zx2 v zx3

ok just lookin for some opinions here. i like the zx2 escorts. especially the 03. but i hear the focus takes better to mods. tell me what you think of the cars.

I'd go with the Escort, simply because it's cheaper and about a hundred pounds lighter. I also like the Escort's looks better than the Focus'.

i agree but the focus's aftermarket is much larger then the escort for some reason.

Probably because the Focus is so much newer, and it's still in production on top of that. It seems that me that the engine in both of them is the same. As far as suspension work, I'm not sure how much you'll find for either one here in the States.

you can find pretty much every part you could ever want for a focus.

Yes, there's less for the ZX2 because only the ZX2 (their "performance" edition) used that body style and engine while every focus used a pretty similar body and a lot of them were sold with Zetecs.

Also, if you're thinking about a new ZX3, now they come with the 2.0 Duratec, not the 2.0 Zetec.

i have a zx2, and ive driven an 02 zx3 ( i work for a garage, its a perk). to me the zx3 just feels... bubbly and top heavy compared to my zx2. but the focus is faster then me (solely because i have an atx, and the focus is a stick)

yeah they moved to the duratec a little while back. im surprized they didnt keep the zetec name (since the zetec nameplate has been used since the 80's)

the hard part that ive been trying to pick apart is the differences between the motors (that is the zetec, the vct, and the duratec) now this is my understanding (lemme know if im wrong or confused):
vct: has no egr valve, instead it uses a hydraulic system to advance and retard the exhaust cam to "leave some left overs" (it uses 5-20 oil because the thinner oil works better then the 30 that they were using... which caused the vct to act up)
zetec: no variable cam timing (which allows for both gears to be changed out) has an egr valve. same oil as vct since they are so close together
duratec: as far as i know the same as zetec... but w/ a different name... anyone got more info in the motor?

the duratec is a completely different block and is a de-stroked version of the 2.3L Duratec and is more of a Mazda design than the zetec was.

The Duratec is easily identifiable as it has the fuel system prominently sitting on top and the intake manifold in the front.

there is no motor called 'vct'

it's still a zetec, just with VCT..

VCT equipped Zetecs in the ZX2/Contours were for emissions, And cause more problems than anything.

VCT in the FSVT is for performance. (vct is on the intake cam rather than the exhaust cam)

VCT is pretty useless, in the Contours atleast (same motor as the ZX2.. Non S/R) You have huge timing problems on a regular basis.

Non-VCT zetec is still one of the best (pre 98.. excludes focus zetec)


with that said, I'd take the Focus.. ZX2 might be look a little better but the motor has a different 'sound' to it.. and I don't like it.. ;)

the duratec is a completely different block and is a de-stroked version of the 2.3L Duratec and is more of a Mazda design than the zetec was.

The Duratec is easily identifiable as it has the fuel system prominently sitting on top and the intake manifold in the front.

2.0 and 2.3L and more of a Mazda design? So is this in essence a *MORE* American Mazda?

I look at it as more a Japanese Ford, but basically.

is there a way to drop or replace the vct motor for a just zetec then? or are they that different? ive heard of some guy who spent bukoo bucks dropping in a duratec into a zx2. personnaly i dont got that kinda cash. and what about the ford crate 2.0... can that be dropped into any car (contour/escort/focus) or is it limited solely to the focus?

you can just replace the head. and a few various parts

then program the computer to run without vct.

reprogram the cpu... or will a chip do the same thing.... im not too knowledgable on the computer parts. so the best thing i can do is ask.

chip will not, you would need some sort of engine managment or make a PCM work from a Contour/Focus