Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
now about comparing motors, stock non svt zetec =32.5hp per cylinder, stock non svt duratec =28.3hp per cylinder 
noone said a zetec is better (although it does seem much better for modding) and the duratec guys aren't happy
Who said duratec guys aren't happy. That comment about HP per cylinder cracked me up.
This whole thread is hilarious infact..some of you guys keep talking about "potential" and pointing to drag cars as inspiration..why do you think Ford invests big bux in these drag cars? So people like you will say "my zetec can make 1000 HP" and buy lots of Fords and Ford parts. Every engine has potential with enough cash thrown at it..as in my 1.3L Geo analogy. I have the potential to travel to the moon. It is OK to dream but from a practical standpoint, potential is grounded to a degree by practicality..this is reality.
Reality check..stick to turbos and nitrous with zetec. It worked good for sleeper. The only "potential" N/A you have is the potential to drain your bank account. The ONLY, I say again ONLY Zetec Contour to make a zetec move N/A was "madmole" from the UK. He spent IIRC $4000 dollars on porting/cams/cam gears/blueprinting/etc to make about 165 FWHP or about what a stock SVT makes. His only next move was a $3000 weber/intake conversion, not sure if he went through with it. You could EVEN start with SVT zetec at about 150 FWHP and go from there but the thing has headers stock as well as a trick intake manifold that you can't port..so you will spend big bux extracting more HP here too. You show me a zetec making N/A 180 FWHP and I will show you an owner that spent a bundle (and who could have had money left over from the $5000 turbo).
Turbocharging is a great solution for zetec. Not because it will make more power than a turbo V6 (it will not) but because it will do it cheaper...you only have to by 4 mass produced forged rods, forged pistons. V6 has to buy 6 custom made of both..there you go. My earlier point about the crank is that zetec will need a crank upgrade at some point (400 HP??) where as Duratec's billet piece will hold more power..thus "evening out" the parts outlay cost as you approach 600 HP (which is more power than our FWD cars can put to the ground without "drag car" suspension/wheel/tire/chassis/tranny mods).
You can (and will) tell me you can do what you want with your engine. But its all talk till you do it & talk is cheap. In 3 years at CEG Ive heard about 1000 guys talk about expensive engine buildups in a Contour that has limited resale value. Only recently have a few guys poneyed up for turbos and forged internals...all duratec guys. Don't tell me what you could/should/would/will do..just do it.
Oh, BTW..I did see the 10 second "all motor" ZX2. While intriguing I did not see any details. It did not even say it was a zetec. If it was, I'm sure it was bored & stroked out to about 3L and the only remaining zetec part is the block. I'm sure it cost a fortune to build as well. But, I may be wrong about calling BS on that but I would want more details.
