13 Answers »

1. driftsla on November 26th, 2009 at 12:58 pm:

   dude have you seen the cobra engine? it wont fit in a focus its way to big i have a 97 cobra and its bigger than my bros
   F-150 and its a 5.4 plus if you do somehow do it you would need to change tranny and your rear end and better breaks etc…………………….

2. bodybuil on November 26th, 2009 at 1:01 pm:

   That has got to be the funniest question I’ve seen in a long time. Ok we’ll start with the obvious. You’re trying to basically convert your front wheel drive focus into a rear wheel drive muscle compact. The first problem is fitting the engine. You’ll likely have to cut into the firewall, and then change the underbody to accept the larger transmission. Then you’ll need to get a custom driveshaft made and mount a rear end. Making custom mounts for the engine, transmission and rear end will probably run you a LOT. Then you’ll have to fit all of the accomidating accessories and cooling system along with it….do completely custom wiring and get a Cobra ECU and probably have to modify that. Even with perfect wiring none of your stock gauges will work so you’ll need custom gauges for EVERYTHING. All in all, you could easily spend over 15 grand on this and still only have 240 hp, and a car that is completely undrivable because it was never meant to be rear wheel drive. Or….for 3-5 grand you can get a turbo kit and fuel system and clutch and be making 300hp…with no bad side effects. Look into that instead.

3. MaKaVeLi on November 26th, 2009 at 1:23 pm:

   I don’t know how that would work. A focus is a front wheel drive, and you’re talking about putting a rear wheel engine in it.
   You’d have to modify it drastically. First, like I said, you have to make it a RWD, then there’s an issue about suspension, and I’m not too sure that a Cobra (I’m assuming 4.6 l ) would fit inside the engine compartment of the 2.0l focus.
   As stated in the other posts, Turbo kits are relatively easy to install, and should sufficiently boost your horsepower (aprx. 50%). If that’s not enough, try reconfiguring it to take a Honda engine, or possibly a turbo charged 6.

4. RJ_inthe on November 26th, 2009 at 1:45 pm:

   It’s actually better to use a 4.6 modular engine (1996+ Mustang) in the Focus. I’ve seen it done; it will work!
   If you browse around on some Focus forums such as focaljet.com, you’ll find a lot of good info regarding that particular swap, from putting the engine in to changing the car to rear-wheel drive. This is becoming a pretty popular thing among Focus owners. This swap is not a cheap one by any means; it will get costly in a hurry, even if you get some stuff from a junkyard, like a used 4.6 engine.

5. J Stang on November 26th, 2009 at 2:10 pm:

   I am not sure if you can fit a 93 cobra mustang engine into a focus. In addition, If you want to do the v8 thing, I think you would be better off using a 4.6L cobra engine from one of the SN-95 body style cobras. If you are trying to improve speed I think your best bet would be to add some forged components to the engine you have and add a turbo charger. That will give you a lot more speed for less money then adding a v8 would. If you want a v8 because that is just what you want to do, then I would think about adding a newer 4.6L v8. The 93 cobra engine is a older engine that does not have the computer components that your 2005 car does, I think it would be an expensive and difficult install.

6. Spartan Mike K on November 26th, 2009 at 2:43 pm:

   I say get a new car or add a turbo changing engines is alot of hassle.

7. djwillia on November 26th, 2009 at 2:51 pm:

   Completely insane! Forget it!

8. Gosh on November 26th, 2009 at 3:03 pm:

   Don’t waste a Cobra engine on a Focus! Besides, you would have to have the vehicle converted to rear wheel drive, purchase the proper transmission and rear end. Have the entire body stiffened with one hell of a roll cage. Basically, you’d be building a car from the ground up. This would cost tens of thousands of dollars to do. Even then, the 1993 engine would not meet the emissions requirements for the 2005 body and you may not be able to get it titled.
   I suggest that you go out and purchase a Cobra if you want one so bad.

9. Logan on November 26th, 2009 at 3:42 pm:

   get rid of it and buy a new car

10. swheatla on November 26th, 2009 at 4:15 pm:

    I would suggest you not do this. It’s too much work, and would cost a fortune. Instead, look at turbocharging the engine. Even 4 cylinder engines are deadly after they have been turbocharged.

11. khan on November 26th, 2009 at 4:43 pm:

    cost you lots of money….. upwards past 10 grand easily…. you might as well sell your gay ford car … buy an old 240z datson drop in a v8 and be running 11-12′s easily and the project will total around 8 grand or more

12. ZAC on April 14th, 2010 at 9:41 pm:

    actually they make and sell a v8 kit for the focus the company is kugel components and there’s two parts to it the new lower front end to hold the engine and the rear end kit for an 8.8 mustang rear end those kits cost 1500 each so that’s 2500 plus tax shipping etc then you just need a engine tranny and rear end and you dont need a custom drive shaft you can cut and weld one from a mustang and if you dont trust yourself get it done professionally

13. ZAC on April 14th, 2010 at 9:43 pm:

    oops my bad i meant 3500 plus shipping etc