Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Why the Zetec?

"The V6 was about $3-$4000 more than the Zetec"

Actually, it's a $500-1500 difference, depending on mileage. I got my 2000 SE V6 for $11,500 and I looked at a white one for $10595, but i hated the color.

The average sale price advertised on year 2000 4 cyl cars is $9995, maybe $9000 if it has high mileage.

Not at my dealership. The one I bought was $9500 6 months old. All the v6 cars with the same age and mileage were no less than $13000. And that one looked pretty bad. Actually there were a few almost new ones they wanted no less than $16000.

for me it was mostly because of reliabilty...you hear all kinda problems goin on with the duratec engine. plus cheaper and better gas milage. i honestly wouldn't trade my car for a duratec(except an svt) I love my car

the dealer had our mystique oh the lot for a long time, the colour we wanted and all the options we wanted, they couldn't sell it because it was a manual
i deffinitly notice a power difference our mystique V6 is a whole lot faster than our bran new zetec focus ZX3 S2.(smaller and lighter than a 4 banger contour)
the focus does fell fast because it has more usuable power 130@5300 RPM where the duratec doesn't produce its peak until 500 RPM before redline. but its still faster, much much faster

In Europe there is a HO Zetec in the Mondeo that puts out 145-150HP. This option sits between the 130 HP Zetec and the Duratec 2.5 V6. I believe the HO Zetec is a Zetec-S with the VCT on the exhaust cam and is similar to the engine that ford put in the ZX2 S/R. (146 HP in federal emissions form.)

If you already have a VCT 'Tour with a 5 speed and a 6-wire MAF you may be able to use parts similar to the ZX2 S/R. The S/R PCM might be available from a wreck or Ford Performance (M-12650-Z2) and an intake (Iceman) and low restriction muffler (Borla) similar to the S/R ought to give S/R level output. Add a UDP, a 180F thermostat and an improved cold air intake and you should be pushing 150 HP. Add the IAT/ECT mod and 150+ HP should be achievable. A tuned header would also be worth +2-3 HP peak and +10 HP past peak in the 6000+ rpm range where the power starts to drop off.

One disclaimer. I don't know anyone who has actually done this so I can't guarantee it would work. I have the ZX2 wiring diagram, but I don't have the 'Tour wiring. I know that you must have a 5-speed, a VCT Zetec and a 6-wire MAF. There may be other requirements.

I have a ZX2 S/R with most of these mods (header isn't installed yet and I have a modified intake with a polished 57.6 mm TB) and have seen 128-132 wheel HP. If this setup could be duplicated in a Zetec 'Tour it would be sweet.

I'm 99.99999999% sure there isn't, or I would have heard of it by now!
If there is, someone please send me some details because I want to know whats different!

Zetec in Europe was 136BHP till 95 and is now 130BHP. No higher variants (except my car :D)

I choose the Zetec because you can do this to it Thats Front Wheel power folks.

Have since modified an AEM Short Ram Pipe to fit (NOT an easy job) and fitted a larger K&N breather. need to go back to the rolling road for a new fuelling and ignition map to suit these mods and find out if I've hit 200BHP at the fly.

Zetec is lighter, cheaper, more fuel efficient, easier to work on, more environmentally friendly and there are far more options for modifying.

Actually, I got my Zetec powered Contour just because it was the best priced car I found the week I bought it. Really happy I made that choice though, love the car. Only thing is that I traded in an '84 Camaro project car that took me about a year to complete, and it is a real sad thing to go from a 400 HP small block Chevy to a 4 Cyl engine. MUST MAKE MODS REAL SOON!!

The 145HP engine used in the '01 Mondeo is not a Zetec but in fact goes by the name of Duratec!

Yep Duratec HE is what they call it. Available in 1.8l or 2.0l form.