Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance new contour

Depends on how much you have to spend. Get a good open air intake (KKM is decent and starts around $90 new..5-6hp), and open up the exhaust. Used SVT dual exhausts (@5hp gain) are a dime a dozen anymore on the classifieds here (sometimes as cheap as $75) w/ everyone upgrading to Brullen and Borla systems. A good high-flow Y-pipe from BAT (www.batinc.net) is almost a necessity(6-8hp). That also comes with a high-flow catalytic convertor unless you get one w/o the cat.(depending on where you live you might need one for emmissions, but a Y-pipe w/o the cat. will give you a few extra ponies..8-10hp). They run about $250 for an aluminized one. I replaced my stock resonator (the muffler after the main cat.) with a Magnaflow one and now the exhaust gives a REAL nice rumble. Probably won't net you more than 1-2 actual horsepower, though. I also replaced the SVT mufflers w/ Magnaflow ones, which sound a bit better, and net you about the same horsepower as the resonator (1-2). Depending on what your computer code is (mine is BLC1), you might want to consider a custom burned computer chip from either Superchips or a Diablo Sport chip after you do your main mods. That was my best bang-for-the-buck mod. I did two runs on the dyno. One with the chip and one w/o and it added exactly 12hp. The automatics seem to benefit better, though, because it firms up the shifts points like you wouldn't believe. Some MTX Contours have only seen 2-3 hp from the chip, though. It also removes your speed limiter depending on your code . Chips usually run $230 or so new, and used ones around $150 (you'll need to get one re-burned if it doesn't match your code). This isn't everything you can do...not even close, but it's some of the basic and easiest mods you can do. Feel free to send me an email or private message if you need anymore help. There is a TON of information in the archives if you use the search. Hope this helps and good luck with your new 'tour. Just beware, modifying is VERY addictive!!!

First off, thanks that is exactly what i was looking for.
I i can ask what did your car in final state dyno at?

The chip only gave 5hp to the wheels, which raised it from 148 to 153. It gave 12 at the crank. The Ford dealer told me my computer code isn't real common, but the chip really took well to it for some reason. Anyway, that was w/o the Y-pipe. So now I have no clue as to how much the Y added to the wheels...maybe 2...I don't know. I need another run sometime this summer. Anyway, if it did raise it to 155 that's not bad for an ATX Duratec. With an MTX I'd probably be in the low to mid 160's. Those numbers seem so tiny compared to the 63 Vette my grandfather left me when he passed...last dyno showed 406 to the wheels! Gotta love it!

where does ford get the 170 hp stock reading from?

From the flywheel...all car manufacturers count hp at the flywheel (aka crank). MTX 'tours (and MTX cars in general) don't lose as much hp when it's transferred from the flywheel to the drive wheels. My ATX loses approx. 22-23% where an MTX only loses 15-18%. All cars are different though. An SVT only puts somewhere around 168 of it's 200 hp to the ground. Still not too bad though.