Contour SVT Swap! Proj. Log!

[I <3 my ZX3]

Originally Posted by 06Roush

how u like these apples? cell phone vid

not trying to be an a-hole, but would you mind keeping this stuff in your own build thread? or at least not post it with a comment like that? It's really awesome that you've got it up and running, and i think it's awesome. But it's been hard for me to live without my car for 2+ years now and stuff like this doesn't make me feel like I'll finish my build. I realize it's not your fault, and you probably didn't mean anything by it, but it feels like it's taunting to me (yet again, I'm sure you didn't mean it that way). I'm just asking nicely, i understand my thread is mostly dead anyways, but i'll be updating it as things happen and feel like this is bordering on thread jacking.

Thanks, and best of luck finishing up the swap.

[covert1]

Ah, mystery solved, then. I was about to share those pics from the FJ thread but I guess it settles things. (00-04?) Focus base and (00-04?) focus cables it is.

Originally Posted by 06Roush

hey covery how is the zxv6 to drive? traction problems? have u had it to the track? and can u get me some pics of ur motor mounts by any chance?

The drive really isn't that bad. However, I've never had the opportunity to take this car to any drag or track day. There were many issues that had to be fixed. Lots of annoyances.

When I got the thing, the front wheel bearings were toast (this has SVT brakes all around). Even though you could clearly hear the squeaking, the damn thing passed the basic wheel tests for bearings/tie rods.

Anyway, after fixing that - the secondary problem I had was that I removed the rear seats. Still haven't aligned it, because I never drove it much at all. But with the ass end so light I got some hints of lift-off oversteer. In a straight line, it's not like I felt as if it'd never hook up. On turns from a stop, though, I had to be a little more careful.

This thing, while feeling more powerful thanks to the flat torque and shorter final drive, was nothing like my '89 Probe GT, where the damn thing could break traction while in 2nd or 3rd gear while on dry pavement.

Acceleration wise, the money gear is 2nd. With the 4.06 ratio I know I surprised many drivers who tried to do one of those "I'll beat you in the double left-turn lane so I can cut in front of you to make the very next right" moves. Someone would think that I'd have fallen back, but I could roar back up there and then they had to politely signal so that I could be merciful and let them in.

Oh, yeah - and while I don't make a habit of trying to hit rev limiters on any of my cars, I have done that the most on the V6 because of 1st and 2nd gear running out quicker than I'm accustomed.

Somewhere in the forum there might be a record of the drag times from the car. I can't recall what it is. It definitely moves from 0-80, however I found it to bog a bit while accelerating from, say, 60-85. I thought 4th gear was very uninspiring. However, 5th gear was great during long highway drives because unlike my 4-cyl ZTW, I wasn't running out of power going up and down some of the hills west of here.

Eh, I just wish I had the ability to do all this stuff over the span of 1 or 2 days. Still need to acquire an engine hoist off of craigslist and schedule whatever help I can get from friends.

What I'm not looking forward to is the wiring. It's going to be a pain in the ass because only the builders know exactly how they rigged everything up. Sure, I can just transfer it and it should (mostly) work as is, but I want to understand what is happening. Currently, I'm not sure if cruise control is there (because previously the RS wheel didn't allow this) but I'd love to know if I can just plug in a stock wheel w/cruise and have it work.

I need to know why the hell the coolant temperature indicator was initially bonkers (it'd sometimes say that the engine was overheating - when it never was) and then most recently the gauge just died after I tugged the battery cables a bit.

Then I have to understand the PATS stuff. My hope is that I can bribe a Ford tech with $$, food, beer, or computer stuff in exchange for programming the ECU for different keys.

And, of course, once I get to the nitty gritty, whatever pictures and explanations I can provide later on.

Edit; I know I should probably stick this elsewhere even though I was answering an inquiry that was posted here.

[I <3 my ZX3]

UPDATE!!!!

THREAD FROM THE DEAD!!!

hey guys, just a quick update here on the car/life.

working for Apple was amazing but it's time to get back to my FoFo. I've got AllData now so I'm going to start planning out the wiring (i obviously didn't do it right the first time) and figure out how i'm gonna handle the radiator/coolant hosing.

btw, if anyone needs anything from AllData I can certainly screen cap it for you.

the plan is to figure out what i gotta do and try and finish up my baby while I'm at home for Christmas break. I've got 3 weeks so as long as i've got a clear plan I think it's totally possible to finish this up. and then make the truly epic trek out to Cali with my new hotness.

I'm ready to be done with this project and once it's finished I'll make sure i take it to meets so you guys can check it out. and if I finish my car I'll definitely be at FocusFest.

[klodkrawler05]

Hey Man!
I get a week off from work over christmas and new year! I've also got a friends wedding and turning 21 in that time but I would be game for coming out and helping if you need a hand!

[I <3 my ZX3]

alright, sounds good. i'll let all you mi guys know when im working on deb.

[norcalfocus01]

Dude your in Cupertino now? Thats cool, when you get this thing up and running were gonna have a G2G in your honor.

[I <3 my ZX3]

well i was in Cupertino for the summer when I was working for Apple. I'm back in San Luis Obispo now, but I'm sure when my car's done I'll be willing to drive wherever.

and thanks man, that would be sick.

[Wagamos]

WOot time to get deb runnin!

[I <3 my ZX3]

it's so awesome that you guys are still cheering me on 2+ years later.

I Love FF!!!

[mikebontoft]

Yay! hell maybe now we'll get to see some GOOD video of a running V6 focus

cheers on this, can't wait to see it done! :)

[I <3 my ZX3]

just reread the thread... again.

feeling pumped up and I'm gonna start tearing through alldata to plan out my attack.

and sure I'll take some good vids, with my HD camcorder :) (gotta love sales, thing was only $70)

alright, while I'm planning this part of the project (getting the car driveable) does someone want to help me plan my trek out to Cali? and would people like me to stop along the way? i may be getting a little ahead of myself but if i finish over winter break i want a plan.

[06Roush]

hey man! glad to hear your back to workin on it!!!! if u got any questions on gettin it running if i'm able to help just ask away. i do have a question for you tho. how did you work out the half shaft issue?