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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1 |
I'm a newcomer, so please be gentle! I just bought my brother's '96 Contour Sport w/ 2.5L V-6 with automatic transmission about 6 months ago. It's all stock. The "Check Engine" light comes on occassionally, but I've given enough money to Ford to learn that that is due to a worn out catalytic converter. Now for the questions:
1) Is this a Zetec or Duratec engine?
2) Are there any after-market headers and exhaust systems available for this car?
3) What about cams, lifters, pistons, valve springs, etc. for this car?
4) What about turbos?
5) What about heads?
6) Any Nitrous Oxide kits for this car out there?
Or, should I keep this car to drive to and from work, and get a real car to play with? Like an older V-8 mustang?
John
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 337
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 337 |
You have a duratec, there are turbo kits out there, also nitro kits, i don't know to much about heads but i do know that you can get a 3.0l block and stick on the 2.5l head.
98.5 SVT
RIP
92 240sx SE
[image]http://home.comcast.net/~iansmith321/wsb/media/384458/site1054_t.jpg[/image]
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 56
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 56 |
stick with the tour, u do the right things and it will be more fun, try modifing the suspension, and 3Liter would be tons of fun, im gonna do that to mine, but i have a 5 speed so its already fun
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,117
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,117 |
First. Run to Auto Zone & have the CEL codes read for free. Perform a search of these boards for those codes to find out what may be causing them. This site has saved me HUNDREDS of dollars and lots of time. The search feature has made the difference between having a PITA junk car and a FANTASTIC family sport sedan for me. The Duratec will flat out FLY!! Give it a shot - really. Answers to your questions itegrated below.  Originally posted by chem_eng:
I'm a newcomer, so please be gentle! I just bought my brother's '96 Contour Sport w/ 2.5L V-6 with automatic transmission about 6 months ago. It's all stock. The "Check Engine" light comes on occassionally, but I've given enough money to Ford to learn that that is due to a worn out catalytic converter. Now for the questions:
1) Is this a Zetec or Duratec engine?
Duratec
2) Are there any after-market headers and exhaust systems available for this car?
Yes, MSDS makes a nice set of headers for the Duratec. There are also cat-back exhaust systems available and high flow Y-pipes, on & off road. The cat backs I know of are made by Basanni, Bosal, Borla, Bruellen. The web site for BAT (British American Transfer) has a special going for the Bosal system with a Y-pipe.
3) What about cams, lifters, pistons, valve springs, etc. for this car?
You can pick up SVT Cams, but they'll be expensive.
4) What about turbos?
Street Flight
5) What about heads?
Dunno
6) Any Nitrous Oxide kits for this car out there?
Couple of systems available. I'll let you search for those.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,695
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,695 |
Also if you're getting a code telling you it's a bad cat, I believe it means you have a bad pre-cat.. integral to the exhaust header. There's an O2 before and after the pre-cats, nothing after the main cat so a simple CEL won't tell you the main CAT is bad.... and if I'm wrong feel free to kick me.
04 Subaru WRX "Eurosport bling bling fast and furious tokyo drift"
"They have diarrhea of the mouth, and constipation of thought"
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 803
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 803 |
FORSALE - 17" FSVT Wheels, TRubendz catback w/magnaflow muffler PM ME
02 celica GT-S 6-spd w/ TRD bodykit
Greddy evoII exhaust, DC sports header
Injen Short ram intake, TWM short throw shifter, 18"centerline storm wheels, Tein basic coilovers
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 871
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 871 |
Welcome to the boards!! One of the top reasons for a CEL is a bad O2 sensor, had one replaced last month right before my extended ran out, no more CEL. Make sure to check out the archives and search there for questions and info. LOTS of stuff there and lots of stuff here on the active side of the Forums to search around for.
Keith W
98.5 SE Sport ATX
Lt. Denim Blue
Other car
'02 3.0 Duratec Taurus wagon
Want some real political discussions? Try
www.freeconservatives.com
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867 |
Originally posted by chem_eng:
I'm a newcomer, so please be gentle! I just bought my brother's '96 Contour Sport w/ 2.5L V-6 with automatic transmission about 6 months ago. It's all stock. The "Check Engine" light comes on occassionally, but I've given enough money to Ford to learn that that is due to a worn out catalytic converter. Now for the questions:
1) Is this a Zetec or Duratec engine?
2) Are there any after-market headers and exhaust systems available for this car?
3) What about cams, lifters, pistons, valve springs, etc. for this car?
4) What about turbos?
5) What about heads?
6) Any Nitrous Oxide kits for this car out there?
Or, should I keep this car to drive to and from work, and get a real car to play with? Like an older V-8 mustang?
John
1. Duratec.
2 & 3. Start here.
4. Supercharger or Turbo. Take your pick. See the Forced Induction forum for more info.
5. Not sure on heads. I think the only difference, SVT vs non-SVT, is in the cams, but I'm not sure.
6. Yes.
3.0l block swapping is also popular. See appropriate forum.
As for your last question, remember that this car is pretty dam good out of the box, but it was never meant to be a drag racer. Some guys are pulling good times, but if your goal is blindingly fast straight-line acceleration, go get a live-axle, big-block, torque-monster to play with. You'll get your jollies a lot cheaper there. If you like carrying high speed into the corners, this car, again, is good, and fun to play with. Some guys around here run on track and consistently outrun more powerful cars on twisty courses.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580 |
For all the $$$ and headaches added turbos, swapping engines, whatever, you're better off trading in for a newer car with more power and a modern platform.
One member waited over 6 months and thousands of $$$ for a 3.0L swap. Would be easier to buy a new car!!
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 SE, Code Red. '00 Tropic Green Ford Escort SE [Contour's little cousin]
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
CEG road warrior
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CEG road warrior
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248 |
Originally posted by 2000GreenTour:
For all the $$$ and headaches added turbos, swapping engines, whatever, you're better off trading in for a newer car with more power and a modern platform.
One member waited over 6 months and thousands of $$$ for a 3.0L swap. Would be easier to buy a new car!!
Depends on how you look at it.
Hector
2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
257HP/259TQ
2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s
RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED
160HP/141TQ
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