Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance New Guy just saying hello for now....

Hi folks,
My name is John and I live in leesville, La. My project is different but it will be done....I'm looking to swap a 2.5 Duratec into a 1988 Escort GT. I'm building a tube frame front-end for it and building a fiberglass front end to cover it.
I will have a few questions from time to time, but I need to take some time an read some of the archived post first. One question I will ask is......What should I look out for when purchasing a used 2.5 Duratec with tranny and axles...also what is a reasonable price to pay?

I do customizecars as a hobby so this should be fun!

sounds like an interesting project...keep us posted...

God luck with that project. Sounds cool.

As for the drivetrain, I don't know the value. But I can tell you the 2 biggest weaknesses in it: the water pump and the MTX ( manual transaxle). The water pumps have plastic blades which like to grenade at 50k miles. Late 99 and all 2000 models supposedly have an updated pump which will not break, but since you're getting a motor from somewhere, it might be a good idea to swap it out. NAPA sells a water pump with a metal blade which seems to make it last much longer.

And now for the MTX. The differential is very weak. I exploded mine when leaving from an intersection. I got up to 10mph and the spider gear on the diff exploded and blew 2 holes thru my tranny. So if you go the MTX route, I would look into getting a Limited Slip Differential ( Quaife or Torsen) installed to beef up the tranny.

If you really can get your hands on a 2.5 Duratec before you pay for it, check the mains. Quite a few people have lost motors that way. Check the archives for discussions on: DMD, oil starvation, oil cooling, oil pan baffles.

Older OEM water pumps are garbage. There are a host of choices and much discussion on that one.

95s have an EEC-IV controller, and vacuum operated secondary intake manifold control (IMRC). 96+ is EEC-V and electrically controlled.

95 - 97 has an odd set of injectors on it (and is return fuel). 98 through sometime in 99 has a return fuel system, 99 and 00 are returnless (where a "smart pump" controls presure via the PCM). The fuel rails and injectors are different on the late model options, but both are a more common style of injector.

The SVT intake setup is better (obviously) and the later the parts you get, the better they are.

All 00 motors were bored slightly down to get under 2500cc (Euro gas guzzler tax).

After 2000, the Contour died, but the 2.5 Duratec lived on in the Cougar. There are also a Duratec here and a Duratec there in other Ford family of vehicles (both 2.5 and 3.0L).

id suggest a 3L instead of a 2.5L, as they are the same size but more powerful. if you still want a 2.5L im sure theres someone on here that would sell you 2.5L parts, i know ill ahve some for sale after i put the 3L in

Found a 95 Mystique w/2.5 that has 84,000 miles on it and one owner...a woman....who unfortunatly was hit from behind and the car is now totaled. The guy wants $200 for the entire car. This is a good deal...BUT are there HUGE differences between the 98-00 2.5 duratec and the 95?

Ok now that I have read all the replies....I see that the question has been answered....DUUUHHH!!!!

don't forget about the 2 different computer managements systems to. OBDI vs OBDII. The 95 were the only year with the OBDI. May come into play when you are doing the install.

Looks like rod and pistons will be $1500....the upper intake $500 lower $300...the reduce weight flywheel $368 Clutch kit $400...24lb injectors $300...port an polish heads $500...still looking for more parts.