Spec 12-13 Ford Focus 2.0T ST EcoBoost Aluminum Flywheel
The SPEC SF33A-3 is a billet aluminum flywheel for the Ford Focus ST with the 2.0L EcoBoost and six-speed manual. Owners usually shop for it when the factory dual-mass flywheel starts to rattle at idle, clunk on takeoff or judder after a tune, and the clutch is coming out anyway. The dash 3 in the part number is the important detail: it is the flywheel SPEC matches to its ratcheting Focus ST clutch kits, the ones built around the factory clutch pattern.
Ford fitted the ST with a dual-mass flywheel, two masses joined by springs that soak up engine pulses for a quiet drivetrain. Extra boost and hard launches wear those springs and the center bearing until the assembly knocks and shudders. The SF33A-3 replaces it with one solid aluminum piece that SPEC lists at 12 lb. Less rotating mass lets the EcoBoost gain and drop rpm faster, which makes rev-matched downshifts and quick upshifts easier, at the cost of some low-speed smoothness and more gear rattle at idle.
SPEC builds two Focus ST flywheel families. The dash 3 parts, this SF33A-3 and the 21 lb SF33S-3 steel version, keep the OE clutch pattern so they work with SPEC's self-adjusting kits: SF331-3, SF332-3, SF333H-3 and the SF333F-3 Stage 3+ kit, rated by SPEC from 331 to 525 ft-lb. The dash 4 parts, including the 11 lb SF33A-4 aluminum flywheel, are for SPEC's non-ratcheting kits and do not swap with this one. Order the flywheel and clutch from the same family.
A noise that changes with pedal position is the classic dual-mass sign, but check heat shields, exhaust hangers and engine mounts first. If the tach climbs under boost without the car pulling, the problem is clutch slip rather than the flywheel; our slipping diagnosis guide and flare versus slip guide walk through the test. For the dual-mass specifics see our dual-mass flywheel failure guide, and the lightweight versus stock flywheel comparison helps decide between aluminum and steel.
Our listing is titled for the 2012-2013 Focus ST 2.0T EcoBoost. SPEC catalogs SF33A-3 for Focus ST ratcheting clutch kits from 2012 to 2018, used with the original dual-mass flywheel or a billet flywheel with the OE clutch pattern. It is for the six-speed manual ST only, not the regular Focus, the Focus RS or PowerShift automatic cars. If your clutch is a dash 4 SPEC kit, you need the SF33A-4 instead. If you are unsure which clutch is in the car, send us the year, VIN and clutch part number before ordering. More Focus parts are in our hard parts category.
Dropping the ST transaxle is most of the labor, so support the engine properly and have a low-profile transmission jack ready. Inspect the rear main seal while the crank flange is bare and replace it if it weeps, because oil will glaze a new disc. Clean the flange and bolt holes, fit the flywheel with new bolts and the thread locker and torque in SPEC's instructions, tightening in a cross pattern with a calibrated torque wrench. Clean the friction face with brake cleaner, center the disc with an alignment tool such as the 18-piece alignment kit, and seat the pressure plate evenly. SPEC sells a replacement friction plate for its billet aluminum flywheels, so the wear surface can be renewed later instead of machined. Bleed the hydraulics with the fluid shown on the reservoir cap, refill the transaxle with the Ford-specified manual transmission fluid, and follow SPEC's break-in before using full boost.
| Brand | SPEC |
| Part number | SF33A-3 |
| Fits | Spec 12-13 Ford Focus 2.0T ST EcoBoost Aluminum Flywheel |
| Vehicle fitment | Ford Focus 2.0T St Ecoboost (2012-2013) |
| Type | Flywheels |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
No. SF33A-3 is SPEC's flywheel for the ratcheting dash 3 Focus ST kits. The non-ratcheting dash 4 kits require the SF33A-4 or SF33S-4 flywheel.
SPEC lists the dash 3 Focus ST kits for it: SF331-3, SF332-3, SF333H-3 and SF333F-3, rated from 331 to 525 ft-lb.
SPEC catalogs SF33A-3 for 2012-2018 Focus ST six-speed applications. Our title names 2012-2013, so send us your year and VIN and we will confirm before shipping.
SPEC lists SF33A-3 at 12 lb and the SF33S-3 steel flywheel for the same kits at 21 lb.
Yes, some gear rattle at idle in neutral is normal when a light single-mass flywheel replaces the factory dual-mass unit.
SPEC offers a replacement friction plate with fasteners for its billet aluminum flywheels, so the face can be renewed when worn.
