Hi,

Planning on buying a 1.6 Zetec focus mid-april this year and was wondering what people thought of them, how easy they were to enhance performance and common problems etc people may have experienced with them.

I'll be 19 by april hence why I'm only considering a 1.6 however still plan to fiddle about with it a little but. Ideas for it so far include a remap, new full exhaust system and new manifold along with subtle handling improvements like strut bars etc. (notifying my insurance company on each of these ofc.)

I know this is a bit varied and appreciate the lack of experience I have, however everything and anything you have to say to help i will really appreciate!

cheers guys,

Rob

 

Piper 4-1 helps but makes it peaky.

Bluefin does sweet FA imho.

K&N panel filter with 2.0L Auto air deflector and st170 snorkel is best for intake

Focus strut tops are welded to the bulkhead. A small steel bar won't make the blindest bit of difference.

Polybushes worth doing. If lowering ~50mm or more, you need to correct camber at the rear or else eat tyres. Eibach do some eccentric bolts.

HTH
Chris

 

Id get a 1.8 if you can.

 

that really helped thanks alot chris!

as for the 1.8 comment, is there that much of a difference between the 1.6 and 1.8? ive been told a couple of times for the difference in insurance at my age it wasnt worth the difference in power - especially given the plans i have for the 1.6 anyway?

thanks alot guys really appreciate the comments!

 

one more quick question.. im pretty confident they will as i'm sure i've seen them on zetec's before but will st170 alloys fit a 1.6 mk1? if its relevant then im not planning on taking it lower than 30mm on eibachs - is it doable?

Cheers

 

ST170 rims will go straight on.

Because of your age the 1.6 is the better option. However if you're going to modify the 1.6 you might as well just get the 1.8 as it will be cheaper to insure than the modified 1.6.

 

thanks for the reply..

so do you think I would benefit more from a stock 1.8 engine at that insurance price, or the 1.6 complete with the majority of the performance mods listed in this thread?

in other words would the 'power:cost' ratio be better in a modded 1.6 or a stock 1.8 lol? funny way of looking at it i know!

Thanks again guys