Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Southwest A 3.0 Swap

Thanks for that input I really do appreciate all the information U guys have given me, but I still need a mechanic... any recommendations???

I don't know of anyone that has the space to do it at this point. My shop has a project car dismantled for painting, or I'd jump on this and hook you up

You might want to give Heath @ Modular Madness a call. They build turbo Mustangs, wicked Lightnings and Cobras.... I would think a 3L swap would be cake.
I'm actually taking my car in for a final tune monday, I can fill him in on the details so he could give an accurate quote if you'd like.

wheres that located at??? i want to do as much possible while its torn apart.... As far as how much power i want... I want as much as i can get... who doesn't???

How deep are your pockets?

You can do a wicked NA 3L w/ custom cams, a turbo 3L or even a supercharged 3L.

Modular Madness West 8169 South State Street #C Midvale, Utah 84047
801-561-0963
Office hours:
M-F 9:00am to 6:30pm
Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm
Sunday CLOSED

Shut it It would have gone in this week if MM hadn't been swamped.

I was going to buy new tires, but decided to turn my currant tires to slicks first

Thanks for the options i do appreciate them... And thanks for ur patience... I know i'm new at this car stuff, but I'm goin to get it...

It all depends on how much work you'd be putting in yourself really. If you source an engine and have a local machine shop build it for you, you could do it for way less than it would cost to have ADC/Buckshot do it. A lot can be gained in the head work and is a very important part of these engines. If you do them or you have Kinger do them, it's a must-do if you want to make it easier on your engine to see the 300 HP/TQ mark.

For a nice 300 HP/TQ, I'd say a turbo is the way to go. No need for forged internals as long as you're intercooled. Warmonger has shown that to be true, and I've followed suit. I'm likely going to keep my power down around there for daily driving since anymore than that would be pretty crazy with this platform IMO. I'm guessing that I am rolling around at about 270 HP/TQ now that I have some minor issues worked out and am now able to run all of the way to 7K and it's simply wicked even at 3.5psi

OK, now for prices in a ballpark sense.

*Price of an '01 Escape or Taurus 3L- $300 to $600 (LKQ is the best source, hands down! Ask Taylor )

*Misc gaskets and SP Pistons and TTY bolts, $400 on a high guesstimate (better than OEM, but not as good as forged. Keep an eye on my engine, I'm sticking with 12psi for a max level for longevity sake)
-OR- Forged Pistons and rods add about $1800 for insane amounts of boost you'll never be able to really use with these cars unless some leaps are made with suspension, etc.

*Kinger's headwork- About $1200 IIRC, but I'm probably a bit high

*Machine work/balancing for 3L- $400-500 ballpark

*ADC's kit- $? Anyones guess at this point

If you can assemble the longblock (not hard to do with a Ford CD and CEG) and install everything, it will only cost you your time from this point.
Paying someone could get spendy.

For an NA beast get CAT cams, forged pistons w/ high CR, ARP head bolts and have your longblock built for you. This would be a good choice and might cost a bit less than the turbo 3L option while having a shop do it all for you.