Ok some background info: my 2000 zetec is quickly approaching 200,000 miles. Its in ok condition but the power just isn't there anymore. I know I could rebuild it. There's plenty of turbokits pushing 270 plus horsepower. Buuuutttt........a friend of mine has a wrecked 2.3 just sitting...with far less miles...a complete donor car at my disposal...after about a year of debating (and peerpressure lol) I'm going to do the swap.

I've read the htpperformance thread of the svt to 2.3 swap and a lot of my questions were answered there but my car is an automatic. The donor car is an automatic. I'm NOT doing a 5speed swap. Lentech has all the goodies I need should I get power hungry.

My questions:
1. Are the engine mount locations the same on the automatics or will I need to find a kit/add spacers for fitment?

2. I can get the entire wiring harness and fuel system but what problems will I run into as far as interchanging between cars? My car is a 2000, his is a 2003 I believe.

3. Will the stock header/cat for the duratec mount to the mbrp (zetec) exhaust I already have or will I need to swap the entire exhaust system from the other car as well?

4. Miguel can I have your wrecked car? Pleeeeeeeeaaaase? Don't make me put my hooker boots on hahaahha jkjk.

Much thanks in advance. If u decide to comment please feel free. if u know answers chime in. if you think u have relevant information, post it.

I can't do a search on mobile version (which sucks) so links to other threads or sites would be great!
Posted via FF Mobile

HAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
damn you crack me up man!
phone call is being made as i type...

1. Are the engine mount locations the same on the automatics or will I need to find a kit/add spacers for fitment?

I believe the only differant engine mount is the one on the front of the engine.

2. I can get the entire wiring harness and fuel system but what problems will I run into as far as interchanging between cars? My car is a 2000, his is a 2003 I believe.

The problem you'll have is the ECU. The ECU your taking for the 2.3 is for a manuel, you have an auto.

3. Will the stock header/cat for the duratec mount to the mbrp (zetec) exhaust I already have or will I need to swap the entire exhaust system from the other car as well?

Im not sure but I think the dura vs zetec exhaust are differant.

4. Miguel can I have your wrecked car? Pleeeeeeeeaaaase? Don't make me put my hooker boots on hahaahha jkjk.

Miguel, make him but on his hooker boots and take pictures [rofl]



Lets just get this out of the way now, why dont you want the 5 speed?

^^ haha I'll put em on just for fun lol. Both cars are automatic. I don't want to go looking for a 5speed with unknown history and have to replumb the car to fit it. That would add to the process and mechanically speaking the automatic gear ratios are perfect for boost, and with lentech goodies I can make it do almost anything a 5 or 6 speed could do spending the same amount of money to do it. Besides...who on any forum has a turbo automatic focus sedan dd? Mine isn't turbo yet but dammit it will be haha. Almost everyone in socal I know is turbo and fswerks is a 15 minute drive for me.
Posted via FF Mobile

The dura ecu for the auto is a manual one or did u not read the first post? Both cars are automatic...

Edit: once I start the swap I may or may not do a how-to to have stickied since there are none

Posted via FF Mobile

Oh I read your first post wrong, sorry. Then do the auto, its gotta be nicer driving around so cal with an auto.

I think whats his name from AZ had a turbo auto.

I was hoping so cuz I don't wanna do anything but remove old zetec stuff, install kinda new duratec stuff, swap wireharness/fuel system, drive. Possibly a wire tuck since the older duratecs have hoses and wires EVERYWHERE lol.

I don't mind driving stick in socal. A lot of people hate it because of traffic but I really don't see why unless they have like a stage 3 3puck solid disk racing clutch lol.
Posted via FF Mobile

I do a ton of driving in the bay area, and hate it when I take my car. Im so glad I have an auto for a DD.

I think the harnes needs to be completly removed and replaced, including in the dash.

I was guessing so. The htp thread for the svt to duratec swap said to swap the harness from the driverside fuse box forward and passenger side from the gas tank forward if I read it correctly...basically the entire harness except the lights lol.
Posted via FF Mobile

i dont have a problem driving a manual in so cal even with traffic.. and my clutch doesnt have the easiest pedal effort. Reggie let me know what i can do to help bro you know ill help you

i swaped a duratec from a zx5 into my 02 ztec zx3 took a bit of patience but wasnt hard just took time i swaped the complete harness because the harness that goes to the fuel reserculation can in the rear and the pump are different let me know if you need any help when you do it.

Okiedokie I'll keep u posted
Posted via FF Mobile

Besides...who on any forum has a turbo automatic focus sedan dd? Mine isn't turbo yet but dammit it will be haha. Almost everyone in socal I know is turbo and fswerks is a 15 minute drive for me.
Posted via FF Mobile


Im going for the auto turbo too got half my parts just need turbo and MAF housing and my piping and intercooler to come in and put it together! But u got me on the sedan but zx3 dura 2.3 DD turbo still sounds good to me.

Goodluck with everything the swap is straight forward just takes time.

Will the stock header/cat for the duratec mount to the mbrp (zetec) exhaust I already have or will I need to swap the entire exhaust system from the other car as well?


...the difference is the shape of the muffler so a Duratec system fits the car with the Zetec tank but the Zetec muffler hits a Duratec fuel tank.

There may be a difference in the flanges but nothing a few minutes with a die grinder won't fix :)


I asked Steve at Tousley this same question, this was his response.

I asked Steve at Tousley this same question, this was his response.


It was a direct swap for my MBRP exhaust from my old Zetec to my 2.3l Duratec.[strongman] Aside from shaving the piece of metal that sticks out from the stock flex pipe.