Ford Focus Automatic Turbo?

Hey there Super Street, I recently got my first car, a 2005 Ford Focus SE. It's in great condition and only has 28,000 miles on it. I was super excited to figure out how to get a hold of a kit to turbocharge it's engine. Then I realized my rides one tragic flaw, it's an automatic transmission.

I'm so bummed, I don't know much about cars yet but I'm guessing I can't run a turbocharger with my current automatic transmission. Is there anything I can do? Would I need to get a new manuel transmission or can I somehow get my automatic calibrated or upgraded for the extra power. If there is any possible way to do this how much do you think all of the parts would cost me?

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

-Chris  

you probably should get a manual...  

Yeah, it sounds about right, but there is a way to get it to work with the automatic. It requires you to completely overhaul the trans to handle the turbo. The axles and any other related parts will also need upgrades, but it's doable. It won't be cheap, though. I was planning that same type of thing on my Rav4, AWD, automatic, but since talking with friends on this forum,I've settled on a 2JZ swap with all the trimmings. Watch out for the RAVenous Sleeper! LOL! Research it a bit and see what's more cost effective for you. Both require some work, but the overhaul is definately expensive.  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!

Alright I'll look into some options, found another post showcasing good shops in California. Perhaps I'll give a few of them a call...And perhaps brush up on my stick skillz .

Thanks for the advice!  

s12 is right, doing the auto is well... doable but its probably in your best interest to swap. im loving the RAVenous thing. car nickname???  

A swap is more of a cost effective thing to do. Less headaches in the long run. See if you can find Focus SVT stuff on the net. That'll be a better way to go.
I like the RAVenous thing, too. I think it's time to make custom decals, assuming no one else has that nick name. LOL!  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!

the stock auto will hold 200whp/wtq fine.. just dont try and do too much more.. you could always get a built tranny and then be fine up past 400wtq.. but that could be costly..

if you could do a manual swap it would be tight. im makin 250whp/245wtq on my 05 focus. cept i have the 2.3  

I've studied up on automatics some since last I posted and what i've found is that unless you make the clutches get clamped more efficiently, you're bound to burn the clutches and disks. the valve body must be able to channel more ATF to the clutches for more clamping forces. The stock valve body is not designed to handle more power unless those clamping forces are changed. The smoothe feel that you get from a stock unit is murder on clutches due to the amount of friction that the valve body allows. Once you shorten that duration of friction, the clutches last longer. Of course, it will feel very different from stock when it shifts, but that is the price you pay for longevity  in clutches. Cool?  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!

like i said the stock auto in a duratec focus will hold up fine to 200wtq.. just dont try and do much more than that..  

I beg to differ. I pulled out a Focus manual out of the book room at my job, I work at a Ford dealership, and I had to call on an engineer to verify this claim you make. As it sits, the automatic transmission will last all of 40 to 60 thousand miles, at best, with a turbo. When you boost the engine with a turbo, you create more pressure to the clutches in the trans, which is a good thing, but the stock valves in the valve body are not meant to handle repeated throttlings with the smaller diameter valves that are in the valve body. The gaskets are another issue to consider, mainly due to what they are made of. Some thing will give sooner or later, guaranteed. Just changing the valve sleeves inner diameter helps create more pressure durring throttle up. More pressure with stock valves makes for a starved clutch assembly. The fluid makes that pressure and stock valves will not suffice. SO SAYS THE ENGINEER AT FORD. You also have to consider that if you already have some miles on the transmission that all that new pressure isn't making other issues appear. If the transmission has less than 25 thousand miles, the stock clutches will handle it. The valves in the valve body are another thing. Upgrade those parts and you won't regret it. Promise.  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!