Hi,

the basics - im putting a V8 in my focus ST170 and I want to use the Standard instrument cluster, I understand they're linked with the focus ECU.

My question is, is it standard CAN protocol that communicates between the 2? if not is there another solution?

I'm using the standard Toyota V8 ecu so it can output generic signals (tacho, temperature etc.) but other than tricking the focus ecu in thinking the engine is running I'm at a little bit of a loss.

Anyone got any information I can use? I'm trying to find a pin out for the instrument cluster which would at least help me with what I can connect directly and what I will need to "fudge"

Help me please lol

 

There is a photo of the Rs pinouts in this post

https://passionford.com/forum/restor...frs-ecu-2.html

Its pretty similar to the st other than the wiring for the back lighting from the fake pod.

The Ecu sends the dash the Ford protocol not the can that it out puts on the obd2.

 

that seems to be a 16 pin plug? The one on the st is 26 pin...

whats the ford protocol? Is it not CAN based only with a ford library of codes?

 

A pre 2000 Focus pod uses sensors

 

Was there a pre 2000 st170?

 

No a base model.

 

Ok cool might look at getting one of them.

What’s the ford protocol you mentioned?

 

PWM J1850 off the top of my head but the mk1 Focus was never full CAN.

You maybe able to make somthing with the st face and the base model electronics.

 

Ahh crap - ok thanks for that information.

Will the older model one work with non engine stuff in the clocks like abs lights and stuff (which I assume is controlled via the GEM?)

 

I can check the pin outs if you need them, I just need to find the old laptop and see if it powers up.

I am sure the plug fits the st and the Rs. And it’s just the lighting from the inverter in the oil pod that’s differant.

rs pod

 

Thats a cool little setup!

Wouldnt mind some pinouts but if but if it truly isn’t can across the data cables then I’m screwed anyway

 

It's probably Can-based. Because EOBD/OBD2 is send on the same can-line the physical description of the hardware and the layout of the messages is the same as with any other manufacturer.
(Except there are 2 format methods, one with 11-bit addressing and one with 29-bit addressing).
Now knowing which address on the bus is which and how many time the message is transmitted per minute is the whole trick. But that part is propietary.
I don't think you will find much information on that subject on the internet.

Better use a custom dashboard. That will solve your problem with PATS also.

 

I am no expert but there are two data buses on the st. Thre Ford one and the CAN.
The dash pod on the mk1 isn't Pats coded to the ecu.
I also think unless you build something to translate between your new ECU and the dash your screwed anyway. Because any lights on will be an mot fail.
But the pre 2000 dash doesn't have the eml light

 

My current understanding is the ford data bus (the j1850pwm) is the same as the CAN data bus only it uses a different protocol to talk to different modules.

If if I can get an emulator if some kind that takes in analogue signals from the ecu and outputs a signal on the data is using the correct protocol, the dash will work.

Or find a standalone ecu that can output the correct data straight to the dash using the correct protocol.

 

Mid there’s no way around it I will likely eventually end up with a custom dash.
Problem with that is I hate these race dashes. I think they look terrible and they belong on a race car. So what are my options?

If I’m going full custom I’d like a full screen customisable dash a la Audi’s these days. I know it’s possible with arduinos and RPis and android but nothing seems plug and play in that area of tech yet

 

The simplest way would be to adapt Toyota gauges to fit the Focus dash.
You've got enough to do without spending (or maybe wasting) weeks trying to get just the dash working.

 

Yea I don’t have toyota gauges lol. Besides they were fugly.

Im not wasting any time on it yet I’m still cracking on with the stuff that needs to be done I’m just pre emoting a problem I can see happening.

i have a few options available I think, I just need to find the best one so I don’t end up wasting any time. But key to not wasting time is understanding how it works

 

This was the start of mine in 2003.
Ford 5.0 V8 into year 2000 Estate.
Lost interest and got distracted many times and gave up in the end.

 

thats cool. How far did you get?

Have to admit there are probably better and easier cars I could have picked but where’s the fun in that

*he keeps telling himself*

 

Had the same thought myself especially when trying to fit a rather large autobox in a non existant tunnel.

Probably got 80% done but had quite a few a lot of things I wanted to redo.

Mostly complete engine bay;



What went in it;




Transmission tunnel

 

Yeah I went for a much smaller manual. Fits much better although your tunnel looks very similar to mine lol.

what were you gonna do about the rear end? And the fuel tank?

 

Didn't realise you were so far on with it.

I had a Ford 8.8 rear axle as used in Mustangs, converted the brakes to ST170 rear discs and same at the front.

Most of the ironwork for supporting the axle came from a kit made for the conversion in the States.

I had the Fuel tank made locally.

 

Yeah I’m quite far gone. A lot of the bigger jobs done.

did you sort the front out?

Fuel tank and instrument cluster are currently my biggest headaches.
Fuel tank could be easily sorted though I suppose

 

Cosworth 4x4 rack, original subframe altered, similar to yours, but I wanted to remake it in tube.

St170 Knuckles /calipers discs.
CNC'd Adapter block from the USA to correct the Track rod location. (wasn't happy with that)
Swoped left and right struts so the steering arm faced forward.

 

Nice! Your tunnel doesn’t look anywhere near as large an opening as mine.

what weren’t you happy with with the steering blocks?
I measured and made my own...
but have pretty much the same setup

 

It was the look of the block more than anything, but didn't like having to use rose joints instead of a ball.
But your's looks very similar

Picture (not very good one) of a dash mock up I was trying, with general purpose gauges.

 

Yeah don’t think I have any more choice other than to use a rose joint. I’ll be putting a rubber boot over them though. Not ideal but not totally out in the elements either.

That dash is a pretty good stand in for a normal one. Wouldn’t mind that as maybe a last resort or something
I don’t know I’d rather get the standard stuff working lol

 

When I started mine there were a few guys in the States doing them using a "Bolt in" kit, the kit I bought some parts off.

There was one guy I believe who worked for Ford, but not in ECUs and was trying to get the Mustang engine ecu to communicate with the Focus dash.
I think he got quite close but I never saw the outcome.

Aftermarket ECUs have moved on a long way since then so you may find an ECU that will run the Toyota engine and give outputs suitable for the Focus gauges.

 

Been speaking to brands hatch performance and they recon it’s possible but not entirely sure based on other people’s issues that I’ve read.

I didnt really like that “bolt in” kit tbh. Don’t like the solid axle rear end, the front cradle looked a little anaemic and it was ridiculously expensive lol

 

I had a 1988 Mustang then and have a 2014 now, so solid rear wasn't a problem, My Focus was aimed more for the strip.

The part kit I bought wasn't too bad a price in 2003.
The price went up when they got popular but the V8 Focus idea never really took off.

Have you decided on a rear end setup?
There's quite few new shape 2015 on Mustangs that have been wrecked in the U.K and are in breakers.

 

Yeah im using 350z stuff.



could look at the mustang stuff too tbh

 

It'll be too big for a Hatchback, but Landrover Discovery 2 door boot repair panel mad a nice patch.

 

Nice! I was gonna use clio 182 or similar but good to know there are options

 

ok im now wasting my time on this stupid instrument cluster lol

the engine runs...


and its nearing being able to be moved once i get my new hubs, so im keen to sort some sort of dashboard out.
all or most of the lights on the dash still work, including the most important oil pressure light, so i jsut need a solution for the gauges.

anyone know of anything that might provide a solution?