Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec which 3.0 u guys using?

Same cars, different body. Just like the Contour and the Mystique.

Don't you mean different name? The Contique is the same body.

Not if you define body to include all sheetmetal and trim.

I can partly answer my own question - called local Jag parts dept. on a lark - new S-type engine (entire engine assembly) costs 10.3k Cdn = 6.5k U.S. Bare heads (no cams, valves) cost 1.2k Cdn. each.

So, Terry, any chance of a better price through your connections? Or is a motor from a wreck the only realistic route?

Eric

I can't see the heads being that significant an improvement by themselves. I would think that the cams, intake and exhaust would be where Jag makes up the power. If money were no option, think how much better the engineers could have done on the standard duratech. I would be interested in seeing pictures of the intake system.

One other thing to note: the 3.0 is basically a bigger version of the 2.5. Stock for stock the 3.0 makes 30 hp more.
When done up performance style the 2.5 becomes the svt motor and makes about 17.6% more power. If you take a stock 3.0 and add 17.6% (300*1.176) it becomes 235.36 hp.

That is very close to the Jag numbers someone listed above.

Therfore, what makes anyone think that they are doing anything special (more special than SVT anyway) to the 3.0?

Before we run off and buy motors or heads, we need to have a look at the parts. The Jag just might use a normal 3.0 long block with some extrude Honing on the heads and some proprietary intake system.

Anyone have better ideas until we see some pics of the Jag hardware?

warmonger

The Jag uses uprated cams,heads,intake manifold etc Vs the LS & the LS as the Jag< has direct acting buckets Vs Taurus 3.0 'finger followers'.The Jag/LS motors have more potential for future improvments Vs the Taurus.Jag engine has shortblocks shipped to England where Jag fit the unique parts .....

If the Jag is using bucket followers, is it using shims to adjust the valve clearance? If it is, how often does it have to be checked? The added cost of doing valve adjustments might not be a factor for a Jag owner, but an PIA for other folks. You also need a collection of shims if your going to do this yourself ($$). Even if you measure the clearance, measure the old shim and calculate the new shim size it may not come out right... Former Yamaha MC mechanic.

The LS uses shims,the new generation Zetec Focus uses shims,Straight 6 Jags have used shims for years...its not a problem,the new Focus if says around 90,000 you may need to check them. Shim adjustmnt is the BEST for DOHC motors, hyd buckets/lash adjusters are a PIA when you want to use radical cam grinds...they fail very quickly...Stick with the Taurus Duratec if it worries you...my 2 cents!!

Things have changed. 20 years ago Yamaha called for first check at 3k miles and every 5k miles thereafter. This was for an engine redlined at 10,500 RPM. 90k miles intervals gives it a much better cost/benefit ratio.

Could you explain exactly what direct acting buckets are? I can visualize a solid pivot where the lifter is, and I can visualize a rocker arm on a shaft that is actuated directly by the cam because I have seen this type of setup on many engines.
However, you say they use direct acting buckets instead of roller finger followers, so it implies that it replaces the roller rocker arm?

If you wanted to change cams to a radical grind, could you use the roller rocker arms and use a solid lifter stud?

warmonger