I'm irritated at the lack of aftermarket for 2.0L/2.3L Ford Duratecs

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCE
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JCE3000GT
I'm probably going to swap out the drivers seat for something from a European automaker...probably Audi or Merc. They tend to have the most comfy of German seats.
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I would think it makes more sense to just get a racing seat instead, and don't say they arn't comfy. When they are made right, they fit like a glove and feel perfect.
 
To jump this thread back on track.

Japanse cars are for driving.
Most German cars are for looking at. The Focus is a German car. Built in Europe. For European roads. Loved by Britain because of it's handling capabilities.
Now, if you already drive a German car, and like it's quality, and so on, I would have a tip for you.
Get yourself a Golf Mk III, maybe in VR6 guise. In VR6, 2.8 litres is all you need. Convert it to Jetta front, orange indicators, black head lamps, etc.
Or, get a Golf, smallest engine, do the same exterior mods that I just said, add the VR6 lip, then buy an Eagle Talon TSI AWD/Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX. The 4G63 engine is really ease to mod and tune, Buschur Racing for example, many American tuners. And if you like Euro-style, and love American cars with power and the reliability of the Japanese, an Eclipse with the 4G63 also seen in the Evo VIII, would be perfect. Golf as daily driver/show off, Eclipse/Talon to go.
 
eiriksmil
To jump this thread back on track.

Japanse cars are for driving.
Most German cars are for looking at. The Focus is a German car. Built in Europe. For European roads. Loved by Britain because of it's handling capabilities.
Now, if you already drive a German car, and like it's quality, and so on, I would have a tip for you.
Get yourself a Golf Mk III, maybe in VR6 guise. In VR6, 2.8 litres is all you need. Convert it to Jetta front, orange indicators, black head lamps, etc.
Or, get a Golf, smallest engine, do the same exterior mods that I just said, add the VR6 lip, then buy an Eagle Talon TSI AWD/Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX. The 4G63 engine is really ease to mod and tune, Buschur Racing for example, many American tuners. And if you like Euro-style, and love American cars with power and the reliability of the Japanese, an Eclipse with the 4G63 also seen in the Evo VIII, would be perfect. Golf as daily driver/show off, Eclipse/Talon to go.
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Actually German cars are first for driving then to be looked at. :sly: But I do see where you are coming from and you do make a good arguement. But, if I were going to get a German car (doubtful right now due to lack of funds--and Mustangs are cheap power) it would most likely be a used S4 (previous gen), TT V6, or a 3-series coupe (previous gen).

If I were to want another Mitsubishi product it would be another VR4. I dislike Eclipses with a passion almost as much as I hate Civics. 👍
 
JCE3000GT
Actually German cars are first for driving then to be looked at. :sly: But I do see where you are coming from and you do make a good arguement. But, if I were going to get a German car (doubtful right now due to lack of funds--and Mustangs are cheap power) it would most likely be a used S4 (previous gen), TT V6, or a 3-series coupe (previous gen).

If I were to want another Mitsubishi product it would be another VR4. I dislike Eclipses with a passion almost as much as I hate Civics. 👍
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Let me guess why you dislike Civics and Eclipses. Because of the tendency to ruin the looks with bad looking bodykits? I'm getting an Evo I (4G63) in a few years, and I'm not going to do a thing with the exterior. Let it rust, let the paint look bad and dirty, etc. I'm just going to build my engine to around 400 whp. That'll do for a while, I guess ;)
So I just thought you could have one racer and one looker.. Mustangs are cheap power (at least for Americans), but I feel they neither have the looks, quality, durability or the presence of European/Japanese cars. The new, allright. The old, 67 Fastback, give it to me! But, I've got no or little feeling with the Mustangs from the '80s to 2005. As a lover of everything on 4 wheels, it's probably an okay car. It's no real 'Stang, though ;)
Lack of funds? A cheap dub or another Eurocar doesn't cost that much, and what Euros have in common, is that it's cheap and easy to get them tasteful! :)
Just some tips from my side, of course. No "You do that, you do this". But hey, "Variety Is The Spice Of Life", or what? :)
 
If you get such great prices on used Fords and you would like one (seems you do) then its probably best nice one to turn up. Wont to wait for a have any problems with aftermarket then. :)

What ever you do good luck.


Sniffs
most american made 4 pots are still pushrod jobs aren't they?
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Nope.
 
I've not read the whole of this thread (slaps the back of his own wrist, naughty Cracker, bad Cracker) so excuse me if its already been mentioned.

Cosworth, that slightly famous Ford engine tuner, do a fair range of performance mods for the Duratec engine:

http://www.cosworth.com/search.php (search for Duratec obviously)


...a fairly comprehensive list of options.
 
Agreed, Cosworth are probably your best bet here they offer an awful lot of tuning for Ford cars and engines, or you can just by a completely new engine from them :), can you imagine somoene asking what engine your car has, "it's a Cosworth engine" oh yeah.
 
And thats why audi brought them, and out came the RS4 engine along with theyre expertise in some of the other engines too. RS4 most notably though :)

The 2.0T comes with forged pistons as stock ;)

Really? I haven't seen that too terribly much really. Yes it gets mentioned but honestly I don't see any headlines "100HP/liter!!!! monster!!!!!" However cars like Lingenfelters Vettes, Hennesseys Vipers, and the monster Supras out there make huge media splashes and always end up on the cover of two or three magazines with headlines like "WORLDS FASTEST STREET CAR!!!" or "1000HP MONSTER".

Honestly, if you don't think 1000hp is impressive I have to question your knowledge for cars. 1000hp is amazing in any car or engine, no matter the size.

hp/liter is seriously a ricer trump card when talking smack about their cars. You are better then that aren't you?
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LOL firstly those tuner cars are assisted via a turbo, hell most turbo cars go way over 100hp/liter. So no its not impressive at all. However we are talking stock NA here, and that is impressive, especially from the RS4 unit as 90% of the torque is availabe at 2250rpm, unlike most other NA 100hp/liter which need to be in high revs to get the best out of them.

Seriously though 1000hp is nothing, if your still impressed by that, well then I suppose it will still be a few years untill you see the light. Anyone with enough money can get 1000hp out of nearly any engine, but the things that dont get tested in those magazines is reliability and the power curves for every day driveability.

Back in the 80's bmw got 1500hp out of a 1.5 litre engine. Audi developed a 2.2litre 5 cylinder 1000hp engine for theyre Ur Quattro rally car. That is impressive, and if you think that it doesnt require alot more skill to get big power out of a small engine, than it does with a big engine your sadly mistaken.

So I have to question your knoweldge of cars as 1000hp has been done, over and over and over and over. Quite frankly im bored to death by it.
 
Poverty
And thats why audi brought them, and out came the RS4 engine along with theyre expertise in some of the other engines too. RS4 most notably though :)

The 2.0T comes with forged pistons as stock ;)



LOL firstly those tuner cars are assisted via a turbo, hell most turbo cars go way over 100hp/liter. So no its not impressive at all. However we are talking stock NA here, and that is impressive, especially from the RS4 unit as 90% of the torque is availabe at 2250rpm, unlike most other NA 100hp/liter which need to be in high revs to get the best out of them.

Seriously though 1000hp is nothing, if your still impressed by that, well then I suppose it will still be a few years untill you see the light. Anyone with enough money can get 1000hp out of nearly any engine, but the things that dont get tested in those magazines is reliability and the power curves for every day driveability.

Back in the 80's bmw got 1500hp out of a 1.5 litre engine. Audi developed a 2.2litre 5 cylinder 1000hp engine for theyre Ur Quattro rally car. That is impressive, and if you think that it doesnt require alot more skill to get big power out of a small engine, than it does with a big engine your sadly mistaken.

So I have to question your knoweldge of cars as 1000hp has been done, over and over and over and over. Quite frankly im bored to death by it.
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1000hp is still the "it" number for tuners. I agree we are rapidly moving towards 1500-2000hp as the new "it" number but I still think for now 1000hp is a significant achievement and it's not as easy as you think. We are just now seeing supercars at the 1000hp level so I would hardly say it's boring. I don't know though, maybe you get to be around 1000hp monsters all day. I don't and I think 99.9% of us do either. Sorry I am not as cool as you. All bow to Poverty he doesn't think 1000hp is impressive. Ohh I am amazed by your vast knowledge of cars and tuning.
 
Tuner 1000hp = Undriveable, unreliable.

Manufacturer backed 1000hp = Everything the tuner 1000hp is not. (few exceptions)
 
I agree with the kid from Oslo on the whole VR6-powered Vee-Dub, but thats just me. It would be interesting to see what your insurance dealer would have to say in a difference between an MKIV GLI VR6 versus a Mustang GT.

Its too bad they never sold the 4MOTION version of the Jetta "Bora" here, as that would be perfect for what you're looking for.
 
TheCracker
I've not read the whole of this thread (slaps the back of his own wrist, naughty Cracker, bad Cracker) so excuse me if its already been mentioned.

Cosworth, that slightly famous Ford engine tuner, do a fair range of performance mods for the Duratec engine:

http://www.cosworth.com/search.php (search for Duratec obviously)


...a fairly comprehensive list of options.
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Costs too much money to get little gain. I could buy a 2003 Mustang GT or 2001 Cobra to out perform my Focus with the full Cossy treatment...and it would probably cost the same as just buying another car. While I LIKE Cosworth...I just can't afford dropping $$$$ in a car just in performance most of which will void my extended warranty and would still be FWD and automatic.

YSSMAN
It would be interesting to see what your insurance dealer would have to say in a difference between an MKIV GLI VR6 versus a Mustang GT.

Its too bad they never sold the 4MOTION version of the Jetta "Bora" here, as that would be perfect for what you're looking for.
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The Mustang GT is actually barely more insurance than my Focus. It's in the same price range insurance-wise as the GTO. And I don't want FWD or AWD, I'm more interested in RWD.
 
Ya know what would be a good find would be an old BMW M-Coupe, as the 1999 models should be going for $14-16K in most places. If you can deal with the looks (I liked them, a lot of people didn't), you would be getting yourself one of the greatest sleepers made in the past decade, and one of the most unique cars ever sold in the US.
 
HA...you can't get a Golf too easy around here...despite the Volks dealer nearby, which is the ONLY european importer for 50 miles. the only other thing we hve is ONE honda dealership, an one toyota dealership. even to get a Suby around here you have to go at LEAST 30 miles/50 KM south...unless you want a late eighties legacy Wagon, or a very beat up Justy.

i can give you guys the number right now of a place that has a couple dozen old porsches and Jag XJ's sitting around gathering dust that could be good for parts.
 
YSSMAN
Ya know what would be a good find would be an old BMW M-Coupe, as the 1999 models should be going for $14-16K in most places. If you can deal with the looks (I liked them, a lot of people didn't), you would be getting yourself one of the greatest sleepers made in the past decade, and one of the most unique cars ever sold in the US.
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Unfortunately anything non-Ford that's over 5 years old will be next to impossible for me to finance. 1999-2001 Mustangs could qualify as Certified Pre-Owned which would give me a warranty and better a Ford Motor Credit loan. I've always liked all of the M cars but unless I'm paying cash for one I'd rather not get one just to turn around and modify it. Can you imagine the cost vs modding a BMW vs Modding the Mustang while making payments on it? Double the $$$ if not more. Oh and I'm pretty sure the insurance will be much higher too. :ouch:
 
Oh yeah, I have a pretty good grasp of how expensive those damn German cars can get.

...Atleast modifications on a late-model Fox-Body can turn the car into something different for less than $2500...
 
True, for even $1000 a stock 1999-2004 Mustang GT is a completely different animal by far. And $2500 would make it quite fast...it would almost be rediculously fast for such a low amount spent. Hell I know from the old 302ci V8's that $3000 makes it a great drag car with some serious stret cred.
 

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