new 2.3 focus

Is it true? Well, probably, I think I heard about it somewhere.

Could we use the parts? Hell no! Geez, just because it's a 2.3 and it's made by Ford doesn't mean it's even close to being the same engine. More than likely it's a 2.3L Zetec which would have absolutely nothing in common with a Lima 2.3L. I don't wanna sound like a dick, but damn, use some common sense dude.

Maybe you could find a way to swap a Zetec into the 'stang (don't know why anyone would want to pay for such a thing when you can turbocharge your current 2.3 or get a V8).

V8 or hate

Wow. Feel the love.

If you get a chance, there's a magazine devoted to the Focus called Focus Fanatic, the Spring issue has a write up on the 2.3L. Here's a brief history. It debuted in the Ranger in 2001 and I believe it will also be used in the Mazda6. Keen observers will note the former is RWD and the latter is FWD, as is the Focus. For 2004 the Duratech is only available in the four door Focus (engine shortage or getting rid of excess Zetecs?). Thus, if you're looking at a 2003 Focus, pop the hood and see which lump is under there. The Ford WRC team is currently using a destroked 2.0L turbo version with great success and is dicing it out with Citroen for the Manufacturers' championship; I want to say Cosworth built this R version.
The engine family name is Duratech. It is an aluminum block and head, unlike the Zetec (iron block, aluminum head). As is typical of modern engine designs, it is undersquare at 3.44x3.70(87.3x93.9); For reference the Lima was oversquare at 3.78x3.13 and therefore should theoretically be able to safely rev higher before throwing a rod. (The Nissan QR25 in the SE-R is similar in that regard). The Duratech is DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, chain timing belt with cam-on-bucket design. The head flows much better than it's Zetec cousin. I believe the Duratech uses a two-stage intake manifold, but don't hold me to that; the advantage is a wider, flatter torque curve. FocusSport has some dyno curves. the factory rating is 145 HP @ 5,750. The Ranger is claimed to 17.3s@79, and 15.9s@86 for the Focus hatch (ZX3).
I rented a Zetec sedan in Denver last month and hated it, and I just test-drove a Duratech Ranger that was...OK. The Focus has waaaaay too many safety ding-a-lings for me. Automatic drive away locks, annoying seatbelt reminders that keep recurring until you give in. Blech. I don't care what engine the Focus comes with if those safety ding-a-lings are going to drive me over a cliff, screaming.
The Focus I rented was a 2003 model and had waaaaaay too much self-centering action to the steering wheel. I don't know if it's too much caster or something in the axles, but whatever it was, that wheel would snap to center with alarming speed. I drive a manual-rack Ranger and still had to use both hands and a firm grip on the wheel to hold a turn else it would snap to center and put me in a ditch. Very not good. In transition the back end plants quite well for a FWD.
The Duratech Ranger is OK and worth a look. The second stop should be Tires-R-Us because the factory meats suck. In the Ranger the engine has a quirky side; tip-in will produce aggressive wheel-spin with the open diffy, but then it goes flat up to....oh, 3000 or so. Then it comes to life again between ~3000-5000. A couple of times I got caught out in traffic tooling along at 2500 and couldn't accelerate as needed; like the Zetec, plan to keep this engine up "on the cam" when in traffic. 3000 should be considered traffic-cruise minimum or get to know your brake pedal well. Highway cruise can be lower OK. I believe the Duratech uses variable-speed P/S, and it annoys me because turning effort is now RPM dependent and never the same from moment to moment.
Wow, I wrote a lot. Here's a summary. It's a promising new light weight all-alloy engine with a great head and therefore lots of horsepower potential. Rip one out of a 2004 Focus and put it in a (insert year here) Mustang, and sell the Focus donor to help recoup the cost.

Very nice writeup, Touring. What were you in Denver for, if I may go :OT: ?

Ash

Hey Ash. Thanks! I used to live in Denver, get back there every so often for Beau Jos.

Just a little tid-bit about the 2.3 Focus. I think I read or heard that they make 150hp in n/a form. Man, somehow they were able to take the same displacement engine, increase horsepower by 62 from 88 to 150 which is 67% and still manage to keep the fuel economy just as good if not better. Technology these days, it really can be impressive. Just my little two cents.

The 2.3 in the new Focus ST is a Mazda engine, which I believe is a aluminum block and head.
And the 2.3 in the old PZEV Focus is a duratec engine. Neither share anything with the old Lima engine except displacement.