It's On!

b2tf · 08-01-2006, 10:23 PM

After 8 months or so, my Focus is finally no longer mechanically stock! Many thanks to Matt (zetec) who spent yesterday with me lying on concrete under the car working on getting the stocker exhaust off, and putting his old 2.25" pearler of a system on in its place! The note is not quite there due to the tip being not on yet (it is amazing just how much difference to the sound having the tip on makes!), but after a few test runs it is a real honey of a system. Sounds fantastic, not ricey or farty, just got a nice idle to it, and put the foot down and you're in Zetec Heaven. I love it, was worth all the effort.

And I've gotta say, I think the best thing about it apart from the sound, is the fact that we did it ourselves. Its really rewarding and satisfying. I had no idea how to do it, but it's all very straightforward and with the right tools it can be done by the most amateur of backyard mechanics.

I'll probably do a bit of a writeup at some stage, but again, HUGE thanks Matt, it's a bloody great system, and its so good to finally see it on, and the car no longer stock!

simonr · 08-01-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

put the foot down and you're in Zetec Heaven

hahahha i love it

melbzetec · 08-01-2006, 11:22 PM

Well done guys. Methinks you'll now have the modification bug though B2TF!

b2tf · 08-01-2006, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

Well done guys. Methinks you'll now have the modification bug though B2TF!

Oh believe me, Ive had it for a long time, i just havent had the ability to do anything. Im on the lookout now for some SVT rims from the US, as well as some stock taillights if anybody has any they've taken off.
The next one will be lowering but I dont think Dodgy Bros Mechanical Inc. will be tackling that one.

zetec · 08-01-2006, 11:42 PM

I just got home in one piece, I'm exhausted. A weekend of modding, Maccas, PS2 with Ford Racing 3 and slurpees. Bit of off-roading oin the Territory and it was a top weekend!! But most of all the Go-Karting was SENSATIONAL!!!!!

Thanks for a top weekend mate, your hospitality was outstanding and it was great fun swearing at the Germans for building an exhaust that resisted all efforts to be taken off. Just have to tell 'em who's boss!!!!!

When you get that tip on I want pics and sound files!!!

b2tf · 08-01-2006, 11:43 PM

Mmm, some interesting techniques for undoing bolts were developed over the w/e thats for sure!

The offroading was amazing

:. Cant believe that the Terry took it all and didnt complain!

Tip will be on by the end of the week

.

mitch_lx · 09-01-2006, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

Mmm, some interesting techniques for undoing bolts were developed over the w/e thats for sure!

The offroading was amazing

:. Cant believe that the Terry took it all and didnt complain!

Tip will be on by the end of the week

.

Hammer in one hand and a Beer in the other?

zetec · 09-01-2006, 12:36 AM

Not exactly. The hammer did come in handy though...

Basically we didn't have enough strength (torque) in the handles of the ratchets (weren't long enough) or our own arms to loosen the bolts at the head of the exhaust behind the flexpipe, so I came in from the side with my leg and had the torque in my leg to loosen the bolts. Looked hillarious!

Danny · 09-01-2006, 04:07 AM

Great Aust, Having heard Matt's exhaust First hand and experiencing it go past, I know that it is a mutha of a system. You'd be chuffed!

-Dan

melbzetec · 09-01-2006, 10:43 AM

B2TF I have stock rear lamps sitting in the garage. Wasn't thinking about selling them, but might if they are going to a good home! PM me and we'll talk

b2tf · 09-01-2006, 09:46 PM

PM Sent

.

At the moment the exhaust is not sounding as good as it will - as I mentioned before, the tip is not on there yet so the sound is bouncing off the rear bar and back, sounds like a big fart!

:

We did a few runs with the tip on though, and it sounded awesome, the tip just finishes it off so nicely. So i cant wait to get it on.

Out of interest I went to an exhaust shop today and asked them what it would cost to fit a 2.25" exhaust to my car (didnt let them see it though, just told them what it was). Got a quote for $250, and one for $280, so I would say the day was well spent, and saved me a packet too! Seriously, anybody who is thinking of getting an exhaust, have a go yourself. The worst that can happen is you'll have to drive without a tailpipe or something, which is bearable. But we had very little idea and neither of us had done it ever before, and we managed to do it in a day - would have been quicker if we had the right tools. Very easy to do.

Now on a slightly different note, in the coming days I am pricing up some 03 SVT Focus rims from the US, if they are a decent price I am thinking of importing them myself. Is anybody else interested in perhaps importing some US parts with me at the same time and sharing the cost of shipping? I am going for wheels only at this stage but if we bought from the same place (i.e. FRPP) Im sure we could work something out. PM me if anybody is keen.

zetec · 09-01-2006, 09:52 PM

Remembered I had this... might help for anyone trying to remove their own exhaust...

Just cut behind the I.R.S.

b2tf · 09-01-2006, 10:03 PM

thats a great pic. once you're under the car you can see where it all is very easily, and its very accesible too.

Fordy · 17-01-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

PM Sent

.

At the moment the exhaust is not sounding as good as it will - as I mentioned before, the tip is not on there yet so the sound is bouncing off the rear bar and back, sounds like a big fart!

:

We did a few runs with the tip on though, and it sounded awesome, the tip just finishes it off so nicely. So i cant wait to get it on.

Out of interest I went to an exhaust shop today and asked them what it would cost to fit a 2.25" exhaust to my car (didnt let them see it though, just told them what it was). Got a quote for $250, and one for $280, so I would say the day was well spent, and saved me a packet too! Seriously, anybody who is thinking of getting an exhaust, have a go yourself. The worst that can happen is you'll have to drive without a tailpipe or something, which is bearable. But we had very little idea and neither of us had done it ever before, and we managed to do it in a day - would have been quicker if we had the right tools. Very easy to do.

Now on a slightly different note, in the coming days I am pricing up some 03 SVT Focus rims from the US, if they are a decent price I am thinking of importing them myself. Is anybody else interested in perhaps importing some US parts with me at the same time and sharing the cost of shipping? I am going for wheels only at this stage but if we bought from the same place (i.e. FRPP) Im sure we could work something out. PM me if anybody is keen.

Is there a website or pics of these rims?? Whats price we looking at?

b2tf · 17-01-2006, 10:22 PM

If you're talking about the 03 SVT rims, there are some pics of them in my thread titled "some ideas". Ive gone off the idea and wont be importing them, going to stick with my current wheels for a while longer, but I may end up getting some other bits.

b2tf · 24-01-2006, 11:32 PM

zetec · 25-01-2006, 12:38 AM

Niiiiice. Good to finally see some pics!!!

Now dump it!!!

27-01-2006, 03:25 PM

I love the MP3 rims, I would kill for a set.