I just found the problem for terrible performance in my 96 Zetec Contour... a plugged catalytic converter. You can read all about it here:

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1302130&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1

Tony2005 hit the bullseye suggesting that I pull the upper O2 sensor and drive it and see if performance improves... it improved BIGTIME! Now I just need to figure out if I'm going to gut the cat and leave a big hollow void and create an environmentally unfriendly car, or if I'm going to shell out nearly $300 for a new cat.

96 Contour GL 2.0L MTX with Early SE 7 spoke wheels, SE sideskirts, Koni Sport Kit 70 Mustang Sportsroof with mild 351W and '01 Mustang GT wheels