As for my EB im thinking of

* new head and/or gasket
* reconing the engine
* new radiator
* needs one side resprayed
* needs L/H headlight panel beaten
* buying new guards, bonnet and bumper
* new shocks front and back
* 4 new 235x40x15 tires
* re chrome my mags (if i can find a place)
* tint my windows

All that will probably cost me more than 5k anyway but im finding it real hard to even think about parting with it even tho im having problems with it.

The problems with my eb,

* rough idle
* was spewing white smoke in idle
* doesnt start all the time
* i think the head gasket (and/or head) is screwed as the water is starting to mix with the oil hence the recon.
* heater doesnt work unless its a wam day =/
* the front L/H needs panel work.

My opinion, Is keep the EB in the shed and do something with it later when you have the money. I love EB's. Nextly, I would by the EF-EL XR6 over an AU anytime, reason being is that they have the same HP but the AU is about half a Commodores weight heavier than the E-series equivalent. Your always going to end up with more bang for your buck with the E series over the AU as your not pushing as much lard around.

I owned an AU for 7 years. It was lowered 2 inchs, had 17's, 2.5 inch exhaust, all the usual stuff. It weighed about 1800kgs and hence it was still a slug (we put it across a weighbridge so dont try to argue). My EB weighs a poofteenth more than 1550kgs and has all the same bits the AU had except the better balanced bottom end and cross drilled bolts thru the sump into the Main bearing caps. (Atleast thats where the ford mechanic said they went) and to be honest even with the extra bits like airbags and standard CD, Id have a lowered EB (or EL for that matter) with a nice motor over an AU almost everytime unless it was a black XR8 with a stove hot V8 and a V8 Supercar kit like what I was going to do to my AU until I had to sell it all off. While Im thinking about it, there is already a nice black AU XR8 with the supercar kit in Port Douglas. Needs a new coat of paint though.

Where did you hear that the motors were worked on by Jag?
Its an MLS gasket, dunno if that was a typo or otherwise though.
99 model would be a series 1, so Smartlock.
Trip computer in an EL XR was optional I believe, if not, not hard to put one in there so you've got DTE there.
They have 4 wheel ABS, pass. airbag optional and std fitment on EL series 2 arent they? Which is what the EL in question would be. They have the seat belt pretensioners.
Like I said earlier, pick the better car, not just the newer one.

Intech 6-cylinder new features Refinement and improved fuel economy are the highlights of the Intec engine series.

Intech features a new cylinder head with a lighter mass valve train and new 'high swirl', higher compression ratio (9.65 vs 9.35:1) combustion chambers. These promote fast, complete combustion which helps reduce emissions and fuel consumption, especially during 'lean cruise' above 80kph. Idle speed is reduced to 550rpm from 650. Single, conical valve springs replace the double units on the preceding engine.

The camshaft has low overlap for better combustion and lower emissions.

The previous multi-point electronic fuel injection system is upgraded to offer sequential firing of the fuel charge into each cylinder. New electronic distributorless ignition optimises ignition timing via a latest generation linear knock sensor.

Two major contributors to the quietness and freer revving qualities of Intech are its increased structural stiffness and its new crankshaft.

The stiffness is achieved through extra cylinder block ribbing and a new, rigid cast aluminium sump pan which is cross bolted through the main bearing caps, bolted to the transmission bell housing and is further braced with an internal steel ladder. Mounting of engine accessories directly to the block instead of via brackets also helps rigidity.

The crankshaft is a new, stiffer yet lighter, 8-counterweight design with some technology input from Jaguar. The inherent balance superiority of Falcon's in-line 6-cylinder layout over V6 means that the complication of balance shafts is superfluous.

Engine durability is afforded with new design silicone gaskets sealing the camcover and the sump pan as well as a triple-layered steel head gasket. The steel gasket helps reduce noise and emissions by minimising bore distortion and crevice volume and improving piston ring seating.

Pistons are low clearance and are a lighter, shorter skirt design with a teflon-based coating and low tension rings for reduced friction. Their connecting rods are also new and lighter.

Intech has a 'Smart Start' feature which prevents the starter motor operating and risking damage trying to start the engine if it is already running. This is achieved via appropriate EEC-5 engine management logic.

Intech's unique 'limp home' mode senses coolant loss and cuts out cylinders as required. The firing cylinders are alternated to ensure as even a temperature in the engine as possible during this mode when it virtually runs as an air-cooled unit.

Intech introduces the next generation low viscosity oil to local engines. The 5W30 synthetic oil incorporates new technology to lubricate in hot and cold climate conditions while reducing friction and therefore aiding efficiency.

A new flexible decoupler between the exhaust manifold and a new catalytic converter adds smoothness by enabling a lower engine idle speed by suppressing exhaust idle boom and by damping exhaust-driven vibrations across the rev range.

Lower emission results from a more efficient and durable three way catalytic converter.

Where did you hear that the motors were worked on by Jag?