Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec Just looking for Input

There's a lotta information on here, and I have and still am looking at all of it. With that said, please don't go search nazi on me.

First of all, cost is a bit of a concern to me. If I have to, I'll go with a block from Buckshot BUT... can't I just use a low mileage 3L block? I mean, they use these things from the factory, they can't be THAT bad.

Second, just any other input?

My plans are destroy the 2.5L then 3L hybrid w/ no frills other than header/y-pipe.

Save up a little more, and 24 lb injectors, walbro, and ~50 shot nitrous.

I won't be doing any serious launching. I just want some nice highway power. So I'll be on the stock differntial, unless it looks bad when I pull the tranny to replace the shift forks.

save for a torsen man, its totally worth it. if you can replace the forks you can add the torsen also.

find a low milage 2003+ escape motor for like $500, mod the fuel rail and intake and egr and swap your 19#ers over to it and thats pretty much it for the swap.

Is there really a point in doing the oval port? I think I'd prefer to do the hybrid.

I know it's worth it for a LSD, but I'm trying to do this all with a minimal budget. I'm not looking for an all out race car. If the stocker goes, then I'll do the LSD then.

Did you spend ALL your time in the zetec forums?

Hybrids can be done cheap, and if done correctly they can be reliable. Since they retain the oiling problems of the 2.5L, an accusump is a good investment.
New crank and rod bearings would be a must, gotta ditch the crappy aluminum ones for clevite's.
Get a low mile newer 3L, and sell the heads/cams to recoup $$$ for your swap. Keep an eye on Ebay, I found Stilov's LOW mile (like 2K, if that) 3L for $300 shipped from LKQ!

Get your 3L while your 2.5L is still kicking, and get it ready to swap over when it dies or when you have the time.

Typical NA mods would help out when you can afford them. Trans/Diff/clutch upgrade should be at the top of your mod list once the 3L is in IMO. The rest is just icing on the cake.

He got an SVT and turned into a 'tard - almost worse than a newbie cos he should know better with eleventy jillion posts under his belt.

Thanks Tom, summers not too far around the corner, so I guess I can wait till then.



And I never did have a reason to look at duratec stuff before now. It's all new to me.

Thanks swazo for the info.

I'm wanting to go nearly as basic as possible, hence the hybrid. I know the oiling issues, but I can risk that.

I don't like the idea of the fuel rail with the oval port. I don't want my car catching on fire!

I'll talk to Tom and see what he thinks, especially since he might end up building my engine.