Originally posted by chrisilversvt:
Originally posted by Teenage Contour:
Watch out. SUV+manual tranny means that they will go much faster than you think. I had a 91 Explorer xlt manual and it did circles around my uncles sport auto. The auto was a 5 speed too(something the contour should have inherited....). Just saying that he probally will get you off the line but once you hit 4500, your good to go. Just don't get too cocky or think that you will walk him without trouble. Granted Explorers and Blazers are a totally different vehicle, I'm just saying that SUV+manual will go much faster than you think. But have a decent start and race, you should get him.




you sure about that 5 speed auto??????afaik ford never built a 5speed auto....it should of had a 4 speed aod in it....but not that a 5th gear in an auto would have helped any...


The Explorer does indeed have a 5-speed automatic starting in 1997 when the higher output SOHC V-6 (Yes, the base Mustang motor) debuted. It's the 5R55E which is now used in the Mustang, and it is an evolution of the old A4LD which is itself an evolution of the C3 French transmission. There is no comparison between an older OHV V-6 and a newer SOHC V-6 Explorer in terms of performance.

SUVs can be quick, trust me. The Explorer is quite capable and would probably beat my Contour. I hung even with an IS300 upto 60. With the 4.10 gears and the very quick 1-2 shift in the 5R transmission (It uses the OD clutch band to achieve the extra "gear") it will run a 16 second flat 1/4 mile. The Cologne SOHC V-6 is the Mustang's base motor so Ford obviously likes it. It has gone over 164K trouble-free miles and still burns no oil. It's a torque monster.

2000 Contour SE