2007 Ford Focus wagon, 5-speed

[spacemanspif]

Time for more updates. Had some snow the other week and took a pic of the roof of the car. Seems snow builds up at the front of the roof. I'm guessing this is from air coming over the windshield, flow separating, and then re-attaching a little farther back (where the snow was cleared from driving. Pic was taken at the gas station after driving 60mph for about 25miles with some, but not heavy, traffic and not really drafting unless I was cut off.



I know I am going to flamed for this, but I also rigged up a short ram intake. The Focus people all claim MPG gains with these type of intakes. All it cost me was $25 for a JY MAF tube and cone filter, so I thought it would be worth trying to test the 2 differnet designs. There is plenty of air leaking around the headlight and I am pulling in ambient air temp on the highway. Temp goes up while sitting, but after driving it goes back down. So I need to make a shield that blocks the outside air and pulls in engine compartment air for better gains, hopefully.

[Focus-Ak]

Looks good. Not a as jam-packed in that part of the engine bay as it used to be!

[Xist]

A-b-A?

[spacemanspif]

Originally Posted by Xist

A-b-A?

Well TECHNICALLY you are supposed to reset the computer so the sensors reset and everything adjusts to the new calibration. Switching out would only take about 5 minutes but I'm not sure how much the computer reset matters. Current tank is 100% cone filter, might switch back to stock next tank and let comp reset over the rest of the time and run another full tank on the stock box. Obviously this plan is riddled with control problems especially considering the wacky weather that is February and March in the mid-Atlantic. On a warmer day I might try the back to back testing and just have to ignor the idea of computer needing a reset. Plus, I thought I lived in one of the flattest states in the Union until I started paying attention to MPG and learned that Delaware sure isn't the pancake I thought it was...even if most of these hills are man-made overpasses lol. Either way I still haven't found a flat road without traffic lights in an area capable of 50+ MPH.

[spacemanspif]

Today I got a wiring diagram book for the Focus ($20 eBay). And I'm looking at ideas to make a kill switch. Jedi_sol used his crank position sensor for a kill switch and I was considering that method as well but I'm not sure if think CKP would work well because both + and - signals go back to the computer. There is a ground nearby but I'm not sure of it's relation to the CKP. Not 100% sure if interrupting one of the CKP wires would cause the engine to stop and would need to test. Also, the computer controls the ground for the injectors and they share a common power wire, which is also shared with the coils, and am thinking this might be the easier rout to for the kill switch.





Sorry the injector/coil pic is a little hard to read, I had to take a panoramic pic to fit the whole page. I'm not really sure what the "shield" means on the CKP diagram, it could just be a heat shield but I'm not sure. Also the key says that the dotted sideways 8 means "twisted pair" (not exactly sure what that means either and if it matters for what I'm doing).

Since I'm not sure about the CKP sensor, I think that maybe the inj/coil wire would be easiest to make a kill switch; let me know if this makes sense: power wire to 1 side of relay, steal power from the supply line to power the relay (little jumper from 1 pole to the other), Other side of the relay continues to the inj/coils and the ground for the relay runs inside the cabin to the switch and is grounded in the interior nearby.

If CKP would be better/easier please speak up, I'm not very familiar with how these sensors work.

Any and all other ideas are welcome,

[spacemanspif]

Was hoping to do an oil change, plugs and fuel filter today and with whatever daylight left after work look into blocking some of the lower grill. On lunch break I did my plugs and after work got going with the oil change and fuel filter. Oil change to way too long because I had trouble with the oversized drain plug to handle the striped oil pan threads. By the time I was done cursing the oil change, I moved to the fuel filter and got that done before the sun set. I guess we'll see if new plugs, oil and filters will give a boost in MPG. One day I'll pull the stock belly pan under the front of the car, rig up a grill block and find a way to secure the pan back up to fix the center sag from broken mounts...

Still dreaming up, rear skirts and kamm back...

[ME_Andy]

You're doing well, Mike. I only averaged like 32mpg in my 2000 Focus. Best ever was 38 on a long, 55mph road trip.

[Focus-Ak]

Originally Posted by spacemanspif

... One day I'll pull the stock belly pan under the front of the car, rig up a grill block and find a way to secure the pan back up to fix the center sag from broken mounts...Still dreaming up, rear skirts and kamm back...

For working on an '05 Focus grill block, I think it's easier to gain access from the top (having done that myself on my '05). The link below if for an '08, but similar for grill removal. You may also be able to fix the pan sag from above (drill a couple of holes in it, and wire it upward to some of the framework?).
How to Remove 08 Sedan Grille / Headlight - Ford Focus Forum, Ford Focus ST Forum, Ford Focus RS Forum

I'm interested in what you might come with for rear skirts.

[spacemanspif]

Originally Posted by ME_Andy

You're doing well, Mike. I only averaged like 32mpg in my 2000 Focus. Best ever was 38 on a long, 55mph road trip.

I hit 38 once too...But I want better! lol

Originally Posted by Focus-Ak

I'm interested in what you might come with for rear skirts.

I plan on stealing kaiba's idea to use mud flaps in front of the tire as a spat/mount for the skirt since it will protrude out to clear the bottom half of the tire.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-vx-26197.html

When are you going to start a thread? I'd love to see pics of the car and see what mods are working for you. Did you ever get the tuner?

[MisterMundane]

Good thread, I too have a focus. Mine came with a steeda short ram intake. I think it does help, as it's open. To the warmer engine air vs the stock one. Also, I removed the air snorkel. Which helped