BGK
01-27-2004, 10:35 AM
A friend told me he was at a automotive repair shop in Austin Texas that specializes in Volkswagens and saw a couple of Ford Focus's there powered by VW 1.8T engines! I don't know which transmission is attached to these engines, but VW makes a 5 speed and a 6 speed manual.
I guess it must be an easy swap. I think the reasoning behind this engine swap is the tremendous availability of performance parts for the 1.8T engine (compared to the standard Focus) and the fact that the Focus's chassis is currently more advanced than the VW's due to the Focus's independent rear suspension. Of course, the next generation VW GTI (currently available in Europe) will have irs. All in all I'd rather have my SVT Focus; no turbo charger to bother with!
I will try to get some photos of these swapped engine Focus's and post them here.
I guess it must be an easy swap. I think the reasoning behind this engine swap is the tremendous availability of performance parts for the 1.8T engine (compared to the standard Focus) and the fact that the Focus's chassis is currently more advanced than the VW's due to the Focus's independent rear suspension. Of course, the next generation VW GTI (currently available in Europe) will have irs. All in all I'd rather have my SVT Focus; no turbo charger to bother with!
I will try to get some photos of these swapped engine Focus's and post them here.