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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,140
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,140 |
You need to think carefully about what you want the car to be, what your plans are for resale, and what might change those plans. Then you can work towards that incrementally. What you're really looking to do is not only do something that will help the car perform better, but also will be helpful as long as you have it, and will either sell well with the car or come off easily and resale by itself.
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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 |
I agree with autox fil. Think about it carefully. I regret doing so much to my zetec. Stuff like cam gears, udp, TB, and intake that I won't remove to sell it but don't add to its value.
If you REALLY want to mod it, maybe suspension, chip (if auto), lower temp thermostat, tranny cooler (if auto) and some audio. None of that is too hard to install or remove (suspension being the hardest) and will be your best bang for the buck.
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: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,116
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,116 |
Originally posted by LocoGSR:
Originally posted by elraido:
you can mod ztecs? LOL J.K!
and you have to realize the INSANE amounts of money you sunk into that car and how much you got out of it. I do realize you like doing that and respect it, but there just isn't a whole lot that can be done to the ztec besides the intake, exhaust, pullies and if you have major $ s.c.
95 SE MTX
svt exhaust
intake
deer killer
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 439
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 439 |
Originally posted by elraido:
Originally posted by LocoGSR:
Originally posted by elraido:
you can mod ztecs? LOL J.K!
and you have to realize the INSANE amounts of money you sunk into that car and how much you got out of it. I do realize you like doing that and respect it, but there just isn't a whole lot that can be done to the ztec besides the intake, exhaust, pullies and if you have major $ s.c.
That's complete and total crap. There are tons of mods you can do to every car.
Performance coatings, port and polish cylinder head,
Balance / blueprint and lighten bottom end (or use Focus components like in my sig and B&B them); Cams are out there, bigger valves are out there. The internet is practically busting at the seems with parts for the do-it-yourselfer to build a custom turbo. The SCT PRP and XCAL-2 work, injectors and bigger MAFS are easily had from other ford engines. T.H. can build a Zetec MTX just like he builds D-tec trannies and with the D-tec final drive LOOKOUT! You just have to get on the net and dig around, shake some trees, and turn over some rocks and you'll be overwhelmed by the mods that are available.
Ohsigmachi '96 GL MTX Zetec
--I don't won't to hurt you, but it's still on my list of things to do.--
View project Slippery Slope
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
CEG road warrior
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CEG road warrior
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248 |
Originally posted by elraido:
Originally posted by LocoGSR:
Originally posted by elraido:
you can mod ztecs? LOL J.K!
and you have to realize the INSANE amounts of money you sunk into that car and how much you got out of it. I do realize you like doing that and respect it, but there just isn't a whole lot that can be done to the ztec besides the intake, exhaust, pullies and if you have major $ s.c.
It did what it needed to do good. Gave reliable all the time power for my daily driver. I spent a decent chunk of change......but what I learned has carried over to my new car. 
Hector
2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
257HP/259TQ
2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s
RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED
160HP/141TQ
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,687
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,687 |
Originally posted by LocoGSR:
Originally posted by elraido:
Originally posted by LocoGSR:
Originally posted by elraido:
you can mod ztecs? LOL J.K!
and you have to realize the INSANE amounts of money you sunk into that car and how much you got out of it. I do realize you like doing that and respect it, but there just isn't a whole lot that can be done to the ztec besides the intake, exhaust, pullies and if you have major $ s.c.
It did what it needed to do good. Gave reliable all the time power for my daily driver. I spent a decent chunk of change......but what I learned has carried over to my new car.
Indeed. As similar as the Evo and Pre98 4-cylinder automatic Contour are, there are many tried-and-true lessons that can be learned by studying the Ford. Like how to count the number of spark plug wires, or perhaps which side the driver sits on.
Seriously, though, boost is boost. I think it must have been a great intro course to lead into the uber-complexity that is the EVO. 
J.T.
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 294ci V8. Custom CAI, headers on the way...
1997 Mercury Mystique Zetec ATX
Deceased February 2006
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 22
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 22 |
Thanks for the tips. I think I am going to start with the underdrive pulley.
My car is in great shape and want to keep it as my daily driver for years. When I need to start replacing worn out suspension stuff, I am going to try to upgrade to better than stock.
I am not going to do audio because where I park to commute to work isn't in the best area and my inexpensive stereo was already stolen once....what a pain!
By the way, I have a 5-speed with the standard 14" tires.
'98 Ford Contour - Daily Driver never modified, but thinking about it
'83 Porsche 911 SC Cabriolet
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,116
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,116 |
Originally posted by ohsigmachi:
Originally posted by elraido:
Originally posted by LocoGSR:
Originally posted by elraido:
you can mod ztecs? LOL J.K!
Performance coatings, port and polish cylinder head,
Balance / blueprint and lighten bottom end (or use Focus components like in my sig and B&B them); Cams are out there, bigger valves are out there. The internet is practically busting at the seems with parts for the do-it-yourselfer to build a custom turbo. The SCT PRP and XCAL-2 work, injectors and bigger MAFS are easily had from other ford engines. T.H. can build a Zetec MTX just like he builds D-tec trannies and with the D-tec final drive LOOKOUT! You just have to get on the net and dig around, shake some trees, and turn over some rocks and you'll be overwhelmed by the mods that are available.
Do you realize how much mods like those cost? And most of those mods you can't do yourself either so you would need to pay labor on them as well. Hector did a great job with his car, most people wouldn't spend money like that but then again he isn't most people.
95 SE MTX
svt exhaust
intake
deer killer
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
CEG road warrior
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CEG road warrior
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248 |
Originally posted by elraido:
Originally posted by ohsigmachi:
Originally posted by elraido:
Originally posted by LocoGSR:
Originally posted by elraido:
you can mod ztecs? LOL J.K!
Performance coatings, port and polish cylinder head,
Balance / blueprint and lighten bottom end (or use Focus components like in my sig and B&B them); Cams are out there, bigger valves are out there. The internet is practically busting at the seems with parts for the do-it-yourselfer to build a custom turbo. The SCT PRP and XCAL-2 work, injectors and bigger MAFS are easily had from other ford engines. T.H. can build a Zetec MTX just like he builds D-tec trannies and with the D-tec final drive LOOKOUT! You just have to get on the net and dig around, shake some trees, and turn over some rocks and you'll be overwhelmed by the mods that are available.
Do you realize how much mods like those cost? And most of those mods you can't do yourself either so you would need to pay labor on them as well. Hector did a great job with his car, most people wouldn't spend money like that but then again he isn't most people.
Damn right I ain't most people! 
Hector
2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
257HP/259TQ
2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s
RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED
160HP/141TQ
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 439
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 439 |
Elraido,
If you bothered to check my sig, you'd realize I know exactly how much those things cost.
Ohsigmachi '96 GL MTX Zetec
--I don't won't to hurt you, but it's still on my list of things to do.--
View project Slippery Slope
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