#mdds My Dream Daily-Spec: How I'd Transform My ZX3

My Dream Daily-Spec: How I'd Transform My ZX3

Hello, CTzens! I hope you’re all doing well! I decided to try out a more personal blog post, one of telling you all how I’d love to build my car as my ideal daily car…IF I HAD THE MONEY!

Above, you can see my car: a 2005 Ford Focus ZX3 S. It’s no SVT, ST, or RS, but it’s still a fun, reliable, and practical car. That, and it being a hatchback, it meets all of my criteria for my perfect daily as a college student. Is it perfect? No, but here’s what I’d do to it to make it perfect!

AWD Conversion

With Pennsylvania’s unpredictable weather in the later and early parts of the year, as well as the not uncommon, badly maintained roads around, an AWD conversion would be perfect for me. As an added bonus, my handling would improve a bit, traction would improve, acceleration would improve, and I’d be able to go pretty much wherever a Subaru or Evo could go. Plus, there aren’t very many street Focus ZX3/5s that were converted, so this conversion would make my car more unique, as well!

2.3L Cosworth Duratec Swap (280HP N/A!)

My Focus uses a Duratec 2.0 motor, which is essentially Ford’s version of the Mazda MZR motor, as they both collaborated together to make these, and are still in use to this day. They range in size from the 2.0L Duratec 4 cyl to the 3.0L Duratec V6. The Ford SHO 3.4L V8 was also technically a Duratec, having been based off of the 2.5L Duratec V6 and tuned by Yamaha for use in the 1996 Ford Taurus SHO, and Aston’s current 6.0L V12 is also based off Duratec motors, essentially being two, 3.0L V6s together, and Cosworth designs parts for the V12 and casts the blocks and heads, and even had assembled the engines for Aston for a year at one point until Aston took control of those operations. Duratecs serve in normal, everyday cars, as well as sports cars, and is even the motor of choice for the absolutely nuts BAC Mono, using a Cosworth-tuned 2.3L Duratec.

Cosworth provides built Cosworth Duratecs as crate engines, with their 2.0Ls coming out as 205, 225, or 255HP, and their 2.3Ls coming out as 220, 250, or 280HP. The motor I’d put in my ZX3 would be the 2.3L 280HP motor. I could then say I’m Cosworth powered and that I run the same motor as the BAC Mono! It’d even fit right in, as Duratec 2.0s and 2.3s are a direct fit into the Focus. An AWD pushing out 280HP…does that sound familiar to anyone?

Bilstein Adjustable Performance Suspension Coilover System

It goes without saying that with all of this newfound power, I’d need the proper suspension kit to handle it. This Bilstein kit would ensure that my car would be in my control, while also being lowered a few inches for a thrilling and good-looking ride.

Brembo GT Big Brake Kit

And with all that power, you’ll need the stopping power to go with it. This Brembo GT Big Brake Kit would guarantee strong stops, as well as durability for any spirited or track driving I put them and the car through.

18" O.Z. Superturismo GTs painted Matte Grey on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s (215/45ZR18)

A build isn’t a build without some nice shoes. This combo would complement the level of modification the car has undergone, while looking damn good to boot!

FSWerks Stainless Steel Racing Exhaust

I’d want a nice, flowing exhaust to really bring out the engine note, so FSWerks’ stainless steel exhaust would do nicely! It’s not huge and showoff-y, nor would it pass the fist test, but it would raise power figures and turn heads as I pass by.

EXTERIOR MODS

For the exterior, I’d start with getting my hands on a Gen 1 Ford Focus RS rear bumper and side skirts, as well as the fender flares. Especially the fender flares. Just LOOK at ‘em! I’d then have to get a replica RS-look front bumper for my Focus as the front was facelifted, requiring the replica to achieve the same look ,without converting the front. Next, I’d get my hands on a Saleen Focus spoiler as used on the limited run Saleen N2O Focus. Rare, but would definitely look so right on this build. I’d also throw in a hood scoop (functional, of course) and eyelids to further the ongoing aggressive look. The headlights, however, would be swapped with a pair of OEM style, crystal black housed headlights. As for the tail lights, Eurostar LED tail lights. These I’ve actually already gotten, so that’s been taken care of already.

INTERIOR MODS

And last, but not least, the interior! I’d have the interior done up like the shown Impreza interior, awashed with Ford blue, to strengthen the sporty atmosphere of the car from the inside, and I’d throw in blue Sparco F200 seats for the front but leave the rear seats for passengers, a blue-stitched Sparco gear gaiter, a Sparco L999 steering wheel, and a set of Sparco pedals so that all of the sports accessories inside look good, but also all come from the same manufacturer to ease my mild OCD.

Phew! But that would be the transformation my daily would undergo to make it absolutely perfect for me! I’d love to read your comments or suggestions down below of this build! And I’d also like to see how you guys and gals would transform your current daily, as well! Just use the hashtag #mdds!

Thanks for reading!