Just browse around Aesthetics, and Duratec Performance, and read the FAQs. Plenty of mods can be done, some cheap, some expensive. Read up about maintenance also.
Tony
1998 SVT Contour (B/MB) #542 3L
1998 SVT Contour (SF/MB) #1266 parts car
2000 SVT Contour (SF/MB) #1533 3L swap to begin!