Upgrade path?

[soareyes]

Looking for suggestions on engine upgrades. My Birkin has a stock fuel injected Zetec ZX3 engine (2000 year Focus) controlled by a 1996 Ford Contour ECU. What I think I want to do so far:

after-market ecu (Pectel or Emerald)
throttle bodies/upgraded injectors
better cams with adjustable cam gears
Ford Racing or after-market head with bigger valves
light flywheel
not engine related, but eventually a LSD

These seem to be the standard upgrades, anything I miss?
Also, what order should I do them in since I won't do all at once.
Thanks for your opinions!
Stan

[Elv15]

zetec upgrades

Stan,

You might want to check with the folks at MSI motorsport...they have some interesting mods fo the Zetec. http://birkinnorthamerica.com or PM Woody Harris.

Also, Rod Swanson was selling a TWM throttle body setup. You might want to send him a PM and see if he still has them.

Cheers,

Tom

[Roll a 7]

Many of us run underdrive pulleys.

Focus Central in Tehachapi may be worth a look for zetec mods.

Sounds like you'll be crossing the 200 HP barrier!!

[Doug Liedblad]

Smaller alternator, less rotating mass.

The Susuki Swift /Geo Metro 50 or 55 amp unit is about 1/2 the weight of the stock Ford alternator.

Gert has plenty of details.

Doug

[Elv15]

alternator

Gert, Do you run an alternator light with this alternator?

Tom

[soareyes]

Under drive pulley? Yea, my pulley is under there somewhere :wink:

Actually, I do know what an underdrive pulley is now that I read Focus Sport's nice writeup on their web site. 7 oz. for their aluminum pulley vs 3 lb for the stock Ford pulley :!: My only concern is with the water pump and alternator turning more slowly. Would I have a problem on a hot day idling in traffic if less coolant is flowing? I also have noticed that when I turn the headlights on the engine bogs down a bit on idle, and would this be more pronounced with the slower turning alternator? (I do have the lighter Geo alternator already).

Thanks for the suggestions so far. 200 hp would be nice, but I would be happy with 175 for awhile. I've got to at least keep Gert in sight, but no chance with Magnus as he just keeps changing to smaller pulleys! :lol:

Stan

[Rod]

TWM

Yes, the TWM throttle bodies are still available.

[slomove]

Tom, yes, I hooked up the "idiot-light". Actually I connected all 4 wires (output, sense, lamp and ignition-switched 12V) according to this web site.

Gert

[Elv15]

nifty! Thanks Gert! :D :D

[soareyes]

Woody at MSI Motorsports sent me information on the underdrive pulley system he sells. The kit comes with the smaller and lighter crank pulley, and also a water pump pulley. I'm assuming the new water pump pulley keeps the water flowing at the proper rate, answering my question in my post above. The kit looks nice, and its only $139 for the two pulleys.

Stan