|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 118
Member
|
OP
Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 118 |
jjost brought this to my attention in the group buy forum. What are your thoughts on taking a cylinder head from a '00-'01 Focus Zetec and putting it on a '95-'97 Contour Zetec? By just doing the head swap, it would ease the pain/cost of doing an entire engine swap. That would mean that we could use the BAT pistons, BAT rods, Esslinger oversized valves, Esslinger camshaft, and the any of the Focus performance intake and exhaust manifolds. Here is some of the info that I have gathered so far (notes in bold): 1995-1997 Contour Zetec - No VCT 2000-2001 Focus Zetec - No VCT Good
Beenman:
I don't know the American cars so well, but if I understand correctly, the Contour is the same as the Mondeo which we have here. If so, there are some differences to the cylinder heads.
The Focus' head is changed as follows:
Combustion chamber shape different. possible problem?
Inlet and exhuast port shape different. Focus parts will work
Mechanical bucket tappets instead of hydraulic. Which is better for high-perf?
Reduction in weight. no big deal
Pressure relief valve changed for a syphon valve. possible problem?
Cam profiles changed. Focus parts perf parts will work
Valve stems lenghtened by 1mm. Focus parts perf parts will work
Valve head diameter increased by 1mm. Focus parts perf parts will work
Installed valve spring height reduced from 37mm to 34.2mm. Focus parts perf parts will work
If one looks at these changes it seems as if the Focus should perform better than the Mondeo, yet the quoted outputs on the Focus are lower than the Mondeo.
It's extremely late, so this may just be an insomnia induced train of thought. So does everyone think that I'm nuts? Thanks in advance.  BP
96 Contour GL (2.0L Zetec, ATX)
Sony CDX-C780 HU, Sony CDX-805 10 disc Changer, Sony XDP-210EQ, RF Punch 100.2 Amp, RF Punch 240.4 Amp, Dual 12'' Punch subs, Four Infinity Kappa 693.3i 6x9's, Optima Yellow Top
CTA Intake, Hood Struts, EL Ford Logo, Hi Beam/Low Beam Mod, Blue LEDs in door handles and footwells
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,692
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,692 |
still won't help too much.... cause the intakes don't all work cause of engine placement meaning hood clearence and what not... SO to me it is not worth the money to try it and still not have things work...
Joe Hartley "yes I know it's a MTX Zetec but it beats having a ATX Duratec" Champagne 96 GL MTX some mods dynoed at 114.2whp and 124.4wtq (pre CTA intake) 16.858 @ 80.76mph (yes it's slow but still faster than D Davis) AIM: ZetecRacing My Site My Profile
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,950
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,950 |
Got to make it work. Takes patience my brother.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,559
Moderator
|
|
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,559 |
I would tend to say that this can be done but that your getting ahead of yourself. We are going to have quite a few new parts for the Contour based Zetec soon. I would suggest patence until most are announced and or released. Then if you still want to go this route forge away!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 62
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 62 |
LOL this is what I'm thinking of doing since I blew a rod. The Focus engine is certainly more responsive. My parents have one, I have a 94 Zetec, and it wasn't until I had uprated the exhaust, intake, and fuel pressure till I could beat the Focus. Also racing last nigh I beat my mates Fiesta, which the Mondeo couldn't, even with Terrys help there will be a plethora of Focus parts available now! So I'm thinking of either dropping the whole engine in or just using the head as well.
Definately one for thought. Oh and the Focus has a lower stock power output than my Mondy, although I believe it has marginally lighter frame.
~~Mondeo 2.0 Ghia Hatch~~~
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 650
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 650 |
Posted By Buttonpuncher: By just doing the head swap, it would ease the pain/cost of doing an entire engine swap. That would mean that we could use the BAT pistons, BAT rods, Esslinger oversized valves, Esslinger camshaft, and the any of the Focus performance intake and exhaust manifolds. All of these parts are already compatible w/ the 95-97 contour zetec except the intake/exhaust Manifolds. Why switch the heads?
Ohsigmachi '96 GL MTX Zetec SS (SuperSleeper)
Suffice it to say my mod list has become so long that it is just ridiculous
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 118
Member
|
|
OP
Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 118 |
I guess that I was just getting really frustrated becuase of lack of intake and ezhaust equipment.
OhSigmaChi,
Will all of those parts work with the 'tours Zetec? I was under the impression that the Focus rods and pistons were incompatible.
Is someone DEFINITELY working on an intake and throttle body for the Contour Zetec?
BTW, I have 90k on my 96 Contour GL and I'm planning on re-building the engine this fall. I guess that I should just wait.
96 Contour GL (2.0L Zetec, ATX)
Sony CDX-C780 HU, Sony CDX-805 10 disc Changer, Sony XDP-210EQ, RF Punch 100.2 Amp, RF Punch 240.4 Amp, Dual 12'' Punch subs, Four Infinity Kappa 693.3i 6x9's, Optima Yellow Top
CTA Intake, Hood Struts, EL Ford Logo, Hi Beam/Low Beam Mod, Blue LEDs in door handles and footwells
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 650
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 650 |
The Bottom end of a 2.0L Zetec is bacically unchanged from any of the model years. The focus cams will work, just have to switch over to mechanical lifters. Send your TB to BNOON and have it optimized, or find a good local machine shop to do it. I think I heard someone say that the performance intake Manifold from a ZX2 would work on a contour not sure on this one though. With that kind of mileage a new cat is in order, get a universal Catco from Summit racing, and then do the full exhaust all at one whack. I forget what our exhaust manifold is made of, but you could check into sending it to Extrudehone same w/ the Lower intake Manifold and Head.
Ohsigmachi '96 GL MTX Zetec SS (SuperSleeper)
Suffice it to say my mod list has become so long that it is just ridiculous
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,657
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,657 |
I'm thinking of ordering that ZX2 intake manifold pretty soon so I'll let you all know what happens. Isn't our current manifold mostly plastic??? I don't think those can Extrude Honed. The head, yes of course. IIRC the exhaust manifold is made of Cast iron and can't be Extrude Hone either...I recall someone contacting them about it sometime ago.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,969
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,969 |
Some guys on the NECO zetec boards are trying to work with Gude on a performance head for the zetec.
If it happens, it sounds promising. I still think a revised head would be the best n/a mod for this engine.
Kharma is very real and she is one mean b!tch.
|
|
|
|
|
