Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Just How Fast Is the CSVT?

Reviewing a post from a few days ago struck up some serious thought. How fast is the SVT Contour? I thought of two major things.

First, someone asked to compare the FSVT to the CSVT. All I seemed to see were posts regarding quarter miles and 0-60 acceleration. I understand Ford's manual says 7.9 in the 0-60 and 15.7 for the quarter. For starters though, isn't that a conservative rating for FORD on its part when publishing such material? I don't want to think Ford would want catastrophies all the time like the 99 Cobra did. I'm led to believe always the Contour always outshines those numbers. I've even read posts here and in other sites people thought Ford's #s were very conservative. I mean there are four bangers on the market that will do 8 seconds easy.

Second, How fast is the CSVT on high end speeds. Can anyone find reliable numbers for that? Everyone is concerned with acceleration. I prefer the top end fun of racing if you ask me. No one ever seems to mention the CSVT and how quick it is on top. I love my car right when it passes 60 on the tach. When this car gets at highway speeds, it is just open throttle baby! I love to watch peoples eyes on the freeway as they hear the rumble from my engine and watch me fly. Its priceless shock value coming from this lil car when ppl dont expect it. I've owned a 98 and 01 Mustang GTs and the CSVT engine has a similar noise/rumble at those speeds. I've raced Lexus & Bimmers. I love knowing I can play with the big dogs that cost twice, thrice the money.

Just my two pennies but priceless in my mind.

I believe someone said before it was 143mph, just stock.

Yeah I do think those numbers released by Ford are quite conservative. The biggest thing to note regarding the 0-60 time is that the 2-3 shift really kills it (ie redline before 60 mph). That combined with the fact that the SVTC is still making power at the factory redline really makes you wonder what times this car is capable with a higher fuel cut off....

Ah well, 0-60 times are only good for bench racing anyways... Just tell them 7.9 secs to 60 and then watch for the look on their face when you smoke them! .... at the track of course

Bridge

0-60: 6.9-7.2 depending which magazine you look at.
top speed: 143 drag limited

I agree with the shock value of these cars. Not many people expect to hear that kind of noise coming from a contour. Let alone a contour that just smoked them. The SVT's are so unique and the lines on it are so smooth, and it doesnt hurt that its got such a powerful and revv able engine. I know I've gotten mine going around 138 on the track and I had more pedal but the warm lump in my pants convinced me otherwise.

You SVT guys always seem to forget the fact that my SE will blow you away on the top speed number. According to Fords own literature, the top end for my ATX is 178 mph. Yes, that's miles per hour. - Admittedly, that is the only number I can think of where I've got CSVTs beat.

I have not tested that limit as I live in Florida & I don't know anywhere that I can get sufficient altitude from which to drop my car...

perhaps if you drive out of a cargo plane at 10,000 ft then you might reach 178mph. lol

not to split hair or be a numbers nazi but the liturature ford sent with my car says 144mph. seeing as the 0-60 times are so far off then i do not doubt that this number is way off as well though.

143-144mph (drag limited) for a stock SVT.

Top end via gearing for an atx is 178mph. Top end when encountering drag,rolling resistance,etc. is a lot less than a csvt.

Car and Driver got the best 0-60 time I've seen listed, 6.9. Ford downplayed it to the tune of 7.9, but I'm guessing (and this is only a guess on my part) that this was to prevent it from cutting in on V6 Mustang sales. (Yes, I know there are big differences between the two cars; just a guess. )

Speed I believe is drag limited at 144, but I chicken out before 120.

--T.J.