Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Performance Project... ruined?!?!

Alright, I recently put up the post "New Member: What should I do?". Well, my dad, bein the kind of guy he is, tried finding me a better motor that will 'do just fine for now' since 'I dont need any more power'. Well he found a zetec out of a 99 mystique with 69,000 mi for 750 bucks that runs just fine.. not too bad of a deal, but the guy at the place doesnt know for sure if it will hook up. My dad also asked him about the zetec out of my 95 and says it will not hook up in my 97 due to difference in the sensors. What should I do now?! If it'll work I think I may just go with the motor out of the 99 and put my savings into more stereo, maybe suspension cuz I'm pretty sure it needs some new things here and there, rims, paintjob, etc. Any help from you experts out there?

You'd need the computer and wiring harness.

But get a 96 or 97. OBD2 without that vct junk

yeah if you are going to replace the zetec in your 97 get a 96 or a 97 motor. 98+ Zetecs are different, and they have that junky VCT technology.

vct is just more of a problem causer, look how many posts there are about CELs being 'timing off' or w/e.

VCT sucks....nuff said.

What makes the VCT a VCT?? I mean I thought itd be a good deal since itd save me some money but I didnt think it would have a better chance at bolting up anyways.. and how could I get the zetec out of the 95 to fit in my 97? According to what the guy told me dad, sensors, injectors, etc, all that electrical is different

variable cam timing on the exhaust cam

And a not-so-cool valve cover, and a different oil filter and location, and a different intake, and a different sound....

Nope, the 99 would have VCT and that screws the whole swap up. What you really need to buy is a year-to-year match for your car if you want a complete engine. That is one with everything from the intake. head, block, and sometimes soem accessories like the alt. or power steering pump.

On the other hand, you could just buy a long block (that is the block with the head attached) from a year to year match or a Focus. Foci never came with VCT (that is unless you count the SVT Focus which btw will never work in your car) so you can be fairly safe with buying a Focus engine. Just swap the parts that don't match your car and your done. The benifits to buying a Focus engine is that there are a lot out there, plenty of those have low miles, and you get updated parts (such as the a waterpump that doesn't hide in with the timing belt).

If you do find a used year matching engine do yourself some favors before putting it in your car. Change the timing belt and waterpump while the engine is out of the car along with all the tensioners (sp?). Get a new serp belt and belt tensioner. Get new motor mounts. Inspect and replace vacume hoses and the the egr components on the engine before it goes in the car. I would even go as far as doing the radiator hoses. If you are going to drop the subrame to replace the engine (you can do it from the top though) swap out your lower control arms (LCAs). Check the suspension forums for more on that. Inspect your power steering. The Rack and pinion is prone to failure on these cars. That's not to say that yours is bad but you'll never have a better opportunity to look at it then when the engine is out.

I think you mentioned in your earlier post that your car is a 5 speed. That's great and now is the best time to replace the clutch and replace the fluid in the MTX.

Not all of this is neccesary. However, many of us would have welcomed the opportunity to do all of these things with the engine out of the car instead of having to work around the obstacles in the engine bay. If you do these things now you will be happily driving that car for quite some time knowing that you're in good shape mechanicaly speaking.

Anybody else have something to add or correct?

Jon