Hi all, I've got an 05 xls with the 4cyl. I love the truck, it's great around town, but not quite enough passing power on the highway. Any modification suggestions for a little more pep?

 

There's alot of stuff comming out for the focus duratecs now that should be interchangable, since they both have transverse mounted engines. A couple of good sites to look at are. focus sport, and cosworth, also read some focus forums, such as focus fanatics, and focaljet. Focus sport has a turbo kit out now, good for about 230 hp, would that help you pass? ha ha!

 

Check the focus forums. Having owned an 02 V6 and now driving an 05 I4, highway passing is where you notice the 50hp difference. Without spending a few grand (which could have gotten you the V6), I don't know of many cheap mods. I've heard a few people notice a slight improvement by going with a more open exhuast. I changed out my plugs recently with some NGK Iridium Extremes (under $30) - they increased my highway MPGs by 1.5mpg so I'd assume it helped the power issue but I really can't say it's any noticeable difference.

 

A good power package for the 2.3 would be cai, catback, a set of cams, and a bama tuner from Doug at bama chips.com, that should get at around 170-175 at the wheels. A header makes a huge difference on the duratec, but there are none out at present that will pass e-check.The long tube header does away with the front cat, hopefully jba will make a shortie for us soon that will keep the cat, plus a shortie will have better midrange torque, more suitable for a suv, than high rpm header for a fast, and the furious focus.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.