Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec 3L questions - Taurus vs. LS, entire assembly vs. short block?

Does anyone have any further info on what it would take to drop a 2001 Taurus 3L engine and 3L PCM into a Contour? By the way, my car is a 98 non-SVT with return fuel system. I understand that at a minimum the 2.5L oil pan, oil pickup, timing chain cover, exhaust manifolds and drive pulley would have to be transferred, and that the crank would have to be ground back slightly to mate properly to the flywheel. It also sounds like there might have to be a bit of rework to the EGR plumbing to get hood clearance with the 3L intake manifolds. Do the motor mounts correspond to the same locations? Are the changes to the intake plumbing that are required for hood clearance do-able? Would the computer swap be straightforward in terms of connectors, inputs from the various sensors, etc.? Would I have to keep my 2.5L lower manifold to keep compatible with the return fuel system?

Basically I'd like to know if there are any other potential problems that already known about - if not, then this should be a heck of a lot simpler than transferring heads from the 2.5L (I don't have SVT cams to take advantage of anyway) and worrying about all the fuel management issues. There is still the complication of the engine change, but a lot of the engine tuning headaches are removed.

In a similar vein, Terry Haines, you mentioned a while ago that the Lincoln LS V6 (extra 10 HP from higher compression) could be an option - any hidden problems going to that engine over the Taurus? Also, you quoted a price of 2k for a new Taurus engine - do you have access to the LS engines also, and if so what would the premium be beyond the Taurus 2k price?

Finally, is there a realistic route to >210 HP (i.e. non superchared, no change in cams). No one doing the 3L with SVT heads seems to be getting even close the the numbers seen by David Z and the Sho Shop and perhaps we shouldn't expect to. In terms of a more complicated route, what are the options in terms of the Jag heads? Any idea what they would cost?

Any feedback appreciated.

Eric

Hope to have Jag heads/cams/intakes next year.I will get you a price on the LS New motors.

Well just to let you know that David Z also had cams, headers, lighter flywheel, and a few other mods done to his engine.
As far as the Sho-Shop, they tricked out the motor a bit with excrune hone the intake more and opeaning the 2nd daries along with some other trick of the trade. That is why there getting 20+ more HP then everyone else who's doing it by themselves.
I feel its more then just slapping on SVT heads and a 3.0 block like eveyone's doing. Remember you get what you pay for and at the Sho-Shop your PAYING for experince......
But thats just my 2 cents and I'm sureI'm going to get flamed on :rolleyes:

FWIW the top end of the LS motor is 'direct acting' valves/buckets Vs the Taurus /Contour 'finger followers',closer to the Jag and better for cam upgrades etc,go with the whole LS assy...My 2 cents!

I've sent requests to several recyclers with LS V6's and Taurus Duratecs to see what kind of prices they come back with.

To the fellow with the Escape engine (same as LS?), any indication yet that it will or won't fit in terms of engine mount locations, intake manifolds, swapping engine computer, etc.?

Finally, if I don't want to swap entire fuel systems it sounds like I have to go with the 2.5L lower intake manifold, correct? Will that still mate up to the LS engine and upper intake?

Eric

Hey Terry, I haven't heard back from you - was the LS price prohibitively high? None of the recyclers I contacted responded.

Also, any guess as to the likely price range for Jag heads?

Also, what are the implications of trying to do this with a return style fuel system - should it be possible to keep the 2.5L lower IM with the fuel rail and use it with the 3L upper and/or Jag heads?

Finally, any more info on whether the 3L upper IM will fit under the hood, and/or what re-work is necessary (Brad Noon?).

Eric

I have located 2 LS engines for customers...'nuf said!Jag parts TBD