Originally posted by chem_eng:
I'm a newcomer, so please be gentle! I just bought my brother's '96 Contour Sport w/ 2.5L V-6 with automatic transmission about 6 months ago. It's all stock. The "Check Engine" light comes on occassionally, but I've given enough money to Ford to learn that that is due to a worn out catalytic converter. Now for the questions:

1) Is this a Zetec or Duratec engine?
2) Are there any after-market headers and exhaust systems available for this car?
3) What about cams, lifters, pistons, valve springs, etc. for this car?
4) What about turbos?
5) What about heads?
6) Any Nitrous Oxide kits for this car out there?

Or, should I keep this car to drive to and from work, and get a real car to play with? Like an older V-8 mustang?

John



1. Duratec.
2 & 3. Start here.
4. Supercharger or Turbo. Take your pick. See the Forced Induction forum for more info.
5. Not sure on heads. I think the only difference, SVT vs non-SVT, is in the cams, but I'm not sure.
6. Yes.

3.0l block swapping is also popular. See appropriate forum.

As for your last question, remember that this car is pretty dam good out of the box, but it was never meant to be a drag racer. Some guys are pulling good times, but if your goal is blindingly fast straight-line acceleration, go get a live-axle, big-block, torque-monster to play with. You'll get your jollies a lot cheaper there. If you like carrying high speed into the corners, this car, again, is good, and fun to play with. Some guys around here run on track and consistently outrun more powerful cars on twisty courses.

Function before fashion. '96 Contour SE "Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998