B3NN3TT

Price drop - $4000 firm. Just bought a new Abarth, so this one needs a new home!

By request, some more pictures (yes, the floor mats need a good shampoo): Fresh photos just shot earlier this week: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16180635_zps749d8f33.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16180647_zpsae13af05.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16180706_zps2eba6b52.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16180740HDR_zpsd1e29a7d.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16180826_zps66a5a177.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16180916_zpsf8fa4040.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16181015_zps76c4a6a9.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16181030_zps1aabb9c5.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/2014-07-16181053HDR_zpsf20be105.jpg

The lower intake manifold gasket will leak A LOT of coolant internally, and can easily be mistaken for blown head gasket symptoms. Compression test can rule out a blown head gasket, usually. That's where I would start.

If it's a V6. OP didn't specify what kind of engine we're dealing with. Weren't they offering them with Ecotecs in 2001 as well? But otherwise yeah I agree on the LIM gasket. THat gasket is a nasty bitch on the V6. I had the distinct DISpleasure of replacing one on an Oldsmobile Silhouette once. No more GM cars for me

I don't see that thing ever being less than 3500 pounds, as the article asserts....

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/bennett9000/SVT/focus5.jpg Want to get into a 2014 for a commuter, so we're looking to unload the fun machine. 2003 SVT Focus #2370. CD Silver with red seat inserts. 170-hp 2.0 Zetec with 6-speed Getrag manual trans. ABS, No T/C. 149,000 miles. Averaging right around 27 MPG. The car has the Audiophile package with the OEM subwoofer in the hatch, 6-disc 9006 in-dash CD changer. Sunroof. OEM Hella 4500k dual-projector HID headlights. Upgraded to a VFE billet/urethane lower transmission mount; really took all the slop out of the drivetrain without making it harsh. Installed K&N drop-in air filter. Installed a FocusSport front strut tower brace. I've done some subtle cosmetic stuff. ST170 Ford of Europe grille. Billet shorty antenna. Bullitt fuel door. Bullitt dead pedal. Italian leather shift and brake boots, black with red stitching. Windows tinted 35% on the doors, 15% on the back three. SVT Piranha concept badges. Clear corner lenses. SVT production number decal on the front bumper. SVT embroidered floor mats from CFM. 00-01 felt sun visors (got rid of the crap plastic 03 visors). It's been in several cosmetic fender-benders. Repaired professionally by a reputable shop each time. Drives straight and rattle-free. Still has a few minor blemishes from previous owner (door ding on PS, and a subtle wave in the PS front fender). Fresh Ford Racing shocks and struts installed at about 100k. Tires installed about a year ago (Kumho Ecsta ASX), still look like new. New rear rotors installed last month. Front rotors were turned last year. Timing belt replaced at 95,000 miles. Air conditioner will not hold a charge. Otherwise, the sucker's tip-top. Listing locally for $5000. $4500 for CR. Will post some more photos soon...

I believe US 23 is now mostly a 60 MPH zone once you get out of Columbus proper. At least if you're heading south, anyway. Rule of thumb, I've heard, is 10% of the speed limit plus 2 mph. Any more than that and you're definitely gonna get a ticket. Less, and it's officer's discretion. So in a 60 zone, you're THEORETICALLY safe up to 68 mph. 72 is definitely too far.

Yes, thank you. Sorry I didn't really clarify.

I don't need anything SUPER-TECHNICAL, but I need someone who knows what they are doing. I have some weld-in subframe connectors that I want installed on the autocross car. They are a rather heavy-gauge steel, going on to the rather mild sheet metal unibody, so some skill is needed to keep from burning a hole in the floor. So there's no crazy fabrication or creativity required, just control. Any recs are appreciated!

There is already a thread discussing this. I think there is plenty happening up on Busch Blvd.

Last time I went, I arrived at like 8:30, which turned out to be too early (unless you enjoy a little more peace and quiet). About an hour later the lot started to fill up. I'm planning on making it out tomorrow again, so I'll probably be rolling in at around 9:30 or so.

I've never owned a Ford with an automatic trans for this very reason; all of mine have been manuals. Broke a diff in the Roush at 135,000 miles, but that's the only trans problem I've ever had, and it was just from abuse. The wife's looking at an Edge or an Escape/Mariner right now, though, so it looks like I might be dealing with it sooner than later...

Will it bump-start? If it does, that would point to a bad ground or a bad starter, most likely.

It's the very close proximity of a concrete abutment that causes concern when it rains...

Wish I could make this one; I'll be running in an SCCA event in PA this weekend, which probably won't even be as much fun.

It certainly woke me up at 1:30 last night. I'm at Trabue and 270. Sounded like armageddon, banging on the skylights. Then the power went out for a couple of hours. But apart from a few leaves in the yard, didn't see any apparent damage. I'll have a closer look this evening once I'm back home in the daylight. All the cars were garaged, thankfully.

I definitely plan on making it out to this later. I'll be out of town for the June UFO event, so I need to make up a little more seat time.

Yep, I was picking up another 4/10 every run. Took a hot-lap in the Focus ST as well. That thing was really brutal on that short course. And you're right, it seemed like it should have plowed, but you could feel the diff yank it right back in line every time. Pretty impressive piece of machinery.

My best of 3 was 25.48 seconds. Track too short, traction-control too aggressive.

I just got back. Fiesta ST on the Autocross course was fun.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/14/dymu9asa.jpg Cosworth. Super candid, crap phone cam photo.

Good point. It's just a huge peeve of mine, all the kids and the painted wheels thinking they are being all "different" :fa: So I have a knee-jerk reaction. It may cost hundreds of dollars for a quality custom powdercoat job, but the first impression I invariably get is "broke-ass high school kid". Anyways, 86 is looking good. Interested to see what you settle on.

This guy gets it.

Pretty solid episode. That Camaro was BANANAS. The Drag Pack Challenger is pretty impressive, too. Still some stupidity, as expected (i.e. the electric steering wheel and the flies in the car... wtf?). But they are getting there. I'm still on board. Also - is it just me, or are the early-70's Chargers some of the most butt-ugly conglomerations of sheet metal ever engineered by human hands?

My tires seemed greasy too; at the hard braking point, they just slipped instead of skidding. Always cool to see your runs though; you seem to be right on the ragged edge of oversteer all the time. 10/10ths!