svtlover
CEG'er
Okay, decided a new thread is appropriate at this point. I've added the following comments from my last post in the "Vortech Build" thread, and I have yet more info since this last post:
Thanks for all the feedback. I've talked with some of you in the past, bought parts from some of you, I respect your opinions. I've had good success with my two Contours based in part on opinions and info from CEG. Regarding FI: Some new info since my last post: Yes, I want to DD it, but my Tour is not my only vehicle. My original idea was to get the most reliable NA performance I could - mission accomplished. But - I got the FI fever now. I've talked at length with Billy, forwarded to him my concerns regarding compression, reliability. Willing to bet many of you know him personally. He says this hybrid was built for FI - in fact, he was the one that pushed me in this direction. He assures me that it can handle up to 8psi. I talked with Vortech, and the boost level for a 2.5 would be 8 psi, but the boost for the 3.0 will of course be a little lower. Vortech says the V9 kit was designed for a stock block; however, at least from the feedback here, the Duratec just doesn't hold up to forced induction. Idk. Anyway, I've never added a s/c to any of my cars before, so this is new to me and I'm relying on opinions and whatever research I can do on my own. My opinion thus far is that the biggest problems with FI (in general) are bad tunes that run the mixture lean and/or high rpms. I think I've found a great tuner about 5 hours from me (Vancouver, WA) that has dyno'd at least one Contour (they got 211whp from a NA 2.5!). So, tune problem solved. With the 3L valves, heavy duty valve springs and Clevite rod bearings, this engine should hold up better at high rpms. Anyway, that's where I'm at so far.
Thanks for all the feedback. I've talked with some of you in the past, bought parts from some of you, I respect your opinions. I've had good success with my two Contours based in part on opinions and info from CEG. Regarding FI: Some new info since my last post: Yes, I want to DD it, but my Tour is not my only vehicle. My original idea was to get the most reliable NA performance I could - mission accomplished. But - I got the FI fever now. I've talked at length with Billy, forwarded to him my concerns regarding compression, reliability. Willing to bet many of you know him personally. He says this hybrid was built for FI - in fact, he was the one that pushed me in this direction. He assures me that it can handle up to 8psi. I talked with Vortech, and the boost level for a 2.5 would be 8 psi, but the boost for the 3.0 will of course be a little lower. Vortech says the V9 kit was designed for a stock block; however, at least from the feedback here, the Duratec just doesn't hold up to forced induction. Idk. Anyway, I've never added a s/c to any of my cars before, so this is new to me and I'm relying on opinions and whatever research I can do on my own. My opinion thus far is that the biggest problems with FI (in general) are bad tunes that run the mixture lean and/or high rpms. I think I've found a great tuner about 5 hours from me (Vancouver, WA) that has dyno'd at least one Contour (they got 211whp from a NA 2.5!). So, tune problem solved. With the 3L valves, heavy duty valve springs and Clevite rod bearings, this engine should hold up better at high rpms. Anyway, that's where I'm at so far.