All of you are right to some degree. I have spent 2 days researching my options and this is what I've come up with.
A 2.5L OHC FQR (Ford Quality(hahaha) Reman.) motor has been quoted to me anywhere from $5000 - $6500/CANADIAN DOLLARS. The installation is looking somewhere around 20 hours. Even with my "Friend" rate it will be $70/hr compared to $85. The absolute cheapest cost I can find for the whole shabang is around $6400. Now, I love my Contour but I'm really not sure if I can sink this kind of money into her.
The 3L option had me quite excited but as stated earlier the labour costs to install this "custom" engine are horrific. I also can't even find anybody in my area that will even TALK to me about it!!
Now, I have been looking at these Crate Motor Website's they seem to have all kinds of engine's available for my car priced 1 to 2 thousand dollars cheaper. There's freight and returning my old engine which will probably put me back to where I started.
I am very frustrated and if I had a money tree in my backyard I wouldn't think twice about my options. 3L all the way baby. Last night I took a DODGE Avenger ES for a ride, it also has a 2.5L OHC V6. It's automatic that's what sucks. My original idea was possibly using this engine for my SVT but I don't want to get into a money pit and as far as I'm concerned any USED engine is dangerous, it's got 110,000kms on it. Maybe I'll just have to store my SVT and drive the Avenger?
Damn I'm gonna miss her!!!