coleman09

Hello everyone, could someone tell me if it would be a straight swap to put an st 170 engine into a mk1 focus ? if not what would be involved ? Thanks

phil_focus

fuel system is different as it soesnt have a pressure regulator, has some funny odd pump thats prone to cracking and causing problems. might be able to use an ordinary 2l focus fuel injection system though as thats got a fuel pressure reg but i dont know if its a straight swap.

prob better with the st170 system though as you'll need the st170 ecu and engine loom to run the variable cam timing

coleman09

ahh so could i not use the 170 fuel system then ? btw its a 1.6 atm and thanks for the quick reply if it turns out to much of a barstuard then what othe engine would be suggested that isnt a bomb ? i like the rs engine but quite highly priced, cheapest one ive come across is 1800 but i suppose its worth it lol

phil_focus

yeah you could fit the st170 fuel system. i know these conversions have been done, think pumaspeed and/or pumabuild do them.

what do you want from the car and do you want scope for future tuning? if you do then the rs lump would be the way to go as you cant get much more out of the st170 lump.

coleman09

right im taking it that to some the 170 fuel system on it requires modifications etc and could be harder too do. Is the rs lump a straight swap ? i probably would tune in the future
cheers

phil_focus

going from the 1.4 or 1.6 to the 1.8 or 2l units (and their varients) is more invloved than say 1.8 to st170 or rs because the engines are differnet designs. inlet and exhaust are the other way round and coolant hoses and mounts are different. its not impossible, far from it but just a bit more involved. as proof have a look at my mates focus. he's in the latest fast ford with his black focus, started life as a 1.6 ebony now with rs conversion. his names Alex Whitlock.

Sp3no

iTrader: (1)

The ST170 has no fuel return to the tank so you will need tank, fuel lines, pump, engine loom, car loom, clocks, ecu, driveshafts and hubs if you want the 6 speed box, Bigger brakes, exhaust system the list goes on.......... easiest thing to do is buy a wrecked ST170 and swap all the bits over. Do the RS swap its probably easier.

coleman09

probably go for the rs engine. Thanks for the responses anyway lads. What it is is that im planning on getting a standard focus and transforming it completley into an rs but put the 170 engine in to save a bit of money but the rs would be better suited, ill just have to wait for cash. Could anybody tell me were i could get hold of the bumpers ? The only place i can find a set is ebay, 450 for fibreglass. Alos does the rs have wider arches ? as i would have to get hold of them aswell and lastly lol are there any sprayers on here that fancy making some beer tokens ? There was a lad a while back on zsoc that said he would do it for 800 which is a bargain and his work looks good but cant remember who he is and round my way im getting quotes of 2500 or could somebody recomend someone in the north west thats fairly cheapish ? Lot to read lol Thanks guys

phil_focus

arches are wider front and rear on focus rs so the bumpers are a little wider too. also the hubs are different and shocks and i think drive shafts are longer and certainly the pwer steering rack is different (and a LOT LOT LOT more expensive) so a complete rs conversion is expensive!

to keep costs down you could use the rs engine and box but standard 2l drive shafts (as the 2l has an mtx75 box) and use st170 front hubs with either focus rs callipers and custom brackets or a big brake kit for the st170. that way you wont need rs specific suspension kits. the rear brakes on the rs are the same as st170 rear or you could have the slightly smaller diameter (but same calliper) 2l rear disc brakes. this wold also mean you can keep standard arches and if you want rs bumpers then get some knock off ones that fit the non rs models.

thats all that comes to mind at the mo, sorry i cant help with regards to the respray.

coleman09

cheers matey, i take it i have to pay 600 for a set of front wings then ? is there not a fibreglass copy of the wings available ?

phil_focus

i have no idea if there are fibreglass copies around. a good body shop might be able to widen the standard arches though with some sheet steel, thats what alex whitlock had done although his are wider than rs hehe

coleman09

lol i can see that working out a little more expensive although they may do it cheaper as i intend on getting it fully sprayed aswell in imp blue

phil_focus

well i hope you have a big enough budget for this project as it could easily top £5,000