• Non-Volvo

  • DVS LT Vocus XR5 - 93% Volvo content

2007 LT Ford Focus XR5 -

Engine & Transmission -
B5254T3 2.5L (HYDA in Ford speak)
Dreamscience Mod C tune
PumaSpeed R-Sport stage 2 intercooler. 650mm x 76 x 310
PumaSpeed aluminium inlet plenum
Snabb 3" intake pipe
TurboSmart plumb back CBV
LV Focus RS ECU mount
LV Focus RS airbox with Pipercross filter
Remote external engine oil cooler (Volvo 740T) with braided lines and Airtec Motorsport sump adaptor
Anembo Engineering billet front engine cover
Volvo spark plug cover (replaces 'Ford Duratec ST' branded one)
M66 6 speed manual

Suspension -
Front -
Heico Coilovers
Whiteline Anti-lift/Anti-dive kit

Rear -
GAZ adjustable perches & springs
GAZ Gold Adjustable rear shocks
HardRace Adjustable rear toe arms
SP Adjustable rear camber arms
Mazda3 MPS 25mm rear swaybar (replaces Focus XR5 21mm swaybar)

Brakes -
Front -
DBA T3 4000 series slotted rotors
Project Mu NS400 pads
HEL braided brake lines

Rear -
302mm rear brake upgrade (factory brakes are 280mm)
LZ Focus RS slotted rotors
Project Mu NS400 pads
HEL braided brake lines

Wheels & Tyres -
Fifteen52 Tarmac. 18x8.5 ET40
Michelin Pilot Sport 4. 235/40/18

Interior -
Factory Recaro light grey/dark grey cloth seats
Factory Sony 6 stack CD and speakers (no way near as good as the stereo in the V70T5!)
Alcantara steering wheel. Leather centering strip and teal stitching (Royal Steering Wheels)
Alcantara gear shift boot with leather/carbon fibre shift knob and DVS branding (SS Tuning)
USB charging socket
LV Focus XR5 carbon fibre dash inserts
LV Focus XR5 console
LV Focus XR5 door trims
Mix of LT and LV Focus XR5 interior plastics
KAP Industries fire extinguisher mount

Body -
Tinted Windows
LV Focus tailgate
LV Focus tail lights
LV Focus XR5 rear bumper
LV Focus RS spoiler
LV Focus RS bonnet vents
UK-spec 'ST' guard badges
Zunsport lower mesh grille
Modified front bumper to incorporate airbox feed

Current(ish) pic -

    We'd been looking for a P1 platform car for a little while and the delayed sale of our V70 meant that the C30 we'd had our eye on didn't work out.

    So, we decided that, rather than pick up something neat, we'd sink our teeth into another project.
    The shared Volvo/Ford/Mazda P1 platform has a strong following, with lots of parts interchangability - particularly between Ford and Volvo variants - and a big scope for performance upgrades.

    The criteria list, this time around was short -
    * Must be Volvo 5cyl turbo powered
    * Must not have biege interior
    * Working heater and AC
    * No sunroof (applicable to Focus only)

    Preference too was that it would be manual.

    After a few non-returned phonecalls, voicemails and emails about some Volvo V50T5s, we stumbled across a filthy blue focus. I'd have settled for an auto if I could have had a V50T5, but it wasn't to be.

    It met the basic criteria, we agreed on a price and with our V70T5 having been sold, we had a free spot ready for it.

    Here's the starting point -
    It's a fairly untidy car but most of the issues will be easy to sort out.
    The current two big ones are -
    * Airbag light on the dash
    * I cant open the bonnet (common focus issue, and I could open the bonnet when I went and checked it out, pre purchase).







    It may be of interest due to the shared platform and all of the area's we're interested in are directly transferable to the Volvo C30/S40/V50T5 FWD models.
    Philia_Bear;69826 wrote/Me opens checkbook
    bahaha.
    I need to get the immediate issues sorted first and through the RWC process and then I'll start getting onto a few things.

    Airbag light is probobly the swirly wire behind the steering wheel
    Could be the module as well

    Good thing it's not a takata bag

    Is the trans a 5 speed or 6 speed?(lack on knowledge of foci on my part)

    You should get the plates "vocus" for it
    Philia_Bear;69828 wroteAirbag light is probobly the swirly wire behind the steering wheel
    Could be the module as well

    Good thing it's not a takata bag

    Is the trans a 5 speed or 6 speed?(lack on knowledge of foci on my part)

    You should get the plates "vocus" for it
    The clock-spring is a common airbag light cause on LS-LV Vocus (referred to as 'Vocus' from here on in) but in my case, it is 'Drivers seat open loop' - which, I think at this stage, is a pre-tensioner or seat wiring loom connector issue.
    I'll connect it to the Ford IDS software this week so should be able to pull more info and then start chasing it further.

    The Takata recall is scary. It's to the point where it'll hurt them financially, I'd think.

    trans is the trusty M66 as per manual Volvo C30/S40/V50T5 models.

    Interesting tidbit of info -
    The LV Focus RS actually uses the M66 AWD casing - not sure why, perhaps it's sturdier than the FWD version. I've never seen both variants side-by-side to see a difference.

    Iirc the only casing difference was the Mount points and the ability to bolt on the angle gear

    Ford might have gone with the awd case for packaging reasons alone
    Philia_Bear;69856 wroteIirc the only casing difference was the Mount points and the ability to bolt on the angle gear

    Ford might have gone with the awd case for packaging reasons alone
    Quite possibly. The LV Focus RS is quite different from the XR5. It's 40mm wider in track all around and shares quite a few odds and ends from the Ford Kuga compact SUV.

    I'd think that due to sharing a bit with the Kuga, it might have just been easier to use the M66 AWD manual casing and related mounting systems, as per the Kuga as well.
    The Kuga is, interestingly, 40mm wider than a normal Focus.


    How much wider is an XC60 than a normal Focus? They're all related IIRC...
    PaddlerEd;69863 wroteHow much wider is an XC60 than a normal Focus? They're all related IIRC...
    Really good question. I don't know I wonder how close the wheelbase and track is on the XC60 vs the Kuga?
    I managed to get the bonnet open earlier. Not quite sure how, but managed to do it without breaking the grille, by applying pressure to the bonnet just above the latch and pushing the key inward and turning at the same time.

    I wont close it again until I've got a latch repair kit - hilariously, Ford is aware of how stupid the design is and has a service kit for this very task.
    I'm tempted to remove the latch and put bonnet pins in it. :)



    I also had Mark (from Berrys) send me out a Volvo spark plug cover. I'll swap that over post RWC inspection.


    Needs a new expansion tank
    That one is scarry brown
    Philia_Bear;69867 wroteNeeds a new expansion tank
    That one is scarry brown
    Yep. Looks red/pink inside but I still don't like it.
    Radiator flush, new tank and refill with decent coolant is on the list, as is water pump, thermostat, timing belt, tensioners, serp belt and tensioners.
    AshDVS;69866 wroteI managed to get the bonnet open earlier. Not quite sure how, but managed to do it without breaking the grille, by applying pressure to the bonnet just above the last and pushing the key inward and turning at the same time.
    Looks like you have found the secret access door to the bonnet.
    Swivel the 'Ford' badge and the bonnet opens!

    I'm waiting for a few bits and pieces to arrive so I thought I'd dive in and take a look at some of the broken interior plastic stuff.

    My console is broken at the base where it mounts to the tunnel, I'm missing the gear shift boot and the shift knob is scratched and horrible.

    So, I've removed it and am having a look at it, side by side, with some other options -



    Centre of picture is the one from my car. The armrest is ok but it has no storage. This is as per LS & LT XR5 and maybe Zetec and Ghia models too.

    Bottom of picture is from an LV base model (CL). LS & LT are identical, except they're a darker shade of grey.
    This will bolt in to my car.

    Top of picture is from an LV XR5. It is unique to LV XR5 and typically features the start button, 12V power source inside the (actually usable) storage compartment under the armrest and mounted to the underside is the keyless entry antenna.
    It needs a different bracket for the mount to the tunnel and different kick panels. The shifter boot, surround and knob are also different for LV XR5.

    I'm keen to use the LV XR5 console - I'll plug the hole for the start button and will splice the 12V power source into the existing cigarette lighter in the dash.
    I need to source the bracket to mount it to the trans tunnel, a shift knob, boot and surround.

    Hopefully some of the more important stuff I'm waiting on will arrive this week and I'll sink my teeth into some more serious tasks.
    Too bad P1 bits don't bolt in
    They would.look massively better
    Philia_Bear;70336 wroteToo bad P1 bits don't bolt in
    They would.look massively better
    Some might as a lot of the mounting points in the floorpan will be the same, but the dash won't as the windscreen and A pillar location is massively different. eg. The windscreen rake on the focus is much greater, to the point where to change struts, you need to remove the windscreen scuttle panel.

    Interior plastic quality on the Volvo stuff is MUCH better, but I think this is to be expected.
    I remember the gearshift from the Mazda 3 of the same vintage being available in alloy in the sp23 or some such and looking quite good
    Maybe try and track one down and see if it gives it a better look than the ford unit

    Also what do you have planned for the steering wheel? Any retrimming like you did on the v70?
    © 2013-2023 Oz Volvo. All rights reserved. | Forum Rules | Privacy Policy