Ruse

Im driving a 2000 5 speed (fwd) ford escort zx2 - everything is currently stock in it.. I love my car but Id like it to run a little smoother; Im sure everyone on this forum can see where Im coming from. Basically I want to boost up the hp a little from 130 (stock) and make it sound a little deeper/better (not like the retarded ricer cars). Honestly, I dont have an extensive knowledge on cars by any mean but I was thinking about putting on a cold air intake and getting a new exhaust.

What are some other things that I can do (preferably relatively cheap)?

Just for estimating purposes Ive got $500-1000 to spend.

Thank you for your time!

1slOwCD8

Is the 500-1000 including the exhaust and intake? Cuz if so, if you get good parts, that may take up like 600 or so. Yea, the basics that most people get the start are intake, header, exhaust, and maybe if you have some more money, get an ignition upgrade, like spark plug wire or the ignition box.

Ruse

Yea the 500-1000 is including the intake and exhaust - I dont want extremely high quality stuff, Im just looking for general improvement. As for the ignition upgrade, how much would that run me?

merkerguitars

What engine does yours have in it?

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Ruse

2.0L Zetech I4 with VCT

merkerguitars

Hmm fourbanger...pretty hard not to sound ricey, cold air intake is a good idea...but run a AEM bypass valve on it no matter what, so when you hit a puddle you dont' hydrolock your engine up. I'll check with my boss for what you can do for ignition upgrade...worse comes to worse throw a 50hp zex wet nitrous kit..easy to install and pretty safe (since it's such a low shot).

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GetRdone

Ya, the problem with the whole "not sounding ricey" thing is that well......it will. Any 4 banger, doesnt matter import or domestic, will sound kinda ricey with mods. I would say that if u want a good exhaust that doesnt sound super high pitched and whiney, get a Thermal R&D. They sound nice and fit on pretty easily. Also, i have a 60 shot NOS dry kit (super easy install) lying around here, so pm me if youd be interested in the nitrous route.

Dilbert1234567

um just a dumb question is NOS legal in cali?

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1slOwCD8

Im sure it is. As long as you get the right system i guess, just read if its 50 state legal or not.

GetRdone

Technically, using it on the street anywhere is questionable at best, but basically its illegal. Ive been pulled over and questioned what the " huge white cloud that came out of the hood" was when i purged the nitrous. Its legal to have in your car, but i do not think it is legal to have turned on, or be used. So possesion is fine, but if they prove you used it while on a normal street u may get into trouble.....thats if they can catch you.

1slOwCD8

So when they say 50 state legal, all they mean is that its legal to have, just not to use? It makes sense, i guess, you never know how good people install their parts. Technically, arent all mods illegal? My friends get pulled over all the time for loud exhaust or modding of the engine, and they say its illegal.

Ruse

Im not really sure about a shot of nos, it seems kinda cheap in the sense that its only temp. power.. anyway if you guys have more info Id be more than willing to mull it over more. Doing a google right now to find more info and more ideas hopefully....

Thanks for the ideas so far!
Keep 'em comming if you can.

Lockjaw

Mods aren't illegal if they don't violate the standing ordinances. In Cali you have to have a CARB number for any part you put on your car to make sure it passes emissions and be prepared to produce the certificates when asked. And I'm faily sure actively using nitrous in your car is also not illegal either. Exhausts vary in legality as some people remove cats and that's illegal, or run dumped exhausts that don't meet noise regulations.

But all the mods you can do for a grand have been said. CAI,catback exhaust(don't just get an exhaust tip fart cannon),small shot of nitrous. Then a bigger throttle body.

EDIT: And there's nothing at all cheap about using nitrous. If you feel like being honorable just tell people ahead of time that you have it. Besides to be honest most people won't be too afraid of a lightly modded Foci with a 50-75 shot of giggle gas.

MSD

Two things about nitrous kits

First, NOS is a brand name, it is not a chemical, ti is not what you inject into your engine. Nitrous Oxide is the chemical name, and it's generically referred to as nitro or nitrous. You don't need a NOS brand kit unless you want the pretty blue tanks and ricetastic stickers. NX makes good kits, check them out.

Second, state laws vary. So do local laws. In my town, it's legal to have it installed on a car, but not to have the bottle open within 25 feet of a public road. If Cali, there's an obnoxious, revenue-enhancing, bullshit law called "Exhibition of Speed." Basically, if a cop thinks you're speeding when he isn't looking, and you do anythign other than drive normally, you can get a ticket. Squealing tires, revving at a stoplight, taking a corner at excessive speed even under the limit, accelerating to the speed limit too quickly, a nitrous purge on public roads, and a whole lot of other things. I'm surprised they don't just hand out tickets for having larger-than-stock exhaust, body kits, and decals.

Basically, the second point I made is to watch out for cops if you're going to do any of this. I'm sure that using nitrous can get you a ticket for exhibition of speed. A purge definitely can, so don't do that in front of them. The other thing to consider is that nitrous costs a lot to fill. Aroud here it's $7 per pound. If you get in the habit of firing it every time you merge or pass on the highway, you're going to put a hole in your wallet (not to mention the wear on your transmission and engine.) It's a fun thing to have, but it's easy to get carried away. If you put too big a shot on, you'll start fucking up the bottom end of your engine.

Ruse

I ment it was cheap in the sense that its just a temperary boost to your speed, its not something that will constantly increase performance like a CAI, exhaust, headers, etc. would. As for the being honorable part... I dont plan to race. I just wanted my car to run a little better and add a little HP.

GetRdone

If you dont want to race, then i really wouldnt recomend nitrous for everyday use. ITs just not practical, especially if u get below 0 winters like i do. Then u start needing bottle warmers and such to make sure everything flows. Just do intake heasers exhuaust then maybe a throttble body if u get some more money later. Nitrous just isnt practical, trust me i ran it for along tiem, and it takes a nice toll on ur block if u abuse it.

Lockjaw

Eh you will. Trust me on this one. It'll happen before you know it.

Anyway...if you just want to run a little better just CAI and exhaust. Anything else would be a waste. In fact that 1000 bucks might be better spent on some handling parts like coilovers and better brakes.

Ruse

lol, youre right.. I might be a little more inclined to get into trouble but I dont *plan* on racing.
Anyway does the brand really matter w/ CAIs? Ive been trying to read up a little and it seems like people with zx2s get either Iceman or Hotshot intakes and its pretty much a 50/50 split on whether they like them or not..

GetRdone

brands dont really matter. In fact, on most cars the 19$ ebay intake works just as good as the 100$ name brands. Some brands like Injen, do have extra technology built in (stuff like air bypass valves, so u dont suck up water in puddles, or built in things that suppose to increase air velocity). Basically, in my experience brands dont matter, although watch out if u do get a cheap ebay one because sometimes the dont have all the right holes for vacuum lines and such.

yakimushi

If you're not inclined to have a ricey sounding exhaust you should definitely consider Borla offerings. I've got the 2.0L Zetec in my Focus (albiet Focus SVT) and for my car the best toned exhaust is the Borla. Its also the most expensive... go figure. Other popular options are MagnaFlow and MBRP. For the Focus MBRP has the reputation of being the loudest.

Another popular exhaust mod is the "offroad pipe" or ORP. This is a straight through pipe that replaces the catalytic convertor. However, this is illegal. If you have emissions checks in your state or county, you'll probably fail, and may even be fined.

An intake on your car, either cold air or short ram, would probably be very beneficial. This'll also give your car a more agressive note while driving at WOT.

Another good idea, but the most expensive, is upgrading your wheel, tire, and suspension package. 16" or 17" wheels wrapped with good rubber will drastically improve your handling. Plus it just looks better

Or, upgrade the brake pads. EBC Greenstuffs are very popular in the Focus crowd and produce very little dust. I got them for that factor alone.

Lastly, think about a short throw shifter. It'll greatly reduce the distance between shifts and can give your car a sportier feel. Plus, it just makes driving easier.

GetRdone

if u do get a better wheel and tire package, upgrade the brakes at the same time. Larger wheels create more rolling mass and make the vehicle harder to stop