Focus because I want to support the series, I supported it when it was just an idea back in 05.

And I am getting all of the documentation to submit it to be an approved head for Spec Focus....by far I know it will be a bargain than what is out there and will allow the 2.0L to be up to par with the rest of the field.

As I understand all of your cars are running 2.3L because the 2.0L in under power, well this head will fix that problem....but that is why we test and let people know about it....after all it is too benefit the series!

[sleeperlove]

Unless he has been swapping engines leo only has the 2.3 in the red car. The black car has the d20 and the yellow car has SVT powertrain

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

Unless he has been swapping engines leo only has the 2.3 in the red car. The black car has the d20 and the yellow car has SVT powertrain

Well, yes...no.

The black car started out as a 2.3L motor. It was switch to a 2.0L Duratec to do testing. When Leo had the crash, there was some damage done to the motor and just before Nationals LC Racing swith the black car back to a 2.3L because that was the only motor Leo had.

The new 2008 Car LC Racing will have a 2.0L Duratec.

That being said, in 2007 we felt the 2.3L had a slight advantage to the other 2.0L. Because of this we made changes to the rules for the 2.3L cars. Now the 2.3L cannot use a 4.06 gear, It's now 25lbs heavier then last years car (75lbs different then 2.0L) and they must use the OEM TB.

So, now we believe all the motors are equal in a since where no car has an advantage at all types of tracks. So, we don't need a head for the 2.0 Duratecs that produces more power then the current spec'd FRPP heads, because all the numbers weight, parts and etc are based on the FRPP head and parts.

[sleeperlove]

Thanks for the info Ted.

[68 Touring Car]

My 2 cents
After the Nationals and while the 2008 rules were getting worked on we install a 2.0 Duratec with all the NASA approved parts in 2005 sedan and tested the engine with Ford Racing legal parts. At the same time we ran the the 2007 championship car with the 2.3 Duratec in it and the 2.3 and 2.0 Duratec ran nose to tail at Gratten and both cars ran within 2/10 of each other all day. Both cars ran the new Toyo 888 tires and FRPP suspension. We even rotated drivers between the two to keep it equal. We all know how very lucky we are as a new racing series to have the Ford Motor Company supporting all the testing, track time and dyno runs that has been done to develop the series. We are very confident that the Spec Focus Board, NASA and FRPP have put together a great package for the series in 2008.

[InFocusTraSTi]

I believe that with all this testing and effort all cars must be equal (BTW a big thank you for doing all this effort)

Now the 7200 rpm limit makes me wonder how the STage III cam reacts in the car? Do you guys have any light on this?

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by InFocusTraSTi

I believe that with all this testing and effort all cars must be equal (BTW a big thank you for doing all this effort)

Now the 7200 rpm limit makes me wonder how the STage III cam reacts in the car? Do you guys have any light on this?

It works fine. Because the engine dyno and chassis dyno tests we have done show the Max HP with the stage III Cams and Spec parts max'ed at 5,200 to 5,300 RPMS.

[lapp4sm]

Do you think that the ZETEC, with a 7200 RPM limit is equal to the SVT with a 7400 RPM limit? Not that 200 RPM makes a big difference. What is the reason for the lower ZETEC limit, is it the because of the allowed modifications. It seems that the modifications allowed to the ZETEC would just make it comparable to the SVT.

Basically my question would be, if you had an SVT motor (stock) and a SPEC modified ZETEC motor, which would be best?

[brads03zx3]

Remember it is hard to compare apples to apples here. The SVT has a disadvantage with the 6 spd on many tracks.

And I can't say I have a dyno to show you, but the spec zetec should be faster than a completely stock SVT. A stock SVT puts out 170 hp at the crank. I believe they are getting ~155-160whp out of the spec motors.

[Ted7rns]

The Zetec Motor also has a slight edge in Torque as well. Which should equalize the extra 200 rpms. But, it mainly is trying to help the SVT not to make that extra shift because of the different gearing..... But, like Brad said... It's going to be different for different tracks.

Ryan, I think the Zetec will have a slight advantage at Willow Springs because of lack of about 4 shifts per lap. At Buttonwillow and Cal-Speedway.. They should be pretty close to even.

[brads03zx3]

I don't believe that is Ryan. His SN is lapp.

I believe that is his dad Mark??? Either way, I enjoyed watching them a few times this year and look forward to following them next year.

[recar]

Anyone have a Spec legal SVT dyno number?

[Ted7rns]

Leo and Chris should have them... They both have SVT cars. If I remember right, they are around the 160-165whp range

[recar]

Those must be un-corrected numbers?

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by recar

Those must be un-corrected numbers?

Nope. To be honest 165 would be Max WHP for the SVT. I believe most of them are around the 157-160 range

[Matt Marks]

IIRC Chris made 158 HP at the Nationals - but torque numbers were lower than the Duratecs (as should be expected). So there's another trade off - more power, less torque for the SVT (again, based on my recollections), but also the 6 speed factor.

Based on Leo/Ford's hard numbers, it looks to be pretty even. Just need to strap in a little tighter to make up a couple of tenths ;-)

[Ted7rns]

^^^^And if Chris had his motor blueprinted, change the compression some and play around with the tune.... boom he’ll be rig