As a zetec man for the past 8 yrs im asking the above vague question.

If I get a car with a new duratec in it, its a standard engine with uprated clutch and ecu pushing 175bhp on throttle boddies. But I want yoo eeeek a little bit more out of it which way would you turn and how much would you throw at it?

I understand that a set of cams will get you near 200

I have a 2 li Duratec on roller barrel TBs and Kent's mildest cams that gives 210 bhp at 7800 rpm.
HTH

depends what car it is!
in a light 7. id say the 175 is about spot on,and wouldn't throw a penny at it! it takes a very good driver to extract full potential from a 7 with that power. i couldnt even drive 128 bhp fury to its full potential.not even close.