focinite wrote:Patalrob wrote:What is it that is wronge with the 2.5L other than its cheaper to replace it with the 3.0 and the 3.0 is cheap HP over the 2.5?
the svt bone stock in a focus will out run a stock svt contour no prollem. an svt will out run a 3.0dohc taurus no prollem. but a focus with a 3.0 dohc, that may be tire shreder! but the extra weight will upset the good balance of the focus, if you look where the mounts are the are more forword than the ztec, i found out why the stock ztec pass side and trans mounts dont work with the svt 4cyl, the svt mounts actually move the engine/trans about an inch and a half twords the fire wall. i just think if you were to build a drag focus this would be the way to go before the rear drive kit. if a 5 speed bolts to it, then a 6 speed bolts to it you just gotta figure out the fly wheel and clutch, whitch with the getreg being poiletless , should make it easier. dont know it seems like alot of work, when you coulda swapped a svt four cyl in there and put boost to it saved weight and been quicker in the long run.

Pat, the 2.5L has a reputation for not draining oil properly from the cylinder heads back to the pan. Supposedly running one around long sweeping right turns you can run the pan dry (all stuck in the heads). I'm not sure how valid that claim actually is, but a lot of people do blow them up - whether from abuse/negligence or engine flaws who knows. I've never blown one up, the Cougar I bought had a bad engine but it was definitely a negligence issue on that one. Tyler blew his up but it was definitely abuse
As far as the SVT focus vs SVT contour, I'm not sure what you mean. A stock SVT contour is faster than a stock SVT focus in a line. Unless you are referring to the Focus with an SVT 2.5L, since shaving 500lbs when keeping the same HP would definitely produce a faster car.
As for balance, that can't be much of a factor. The Zetec and Duratec mount up about the same in the Contours and neither has a distinct handling advantage. Contrary to what you might think, the Duratec 3.0L is light (all aluminum baby). It's as light if not lighter than a 2.5L, same dimensions just a bigger bore as Tyler mentioned. So the weight difference between a cast iron zetec and a 2.5L/3.0L duratec is NOT much. I can't find any actual numbers to back that up, but they're supposed to be pretty close in weight. Especially if you were adding turbo, intercooler, piping to the zetec.
If someone WERE to do this swap, I would stick with the MTX transmission. There is no reason to pay more and spend way more time forcing in a getrag when the MTX is plenty capable with an upgraded diff and has plenty of clutch/flywheel options. Not to mention you can actually buy parts for the MTX if you were to break something. You could easily put down 210whp out of an NA 3L, the wiring/mounting would be the less fun part.