I think the main reason there's not more Zetec Turbo's is because everybody who bought the Zetec Tour is broke and doesn't have the money to do a turbo. My Zetec Cougar was $3 grand cheaper than the V6 model, that's partially why I bought it. The only reason I could afford to do it is cause my dad did the work for free and put a few parts on his school budget.

Also the Tour isn't exactly a sporty seeming platform. Granted you have the SVT, but except for a few conisours, nobody knows what it is. Not enough Zetec Cougars were sold to make it a big market for turbos and again, the income of the owners is a factor.

Only the Focus had the market to support turbos or SC aftermarkets and that's where most of those boosted engines are found.


Time constraints is also a problem. When my dad first made my initial kit with zero experience it took him 7 weeks to finish it and the only reason he gave it back was cause I wanted my car back. Using my old engine he cut down his own build on his Focus to a weeks install time, but he spent a few months on and off prototyping it on the engine stand.

Basically, if you are a good welder or have access to some one who is who will do the work for free, that's the only way to do a cheap turbo install. That's the biggest hurdle stopping most people, because doing something custom like that takes a lot of welding, see this pic for an example:
http://www.axs4u.net/home/louiem/newturbo/newexhaust.jpg

That took me around 12 hrs to do, with me cutting straight pipe into angles and then doing test fittings then having one of my dad's students who was a decent welder to do the welding. As it was that cost me $40 vs $400 if I had taken it to a shop and paid someone to do it, with questionable fitting.

Originally posted by Seawulf:

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...everybody who bought the Zetec Tour is broke and doesn't have the money to do a turbo.

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Bingo. My '88 Accord had developed a few massive problems and wasn't worth repairing. I found a great deal for a '96 Gl with 60k on the clock for $3k (it was 5 years old at the time). I new nothing about Contours when I bought it. I figured that it was a cheap holdover until my next car. I never expected it to turn out to be a nice little sleeper.

To the links...

Let's see totals so far...
T3 Super60 water cooled $425 - Andres Turbos on eBay
42# FRPP Flow Matched Injectors $125 - Focaljet Forums
Spearco 2-252 Intercooler $250 - Focaljet Forums

I still need...
Turbo flanges and adapters $150 - Custom/eBay/ATP Turbo
SCT Pro Race Tuning Software $800 - Modular Depot
Wideband AFR guage/meter $375 - Summit Racing
Mustang GT MAF $175 - fordpartsonline.com
Header Adapter and Downpipe plumbing $400 - Custom
J&S Safeguard Knock Sensor $475 - J&S

Some parts that I forgot on the original list...
Stock '00 Focus Header $50 - eBay
Aeromotive Fuel Pressure Regulator $114 - Summit
255lph Walboro Fuel Pump $130 - Summit
SVT Radiator $200 - fordpartsonline
B&M Transmission Cooler $50 - Summit
Earl's Oil Cooler/Heat Exchanger $300 - Summit
Ford Lightning IC Pump $? - Still Looking

I realize that the Foclajet Forums aren't a definite, but those parts pop up somewhat regularly. I also realize that I forgot quite a few things. Please keep in mind that most of these aren't required parts. They are just ones that I'm using for better performance/insurance/safety. I'm also going to be re-using a bunch of these parts on my big-boost Zetec buildup.

HTH,
BP