May FOTM: SVT Round 2 - mysvtftoy

[Ataru]

The Competitors

and the winner:

mysvtftoy

Focustein and FocalJet

This Ford Focus SVT started its journey in April 2004 as #1883 of 1978 made that year. It was one of the last 100 SVTs made. When we initially purchased the car at the end of May 2004, it was planned to be a dual purpose car: part-time track-toy, part-time grocery-getter. By the end of the year, it had racing seats, a welded-in 4-point roll bar, a fire-suppression system and harnesses. My wife never drove it again. Its first visit to the track was in June 2004 (less than month after purchase). It's made 32 visits to our local tracks since then. I've tried to be rational about the process of moving the car forward as a track-oriented street car, but along the way *many* parts have gone on and come off. Some have gone back on. Some new bits are sitting in my office even now pending installation (to replace aftermarket bits that had replaced stock bits). Does it ever end? I *think* I'm getting close. The only thing I'd probably do differently -- if I could turn back the clock -- is that I would have waited on any engine/power mods until I was ready to go with the Powerworks supercharger. The bolt-on parts (short of forced induction) just don't make that much difference for my purposes...until you strap on that big MAHLE part. "Yeah baby, yeah."

Over the past three years I've posted countless questions to [FJ] forums and PMs to members regarding suspension setup, tire pressures, splitters, wings, fluids, superchargers, turbos, airbag deletion issues, CF hoods, brake pads, extended lug bolts, spark plugs gap, etc. You name it. The list is nearly infinite. I owe much of what the car has become to the resulting bits of e-advice from the many responding members here -- folks like belacyrf, bri, Byron 3465, COSDEVSVT, FORDSVTPARTS, the late garyk, rheacer, and a host of others.

I've also had the good fortune to actually meet a number of quality local [FJ] members. Portland's captain-orange saved my butt at a Mustangs Northwest track day in July 2005 after my car's shift linkage assembly popped apart. The transmission was stuck in second gear. We jacked the car up and he fixed it on the spot (with Dfocusin and McSVT lending moral support). I didn't even miss a session. It was awesome. Another local member made my personal favorite modification. It's a mounting plate that attaches the stock cruise control buttons under my aftermarket steering wheel. Violent_Ed replicated the one he made for himself and installed it in my car the day before a March 2005 Portland track day. We have a great (albeit small) crew of folks up here.

To everyone at [FJ]: Thank you.

Keep the shiny side up.

Modifications

Suspension

• KW Variant 3 coilovers
• H&R 24mm rear sway bar
• SPC front camber kit and rear camber adjustment bolts with replacement bits waiting to go on

Drive Train

• Quaife automatic torque biasing differential
• Spec Stage 1 clutch and aluminum flywheel
• Steeda Tri-Ax/F short throw shifter

Engine

• Powerworks supercharger
• VF Engineering motor mounts
• Mocal 19-row/235 matrix oil cooler and SP1T sandwich plate-type thermostat
• CFM PCV oil separator kit and Jaz Products oil catch can/breather
• Denso Iridium ITV24 spark plugs and Focus Sport wires
• Focushack grounding upgrade (thanks demonfire)

Exhaust

• Borla exhaust
• Random Technologies high-flow cat
• Alt: Marcy Motorsports (FC) strainless steel ORP

Safety

• Custom 4-point, welded-in roll bar (1.75 x 0.12 wall DOM)
• Recaro Pole Position seats
• FIA-spec Sparco/Schrott 5-point harnesses
• Spa Technique LWM 50 SL AFFF 2-nozzle fire suppression setup
• Kill switch
• Arai GP-5K helmet and HANS K20 harness
• Tow hooks; front and back

Brakes

• Porsche 993-adapted air flow deflectors
• Castrol SRF brake fluid
• Track pads: Carbotech XP10s in front and XP8s in rear
• Goodridge stainless-steel jacketed brake hoses

Wheels/Tires/Steering

• Summer/Track:

Nitto NT01 tires in 205/40-17 on stock 2004 Ford SVT 6-spoke wheels
Falken Azenis RT-615 tires in 215/45-16 on Rota Slipstream wheels
Rain—Hankook RS2 Z212s in 215/45-17 on Centerline Storm wheels

• Winter: Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2s in 215/45-17 on Ford SVT Focus Euro wheels

• Power steering: Modified high-pressure assembly and improvised Focus ATX cooler

Aerodynamics

• Road Race Gear air dam with custom splitter/tray

Interior

• Spa dual-function oil pressure/oil temperature and boost/water temperature gauges
• Sparco 345 steering wheel with Nathan Mulcahy's awesome cruise control bracket
• OMP style "1000" replacement pedals and Redline Tuning dead pedal

Exterior

• 12-lbs. carbon fiber hood from Gemini via ZX3Tuning.com
• Ford ST170 headlamps and 2002 European upper grill
• F2 RS carbon fiber spoiler

Focustein at the Track Then (2004) and Now (2007)

Photos Courtesy of Sideline Sports Photography (Portland International Raceway, November 2004)






Photos Courtesy of On Sight Productions (Portland International Raceway, April 2007)






Video clip from my first visit to Portland in Sept. 2004: Right click to download (5 MBytes)

More photos, periodic updates, links, etc.: Focustein's page

[thefrush]

I said it when I voted, I'll say it again, EXACTLY the way I would have built a track SVT, down to every last piece.

[Ray]

That car is amazingly wonderous in every aspect.

[mysvtftoy]

Originally Posted by thefrush

I said it when I voted, I'll say it again, EXACTLY the way I would have built a track SVT, down to every last piece.

Originally Posted by demonfire

That car is amazingly wonderous in every aspect.

Thanks mengs. But I have to LOL. I'm still somewhat baffled as to how a crusty old (relatively anonymous) liberal bastard's track car wound up even appearing on the radar of a FOTM discussion. It's not the highest HP/TQ PW SC car, doesn't have a fancy paint job, and is a bit messy under the hood. It's just my little FWD recreational open lapping car. As I said in the other thread: The other cars in the final round this time were all excellent examples and there were also many fine rides nominated that did not land in the final vote. Thumbs up to all.

This car's been through a lot to get to where it is now -- thankfully running reasonably well. I'm sure this will be my only track car till the wheels fall off. Then it's back to more gardening, a little photography, and maybe working to perfect my BBQ'd spare ribs.

[Spatakula]

CONGRATS AGAIN!! love your car mang!

-spatakula

[ArmyFocus]

Congrats man. Nice SVT.

Jason

[belacyrf]

Awesome car!!!.
The reason it's getting it's props is because it's fully functional. This site is pretty heavily lop-sided to function over form, which is why your car fits in perfect!!!

Well done, and keep up the good work!

[OmniFocus]

Fantastic car for sure!

I am curious if you have any thoughts on the rear winglet.... Did it seem to make a noticeable improvement on downforce?

I know it is an appearance item first, but.... I could use some more grip.

[mysvtftoy]

Originally Posted by belacyrf

Awesome car!!!.
The reason it's getting it's props is because it's fully functional. This site is pretty heavily lop-sided to function over form, which is why your car fits in perfect!!!

Well done, and keep up the good work!

:blush:

Thanks man, I appreciate it.

Wait. Hey! Are you coming on to me? I don't know if I can consort with a Miata owner! LOL. It's bad enough my best track day buddy drives a S2000. Thankfully, both have roll bars and neither are pink. Hah.

Seriously though, I really hope they have a "Member-owned Not-a-Focus OTM" competition some day so people will get a chance to see your turbocharged monster car tarted-up in all its glory. Better get that thing installed quick.

[belacyrf]

I thought I made my feelings about you perfectly clear... my interest in you is purely sexual

My best track day buddy drives an S2K as well... unfortunately for me, my car is still WAY more girly than his

edit: ewwww... it hurts to even type that

[mysvtftoy]

Originally Posted by OmniFocus

Fantastic car for sure!

I am curious if you have any thoughts on the rear winglet.... Did it seem to make a noticeable improvement on downforce?

I know it is an appearance item first, but.... I could use some more grip.

Thanks, man. The F2 CF fin adding downforce? Nah. Purely cosmetic.

Personally, if you are talking about AutoX speeds, I wonder how much difference any of the little aero bits that might be added (at a reasonable cost) will make. I think an AutoX-tuned suspension and proper tires will make a much bigger difference in that setting.

My splitter has an effect at 80 mph+ (according to my butt dyno), but I wonder about anything below that. The fin probably actually has a slight effect at lower speeds (think highway and up), but only in that it is *probably* reducing drag and interrupting the lift effect of air flowing over the top and down the hatch. It's hard to imagine any downforce from that thing. I would guess no difference vs. the stock SVT fin from a practical perspective.

Anecdotal info: At ~120 mph WOT going to full stop threshold brakes, I noticed a little more tail wag this year (since adding the PW SC and the splitter). It's not uncontrollable at all, just a little loose. If I had a real wing (like one of those North Viking WRC things or something), I'm thinking that wagging sensation could be reduced. I suspect that the splitter on the nose (while definitely making my top end speed more stable) might be causing my tail to be a little lighter. That's all seat of the pants assessment though. So: YMMV.

[WebXtremes]

And, to think I have to look at that car again this Thursday! Ha....j/k.

Well deserved in every aspect.

[mysvtftoy]

Originally Posted by belacyrf

I thought I made my feelings about you perfectly clear... my interest in you is purely sexual

Shut UP. You're too young for me. LOL.

Originally Posted by WebXtremes

And, to think I have to look at that car again this Thursday! Ha....j/k.

Well deserved in every aspect.

Thanks. Can't wait to get my little baby FociNW skull! I have a spot on my driver-side rear window saved for it. Hahahahah.

[Dfocusin]

Congrats! It's nice to see it go to one of my favorite Northwest cars. You won the popularity contest!

[Zekester]

Congratulations...! You have a very nice, well thought out, well put together Focus, you should be proud...

[mysvtftoy]

Originally Posted by Zekester

Congratulations...! You have a very nice, well thought out, well put together Focus, you should be proud...

Thanks. I've been through a lot of cars since I started drivnig and this is one of only two cars that I've done more than stick a decal on. Hah. Seriously. The other one is my current Audi grocery getter. Getting that Audi V8 started me down the dark path of vehicle modification and my interest in open lapping did the rest. However, I'm pretty sure this will be the only car that I alter in such an extreme way.

[FORDSVTPARTS]

I can't really argue with the results of the voting, Your car is fantastic.

Imagine what could have become of the SVT in general if Ford had just built them with FI as they were meant to be.

[jimy_f_84]

Congratulations buddy, your car is amazing, i mean i have seen it in person and i still think its awesome.

[slverfocus13]

that SVT is amazing...love the clean, fast look. Congrats!

[biscuitninja]

Car looks GREAT, clean and fast, I would LOVE to build something like that!
-bix

[panchocito]

dont go back to gardening, your car is too nice!

[slverfocus13]

Where did you buy the Road Race Gear air dam?

[mysvtftoy]

Originally Posted by slverfocus13

Where did you buy the Road Race Gear air dam?

Air dam and original splitter: Click ==> RoadRaceGear.com

Custom spliiter/tray: Click ==> Cantrell Motorsports

Originally Posted by panchocito

dont go back to gardening, your car is too nice!

It's inevitable. This car will only last so long. Certainly, many years if properly maintained and driven with one eye on longevity. However, either it will wear out or I will wear out.

______________________________________

Car Modification update: I think I am finally done with significant modifications. I just got the car back from Cantrell Motorsports, where the Focus Sport camber plates and SPC adjustable rear control arms went on.

Can't really imagine what else I'd want to do to the car. It'll never get prepped for all-out racing, so this is as far as it's gonna go.

Camber kit is pretty beefy:



Vik at Focus Sport fabbed a custom nut (two nuts welded together and some grinding down to form a sleeve) to make the plate work with the KW V3 strut. The whole assembly seems stout. Thanks, Vik. Oy. That was the most expensive nut I've ever bought! Hah.

Setup is adjusted for:

Front camber: -2.1 deg Left; -2.2 deg Right
Front caster: 2.5 deg Left; 2.9 deg Right
Front toe: -0.06 deg Left; -0.07 deg Right

Rear camber: -1.2 deg Left; -1.2 deg Right
Rear Toe: 0.09 deg left; 0.10 deg Right

The FS kit can take ALOT more negative camber, but this is all I really want for a an open-track recreational lapper. I would personally not recommend this kit for a car intended for a high-percentage of daily street-oriented driving. The available camber is about -2.2 to -5.0. I've got it adjusted to the most positive setting my car's setup will take. The driver side is all the way to the end of the slot. I guess you could adjust the mounting position up to a point, but the opening itself will probably limit things a bit. Not really sure how much play is available that way as Colin did the install. YMMV.

______________________________________

Oh yeah, I forgot: I got one of these too:



In honor of my buddy Don Wooten (DFocusin) who took unwarranted abuse from a few folks here in FJ Team Rigz simply for showing some exuberance about a couple of relatively minor cosmetic changes to his new ride. He never once responded angrily to the (handful of) rude, unnecessary comments. You da' man, Don. Now you gotta win your AutoX open class!

[tallguy2.3]

Super nice car.

Function always is > form

[Kal El]

nice svt