What are the differences between the Focus and Contour both being the SVT version? Interior room? Handling? Parts interchangeable? I am a possible newbie to the Contour area here so be gentle on me! I am a born gear head "Mustang" but may be going for family room here. Thanks :rockon:
Differences SVT Focus/SVT Contour
- Thread starter modforce
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They're completely different cars. The Contour is a 2.5l V6 with a MTX-75 5-speed, the Focus is a 2.0 I4 with a Getrag 6-speed. The Contour is more powerful (and heavier) but the Focus handles better. Bot are pretty maxed out power wise without forced induction, neither responds very well to mods. The Contour is the exception in that you can upgrade to a 3.0 by using the bottom end from a Taurus, Escape, etc... to yield some good numbers.
I love our Contour, and I'm sure the Focus is a great little go-kart, too!
I love our Contour, and I'm sure the Focus is a great little go-kart, too!
Is any of the contour Mazda or all Ford? I know they share some items don't they? I am more interested in the contour. I noticed they are based off of the Mondeo so are they made here in the US or in Europe? Sorry if the questions seem dumb I am just trying to get to know as much as possible about the car.
The Contour shares nothing with Mazda that I'm aware of. I'm pretty sure they were built in the US despite it's Euro heritage.
How are they for duribility with a fresh 3.0 swap and stuff? Are they roomy or like a compact car inside? The reason I am asking is if yoiu could view my post of Contour or Mustang on this page in this forum.
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modforce said:
duratec is a solid engine. with just one oil starvation issue that seems to be pretty rare, its a stout one. the achilles heel is the stock water pump. never use it.
back seats are a smallish for adults but still works. 2 people sit nice back there, 3 might be a bit rough unless they are small children or adults.
ford did a lil good ol design and carved the back out of the front seats, which gives you alot better knee room. the cieling seems to arc down too quickly back there, with some taller people's heads hitting the roof.
the roof arcs over the front seats and with a giant windshield it feels nice and big. there is plenty of elbow room, knee room, leg room, shoulder room. there is room in them after adjusting seats to have a good romp with the woman of your choice. acoustics are excellent- you can hear the nice engine sound when accelerating briskly, and you can still carry a conversation at 80mph without having to raise your voice too much.
trunk is typical ford sedan black hole- its quite massive. the back seats do fold down to allow for just a bit more room. some things i have put in there is a full size lawnmower, luggage for 6 people, my entire dorm room.
Cool thanks for the info it is very helpful. I will miss my stang but I am looking forward to the contour. My neighbor is teasing me with things like your getting rid of your mustang for a hopped up Escort! I just hope it has good power since it does have the 3.0 swap done to it. Gas mileage should be great as well since I will be doing alot of driving with it.
modforce said:
Good power, and great pep. Its not going to be a drag racer by any stretch of the imagination- as long as you realize that, its a great car. Built for the highways.
how do you fold down the seats? LOL
mine don't go down
the trunk is useful, but it's design is prohibative. You can fit alot of stuff in there. But you can not fit big stuff in it due to it's design. It carrys as much stuff as some full size sedans if you are talking bags and what not.
but alot of larger items won't it.
mine don't go down
the trunk is useful, but it's design is prohibative. You can fit alot of stuff in there. But you can not fit big stuff in it due to it's design. It carrys as much stuff as some full size sedans if you are talking bags and what not.
but alot of larger items won't it.
Actually from what ive read, the oil starvation isnt 'rare' check the CEG forums, so many people have had it happen to them.
As for the water pump, seems to be hit or miss (tho still quite common). Ive got 23k passed the time everyone says they die (50k). *knocks on wood*
The one that I am looking at has the new 3.0L as well as a new water pump at the 50k makr so I should be alright for what about another 65k since the short block was brand new from Ford and it's an 04 version of the 3.0L
i think the tranny problem is more of a worry than then oil starvation. i think oil starvation is rare, open diff, that's a whole different story. when you can afford it, get an LSD for the tranny, unless you drive like a grandma, than you won't have to worry. as for "romping" in the back seat, you better not be a big guy, i'm a fat ass (260lbs), and i can't romp in the back seat of that thing. well, i haven't tried, but i don't think it would be comfortable.
Rickabod said:
Haha who said anything about the back seat! front passenger
Name one person that has had the oil starvation on a 1999 or 2000. I haven't heard of any 99-00 SVT's with blown engines which I find very very odd. Just about every 1998 has blown it's engine. I've seen so many that I'll bet every single one will eventually die that way. The 3L swap is the only way to get around it. The 3L heads have more oil passages and the upgraded oil pans have better baffles.
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Blackcoog said:
almost 100,000 miles on mine, and not a problem yet. it's been all over the country and on and off all sorts of long curvy ramps.
Blew the motor in my 2000 SVT at 52k miles! Definitely not an early model issue. Also, DemonSVT's motor went on his 2000 SVT with I believe less miles than mine. Both of us have upgraded to the 3.0L, although two completely different swaps.
Mark
Mark
inteller said:
So you think a 3L engine looks like shit? Do you have a problem with the 3L upper intake manifold or are you just crabby? Let me dig up some pictures from one of the 4 I've done that look stock.
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