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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Wait a minute, the Contour never had the same engine as a Taurus.
Not in production, no. But the initial prototype versions of the SVT Contour had the SHO's Yamaha engine installed for testing. Ultimately, they decided to go with the engine we know today, most likely for cost reasons. It's nice to dream what a 220 HP SVT Contour would have been like.
Lee K
Lee K
98 SVT Contour, silver (sold after 7 years and 100K miles)
03 Lancer Evolution, red
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Joined: Jan 2004
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Newbie
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Newbie
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Very good car for the price (used), i drive a lot 50000km a year and its amazing stil running like new, havent change anything yet (mobil 1)synthetic oil every 10000km thats it..
good luck
1999 CSVT black on midnight blue
K&N, Under pulley, 9mm ford racing wires,ALPINE allround,"DIABLO" super chip and ilike it!!!
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 148
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 148 |
I tend not to think of the CSVT as a car with mechanical problems, but more of a best friend with character flaws. You'll know what I mean when you drive one! 
'98 T-Red SVT #4290
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 568 |
Originally posted by Lee K:
But the initial prototype versions of the SVT Contour had the SHO's Yamaha engine installed for testing. Ultimately, they decided to go with the engine we know today, most likely for cost reasons.
Source for this information?
The prototype I am aware of--which was well-outlined in a C&D special feature sometime in '95 or '96--consisted of an early SE with many of the enhancements that eventually made it to production (Extrude Hone, quasi-dual exhaust, Cossie-style rims, spring/strut/bar combo). Definitely wasn't either Yamaha V6 under that bonnet.
Unless you know of some different prototypes...which would then beg some obvious questions. How was the higher-profile, snake-pit intake dealt with? Tranny? Linkage? Mounts?
B. Riley
Melbourne, FL
'01 Camry LE V6/5-spd
Was: '00 Black/Tan SVT Contour #560 - Sold 3/26/03
Before that: '95 Champ/Blue Contour GL V6 ATX
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109 |
Originally posted by Blk560:
Source for this information?
In the early days of CEG, when everything was done via a listserv, there was a guy who worked for SVT that reported of the SHO-engine-in-a-Contour prototype. Other old timers like Lance may remember this, but it was discussed at length. How they technically solved the problems you mentioned, I can't answer, but supposedly SVT gave it serious consideration.
Lee K
Lee K
98 SVT Contour, silver (sold after 7 years and 100K miles)
03 Lancer Evolution, red
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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I don't belive it (unless someone can offer conclusive proof). The SHO v6 is an iron-block 90 degree design that is wider and heavier than the compact, aluminum 60 degree Duratec. It won't fit under the hood of a contour. Besides, why would ford go through that trouble when they already have a 3L Duratec block available? It really dosent make any sense. Originally posted by Lee K:
It's nice to dream what a 220 HP SVT Contour would have been like.
... and that dream can be satisfied with the aforementioned 3L swap 
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580 |
The 1st gen Taurus body/frame/V6 block dates back to 1986 (1985 introduction) so it's 19 years ago, not 15. The CDW27 is now a decade old, for sure.
Ford HQ gave up on the Contique by 1998, pushing $$$ into SUV's (Escape), letting it die off. Only now are they finally working on new sedans, 500 and Futura.
Last edited by 2000GreenTour; 01/15/04 06:05 PM.
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 SE, Code Red. '00 Tropic Green Ford Escort SE [Contour's little cousin]
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Originally posted by Lee K:
In the early days of CEG, when everything was done via a listserv, there was a guy who worked for SVT that reported of the SHO-engine-in-a-Contour prototype. Other old timers like Lance may remember this, but it was discussed at length. How they technically solved the problems you mentioned, I can't answer, but supposedly SVT gave it serious consideration.
I was an active member of the old american.edu listserv (circa mid '97), and don't remember such a discussion, though my memory could escape me...and I'm unable to get to the dyndns.org archives at the moment. Do you remember his name?
Possibly more important than that they may have tried it is why in the world they would want to try it? Why would they want to shoehorn an almost-decade-old, expensive, iron-block, maintenance-intensive Yamaha V6 when they had two versions of the cheaper, more compact, mass produced, all-alloy Duratec V6 right in front of them that could be easily tweaked for hard runnng (hello? Mondeo?). The Duratec's transaxle, frame, cooling, and electrical interfaces would require little/no change.
Doesn't make sense that an idea like that could even make it past the brainstorming session...
B. Riley
Melbourne, FL
'01 Camry LE V6/5-spd
Was: '00 Black/Tan SVT Contour #560 - Sold 3/26/03
Before that: '95 Champ/Blue Contour GL V6 ATX
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 568
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Posts: 568 |
Originally posted by akrump47:
The SHO v6 is an iron-block 90 degree design that is wider and heavier than the compact, aluminum 60 degree Duratec. It won't fit under the hood of a contour.
While the Yamahammer does carry an iron block, it is a 60-degree V6, not 90 degree--just like its Vulcan step-father. Were it a 90-degree V6, it would need to carry balance shafts, much like the horrid 3.8 Litre Essex V6 that was available in the Taurus until 1996.
B. Riley
Melbourne, FL
'01 Camry LE V6/5-spd
Was: '00 Black/Tan SVT Contour #560 - Sold 3/26/03
Before that: '95 Champ/Blue Contour GL V6 ATX
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109 |
Originally posted by Blk560:
I was an active member of the old american.edu listserv (circa mid '97), and don't remember such a discussion, though my memory could escape me...and I'm unable to get to the dyndns.org archives at the moment. Do you remember his name?
Possibly more important than that they may have tried it is why in the world they would want to try it?
Yeah, it was the old american.edu server, back when Marwan regularly ruffled everyone's feathers.  I don't remember the SVT gentleman's name, either, but I distinctly recall the thread and stored it away in the "that's interesting" section of my brain, having just come from an SHO myself. There's still a fondness from SHO enthusiasts for that engine, which was generally considered "bulletproof".
I suppose the reasons that you give are the reasons why the Yamaha motor didn't make it to the Contour. I do know that there was quite a bit of discussion in the automotive press about whether the original car's 195 HP was worthy of the SVT moniker, but with the Focus, we see that SVT wasn't too afraid to dabble in the lower price points. Whether that was a mistake or not is debatable, as the recent announcements about SVT going more "upscale" like BMW's M division indicate.
In the end, SVT elected to go with the engine that they did. Whether the SHO motor was really seriously considered or not, I can't think anyone currently on this board can say. As I said, it's fun to dream what that engine would have done to the Contour with more HP and more importantly, a lot more torque.
Lee K
'92 SHO (ex)
'98 SVT Contour, silver
'03 Evo, red
Lee K
98 SVT Contour, silver (sold after 7 years and 100K miles)
03 Lancer Evolution, red
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