Zetec Duratec Engine swap

Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives

I am currently looking at buying a 96 SE with a Duratec V-6 and am wodering what kind of issues I'm going to run into when I put it in my 99 SE with the Zetec, I know the PCM and probably most of the wiring harness for the car will have to be swapped out, I'm not worried about that...sort of. The main thing I'm wondering is whether it has even been done yet and Will I need to take the sub-framing as well when I fit it in to the 99. Before it's ready to put in I am going to rebuild it from top to bottom, so this could be a long term project. I am open to ideas and suggestions. Thanks

Why would you want to do this?

because I have a zetec in my car currently and I can buy the whole 96, running, for $250 and the right side of it played pinball with the retainer wall on the highway.

From what I have read, its a project dropping a v6 into a tour that came with the I4... all sorts of different stuff. I suggest you sell the I4 and fix up the v6 LOL

yeah but I really dont like the looks of the 96 model I don't know i'm wierd and I like to attempt the never been done. not to mention I think I'm probably gonna drop a V8 in the 96

Originally posted by MP3Tour:
not to mention I think I'm probably gonna drop a V8 in the 96

You're kidding, I hope.

Originally posted by MP3Tour:
not to mention I think I'm probably gonna drop a V8 in the 96

the only way you could MAYBE pull it off is an itty bitty v8, like the 3.4 from the late model sho's, and a BIG hammer and ALOT of $$$. MAYBE

~Alex

Somebody started drinking early...

Originally posted by DemonSVT:
Somebody started drinking early...

how many more of these zetec to duratec swap ?'s we gonna get...maybe we should post a sticky to the top of the page

Originally posted by 95Sleeper:

Originally posted by MP3Tour:
not to mention I think I'm probably gonna drop a V8 in the 96

You're kidding, I hope.

really? i hope hes serious. much better to try and fail then to never try at all because people tell you it can't be done.

besides what if he actually did get it to work?

Originally posted by tour96se:

Originally posted by DemonSVT:
Somebody started drinking early...

how many more of these zetec to duratec swap ?'s we gonna get...maybe we should post a sticky to the top of the page

Sticky reads: "Don't do it, it really isn't worth the time, just buy one with a v6"

or in this case fix it, is it mostly cosmetic damage?

yeah just sell them both and get a v6. if you only paid 250 for the 96 then part it out and sell your zetec and you could probably buy an SVT.

yeah but I dont like doing things the easy way

Originally posted by DopePope:
really? i hope hes serious. much better to try and fail then to never try at all because people tell you it can't be done.

besides what if he actually did get it to work?

I definately agree. I would much rather at least try to do something than just assume it cant be done. And if you do the research behind things alot of times its not as hard as people may have thought. Doing the all out custom thing is where hot rodding started back in the day.

Originally posted by Roadwarrior:

Originally posted by DopePope:
really? i hope hes serious. much better to try and fail then to never try at all because people tell you it can't be done.

besides what if he actually did get it to work?

I definately agree. I would much rather at least try to do something than just assume it cant be done. And if you do the research behind things alot of times its not as hard as people may have thought. Doing the all out custom thing is where hot rodding started back in the day.

This guy is talking about swapping motors from junk cars, not making a one-off supercar. I don't see any advantage to the extra cylinders. It would be exciting to put a V-8 in a 'tour, just to have a V-8, but what would be the point? For the same amount of money, and a lot less effort, you could do a turbo 3L. Put the same level of effort and polish Demon put into his car, and 500 crank hp is quite feasible. If you put a V-8 in there, you would never get FI on it, so you'd still be short on power. So yes, to be the only one would be cool, but go look in your engine bay and tell me any sane person would attempt it.

It's best to go with the same year cars for the swap because it will be a straight bolt in and plug in swap. The 98's have a different front suspension and different wiring so you'll be in for some extra work to make everything work and fit right. I've swaped a 97 2.0 with a 97 2.5 and it really was just a matter of swaping the whole cradle/suspension with the drivetrain still attached, PCM and gauges. It only took slightly longer than a like for like swap.

Originally posted by 95Sleeper:
For the same amount of money, and a lot less effort, you could do a turbo 3L.

Because a turbo 3L has been done already.

Originally posted by 95Sleeper:
If you put a V-8 in there, you would never get FI on it, so you'd still be short on power.

Not true, I guess you haven't ever heard of the V-8 focus' they have been done with both 4.6L out of 99 & 2000 Mustangs and also with a 5.0L Carburated engine. Granted it is a focus but the subframing is alot alike, not to mention there is more cubic footage under the hood of the contour than there is in a focus. If it can be sone in a focus then it can be done in a contour.

Originally posted by 95Sleeper:
So yes, to be the only one would be cool, but go look in your engine bay and tell me any sane person would attempt it.

Sanity has nothing to do with it. As I always say, I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every minute of it.

Originally posted by MP3Tour:
Not true, I guess you haven't ever heard of the V-8 focus' they have been done with both 4.6L out of 99 & 2000 Mustangs and also with a 5.0L Carburated engine. Granted it is a focus but the subframing is alot alike, not to mention there is more cubic footage under the hood of the contour than there is in a focus. If it can be sone in a focus then it can be done in a contour.

And they were also converted to RWD, cut up most of the car to make a transmission tunnel and rear end..

It can be done, but the question is, is it worth being done? To spend all that money just for the bragging rights of a V8-powered, RWD Contour?

Damn I am starting to sound more and more like Demon everyday..

If you have the money and time for it, I say do it.

Originally posted by 95Sleeper:
So yes, to be the only one would be cool, but go look in your engine bay and tell me any sane person would attempt it.

Sanity has nothing to do with it. As I always say, I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every minute of it.

In that case why don't you go all the way and pop in a twin turbo aluminum 600 inch mountain motor with nitrous? Now THAT would be truly different...

HMMMM.....

or a rotary