LS-Swapped Ford Focus Hatch is Our Kind of Sleeper
Watch as this featherweight econobox evolves in a never-ending quest for maximum power!
We’ve seen all kinds of LS-swapped creations here at LS1Tech. From logical ones all the way down to the most insane madman Frankenstein-like efforts you can possibly imagine. But while mega horsepower Camaros and Corvettes are cool and all, there’s just something about a tiny, light little econobox stuffed with big horsepower that really speaks to us. Like this little Ford Focus hatchback project recently shared with us by LS1 Tech member Topspeed1.
“I have a small block Chevy Ford Focus I built a year ago. Instead of building the small block, I decided to go LS. I am using a 5.3-liter TrailBlazer aluminum motor with a Holley intake, Painless wiring harness, Lingenfelter GT1-1 cam, and Garrett GTX42 turbo. As it sits, the car weighs 2,638 pounds. Hopefully I will lose a little weight in the swap. There are still some things that need to be cut out of the car.”
Pretty sweet project as is, we must say. And the beginning specs aren’t too shabby for such a lightweight car, either. Especially for what appears to be a real budget build. At least at first.
“Current motor makes 240 whp. It’s a stock 5.7 Vortec from a ’98 truck with a Summit dual plane intake, Holley 650 cfm carb, and eBay headers.”
And with that starting point, work on the new motor began in earnest.
“I got the cam and springs installed. Alternator bracket and throttle body came in.”
We’d say it looks a lot better sitting under the hood of the little Ford Focus than the carbed motor, too!
Right off the bat, the new LS motor proved to be a big upgrade over the old mill on the dyno.
“I had some really good results on the dyno today. All runs were done in 2nd gear. I think it would make a little more in 3rd gear. But with the current gear it turns over 170 in third. I am swapping a 3.73 in later this week and will put it back on the dyno after that. Best run was 386 whp.”
But the next step was actually non-power related. Instead, the OP worked on shaving weight off the already light Ford Focus.
“Made new door panels today to clear the door bars. Also took a little more weight out of the car.”
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