Just saying hi, new to the forums.

I am looking to find a low mileage 99 or 00 SVT Contour so if you know anyone selling one... Dont worry already checked the classifieds.

Lots of useful info on the site thanks!

One question though, what is the "precat" issue I read of now and then?

Thanks,

-Steve

catalytic converters. two precats on the V6 (used during cold starts...) and a main cat (after the car is warm)


precats fail with age, rich running conditions, etc. and people either replace them (expensive!) or gut them out and use a circuit to fool the car in to thinking that the precats are still there and working normally.


Welcome to CEG!

Thanks, so I take it the precat issue isnt like the Nissan Altima or Sentra SPEC-V precat issue that results in cylinder scarring, oil burning and ultimately engine failure

That was happening to them because exhaust was getting sucked back into the engine on the downshift due to the cam profile. The precat would disintegrate over time and pieces of who knows what ended up scarring the cylinder walls.

So you can understand when I saw "precat issue"... I had to ask lol

Also, what is the difference between a SVT and a CSVT?

Thanks,

-Steve

SVT is a ford inhouse tuning team, now defunct.

CSVT, SVTC, etc is just referencing a CONTOUR SVT..

SVTF, or FSVT is a focus, etc.

Welcome to the group , BV1 ! Hopefully you'll find a nice , clean , low-mileage SVT Contour soon . If only I was closer to deciding what I'm doing with mine ...

My friend lost the engine in his Spec-V due to the cat issue you talked about . That sucked . The car had less than 20,000 miles on it . The car has never been the same after that . Doesn't seem to have the same "kick" that it had before . An insider told me something about Nissan changing the settings to a "safer" mode (on engine swap cars) or something - doesn't seem right to me , as then it's not the same car that he test drove & spent his hard-earned cabbage on . His love for the car sorta fizzled out after the engine change .

I had never heard of that. And to think, I test drove a Spec-v right before my CSVT. I'm glad I got the Ford.......did I just say that?

Yeah no kidding eh, Im so glad I DIDNT get the Nissan. Its really unbelievable.

They also had a problem with the BISS screws coming loose from vibration and falling into the engine, destroying your valves.

I decided I want the SVT instead lol, espically after a test drive last night.

I found one locally, Tropic Green, 77k miles.... but... its from California originally (and Im in Winnipeg, MB) and it has a salvage title. He wants $8500 Cdn... I offered $7200 because the book on it was so low. Hes stuck at $7800 and Im at $7200... we will see.




Hey, on an aside, whats the best bang for the buck when it comes to modifying these cars? Intake/Exhaust? Cams?

Thanks,

-Steve

Originally posted by BV1:

---

Yeah no kidding eh, Im so glad I DIDNT get the Nissan. Its really unbelievable.

They also had a problem with the BISS screws coming loose from vibration and falling into the engine, destroying your valves.

---

Yeap, a friend is on his third engine while another friend is on his fourth. I think they both have headers now that they're out of warranty. And the screws came out as well, but luckily no damage done. The earlier models had a little tranny trouble as well.


Good choice on getting a svt. I don't know about exchange rates, so I don't know if the one you're looking at is a good deal. Just don't rush it. SVT Contours can be found for very cheap on a pretty regular basis.

And by far, the best bang for the buck mod is a 3L swap. Simpler than that, the best would probably be headers and aftermarket/modded y-pipe.