Reviving my 04 Focus SVT

[@keithm1400]

Appreciate the wisdom good sir, nice video.

[@owenrancourt6299]

I have an 03 svt ZX3 and I was intimidated when I started working on it but I’ve learn so much from it. I think it was a valuable lesson despite being frustrating at times, great vid👍

[@mc540flip]

Wow! What a sick car for $1800. I’m looking at one now listed for $6900 with 116,000 miles. Digging this car.

[@fabyrbl8177]

i am a owner of a 1.8 zetec blacktop focus mk1, and i love it to bits, mine was super reliable, lets hope it stays that way

[@davidg4026]

10 years ago, I bought an '03 ZX5 black w/ red seats for $1000. It was in rough shape and didn't run, but it only had 40,000 miles on it! The plastic intake was blown to pieces, presumably from a backfire caused by the header being crushed on a parking block and snapping the O2 sensors off. After replacing the header, intake (was very hard to find a used one), O2 sensors, it ran great! It also needed a bit of body work and a serious detailing. I drove it for a year and sold it... I wish I still had it!!

[@admiralnelson4225]

Great job bringing it back to life!

[@mardamek]

I had a 2004 3-door SVT with Recaros. Had it for 15 years before I had to let it go. Broke my heart to do it but it needed an engine tear down, which I could not afford. It would be too costly to pay the mechanic to do it, and I could not do it since I was living in an apartment at the time and parking the car in the streets. Being that it was my daily driver, and I could not be without a car, I had to swallow the pill and trade it for a new car. Wasn’t much of a trade, since the new tires alone were worth more than I got for it but at least I got a new car and didn’t have to pay parking tickets (realities of city life). What a pleasure it was though. They don’t make them like that anymore. We just have transportation these days…

[@alex_thecarguy]

So back in college, I bought a 01 Honda prelude sh as my second car. Daily drove it at school, loved the thing. One night, I was coming back from the mountains and a rock slide showed up around a blind corner. I shattered the alloy wheel on the passenger side, and bent the frame. Managed to put the spare on and limp it 40 miles back to school. Ended up getting it towed and fixed at a shop for 2300 dollars. I had no money, had to pay my dad back while working at subway in college. I decided to trade the car after all the work was done. A kid wanted to trade his WRX wagon. I drove 60 miles to meet him. Met up, told him the whole story, and he decided he didn't want to trade his car, he just wanted both. His words were "I've just never had to not have something". His parents were there, and said the same thing. I walked off. Not even 5 minutes later, I got into mine, put it into reverse, and blew the head gasket, backing up in a parking lot. Back then, I knew little to nothing about working on cars. I got home, revised my listing to include what happened, and sold it for less than half what I was hoping to sell it for before that day. I then walked home and gave half of that to my dad to finish paying off my debt. That's the lowest I ever got in owning cars. I bought a crown Vic and slowly worked my way back up. Nowadays, I can afford to do this stuff, but I vividly remember what it was like when I couldn't. The name "Alexthecarguy" actually comes from some jerk at school who used to call me that ironically because of my string of bad luck. Eventually, I decided to use the name instead, and that's how this channel started.

[@mardamek]

Thanks for sharing your story. It’s interesting how something meant in a negative way (such as your nickname) can be turned into something positive. It’s all a matter of outlook. Looking back, I wish I had the experience I have now, and I might still have my SVT Focus. Of course, at the time I traded it in 2 years ago, it wasn’t the lack of experience or repair skills, but other factors beyond my control. Life goes on, and the best we can do is keep the good memories, learn from mistakes and use the experience to improve the next overtaking in life.

[@alex_thecarguy]

@@mardamek good outlook. Maybe something else will come along for you.

[@pseudosmith9945]

Just picked up a pretty clean gloss black 03 SVT 2Dr Hatch, grey interior, recaro seats,6 speed, 4 wheel disc, amp/woofer combo, moon roof, traction control etc.. fully loaded.. A/C even blows barely slightly cool.. seems like it's just a little low on freon.. factory SVT mags and all.. don't know if I'm going to keep it yet.. but it's straight.. cute car..

[@FocusFanatic]

Awesome story

[@OurNotSoSeriousLife]

Awesome work.

[@moparonthebudget8830]

I just bought one yesterday and having problems

[@turnperfectracing2575]

hows that maverick working out? sounds like you found a great machine shop. sold my svtf in february, fun times cheers

[@johngreck2053]

I love these cars

[@Nirvash24]

Yes I miss my SVT Focus. I should look for one.

[@antn8387]

nice SVT ZX3. Mines silver the dent in the piston will probably loose a little of compression, no biggie

[@malcolmgray.5913]

I didn’t know that the SVT/St170 2lb tensioner was discontinued. Saw bolt605 rebuild his svt on here and he talked about it. People who’ve been into these for years knew about it but Ive only had mine for a few years. Got a better internal tensioner spring from 5 acres focus to fit a continental tensioner. Have you heard about this or are you running the stock tensioner? Great job getting the car and saving it!

[@alex_thecarguy]

The kit I bought from on Amazon claims it's a 2lb tensioner. I have no idea for sure, but it's held up this far

[@opexo]

Hey so i have the st170 in eu and prpbably have to do valves, shims etc but hard to find them, can you give me a link where you sourced yours and part numbers too?

[@alex_thecarguy]

This is where I got my valves. They've worked great. I didn't need to get shims so I don't have anything for that. You'll know if this is the right listing because I wrote a review saying they work for a focus SVT. DNJ VK16459 Exhaust Intake Valve Kit for 2002 to 2004 Ford Focus L4 2.0L DOHC 16V EV459 X8 IV459 X8 a.co/d/iOj8dXy

[@totallyFad]

Granted I ever have the financial capacity to have a "summer vehicle" this is my choice. From my understanding, because these are high output, they need religious timing belts at or before 75,000. Do you think this one skipped timing due to this?

[@totallyFad]

I was about halfway through when I commented this, so I just heard the exhaust clip. Sounds absolutely beautiful.

[@alex_thecarguy]

@@totallyFad I honestly don't know. My guess is the tensioner wasn't changed for a long time. At the time of writing this, I've thrown Falken Rt615k+ tires on, and replaced the front brake pads. Got a cheap stereo wired in and I'm waiting on rear pads, while I take the rotors to the machine shop for surfacing. Got an autocross race in Danville this Sunday. I really enjoy the car. It's slow but a ton of fun. Put about 200 miles on it since the repair.

[@c14back2nitrogen9]

Nice one . Where can I get an intake camshaft? Cause I be parting out an svt if I don't find it

[@andrewireland9695]

By chance, do you know what tuner is compatible? I bought an sctx4 and turns out they discontinued it for the focus

[@Cheers.Official]

Hey are you gunnyboy?

[@alex_thecarguy]

I was... A long time ago

[@Cheers.Official]

@@alex_thecarguy its nice to see you