FAQ - Read this first - what engines will fit my car?

[CougarGT]

These 2001-2002 3.0L DOHC Duratec Engines will work:
-Ford Taurus
-Mercury Sable
-Ford Escape
-Mazda Tribute

These 2003-2005 3.0L DOHC Duratec Engines also work: (preferred over above years)
*Changes from above years: oil separator/PCV system removed from between heads and integrated into valve covers, larger cooling passages for better cooling, different intake manifold, COP added, etc.
-Ford Taurus
-Mercury Sable
-Ford Escape/ Mercury Mariner
-Mazda Tribute

-For those looking at the higher hp 3L motors, these engines will NOT work: (Ford Fusion, Jaguar X type, Jaguar S Type, Mazda 6, 03+ Lincoln LS, 09+ Escape/Mariner, etc.) These motors use some form of VVT to boost power and this is why they are not compatible with the Cougar/Contour. They could probably work with some custom wiring and ECU from the donor engine but generally this is thought of as a huge waste of time. I'd suggest you steer clear of them.

-The 06-08 Escape, 05+ Freestyle, 04+ Ford 500 3L motors run the water pump off of the front exhaust cam creating issues with the Cougar/Contour crossover tube and prevents the use of the 2.5L valve cover on the front head. The heads also have extra valve cover bolt holes in them even though a rear 2.5L cover does fit and bolt down to the rear 3L head it won't seal because of the other bolt hole that the 3L cover/head has. On the 06-08 Escape 3L's the oil cap on the front valve cover sits too high for the Cougar/Contour hoods and would need to be modified if used. The valve covers sit too high for the 2.5L intakes (ported 3L build) but can be cut down and welded back. I'd suggest skipping these motors because it is a big pain (I've done it and it isn't fun). For a full 3L build using a 3L intake it wouldn't be as much of a pain but the other years would still be easier to use.

-The 2000-2002 Lincoln LS did have a 3L motor without VVT. In 2000-2001 the engine was rated at 210hp and 205ftlbs. In 2002 it was bumped up to 220hp and 215ftlbs. The reason for the increase in hp in these motors is due to the direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) tappets vs the roller finger followers (RFF) used in the 200hp 3L motors. Unfortunately being a Lincoln the used motors prices are very high and nobody to my knowledge has tried one so I'm not sure if there are any issues to prevent the use of these motors. You will pay nearly double the cost for a LS motor vs a Taurus/Sable motor and in the end you only get 10-20hp so I don't think it's worth the time and money for the little gain you get.

*Note 1: The Escape/Tribute motors (all years) already have the correct timing cover (01-02 Cougar style) and engine mount so these are preferred but usually cost more from the junkyard. On the Taurus/Sable motors these parts need to be swapped over from your old 2.5L.

*Note 2: The earlier 3L's previous to 2000 had lots of variations. The heads were all split port like the 2.5L's, the water pump was not driven off the cam, and the intakes were aluminum and split port. The 2000 model year was a mix of split/oval/waterpump cam so it's better to stay away from them. Look only for 2001+ motors.

*Note 3: While Ford did produce the Ford Taurus in 2006 it was only in Canada or as a fleet vehicle in the US so there won't be many of those 3L motors floating around. I suspect they are the same as the 2003-2005 3L's so they would work perfectly fine.

*Note 4: Everything above remains true unless you choose a hybrid 3l motor which uses a 3L block and 2.5L heads. I don't believe the 3L blocks are different from any 3L Duratec motor or at least different enough to prevent you from using your 2.5L heads and installing it into your Cougar/Contour. Some passages need to be plugged on the 3L block when going with a hybrid build which may vary depending on the 3L block you use.

*Note 5: Be careful when searching for 3L information. There is a lot of incorrect information on wiki and other sites.

Any other motor which isn't listed above (3.5L Duratec, 3.7 Duratec, Ecoboost engine, SHO motor, any V8) will NOT fit so don't ask!

More info on types of 3L builds can be found here.

[CougarGT]

3.0L and 3.2L SHO Yamaha Engines WILL NOT FIT!

[CougarGT]

Originally posted by: gamiller
why won't this 1996 Duratec fit??? The upper looks the same as on this 1998 UIM.

Transmission bolt pattern does not match the mtx-75.

[gamiller]

Originally posted by Terry Haines at FordContour.org

The pre 2000 Taurus has ally uim/lim and IMRC and can me modded for a 'straight swap'*The Post 2000 Taurus has plastic lim/uim and returnless fuel,better oval intake ports etc and needs more mods to fuel rail,UIM etc *The LS DOES NOT have the same cam set up or cylinder heads of ANY previous 3.0,the heads do not have the same chamber or roof angle as other(Taurus) heads,the cams are direct acting Vs finger followers,the cooling system flows etc are not the same,the cam covers and front timing case is not the same (cant use the 2.5 parts at all)The FEAD needs extensive redesign,the fuel system is returnless and has extensive mods,the lim is not the same as the plastic 2000+Taurus LIM,the UIM needs extensive mods. The LS IS a basic Jag 3.0 X type and an X type can be modded as an LS and will fit.For LS & Jag extensive head mods are required.....So dont be fooled by some of the BS around the web.....I have ALL these engines in various stages of mod....the package study and redesign parts have all been evaluated and 'in process'....my info and database on the Taurus,LS & Jag Duratecs is EXTENSIVE...as are MY HMS Inc modded parts designs........this can be done but it is NOT a weekend task.

[DemonSVT]

Escape/Tribute engine comes with:
Usable oil pan. Minimum YL8E revision but even the prefered 3M4Z if you get a new enough engine.
New YL8Z pickup tube needed for 01+ main studs.
Same or newer Crank Damper.
Newer P/S Pump and lighter pulley.
Usable pre-cats with a better log design. (If not using headers)
et cetera...

BTW the engine itself is the exact same as any other 3L oval port Duratec.

[seven]

Originally posted by: PuckPuck
1999-2003 3.0L DOHC Duratec Engines only from the following vehicles swap with fairly little work.

Ford Taurus
Mercury Sable
Ford Escape
Mazda Tribute

1999-2003 3.0L DOHC Duratec Engines only from the following vehicles swap with some extra customizations needed

Lincoln LS
Jaguar S-Type
Mazda 6

Specs:

2000 Ford Taurus - 3.0-liter 24v V6
· Horsepower (hp @ rpm):200 @ 5750
· Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):200 @ 4500

2003 Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable – 3.0-liter 24v V6
· Horsepower (hp @ rpm):200 @ 5650
· Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):200 @ 4400

2003 Ford Escape – 3.0-liter 24v V6
· Horsepower (hp @ rpm):201 @ 5900
· Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):196 @ 4700

2003 Mazda Tribute – 3.0-liter 24v V6
· Horsepower (hp @ rpm):200 @ 6000
· Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):200 @ 4750




More Work…


2003 Lincoln LS -- 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve V6 *Correction - Thanks GMK***
· Horsepower (hp @ rpm):232 @ 6750
· Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):220 @ 4500

2003 Jaguar S-Type -- 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve V6
· Horsepower (hp @ rpm):240 @ 6000
· Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): ????

[StealthyWeasel]

For which years do the SVT Cams switch in with no extra work?

[Blackcoog]

For which years do the SVT Cams switch in with no extra work?

The SVT cams will swap in to any 01-05 3L that fits which is listed in the top post. Earlier Taurus/Sable engines didn't have the water pump on the cam so the cams would not swap into those motors unless you chopped part of the cam off.

[BigBalledOX]

It shouldn't have to be locked.

I just don't understand why this is so hard to comprehend.

If anyone is searching like they claim they are, then they will find the ONLY engine that is easily transplanted in to our cars is the Duratec. Or, at the very least, they will find that NO OTHER FREAKING ENGINE HAS EVER BEEN PUT IN OUR CAR FOR STREET APPLICATION.

Logic and process of elimination dictates that, if searching for answers turns up no results, it hasn't been done. And if it hasn't been done, then there is a reason for it.

Its just mind boggling, I mean, what needs to happen, a thread that lists all of the engines that WON'T fit in the Cougar? There's just no reason for the "Will such and such engine fit my car?" posts.

The simple answer is, if its not a 3L Duratec, it won't fit barring fabrication of an insane level, and if you choose to engage in such a project, you do so knowing you are breaking completely new ground and that these forums will likely be of very little help to you.

[DanG]

I HIGHLY prefer Escape engines. They don't have crazy balancer spacer/pullies and you avoid the 2000MY "Frankenengine"- A bastardized mix of injector sizes, intakes, water pumps, etc. Stay away!

2001-2004 Escape engines, though some recommend against '03 and '04 engines due to possible zircon contamination left over from the casting of the block.

2005+ Duratecs have cast cranks, not forged.

I always use '01 and '02 motors. Lower mileage the better, but you can always have the cylinders honed and install new rings. Clevite rod bearings are a MUST, Clevite main bearings are a really good idea.

ATX- You have a '99, so you need a '99 ATX. It's specific to your build date, which is stamped on your driver's side door. Make sure you have this handy when calling junkyards.

All CD4Es will bolt to the 3L block. Don't worry.

Install a trans cooler regardless of the engine you're hooking it to. These slushboxes are iffy as it is- Make it run cool!