2005 Ford Focus - Twin Turbo - Tuner Car - Modifications

Ricardo specifically chose the sedan because he wanted to prove his business is strong enough to make a notoriously slow car perform. His shop did such a good job that he estimates that the 2.3L Duratec engine under the hood is running between 300-350 hp. Internally, the motor features some quality parts including a billet crankshaft, Carillo connecting rods, and JE pistons that has a compression ratio of 8.5:1. But the most eye popping part is the twin turbo setup. The first turbo compressing the air is a GT-25 turbo followed up by T3-T4 turbo, both large enough to fill the entire right side of the engine bay. Coupled with a Turbosmart wastegate, exhaust gate, and blow-off valve, the turbochargers are fed by an F2 Focus air filter, cooled by F2 Focus intercoolers, and connected by some F2 Focus custom plumbing. Ricardo and his team had a hard time condensing the setup in order to fit it in the rather small opening. And, metaphorically speaking, they pulled it off like, ahem a certain type of rather well endowed actor.

Surprisingly, the car is still using a stock ECU, only using SCT for turning. The fuel delivery is also close to stock, aside from the Ford Racing 48lb. fuel injectors. The exhaust system features a custom exhaust manifold, using 1-5/8-inch primaries, and a F2 Focus 3-inch mandrel bent pipes connected to a Magnaflow muffler. The gearbox thankfully was upgraded. Now using an MTX-75 box and an ACT 6-puck clutch, the drivetrain can now better handle the improved power. Ricardo also made sure he upgraded the stock flywheel and differential to an Aasco/F2 Focus flywheel complete with Zetec-style clutches and a Torsen T-2 differential.

And if you know anything about Newton's Law of Motion, you're a smarter person than we thought, and understand how a car this fast and relatively heavy would really needs some strong stopping power. That's why Ricardo and his team improved all four rotors to both 14- and 13-inch two-piece rotors, working with some quality F2 Focus multi-piston calipers. This braking system is so stout, Ricardo says that every time he steps on the brakes, he feels like his "eyeballs are going to pop out." But that's a good thing considering the amount of work done to the exterior of the car--work that you wouldn't want to see mangled around some telephone pole. Just take a look at the F2 Focus RS widebody fit, made especially for the '05 Ford Focus sedan. Made out of polyurethane, Ricardo wanted to shamelessly plug the fact that he also makes it for the ZX3, ZX5, and ZX4 models. But more importantly, it's hard to argue the fact that this is quite possibly the best looking Ford Focus in the world.

Ultimately, Ricardo with this car is turning the domestic sport compact community upside down. With so many only focusing on the ready-made Dodge SRT-4 and Chevy Cobalt, Ricardo's F2 Ford Focus proves that creativity and hard work pays off. And he finished it at the right time, during the 10-year anniversary of Super Street, as he reaffirms the fact that it's the only magazine that first brings readers innovative and original cars.