Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Soliciting oppinions/suggestions/criticism etc

OK, I'll start from the beggining:

In 1996 My grandfather purchased a 1995 Contour GL used wtih 20k on it. In 1999 he pretty much gave it to me even though it was in his name. He recently passed away, and the car is now in my name. He left me with a small inheritance, nothing extravigant, but a modest sum of cash and stock.

The car now has 56k on it. I rarely drive it. I live in a Los Angeles Suberb and most everything I need is within walking distance, Especially my college (across the street ) . The car has its minor problems, needing new suspension soon, timing pulley needing changed etc. I also seem to be having problems with the dome light casing constantly breaking, but thats another topic.

So now that's out of the way, to my question. After a long discussion with a friend over buying a new car, He suggested looking into getting a new engine into my contour. I have the 2.0L Zetec with an ATX right now. I just want something with a little more "uumph" to help me getting onto the california freeways (today I was almost run off the road on the on ramp by a van that wouldn't let me in).

The oppinions/advice/criticism or whatever, that im looking for is what type of engine would be a good replacement for mine. Would the 2.5L engine be good or maybe the 3.0L? I wouldn't be doing the work myself. I would have a shop do it all.

Now if you ask why I would want to do this... Well My car does only have 56k on it. Also new tires, New sound system etc. I don't really want to get rid of the car since its perfectly fine. A new engine would be around 1/4 the cost of a new car (looking at something similar to the contour like a ford 500 or altima) . Also I was very close to my grandfather and I would like to keep this car since it was his.

So, to summarize, If you guys, the contour public, would mine dropping a bit of info like guestimates on prices of doing this, benefits, negatives, which engine would be better, any other part switches etc.

I'll leave you with the info once more for my car:
1995 GL
ATX
2.0L zetec W/ 56k miles
No engine mods or anything special on it.

Thanks in advance
-Rob

Save the $$$$ for life.....you will need it....
Tune the car up and just drive it

Put your money somewhere worthwhile. Dropping the money into a car that rarely gets driven is pointless, especially since you will not get the return back.

And a Duratec swap into a `95 could prove to be quite difficult. You will either need a OBDI parts car or you will have to convert the car to OBDII. Most, if not all of the wiring harness will have to be changed, most likely including what is behind the dash. The ECU, will have to come out, all new exhaust will need to get under it, a radiator, A/C mods, etc. If you go MTX, you will need the subframe as well.

That doesnt even get into what will happen if your parts car is a 98+, you have a return fuel system, the newer cars do not.

What's a better legacy for your grandfather's hard earned cash--in the bank serving as safety net to keep his grandson solvent in troubled times, or wasted into a economy sedan that has already seen better days?

It's a 10+ year-old car w/ a weak aftermarket. As others have stated - save your money.