Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec 1995 contour 3L upgrade?

Can anyone tell me why I can't make the 3L upgrade to my 1995 Contour SE? The engine replacement for the 2.5L ranges from 95 to 98. I only find info on 1996+ contours and no one has seems to asked this question anywhere. I know there were very few changes between 95 and 96. I have the first year production model and the closest to SVT for that year cuz Ford didn't make one till 96 i believe. In 96, Ford changed how the models were arranged. They added the SVT, upgraded the LX and GL. Is that contour 'sport' what became of the SE model?

SVT came out in May 97 as a 98 model.

95-97 body is the same, but the engine went through some minor changes. The intake manifold runner control was vacuum operated in 95 but was later changed to electric.
There are other little differences. From 95-97 the Contour SE was King from a handling standpoint, but the stock lightweight GL 6 cyl manual was usually the fastest because the SE's were heavier. In 98 and up the SE became a joke by comparison since the SVT replaced the early SE's as the best handler and was the best performer as well. Those SE's were basically detuned from a suspension/handling point of view.

There is nothing saying you can't put a 3.0 in your car, you just have to be somewhat skilled and creative.
Others here will fill you in on the rest of the story, I have to go.

warmonger

thanx for clarifing the model dates for me. I do know of some of the minor changes like you mentioned(i prefer the vacuum controlled IMRC). I was concerned with any major differences like engine mounting. Does anyone know where i could get step-by-step info for the 3L upgrade? The only sites i could find just brush the surface.

Brushing the surface is all that's needed to understand a 3L Contour swap. Figure out which direction you want to go with the swap, i.e. SC/turbo/NA and go from there. Taking the engine in/out of the car is not going to be covered on many 3L FAQ sites because that's all printed in the Ford/Hynes/Chilton manuals and doesn't need to be repeated.

LOL..thanx, i just figured that there would be more to it than that.

The computer system is differen to.

How is it different? to the 3L PCM?

I thought I could just adjust PROM settings with the original PCM.

Will an aftermarket superchip still be compatible with the 3L?

WEll the 95 has the ECC-IV system, and 96+ have the OBD-II system. I personally can't tell you what the difference is.
I know it can be done, its jsut soemthing different than what most people are usuing so it could cause some problems. I know of a few people attempting the 3L on 95's but as far as I know none are completed yet.

When are you planning on doing this? I'm trying to finish mine and I'll put up an FAQ when I'm done if you want to wait til then.

Superchips sells one chip for EEC-IV and EEC-V. Two basic EEC-IV and EEC-V differences: number of I/O and depth of monitored systems (mostly for emissions, but electric IMRC on EEC-V is a big change that I can think of, made possible by the extra I/O).

Both use the same type of EEPROM, so the phyical Superchip is the same. The code in the chip is different based on the PCM calibration. If you want to use a chip from an EEC-IV 2.5L Duratec PCM, you can use it in any PCM. However, it will have to be reflashed if you want to use it with a different PCM calibration.

Besides, I'd be afraid of using an "off the shelf" code developed for a 2.5L on any 3.0L, regardless of vintage or configuration. Better to get a custom chip, preferably one done on a dyno. Too much timing and you can blow things up real fast.