what a waste

[Carpepoon]

wow the contour section of the boards sure is pathetic. Thank god for contour.org

[Buckshot77]

No arguments from me. I emailed Greg to see if he needed a moderator for this forum and never even heard back from him. You can also check out www.fordcontour.org as well.

Rick

[PhillyCobra]

I agree it's too quiet, and also check the other boards. The SVTOA board is also very quiet for my other SVT, a 2003 Cobra. I use this board mostly to communicate with my local chapter about events.

By the way, Buckshot, pushing my rear trunk vent back in did cure my leak (at least the one in my Contour). Thanks!

[Buckshot77]

Glad I could help out. Us poor Contours are just the redheaded SVT step child now! LOL

BTW, I got my car running again. I haven't gotten a full dyno tune on it yet, but at 4500 I'm pulling 210 HP and 240 TQ at the wheels. Final numbers are expected to be 330+HP and 280's TQ at the wheels. The clutch kept letting go around 4500 RPM's is the reason for the numbers I've got thus far.

If anyone is interested in my mod list, here it is:
Suspension Modifications

Koni Adjustable Struts
Eibach Lowering Springs front
H&R Lowering Springs rear
24 MM Aussie Bar- Rear Sway Bar
¼ Metal sway bar backing plates
Poly end link bushings
ES Motor Mount Insert
245/45/16 Yoko AVS Tires
5 MM spacers at rear wheels
Tubular Steel Adjustable Rear track arms
From Buckshot Motorsports
Energy Suspension Rear Control Arm, Front and Rear Sway Bar bushings
12.2” Superlite Brake kit from TCE Performance
11.25” Upgraded Rear Brake Kit from TCE Performance
Cryo Treated Brake rotors by 300 Below Inc.

Drivetrain & Performance Modifications

BNM prepped 3 liter block
SVT Cams, w/ water pump drive removed
Cunningham Chrome Molly Rods with upgraded rod bolts
Clevite 77 rod & federal mogul main bearings
Dual Mode Mondeo Damper
SHO Shop lightened Billet Flywheel
Crank Knife Edged and motor balanced by Horn Race Engines
Pistons, crank, and rods cryo treated by 300 Below Inc.
3 Liter Heads Port & Polished with multi-angle valve job by BNM
Port matched UIM and LIM
RAM Clutches Kevlar Pucked clutch and HD pressure plate
2000 Model Year Transmission
HMS Inc. Mark III transmission update w/ full lube system & Zetec Final Drive Ratio
Quaife LSD installed by HMS Inc
Driveshaft Shop level III CV shafts
Cryo treated wheel hubs and studs
42 lb Ford Racing Injectors
MSD DIS-4 ignition Control
Water Injection Kit
Accusump 2 qt accumulator
Remote mount oil filter
Apex-I SAFC
Ford 9MM Plug Wires
B & M short Shifter
75 MM Pro-Flow MAF
65 MM Throttle Body
2.5” True Dual Exhaust w/ Magnaflow race series mufflers and crossover
Custom 1.75” Nickel Plated headers by MSDS Inc
Vortech Supercharger w/ upgraded shaft and 2.87” pulley
Custom water to air intercooler by Buckshot Motorsports
Autometer Phantom gauges including A/F Ratio, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and 5” monster tach w/shift light.
4 point Safety Harness
Dual Honed SVT upper intake
Trunk mounted battery

Aesthetic Modifications

BNM Polished stainless sill protectors
Removed door ding guards
Foglights run w/o head lights
BNM Indiglo Gauges & HVAC Panel
Powdercoating of Various engine pieces by BNM
Billet Pedal Kit including dead pedal
15% window tint
Body color matched grilles at all locations
Painted SVT Emblem at hood grille
Custom Front Fender Badging
SSR GT1 series 16” Rims
PIAA 510 Driving Lights
Front Splitter by Mirko Racing

Sponsors

Brad Noon Motorsports
Buckshot Motorsports
Cunningham Rods
MSDS Inc.
RAM Clutches
TCE Performance
300 Below Inc.
Wolfe’s Auto Body





Rick

[PhillyCobra]

Wow!

Hope you like torque steer!!!

[Buckshot77]

It's not quite as bad as one might expect. More often than not it will break the tires loose before torque steer becomes an issue! LOL I haven't had a chance to give it a full run yet to see how everything pans out, but I'm looking forward to it in the next couple weeks.

Rick

[Steve Bassen]

Glad to hear you've got the car running, Rick! What kind of setup are you going to use for tuning the ECM?

[Buckshot77]

Steve, you're still alive huh?! LOL. The car has been dyno tuned by Fordchip.com. They gave me a best guess based on where the car was at when the clutch started letting go. It's getting re-tuned the day before the SVT Experience kicks off in Michigan. You coming over for that? I'm running Waterford Hills thursday and Milan on Friday.

Rick

[Steve Bassen]

LOL, yeah, I'm still alive. Sounds like you've got everything figured out good for your car, can't wait to hear what kind of numbers you put down! Unfortunitly, I won't be making it to the SVT Experience this year. There's always next year, of course. Good luck with the car!

[Green SVT]

Originally posted by Carpepoon
wow the contour section of the boards sure is pathetic. Thank god for contour.org
Sad but true. Locally, you can't get a CSVT to show up to anything. The few times I see them on the street, I try to get their attention and they snub me.
I've invited some to join the SVTOA and they never show up. Having a rare car is great and all, but sometimes, running into a CSVT enthusiast would be nice.

-R-

[svtx2]

I just bought 1998 Contour #2195. It has alot of miles, but is very strong. I had just stopped buy a local dealership to look at an '00 Lightning when I saw it parked in the back. I asked about it and gave it a test drive and was very impressed. I had never driven one. After working on the price I bought it.
Hope to have pictures up soon.
Looking for mild upgrades to do, any suggestions?
Now that I have 3 SVT's I may have to change my name to svtx3!!! :spinem:

[Steve Bassen]

It's been awhile, but let's see if I can still remember the basics.... :D

DMD (Dual Mass Dampener), basically an improved OEM harmonic dampener for the Duratec motor. Quells some nasty harmonics up top compared to the pre2000 damper and helps extend crank life (among other things). Available from batinc.net

K&N drop-in filter (duh)

Energy Suspension motor mount insert (gets rid of lots of slop in the front motor mount)

If the suspension's worn out, I'd go for the BAT European Handling Kit. Slightly firmer struts/springs, but doesn't lower the car too much. Also, if the front a-arm bushings are worn out, you can get OEM replacements (with fresh bushings and ball joints) from BAT as well.

MSDS makes headers and a y-pipe for like $500 or something (been a long time since I checked), that will free up a couple HP. Borla and Bassani make catbacks, but if you want the car somewhat quiet for daily driving, be careful there. The Bassani setup is loud and drones (even with the resonator inserts in), to the point where I had a bullet style 12" resonator welded in. The Borla setup is a bit mellower, and doesn't drone. A cheaper solution would be to replace the main muffler (located before the rear Y) with something a bit less restrictive, such as an Edlebrock or Dynomax straight-through design muffler. Just be careful of the size, as the factory one is something like 8x4x18.

If you're tired of the shifter's long throws, replace it with a B&M Edge. Just make sure that the vendor has a return policy, as some 98.0 cars have had issues with them fitting correctly. Also, if the tranny is difficult to shift, pick up 3 quarts of the Ford MTX75 tranny fluid.

If your car is high mileage, you might consider picking up some intake manifold gaskets, pulling the upper intake, and cleaning the hell out of it with some TB cleaner. There's a ton of gunk buildup, especially in the secondary intake runners.

Well, that's a start, anyways. I've been out of the Contour realm for over a year now, so these other guys should be able to tell you a bit more. Got any specific questions about the car?

[Buckshot77]

Pretty much right on with everything Steve. You can have the throttle body optimized at www.BuckshotMotorsports.com :tmb: . Plugs and wires are always a good replacement choice for driveability. Clean out the secondaries is a good one as well since you mention higher miles. There are several upgraded brake kits available. Anything from just some stainless lines to a full caliper and rotor upgrade available from www.tceperformanceproducts.com :spinem: . Beyond that you get into expensive mods like forced induction and aesthetic mods. Need any help or direction just ask.

Thanks,
Rick

[svtx2]

Thanks for help guys! I bought the k&n filter first, and ordering plug wires this week (motorsport 9mm). Any suggestions on plugs?
Does anyone know where the factor amp is located? The car had a system in it but it was removed, I got a new head unit but I can't get the speakers to work. I think the amp was bypassed, but I am not sure.
At buckshotmotorsports what do they do to the throttlebody?
Does any one know where to get a good used set of headlights? Mine are yellowed and I want clearer ones. The dealer wants 160-200 a piece!
Again thanks for the help, I know I will have more questions since I am used to my v8's not v6's!!!:tmb:

[Steve Bassen]

Factory amp is located behind the glove box, just remove a couple trim plugs and pull the bottom cover off and you'll see it.

You can get replacement headlights from batinc.net. Just goto the Contour page and download the PDF, it has a TON of stuff in it. The headlights they've got are $125 a piece. They aren't genuine Ford pieces, but are supposed to be OEM quality.

[Buckshot77]

SVTx2, I optimize the stock throttle body. Basically the ones on the car have a thick leading edge on the TB, and some other ridges, and obstructions that lead to a lower airflow speed through the TB. By optimizing it, we smooth out as many of the restrictions as possible to assist in better flow through the TB. I offer this on a core charge basis.

Rick

[svtx2]

Thanks Buckshot77. How long is the turn around time on getting it back, and how much? I don't want to be without the car for too long.
I love driving it!
As I look at some different web sites I keep finding more things I want to do to the car.
:tmb:
I want to get a b & m shifter for it but can't find out whether the reverse lockout will work with it. I like the feature but I do't have to have it. My cobra doesn't have it and I have never had a problem.
Does any one know if there was a recall on the paint, mine has little lines in it on the roof and sides.
Again thanks for all the help!!
I love this car, now I just have to figure out how to split my time between all three!!!!
:tmb:

[Buckshot77]

I beleive there was an issue with the early 98 cars and the reverse lockout not working correctly with the B&M, but the proble is easily solved as you can file down the shifter tower of the lockout piece easily and just leave it in place. Mine works fine without it.

As far as turnaround time goes, I do a core exchange program. It takes about two weeks for me to get one done up and shipped out. Cost is $60 shipped plus a refundable $115 for the core charge. As long as you return the core within 30 days of receipt of your optimized TB the core will be refunded in full.

Thanks,
Rick