Which Ford Focus for autocross

[tukaniSVT]

Yup the 2.3 is lighter ... but even rarer to find than the SVT.

I do agree with the low-end grunt, but a bit of tuning and you should be good to go. Get the torque back, lose the top end and competition here we come.

I drive my SVT for STF, and I love it ... especially now that the Civics are out of the class. But to tell you the truth, as many have said before, it's not all the car, it's of course the driver as well. Car helps, but it takes guts and talent to hold the speed through a corner after a tight slalom.

I have taken out the Civics back in standard ST in the years before a couple of times, so if I would have been more brave and setup the car just a bit more better ... I think I would have had them fully.

Good luck on your choice and finding a car.

-Ray-

[SVTisRight4me]

get a svt. great autoX cars. already very upgraded

[jinstall]

I have run succesfully for years a stock engine 2001 ZX3 for auto-x. Lots of trophies for this car. Mind you it puts down 109whp on the dyno.

[MacDubois]

I have been thinking about this for a while. Well, ever since STF was announced. I think my choices would be:

1: 2008 Focus S coupe
2: 2005 D23 ZX3 (2005 because it's easier to get decent off-the-shelf suspension easier than the 06+)
3: Early ZX3 (even lighter than the coupe, but not by enough to overcome the disadvantages IMO)
4: SVT Focus (I don't know any MY differences, so whichever low option model you can find)

Why the S Coupe?

The S coupe was dropped after 2008, the SE and SES models had options, which add weight. I'm guessing the steering wheel buttons, spoiler and the SES fogs are probably more than 30lbs, and the sync system is probably heavier than no sync.

The coupes were the one of the lightest Focii. 2008 coupe (2588lbs), 2005 D20 ZX3 2654lbs (D23s are heavier), SVT Focus 2750lbs. And I'm guessing that the coupes have more to lose in STF trim too. I'm betting those airbag seats are heavy.

They also have aluminum brake calipers for slightly less unsprung weight.

And they have the stiffest chassis; Ford added a dash bar.

So, 100+lbs lighter, stiffer chassis, lighter brakes and the same 3.82 gears as the 2.3 ZX3s. I think that outweighs a 9hp and 18lb*ft deficit.

Would a fully prepped Focus be enough to beat Andy Hollis in his 2100lb (prepped weight) Mazda 2 of doom? I think on a bumpy-ish, open, not-slalom-heavy course, you could have a chance.

Disclaimer I'm neither and autocross expert nor a Focus guru, so if any of this information is inaccurate, that sucks.

[tukaniSVT]

lol at your last statement. No worries, that's why we are on the forum to either learn more information or to help others not in the know.

So, you are trying to beat out a really decked out Mazda2 ... we have a real great driver in our division here in Houston, TX ... well actually 2. One drives a very very heavily modified Mazda2 and the other guy a Mini. And I drive my SVT Focus. To tell you the truth, we are all leap frogging each other each month. This year I took them out more than they me, so for the year, I won on the points.

Though the Mazda2 is much lighter than the focus, our power and weight distribution help lots. I haven't weighed my SVTF in a while, but I know I am around the 2700 marker.

If you go with the 08, make sure you get a tune. The last person in our group drove an 08 at AutoX and the tune just killed him, not exactly sure why, but when I drove his car for one of the runs, it just didn't pick up as well as my SVT.

To tell you the truth, it's all about the driver. There is a very fast lady in H-Stock that is beating out of the competition in her VW Rabbit. Very quick. And not very far from us in STF, with out racetires (which they can use in Stock class). She is on Direzzas.

Ray

[tukaniSVT]

Oh ... and I found the photo I took of his car.



Ray

[MacDubois]

Andy Hollis was the 2012 solo national champion in STF. I haven't seriously autocrossed in 4 years (about the time I met my wife). He is the least of my worries. Also, not in my region, so I'm not too worried. Also, I'd bet he jumped on the 2 for the contingency money as much as the performance.

When I get back into autocross (hopefully this season?), it'll be in my SES coupe. I agree with you on the tune though. Drive-by-wire not my favorite.

[misfire]

An SVT focus made it onto page 124 of this months muscle mustangs and fast fords.




Sent from my iPhone 5 using FF Mobile

[Paladin]

i like the idea of the 08 coupe. and for even more grunt you could find the ford racing 4.06 final drive. the diff in the mtx 75 could be interchanged for different ratios dependent on engine . (iirc there are about 3 or 4 factory gearsets, and last i remember this wasnt too hard to do) you sir have my wheels turning, which is a bad thing...

[rambleon84]

Originally Posted by MacDubois

2: 2005 D23 ZX3 (2005 because it's easier to get decent off-the-shelf suspension easier than the 06+)

There is no D23 ZX3 from '05, unless you are talking engine swaps. Starting in 05, only the ST sedans came with the D23 (05-07.) The 03-04 ZX3's with D23 and manual transmissions are pretty rare.