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Hi-perf Parts Don't fit! :*(

S

shamun

Be Gentle I'm New Here
Joined
Mar 3, 2003
Messages
4
Location
Alexandria, VA (9m south of DC-towne)
Folks,
My mechanic could not get the following parts to work with my 96 Contour GL-Sport:

FRPP ZX-3 cylinder head
Unorthodox U/D pulley
Mustang throttle body,
Tru-benz exhaust (for early Zetecs)
Focus Zetec headers.

Is there anyone in the DC-area that y'awl would recommend for installation of the parts?

Thanks,
Shamoon
 
Dude,

The Focus Zetec and Contour Zetec are totally different layouts.
The Escort ZX2 Zetec and Contour Zetec are more closly matched.
 
Brent372 said:
Dude,

The Focus Zetec and Contour Zetec are totally different layouts.
The Escort ZX2 Zetec and Contour Zetec are more closly matched.
Click to expand...
No.

pre98 zetec and focus zetec are very simalar.
post98 zetec and escort zx2 are basically the same.

your parts should fit (with minor modification)
 
if i remember correctly, i think that the SVT FOCUS headers are the headers that fit on the Zetec. but i could be completly wrong on that. lol...

someone want to confirm (or disprove lol) my memory?
 
mystiquevltwin said:
if i remember correctly, i think that the SVT FOCUS headers are the headers that fit on the Zetec. but i could be completly wrong on that. lol...

someone want to confirm (or disprove lol) my memory?
Click to expand...

The SVT focus motor I believe was actually a VCT motor, unlike the other zetec foci. But I have been hearing that ZX2 Zetec and Cougar Zetec motor parts work fine on the Contour Zetec, provided that its a post 97.

www.ZXtuner.com has some mods for the pre98 Zetec. I think you can get an esslinger UDP, a CF hood, and a few other odds and ends there for the contour Zetec, they do have more post97 parts then pre98 parts though.
 
AliasJerk said:
The SVT focus motor I believe was actually a VCT motor, unlike the other zetec foci. But I have been hearing that ZX2 Zetec and Cougar Zetec motor parts work fine on the Contour Zetec, provided that its a post 97.
Click to expand...
Different kind of VCT, SVT focus has VCT on intake cam as opposed to the VCT on the exhaust cam on Contour/Escort... not sure if it makes a difference, but it might.
 
Run away from your mechanic and find someone that knows something about Contours. Also, do some research before going out a buying a bunch of parts. :nonono:


FRPP ZX-3 cylinder head
-it will fit just fine as long as you swap over the timing belt plate with the tensioner on it

Unorthodox U/D pulley
-how can a UDP not work? The belt that came with it won't work.

Mustang throttle body
-no **** sherlock. It only kinda bolts up to a FRPP intake manifold. You're going to have to make some funky adapter plate for that one. Either that, or buy a normal Focus Zetec TB which will bolt right up. (But you will need a Focus throttle cable.)

Tru-benz exhaust (for early Zetecs)
-is this a Cougar part? Or early Zetec Foci? Anything made for the Cougar should bolt right up.

Focus Zetec headers.
-Again, no ****. Our oilpan is completely different from a Focus. You'd have to chop off the bottom part of the header to make it work.


I don't mean to sound like a jerk but it really doesn't seem like you did any research.

If you've got money to burn, I'll take some. ;)

BP
 
Good info ButtonPuncher, but I'd like to add that the Cougar Zetec headers will fit the Contour. I don't know if there are any more out there for sale, but ZXtuner used to have them, and you will occasionally see them on Ebay. Be sure you CALL and make sure the item is in stock before you buy, or you could be waiting months for your parts.

UDP should work fine, but you'll have to get a different belt is all... If your mechanic can't figure that out, then spend your time & money elsewhere because that guy is somebody you'll want to keep AWAY from your car.
 
Thanks!

BTW, Zxtuner doesn't offer them anymore but check out my recent SS header thread. There is acompany making ones that look exactly like the OBX ones.

BP
 
I think the ZX2 is more like the Contour than the Focus... that being said, do you still have to chop the bottom off if you get the ZX2 headers?
 
IIRC the ZX2 uses a different header than the focus. the downpipe comes off the header more on the passenger side than either the focus or contour/cougar.
 
The only long header that fits without modification is the Cougar header.

The shorty 4 leaf clover headers for the ZX-2 and older Focus should bolt up - please verify before purchase. It's when the tubes run past the cat at the front of the car & under the engine that the conflicts occur.
 
The 4 leaf clover header will bolt up, but there isnt enough room between the head and the radiator. Plus there is a coolant line thats completely in the way.

I bought a factory tubular Focus header (exact same design), and its nowhere close to fitting without some serious work. Im gonna try to work on it whenever I get a long weekend off.
 
ZETEC ZX-3 Cylinder Head

ZETEC ZX-3 Cylinder Head

Folks,
I relent. Y'awl were right, I bit off more than I could chew.
So, I am selling the ZX-3 head I bought (it is still in the original box, original plastic wrap). It cost me 1200 bucks, ouch. The auction below also includes the tappets, which ran another 200 bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FOCU...004QQitemZ140120954287QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW


I am going to sell the cams and cam gears next. Also plan to sell the old flywheel and clutch (the clutch is still strong).

Call me if you have a part request!

With deepest humility,
Shamun
703-887-2214
 
Sorry to hear that. I'm sure that there are a few Contour guys in your area that could help you out with your project if you still wanted to stick with it.

BP
 
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