Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Performance What is this thing????

My brother has a 1995 Contour GL with the Zetec and auto tranny. I have a few questions. He recently noticed a dramatic loss in power and fuel mileage so he asked a mechanic friend and the mechanic suggested changing the fuel filter. The old fuel filter was clogged very bad and trash was going through it. How much damage can that do to the engine? Also: what is the black plastic-peninsula thing that is under the hood and attached to the air inlet tube right after the air filter? We've been looking at that thing and haven't figured out what it is for. He wants to take it off if it won't hurt anything. Another question is I have heard of taking the resonators off and straight piping them. Does this help anything besides sound? How many resonators are there and how hard is it to take them off? He also wants to take the cat off and straight pipe it too. Will that help anything besides giving him trouble if he's caught? Thank you for answering these 'newbie' questions! Benjamin

I doubt the engine was really hurt by the fuel filter, other than not being able to run good. Might be a good idea to get the injectors cleaned.

If the fuel filter went so long without being changed, you you should probably check the PCV valve, too. It was probably never changed either.

The black plastic thing sounds like an intake resonator and can be removed with no problems. There is also a res in the wheelwell, and directly above the throttle body. A CTA intake will get rid of all the resonators.

You have one resonator between the cat and the muffler. It looks just like the rear muffler. Removing it and putting straight pipe will get you better throttle response and better gas mileage. Mabye a little more power. Thats the result I got when I took mine off. I didnt get much of a difference in noise.

Taking off the cat will cause a check engine light at the least, and isnt a good thing to do. IMO I would not do it.

Thanks for your help! I'm not worried about the engine being hurt because it wasn't getting fuel. He siad that there was trash on the engine side of the fuel filter. I know that can't be good for the engine. Just wondering if it could cause major damage. He said it looked like rust and just plain trash. Where is the best place to get a CTA induction? Thanks! Benjamin

here is the place to get the CTA.

Dunno what to tell you about the fuel filter. Maybe resetting the ECU (disconnect negative batt. terminal for 10-15 min.) will help. For an intake, get rid of the plastic resonators by purchasing a CTA intake here... CTA Motorsports
This removes all plastic parts except for the MAF. Good investment, and the sound is incredible.

Removing the exhasut resonator is kinda iffy. Some report gains, as seen above, others report no noticable difference. The only truly consistent difference is the noise. If you really want to hear your car, go for it. If not, but still want to do it, you'd better spend some $$$ on some audio equipment.
Another alternative is to upgrade to an SVT exhaust. This is known to show small but noticable gains in powerband. Mine can be seen here:

Whatever you do, have fun.

that's all good advice..... when i removed my exhaust resonator, i got a little more sound (actually quite loud when atx downshifts from 4th to 3rd around 60mph; "the sweet spot"), little better power, especially if you have some intake work done.

Thank everyone for your help! I found out what I needed to know! When I get my Contour in a year or so I will be back hunting for things to mod.