My NEW Project Rally Car! // Pt. 1: Assessing The Situation

After much anticipation, its time to build a beginner rally car to learn the proper techniques of rally racing in!
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#Rallycar #sarahntuned

[@gregpetroski6333]

A friend and i rallycrossed his focus for a couple years in the pacific NW. We both did really well with it! Typically beating all of the 2wd and the majority of the awd field. There was a photo of me driving it on the cover of the 2018 SCCA rallycross rulebook from the SCCA dirtfish national challenge event where we came first and second. :D Some tips... the svt dampers are actually really good for the price. I think the setup we ran was zx5 wagon springs in the back, svt shocks and struts, with a lift spacer in the front. 27mm rear swaybar, a quaife front diff and some 205/65/15 rally tires. The issue with "proper" rally suspension is that they're typically too much for a rallycross car. They're really just meant to not bottom out on big hits. A slightly softer, more compliant suspension makes it way easier to drive because you're not being thrown around in the car. Also something of note, finding 15" wheels that clear those svt front brakes is actually rather challenging. The team dynamics wheels are pretty much the only ones and rally tires typically only come as large as 15". You can downgrade to the standard zx3 brakes I think. I would also have a look at the rules and maybe think about building to your class rather than just modding the car. The competition can be mighty fierce if you go too far with mods and find yourself severely outgunned because you did something like remove a sunroof or carpet and you're competing against something like an R2 fiesta...

[@DuggleBogey]

Most people buy a car then the check engine light comes on. Sarah buys one with the check engine light on and then it goes off!

[@nikmilosevic1696]

Looks like the car is happy with the new owner.

[@RichieRich980215]

I was thinking the check engine bulb blew out.

[@edwardspaccarelli5944]

Italian tune-up does wonders on SVT Focus.

[@bernard.8355]

I would call it Colin, in homage to the late great Colin Mc Rae, have fun with the new build!

[@WilbanksUSMC]

+1 for Colin

[@marshalldcarpenter]

Exactly what i was thinking. Beat me to it.

[@gamby16a]

I came in here to offer "Colin" up. Great minds...

[@MrCaprinut]

Or Colin Rooster :-) , or Colin the rooster :-D

[@j.franklin4999]

That was my first choice as well.

[@garywilliam8453]

Since you're changing the purpose of the car from street to rally, what about the "Refocus"?

[@fixingfuturememories]

Hold the spring and spin the tire. If it's got a bad wheel bearing you'll feel it in the spring. Works like a tuning fork.

[@Ravenzer0x]

This guy knows, and if you dont know, now ya know

[@Jedi_Nemo]

Sarah, 2 things! Thing 1: That CEL is for a intake motor which changes the intake runner length (I think!). My SVT Contour had the same thing. When you replace it, move it away from the engine, they fail with heat. If that is it, it'll be fairly easy to fix and cost about $100 in parts. Thing 2: "Super Valley Toaster" is what I suggest for a car name. ;) Love your channel...keep it up! Especially love you getting a Focus SVT...I'm a huge fan and would love to pick one up myself!!

[@beachBUMver1point5]

Awesome pick, I haven't seen any other youtuber work on Focus SVT aka the Mk1. Those rally videos are going be sick =D

[@802Garage]

No way! I've been telling people I want one of these to use as a rally project base for a few years now. Excellent choice! FWD is also a great choice for a starter rally car. The classes are easier to enter and it's certainly cheaper to get started. It actually sounds decent too. That was a really cool engine for the time. Hopefully some trans fluid and a shift kit is a big improvement. Also seems like it has less problems and will be easier to work on than your other two cars. Great place to start. Can't wait for this!

[@802Garage]

Oh also, as for what to do to the car, there was a show called Xtreme Off-Road or XOR that mildly built this gen Focus into a rally car. Look up "Project: Hocus Focus" on Google and you'll find clips and info if you haven't seen it already. It was fun and they tested it too. They focused on most of the basics like sway bars, suspension, brakes, tune up, etc. I don't think you'll need a ton to get started. As for names, I keep trying to think of a cute play on SVT. Something like SVeTlana or Super ViTesse, Tesse for short!

[@stefanczechorskidds8435]

Sarah, you will need to check, but I think that SVT oem parts / interior can be quite rare. Sell it as an entire package. Can't wait to hear about the name. Also, with any new endeavor / hobby , the expense is in all the accessories: gear, helmet, cage, harness (s), fire protection......on and on and on. So, see if you can find someone getting out of rallying and puchase a package deal . Otherwise, you are going to spend a small fortune just getting ready to enjoy your new hobby. You could also check with some rally schools in the UK and get some advice from them as they live it every day!

[@svtwrc]

These cars hold a special place in my heart. It was the first car I bought new in 2003 and the first to Autocross and track day. The forums are massive with anything you need , Focaljet and FocusFanatics will have you scrolling for years. Have fun !

[@jimloucks3111]

Great platform to build on, love how you do builds that are obtainable to most. The rally build should be a hit, even w/o AWD...

[@ginomazzenga4409]

Love the variety of cars you have and cant wait to see more of this build!!!👍

[@dazaspc]

Lift it, Cage it, race seats and belts, No interior and fuel cell with a firewall in the rear. Maybe Exhaust and cams with a tune. Ohh and a Hydraulic hand brake. Maybe some fabbed up strut top braces. Dont waste your money on anything cosmetic as it will just get knocked around {Cable ties are your friend}. Just use what is there to start. Remove the backing plates from behind the disc brakes it will help a lot with cooling. Great project, but you realize that once you have 3 cars it's a fleet? Cheers

[@gavinjones6376]

Totally agree with OP, cosmetics are just going to be gravel blasted away. Also you will need at least 2 sets of wheels and tyres minimum. Also don't forget intercom/radio, co-driver foot brace, map lights etc. Lots to do, good luck from North Wales where even your commute is a rally.

[@pauljenkins2501]

I absolutely agree with OP. I would have thought that you will need to seam weld the body, or at least weld in some reinforcement where the roll cage meets the body. For goodness sake don't get caught up with the cosmetics. The car will get battered when you start rallying it.

[@shogunchino2152]

Also going to need a rally transmission. Straight cut gears with larger overdrive gear. Polyurethane mounts all around. Special rallying rims. They have a larger inward lip to keep little rocks from busting the bead. You also have to learn how to do, Breaking oversteer slide. It took me a few months of practice to get it down.

[@pizzamann95]

Excellent choice for an entry level vehicle for rallying. I had a 2004 Focus with the 2.3l Duartec with a 5-speed manual. I ordered through Cosworth a CAI, throttle body, and intake manifold. With a few other mods I was able to squeeze out just over 200hp at the wheels. For most of its life it lived in the middle of the desert down a few miles of dirt road and I drove like it was a rally stage. Keep an eye on the CV joints and A-arms. The dirt roads are very hard on them.

[@Nordmann61]

Lesson plan of tasks to make you a rally car driver: 1. Learn hand-brake turns. 2. Learn to setup the car sideways before tight turns. 3. Find a proper selection of swear words for your first roll over, when hanging upside down in your safety harness on cam :). Cheers.

[@davidnanze8697]

Congratulations Sarah. I don't know much about Rally Racing but in any type of racing Safety is and should be your number one concern. After all no one wants to see you get hurt.

[@tedt1065]

Happy birthday 🥰🥰 bad chicken or Rally Rooster

[@sdmarlow3926]

Rally Rooster sounds much better!

[@TrueRedRabbit2]

+1 for rally rooster..

[@midatlantictools]

RALLY ROOSTER..!

[@Timberwolf69]

Rally Rooster would be my choice, too.

[@godarm1143]

Rally rooster sounds better

[@jaadams72]

I love this choice. I had one for a number of years. It is a fun little car. You will have a good time.

[@GoatOffroad]

New build! New skill learning to rally! Sarah, you’re going places. And fast! 🏎💨 Can’t wait to see you rally a 4WD when you’re ready! Girls and Fast Cars! 😘 🐞IIII🐞

[@aronbennett4760]

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!!! There's nothing like buying your own gift, especially a car. I love your choice in car, I've always liked them, they look good, handle good, and the aftermarket is there for you... Keep wrenching sugar. Can't wait to see what's next.

[@TimMSUK]

Knew it was a focus just from the tumbnail!

[@chrisboyd4433]

I has three of these Focus cars for my kids in high school & college. Very easy to work on and fun to drive.

[@Moto_Guzzi]

What about the name Colin? Or McRae?

[@ArvoR]

FokRae

[@codyknowles3242]

i am so excited for this new series !!!! do whatever the hell you want its gonna be BADASS

[@fireway22]

Why not name it Rucus for rally Focus? Great choice on the car. Looking forward to the ups and downs of this build with you!

[@bandeeMC]

Was thinking the same thing.

[@Brian-jm2xr]

Racus

[@robertrishel3685]

That is actually an excellent choice for a rally car build. Perfect.

[@bulltastik]

“Sir Raleigh”? Oh, and Happy belated Birthday🎉

[@quantum_entangled_tardigrade]

Sir Walter Rally. 'Walt' for short.

[@AutoBodyEverything]

Beautiful choice!!!! I LOVE cheap fun! So gratifying.

[@ChevyCitation]

Happy Birthday Sarah 🎂 Project Bad 🐔 🚗 🏁

[@murphtheirishmanmurphy7268]

Good choice! Gonna be a lot of fun and Work! Love it.

[@chrishays8333]

Happy birthday!!! "Hocus Focus", delete bad chicken. I would do what dazaspc said.

[@1leggeddog]

Happy birthday girl!!!

[@chriscary5302]

Well, not to show my age, but the Datsun 510 2 door was the rally car to have in my day. 1.6 L OHC 4 speed RWD. Those things would squirt!

[@michaelglisson8240]

Happy Birthday Sarah! Great choice for a rally build! I wouldn't recommend wrapping it, as it looks really cool in rally blue! Besides it'll be dirty most of the time, so the faded paint won't show and wrap won't last long whipping through sage brush and dirt/rocks anyway! Not so sure about Bad Chicken, but it's your car, so you can name it anything you want!!! Happy rally building!!

[@malcy34]

ST170 in Europe...the car that started the Focus ST family....

[@Moose6340]

I just started watching your channel partway through the Beetle resto so I didn't even know you had this. I love Focuses. My wife and I had a simple little Focus SE sedan as the first car we bought together several years after we got married, and that little sucker was awesome. Not fast at all, but surprisingly razor-sharp handling and a decent ride. We drove it until it finally died on us eight or nine years later. Awesome!

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

Better work towards a 50/50 weight balance front to rear. Put a huge wing on the rear for down force. Maximum wheel travel important too. Good luck with it!! ;)

[@SarahnTuned]

Jerome Burrasca I think I’ll do a battery relocation kit soon.

[@davidniven686]

@@SarahnTuned Battery is easy. Just think Binky.

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

@@SarahnTuned Cool! ;) Makes good sense. All your steering, engine and trans weights up front. Great brakes and super cooling are of huge importance too. :) Can't waite to see whatcha come up with!!

[@BMXLAB]

Fuck yes!!! A KZbinr with a SVT Focus! I had one for over 7 years. Drove it to over 210k. I loved the car to death. Sold it only because I wanted an ST. I completely rebuilt the car and multiple other ones I had bought to flip. My uncle still daily’s his. Sarah, if you ever have a question about the car, message me. I also may have some extra parts if you are interested.

[@jamesemcclure]

Sunroof delete / Safety would be top of my list. Don't you need a co-pilot to rally? Congratulations on your not so new Bad Chicken. Happy Birthday 😊

[@SarahnTuned]

Objective See yeah... I have no copilot unfortunately. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@pferris3591]

@@SarahnTuned Little Sarah not available? Watching you two rally would be awesome! 😀

[@jamesemcclure]

@@SarahnTuned I've no experience at co-piloting but if you want I'll fly over from London when you're ready. 😂

[@LiquidSSSnake]

I've DD one of these for 8 years, the p1518 is a free fix, the electrical contacts inside need cleaning inside the IMRC box... Which is why it's intermittent.

[@therealvlad2201]

That is the original Focus ST (in Europe)

[@bigray3360]

I Love the addition to the family. I have a 2003 svt european edition focus

[@webberron]

Holy crap, that is a very big Rattlesnake!!! Danger Will Robinson!!!

[@larrywt656]

Arizona Diamondbacks are nothing to fool around with...the snake, not the baseball team...

[@wademeyer4495]

Love! These things are tough. Don't forget that the SVTs were lowered verses the standard focus.

[@russellpetrie119]

focuses are usauly pretty solid and reliable motors ford tough

[@sliscotti86]

Hell yeah! My '05 lasted for 215k until I got rid of it for a newer car with more tech and comfert features.

[@lukebarnsley6710]

Ford Falcon 4lt engine's are the toughest of them all, they can usually get up to a million plus K's out of them.

[@stevenb5510]

Congrats on the new project car... Excited for you.

[@Rob...]

fwd = fun wheel drive..said no one ever!😂😂

[@SarahnTuned]

HotShotVQ35 watch some videos on learning how to rally, it’ll open your mind up 😉

[@koopatroopa187]

Yeah.... You're dead inside if you can't find the fun in lifting tires mid turn while bouncing off a 10k rev limiter in a Honda.

[@simkarte123]

YESSSS!! There's not enough rally builds on KZbin!

[@donaldfuchs9638]

Please do not name the project car "...bad chicken...". Use a name which is based on the car -- similar to Mr Dos (MR2) and Tater Tot (TT).

[@SonOfTamriel]

Focalized? Focaccia? i dunno

[@deadjuice3745]

Sir Colin?

[@bumtracksNew]

Name it the blue blurry. blurry opposite of focus

[@SarahnTuned]

☹️

[@pvman2]

I’m liking Rally Rooster!

[@furiousdriving]

True story, Colin Mcrea's dad gave me a lift back from France in a Subaru (through the Channel Tunnel) after our classic Triumph let go near Paris. He was a super nice guy and Im so grateful as Id still be walking now if he hadn't!

[@michaelhorner4011]

"Derby Doodle" or "Ray Ray" my two cents for a name for the Focus.

[@jimz68]

Happy Belated Birthday, Sarah. This is going to be fun !!

[@patricelemay1190]

RAlly FOcus or RAFO that's the name of your project! 🤟😜 cooler than bad chicken My God ! 😝 Oh and happy birthday by the way ! 😘

[@shogunchino2152]

Finally someone who gets rallying and the ford focus. I use a 07 ST for my SCCA events. I also love to do up hill climb attacks. Look up MASSIVE SPEED SYSTEMS site. They have all the parts, Like my straight cut rally transmission.

[@henrykayser3123]

Nice! I can see the custom plate now: BADCHKN

[@frankr111th]

Great choice! Fwd will test your skill.

[@luisbalderrama8145]

What about The Hocus Focus for a car name?

[@travisburch6970]

Happy belated birthday and I never get tired of watching you on working on cars I learned so much from you

[@ecyfoto]

Call her SVeTlana!

[@802Garage]

Hahaha, that's what I thought of too!

[@SarahnTuned]

Same, lol

[@AngelFloyd27]

Happy Birthday Sarah!, great purchase. Here in Europe we have the Focus ST170, which it seems that is the equivalent to the SVT in America. Same specs, 2 liter 170 hp engine, and 6 speed manual transmission. The car has a great chassis, good balance and handling, it's a fun car to drive. Maybe it wasn't very appreciated in the states because the road layouts there, but it's an excellent car on mountain roads. Hope you enjoy it! I'm very excited with this project.

[@Photostudioww]

Nowadays people put mud flaps and BINGO you have a rally car🤷😂

[@DiegoBello]

Things yo learn: Weight distribution for turning and overall control Sandinavian flick for awesomeness Left foot braking for better control Clutch kick for exiting turns faster

[@michaelsullivan1703]

Campaigning cost per yearly rally seasom :Audi TT $87,319, Ford Focus $4.11 (including complete drivetrain overhaul)

[@jonathankent5898]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my favorite car girl! I think this "bad chicken" is going to be a fun build for you... Or maybe "Laser Focused"!

[@fpoonman30]

Car name “Project Blue Baller”

[@go-dog-go]

Hear hear...

[@yosvi85]

Very nice!! 16" wheels will clear the front brakes and when you get tired of Rally do a V8 rear wheel drive swap and drag race it!! Great choice!

[@b_mb4948]

Pls no step on snek

[@jimmyvanravenswaay8265]

I own an svt. It’s a great car and a ton of fun. This should be a fun project

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Subaru or nothing!!! 😉

[@deathwatch27]

I've got an 05 3 door focus and love it. Fun to throw around , easy to drive and cheap to fix. You need to get the full WRC kit for it (Spoiler, bonnet vents) and a turbo kit

[@derekm6884]

No. Just no. I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed

[@jimclayton4697]

Front wheel drive rally cars are awesome... the mini cooper s was one of the most successful rally cars of all time.😎

[@TJA86]

you normally have to start rallying as a beginner in a 2wd class anyway, so good choice! Also I'd recommend to make sure and figure out what class you want to be driving in, and check all the rules thoroughly before you start to modify the car.

[@ArchwayPerformance]

Cams are already really radical and you will not see an increase from replacing them. Timing set is super important.

[@sophisticated]

I had one of these. They are absolutely awesome!

[@pkuudsk9927]

Happy Birth day mine was a few days ago. Call the car posi , positive attitude ,posi diff, and pois you need skid plates . They are strong little cars and roll well without a cage , go into the beginer class and just have fun at 40-50 mph . So much to learn before you go fast, heel toe down shift hand brake rotation, And good tires good tires good tires beat the crap out of the stock rims .

[@terryanderson271]

Happy Birthday!! You are so fun to watch!

[@AJGreen-cn8kk]

Hell yeah, great choice, Sarah! Not only a fun build but I'm looking forward to watching you learn to rally. Get a season under your belt and then build an AWD rally car. Content for years.

[@HikaruSorano05]

First you have to learn left foot braking and then Scandinavian flick! So much fun

[@balkin33]

Happy Birthday to Sarah and The Bad Chicken!! I like the choice, this should be fun!!

[@jasonme3557]

Simple task , although that motor is much better than fords new 2.0 get a compression test. Just because of age. Love the project . Name the obvious , Project Phoenix

[@wesleycook6921]

The aftermarket supports the focus BIGTIME. You will easily be able to make your focus competitive good luck in your RALLY endevours

[@joedabill99]

Happy Birthday! I've mostly restored an 07 Mazda 3 hatchback w/a 5 speed and gifted it to my 16 year old daughter. It's seriously one of the funnest cars I've owned. For rally racing a front drive car, I'm assuming you'll need a beefed up e-brake (I've used the e-brake in my Mazda on wet roads for added smiles in the corners). I might also suggest reconditioning the existing headlights or adding brighter aftermarket headlights. Have fun and I look forward to your progress on this project. Keep up the great videos.

[@SuperDave21]

Happy Birthday Sarah, hope it was indeed a great day!!

[@gianpaologliori3604]

Good choice! I had a focus when it was launched in the UK in 1999 and it was a great car. Quite a game changer at the time. Perhaps you should pull the motor and give it an overhaul and the do all the fiddly inaccessible bits when it’s out so you don’t have all the problems you had with the TT!

[@dpunusaf]

The OUTTA FOCUS!

[@77subiedo]

Love it Sarah!!!! Rally on!!!!

[@troyday1835]

You got it right for the first two then motor upgrades roll bars plus five point harness

[@kimai1641]

I think you made a great choice! Happy Belated Birthday Sarah! I truly enjoy your channel and love mister dos! tater tot is german so parts are just ridiculously expensive. the mcrae mobile is a german ford, so parts are inexpensive! for a rally car, all you need is dampers with plenty of travel with controlled valving. softish springs that allow for tons of weight transfer. Get the best LSD you can. A proper LSD will rocket you out of the corners, and will aide in lift off oversteer! I literally can't wait to see what you do with the car! Keep up the excellent work! And please tell little Sarah hello!

[@mawe42]

If there is a rally-school nearby I would recommend that approach. That's probably the quickest and possibly the cheapest way to learn some techniques. Then lots of seat time on a known stretch of gravel road with little traffic, in "Mexico".... I remember a quote from, I think, Ari Vatanen, he was asked on what it took to learn to drive like him, I might be paraphrasing a bit. "-Lots of time and many, many cars."

[@Nirvash24]

Yes, I had a SVT Focus. Procharged it and did some euro spec body parts. I stall have the 99 Focus WRC rear wing that was on the car. I could never get rid of it. The stock engine is forged and the stock cams are bigger then any aftermarket cams for the 2.0L zyrtec engine. 1st gen focus know the have the radiator support and rear subframe rust out. But if it's a AZ car it should be fine. Super excited about this project.

[@SarahnTuned]

Nirvash yeah, it’s 100% rust free 😊

[@rs8focus]

Hell yeah!! I'm a 02 svt owner!! So exciting to see this

[@mrwest5552]

2020 rewatch. What a special day that was.

[@Rusty1843]

I spent a whackton of time with my SVT and it's IMRC issue. Hopefully some of this info will save you some time. Check the plastic connector on the end of the IMRC cable. If the connector breaks the IMRC unit is no longer attached to the intake baffle and you get a stuck open code. Remove the front driver headlight to gain access to the imrc, pull the wire connector and inspect for burning or damage. If that stuff is all good remove the battery tray and the air filter box and pull the IMRC. Remove the 4 screws holding the back cover on and the 6ish screws holding the pcb in place. Cut around the glue crap holding the connector in and remove the pcb with the motor. If you don't see any obvious damaged components clean the contact points on the thing that looks like a set of old ignition points with some sand paper or a file. Put a little dab of oil on the gears and let er eat. The points open and close to tell the ECM that the unit is physically moving. If you need more info let me know I could probably make you a video on the KZbin. Good Luck.

[@jd-py5nm]

great choice stoked to see this play out

[@DunkelSonic]

Hey Sarah, I just got into rally a couple years ago. With a brand new build just keep in mind that there are waaaay more things involved than you initially think. I would bring it to some rallycross events and see what the car needs and go from there. If you're going for stage rally, then keep a mental note of structural things that would get in the way of a cage going in(roof vents, seat location). If you want some great insight towards all things rally and techniques, Team O'Neil has an awesome KZbin channel. Also disabling traction, ABS, and things like that are gonna be a must

[@Uofm4ever23]

I live out here in Tucson.. and been following your channel for a while.. pretty sweet seeing someone from town doing videos and modifications to their car!

[@IntervalePC]

Happy Birthday Sarah🎂🎈

[@martingarner4505]

Good source for performance kits is pumaspeed in the UK and they ship worldwide. This car was the st170 in the UK so all the good stuff is under that section.

[@GridLineGo]

Good choice!! I love my Focus! 😁👍