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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 17
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 17 |
I've been driving a 98 Contour for the past 6 or 7 months while attempting to finish the V8 conversion in my Ranger. Now, the car is officially mine, and soon, when the Ranger is running, I will begin doing some work on my new toy.
Here's how the car stands as of now. 1998 GL, Auto, very, very plain. We came across the car as a trade for some work that was done on a mid 50's Ford pickup. When it first came in, the engine was shot. It received a donor motor from a 2000 Contour. The CEL has been on since. But I just read in another post on this board that said the later model Zetecs had VTC to eliminate the EGR. When we had the codes read, the tech told us there was "something going on with the cam." So, perhaps that's where the light's coming from.
I've found a lot of helpful info on here so far. Although I'm getting the impression that the ATX isn't that great, and it appears that there isn't a huge performance market for the Zetec.
Here are my plans (over the long run) for the car, let me know what you think:
1) BAT "Euro" handling kit/Rear STB, and possibly new swaybar
2) New/larger front brakes
3) Rear disc conversion
3a) Wheels/tires, the steelies are boring.
4) Mild exhaust, probably a CAI too.
5) DiabloChip (I've had bad luck with superchips.)
6) Stereo (of course)
7) I've been reading around, I may look at the 3.0 Duratec conversion, and a manual tranny to replace the auto.
So, that's that. Glad to know that there is support out there.
95 Ford Ranger: Ext cab, 351w, TR-3550, GT-40 upper/lower
98 Contour GL: Why I'm here.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,834
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,834 |
Allow me to be the first to say welcome to the CEG, excellent first post compared to many we get around here. All your mods sound quite nice actually, should make a nice improvement. I was under the impression though that the Zetec had a better aftermarket than the Duratec does, cause of the Focus and such. I could be wrong, what do I know I'm a V6 owner, lol. Oh, and the 3L/MTX swap isn't all that easy from a 4cyl/ATX car, I'd have to recomend against it.
Shawn Clone
Jezabel- 1999 SE Sport V6 MTX- Severly wounded, comatose
Silver frost/Black Exterior-Midnight Blue Interior
The Firecracker- 1995 Mystique LS V6 MTX stock and backfiring like a rifle shot
I have 3 loves, my God, Brittany, and my Car.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,489
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,489 |
there are a few people who are in the middle of atx-> mtx swaps though...russel3L, and another guy in the tranny section- 96mercury i think...so if you're serious, peek around there...
oh and welcome!
1998 T-Red CSVT 3.0L
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
The zetec has a pretty big aftermarket. You have to adapt some stuff to fit, but it's bigger than the duratecs. A turbo zetec contour would be awesome, but you'd have to do major work to keep it an auto. Not sure if you wanna go that far, but sure of FI, it's gonna be slow.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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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! Don't neglect searching the Archives if you have any questions, there is alot of info there.
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: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,788
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,788 |
Welcome!  I agree, your mod list is quite nice!
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 17
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 17 |
Hey, thanks for the warm welcome. I've been a member of several other auto forums around the net, and know how frustrating some first-time posters can be. I typically tend to read more than I post when I'm not knowledgable on a vehicle. One thing I forgot to put in my list, that is a huge deal for me. My factory instrument cluster is going to go. I know that Ford tends to wire the vehicles for certain features that may not be there (my truck has power door harness, and no power doors, or a tach signal wire to dash, and no tach.) So with that in mind, I'm going to grab a full cluster from the j/y. The simple Speedo, Fuel, and non-working temp gauge don't cut it with me! Once again, thanks for the replies. The turbo idea sounds really awesome, but is a little more hardcore than I want. If the 3L-MTX conversion is really that hard from a 4cyl car, then I'll just stick with this drivetrain and do what's possible. Maybe a 75hp shot of giggle juice to help get on the freeway.
95 Ford Ranger: Ext cab, 351w, TR-3550, GT-40 upper/lower
98 Contour GL: Why I'm here.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 871
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 871 |
Yea, there is some of of that wiring around the Contour also. One, for example, is that if your interior dome light is at the front, you might have the wiring for a light at the rear.
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: May 2003
Posts: 5,621
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,621 |
Welcome aBoard.
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Ross, what are you talking about???? 
Just open the BAT and compare the stuff they got for Duratecs and what they offer for our cars. Go to CustomCougars and take a look at CAI they got. 11 for V6 and 6 for Zetec. High Performance Oil Cooler. Accusump Oil Accumulator. Baffled V6 Oil Pan. Dual Mode Crank Damper. Electric Water Pump. And the same holds true for most of the other vendors.
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