Who would you rather?

Or rather: What would you rather?

I am seriously considering doing a V6 ZX2 swap. I have a line on a decent non running 2002 chassis.

The obvious choice for motivation is the KL engine/trans from the Probe and the engine mounts from the MX3.

Is there any benefit in considering using the 2.5L/3.0L Ford Contour/Taurus engine and manual transmission?

I can get them for the same price but understand I would need to fabricate mounts.

Thoughts?

don't use the 2.5 engine.

Is the zetec usable?

Gosh man, the Zetec was the only thing I liked about that car...

Absolutely not. Stick with the KL.

(Edit) Alright, i'll give more info.

Don't use the Probe engine, either. Get a Millenia KL. It's got the stronger KLDE bottom end goodness, with KLZE heads, just with a slightly weaker cams. Higher compression than the normal KLDE, lower compression than the KLZE. Drop in the KLZE cams and enjoy a nice power increase.

Bonus: They're still cheap, and you're easily looking at 30 more HP, which will go a long way in an Escort.

We're planning on going whole hog on ours and going with a JDM KLZE, but if that falls through (don't know why, they're stupid cheap), then a Millenia KL will step in.

Bonus points if you can fit the funky supercharged motor in there.

Ross of Nine wrote: Is the zetec usable?

No engine or transmission in the car.

93celicaGT2 wrote: Absolutely not. Stick with the KL. (Edit) Alright, i'll give more info. Don't use the Probe engine, either. Get a Millenia KL. It's got the stronger KLDE bottom end goodness, with KLZE heads, just with a slightly weaker cams. Higher compression than the normal KLDE, lower compression than the KLZE. Drop in the KLZE cams and enjoy a nice power increase. Bonus: They're still cheap, and you're easily looking at 30 more HP, which will go a long way in an Escort. We're planning on going whole hog on ours and going with a JDM KLZE, but if that falls through (don't know why, they're stupid cheap), then a Millenia KL will step in. Bonus points if you can fit the funky supercharged motor in there.

The only reason why I am even remotely considering the other V6 is the modified 3.0L SVT Contour conversion.

I know of a rear hit Probe already as well.

John Brown wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote: Absolutely not. Stick with the KL. (Edit) Alright, i'll give more info. Don't use the Probe engine, either. Get a Millenia KL. It's got the stronger KLDE bottom end goodness, with KLZE heads, just with a slightly weaker cams. Higher compression than the normal KLDE, lower compression than the KLZE. Drop in the KLZE cams and enjoy a nice power increase. Bonus: They're still cheap, and you're easily looking at 30 more HP, which will go a long way in an Escort. We're planning on going whole hog on ours and going with a JDM KLZE, but if that falls through (don't know why, they're stupid cheap), then a Millenia KL will step in. Bonus points if you can fit the funky supercharged motor in there.

The only reason why I am even remotely considering the other V6 is the modified 3.0L SVT Contour conversion. I know of a rear hit Probe already as well.

That seems like a lot of work when the KL is pretty much drop in once you get the other OEM parts from the other cars. How much power would that motor make, how would it mount, and how would the weight compare?

Currently weighs a little less. The CSVT 3.0L conversion on E85 could make 250hp with a 3" pipe and 75mm MAF, more with a stock Taurus 3.0L engine with two turbos (a la Noble) I heard from a little rabbit that there may be an OE quality twin turbo 3.5L setup that could be mounted up at a later date that makes over 350hp...

Way cool project.

I'd use which ever engine is lighter. I wouldn't care about +/- the last 20 hp, but 20, 30 or 40 lb's basicaly in front of the front wheels I would care about. Next up would be which trans has the cheaperst most readily available lsd.

Wasn't there a Cougar equipped with a factory LSD?

John Brown wrote: Currently weighs a little less. The CSVT 3.0L conversion on E85 could make 250hp with a 3" pipe and 75mm MAF, more with a stock Taurus 3.0L engine with two turbos (a la Noble) I heard from a little rabbit that there may be an OE quality twin turbo 3.5L setup that could be mounted up at a later date that makes over 350hp...

I'm not sure if you'd want a turbo in addition to a V6 driving the front wheels of one of these.

Youtube KLZE Turbo Protege, and you'll see what i mean. That's only 5psi.

As for LSD, i think you can still use the G-series transmission in the swap. (i THINK) MFactory makes a nice budget LSD for that transmission. You can also use a Kia hybrid setup to use a Mazdaspeed LSD.

93celicaGT2 wrote: I'm not sure if you'd want a turbo in addition to a V6 driving the front wheels of one of these.

You're right I wouldn't... I would want two.

John Brown wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote: I'm not sure if you'd want a turbo in addition to a V6 driving the front wheels of one of these.

You're right I wouldn't... I would want two.

You know... even before i came back in here, i knew you would have said that.

I'm here to be the voice of reason and tell you that the car would be useless for anything other than drag racing with wrinklewalls, and for LOLWANNARACEFROMAROLLOLOLOL!!!!

But i hope you don't listen.

Don't forget about installing temp spares and doing 30 second burn outs ;)

Actually the rear hit Probe came down to $300.00 so I am probably spending my allowance on it this week.

Waiting for the dude to call me to set up time for a pick up.

John Brown wrote: Actually the rear hit Probe came down to $300.00 so I am probably spending my allowance on it this week. Waiting for the dude to call me to set up time for a pick up.

Noice!

Do me a favor and post a detailed build log somewhere.

It's nice of you to start and pave the way for me.

What about a Taurus SHO engine? The Yamaha V6...

CLNSC3 wrote: What about a Taurus SHO engine? The Yamaha V6...

Too much work, and it's a physically HUGE motor compared to the KL.

The guy with the Probe hasn't returned any calls since I said I would be out there at 9 this morning.

Flakes are for corn people.

John Brown wrote: The guy with the Probe hasn't returned any calls since I said I would be out there at 9 this morning. Flakes are for corn people.

And craigslist, don't forget craigslist.

Oh, and for friends that say that they'll help you out working on a car for an hour or two.

He must not care that much about the money. Just find it and tow it out of there. He'll thank you later.

Why not throw a 13B in it

ROTARY_X_7 wrote: Why not throw a 13B in it

There have been RWD conversions done on BG chassis escorts, with BPs in them. One of them was yellow and was making stupid power. It would just be one more step to put some triangles in there, huh?

93celicaGT2 wrote: Get a Millenia KL. It's got the stronger KLDE bottom end goodness, with KLZE heads, just with a slightly weaker cams. Higher compression than the normal KLDE, lower compression than the KLZE. Drop in the KLZE cams and enjoy a nice power increase.

That's good to know! That certainly helps with the flow of ideas.