Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Performance Engine swap

Originally posted by SVTfrog:

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And all that puts you well above what it would cost to sell your car and get a svt.

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Originally posted by BOSS122:

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Originally posted by SVTfrog:

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And all that puts you well above what it would cost to sell your car and get a svt.

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Ford Racing Focus 2.0L Zetec CNC'D Aluminum Head - $800
Crower Cams - $340
FRPP Intake - $500
Pair of cam gears - $150
Custom SCT Chip - $400
Trubendz 2.5" cat back exhaust - $310
Kamikaze ZX2 Header - $254
head gasket and bolts - $50
Total - $2804
There is probably another $500 in Misc parts and also getting a pipe bent to connect the contour exhaust to the kamikaze header.

My ZX2 S/R made 167 HP and 152 lb-ft of torque at the wheels with a ported head, cams, cam gears, kamikaze header, and AF/X UDP. It still had the stock 1 and 7/8" crush bent exhaust, stock intake manifold, stock throttle body, stock PCM, stock injectors, etc. With a better intake manifold and throttle body and exhaust, other ZX2's have put down 180+ HP at the wheels. The end results in a contour shouldn't be much different.

From what I've seen in the part of the country where I live, its hard to find a good condition, low mileage 1998 SVT for under $5500 and most dealerships still want $7500-$8000 for a '98 SVT. A low mileage '98 4 cylinder Zetec sells for $2000 in private sales and $3000 at dealerships depending on condition and options. If someone has a '95 or '96 Zetec, their car would sell for even less.

So it basically comes down to the going prices of the cars in the area where the person lives and if they really want an SVT. Also, one other factor that was not looked at is insurance. Insurance for me on an SVT Contour was about the same as a similar model year Mustang GT. Insurance for a Zetec contour for me is about the same as a Ford Escort. Even if I were to add $5000 in aftermarket parts coverage to my insurance policy, the difference per year is quite large.

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Well said.

To me SVT was just a name. I did what I did on a stock ATX/engine and it lasted over 140k. You could never do that in a SVT. Bottom line is you do some research and you are looking for power gains you can do it with whatever you have in your driveway for a fraction of the price. Doesn't have to have a special badge to be fast.

Kremit......go whore the Duratec forums......especially if you are going to put down the Zetec in every post here. I remember a time when you would "die" for the Zetec camp. Don't forgot your "roots."

Originally posted by LocoGSR:

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To me SVT was just a name. I did what I did on a stock ATX/engine and it lasted over 140k. You could never do that in a SVT. Bottom line is you do some research and you are looking for power gains you can do it with whatever you have in your driveway for a fraction of the price. Doesn't have to have a special badge to be fast.

Kremit......go whore the Duratec forums......especially if you are going to put down the Zetec in every post here. I remember a time when you would "die" for the Zetec camp. Don't forgot your "roots."

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First of all, a SVT would put down about the same numbers as your car and go faster. And a stock SVT will definitely last over 140k miles. If you're saying you can't turbo or s/c one and have it last, I bet you can find my people in the FI section that will disagree with you. Now, they are putting out a lot more power than a sc zetec, so of course the wear and tear will be a bit more.
I agree with your bottom line, but if you chose to go with a zetec, up to a certain point, you're going to be spending more money.
And you're right SVT is just a name, a name that comes with more performance and better aesthetics.

Hector, I'm not putting down the zetec. It's a great engine. I really don't want to sell mine, but I can't keep 3 cars. But it is just not smart to mod to spend loads of money on it to just barely get it up to the level of a svt since svt's are so cheap now.
Now, if spending huge amounts of money for a ton of power, either engine will do, heck the zetec may even be the better choice. But I have an opinion about trying for huge power in any fwd car.

If the zetec is so great, how come you're in an evo. Don't be a hypocrite.

Originally posted by SVTfrog:

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Originally posted by LocoGSR:

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To me SVT was just a name. I did what I did on a stock ATX/engine and it lasted over 140k. You could never do that in a SVT. Bottom line is you do some research and you are looking for power gains you can do it with whatever you have in your driveway for a fraction of the price. Doesn't have to have a special badge to be fast.

Kremit......go whore the Duratec forums......especially if you are going to put down the Zetec in every post here. I remember a time when you would "die" for the Zetec camp. Don't forgot your "roots."

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First of all, a SVT would put down about the same numbers as your car and go faster. And a stock SVT will definitely last over 140k miles. If you're saying you can't turbo or s/c one and have it last, I bet you can find my people in the FI section that will disagree with you. Now, they are putting out a lot more power than a sc zetec, so of course the wear and tear will be a bit more.
I agree with your bottom line, but if you chose to go with a zetec, up to a certain point, you're going to be spending more money.
And you're right SVT is just a name, a name that comes with more performance and better aesthetics.

Hector, I'm not putting down the zetec. It's a great engine. I really don't want to sell mine, but I can't keep 3 cars. But it is just not smart to mod to spend loads of money on it to just barely get it up to the level of a svt since svt's are so cheap now.
Now, if spending huge amounts of money for a ton of power, either engine will do, heck the zetec may even be the better choice. But I have an opinion about trying for huge power in any fwd car.

If the zetec is so great, how come you're in an evo. Don't be a hypocrite.

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Let me ask you, honestly how many boosted Zetecs are there in the world compared to boosted Duratecs? Duratecs have a hard time lasting with minimal mods....not bumping up the power almost 70 whp like I did with a stock Zetec ATX. How many people with the Duratec HAVE to build up the engine for boost. I just slapped boost on. The proof is in the pudding....you've posted over 20k times.....have you read ANYTHING?

As far as me being a hyprocrite.......it was time to move on. I had no time or space to work on my car some more. Add in the fact I have a baby girl on the way, now engaged, I needed a newer car more now than ever. So I got an Evo. So what. I still hang out with more CEGers than you ever have. I am still on here helping. I will continue to do so.

You really need to grow up.

Originally posted by ZetecGL:

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to add to Hector, what about all the stock duratec just blowing for no apparent reason?

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Originally posted by LocoGSR:

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Let me ask you, honestly how many boosted Zetecs are there in the world compared to boosted Duratecs? Duratecs have a hard time lasting with minimal mods....not bumping up the power almost 70 whp like I did with a stock Zetec ATX. How many people with the Duratec HAVE to build up the engine for boost. I just slapped boost on. The proof is in the pudding....you've posted over 20k times.....have you read ANYTHING?

As far as me being a hyprocrite.......it was time to move on. I had no time or space to work on my car some more. Add in the fact I have a baby girl on the way, now engaged, I needed a newer car more now than ever. So I got an Evo. So what. I still hang out with more CEGers than you ever have. I am still on here helping. I will continue to do so.

You really need to grow up.

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Yes there are more boosted zetecs than duratecs. Part of the reason why I agree that for a LOT of power, zetec may very well be the way to go.
How many people have to build up the duratec for boost? Umm none have to, they chose to. How about Ray's car (was Tom's) isn't that a stock internal 3L putting down 356whp?

The proof is in the pudding. The pudding is that to get decent power, it's cheaper just to buy a duratec.

Again (I don't know what the heck you're arguing), the zetec is a GREAT engine and if going for HUGE power, then sure use it.

My point about the EVO was that obviously a zetec contour isn't the best thing ever as you're trying to make it out to be. And the fact that you're telling me to go over to the duratec forums, since I'm forgetting my "roots". Sorry, I know my roots but thankfully got smart enough to know what is a waste of time and money.

And grow up? With you trying to take shots at me for not hanging out with a buncha CEGers and whatnot. Yeah, sorry I live in a small town with no CEGer for over an hour away and yet still have traveled to 3 states to meet CEGers. And I have tried to plan meets, attend every meet that doesn't conflict with my job,etc. Just look at the SE forum. Hmmm, summer dragon meet.

Whatever hector. The zetec is God's gift to humans. You're right, everyone should spend $2k on the car, and another $3k+ to supercharge it to attain less power than a $3k SVT. My bad.

Originally posted by SVTfrog:

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Originally posted by ZetecGL:

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to add to Hector, what about all the stock duratec just blowing for no apparent reason?

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Haven't heard of that? But if it is true, could be for a number of reasons (like the owner did something to it). How about the duratecs that have over 250k miles?

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how about my zetec with over 200k miles. ask hector he knows how much i beat on it.

and when i finally blow the engine (after the turbo) i will save up and drop in mazdaspeeds 500hp zetec engine for $5k. then will see if the svt will keep up with the zetec.