G'day Guys,

As some of you are aware there is a new member to our garage to keep my ute company, and i couldnt be happier with what it is.
Basically its a 2002 AUIII Fairmont Ghia 5.0, auto with 133,000k's. I wont get into all the details of interior/exterior specs etc in here, i'll try keep it all engine related, but lets just say its got "all the fruit". Only mod being some sort of single sports exhaust, unsure wether it be 2.5 or 3" but will suss it all out when we get the car on Wednesday.

To my understanding it is fitted with the 185kw Windsor consisting of all the usual GT40P heads, 70mm MAF, 65mm T/B and 24lb injectors. Im guessing it'd just have the pressed steel rockers in there as the roller rockers were only on 200kw and 220kw. Also i've heard the 185kw cam is a bad design so something will have to be done in that department. The exhaust headers look very similiar to the shocking units found on e-series V8's.

Now the basic aim for this car, taking into consideration that its the missus car and it'll be a daily driver and eventually have some little kiddies in the back, is to basically get around 185-200kw at the wheels and still have a comfortable, reliable, well mannered cruiser. As far as 1/4mile times go, because YES it will be hitting the track, i'd be happy with low to mid 14's.

So the first mods to come will be to fit a Tickford intake snorkle that i have sitting here along with a K&N panel filter and a 3" s/steel intake pipe. A set of MSD leads have been ordered through Dave (BOTTLEDUP) so as soon as i pick them up they'll go on and i will decide if i add the MSD coil packs or not.
Now i know the 65mm T/B would be perfect for this combo but i have a couple of 70mm Tickford T/B's so i may aswell put one to good use and throw it on, so thats at the polishers now getting blinged up. So before that goes on i'll most likely pull the Explorer upper off and have it polished also to keep it all looking sweet. With the upper Explorer off i'll be looking at adding a 3/8" manifold spacer and most likely a nice set of rocker covers and also i'll be looking at fitting an adjustable fuel pressure reg to be able to make minor adjustments.
Amongst all the above the exhaust will definately be getting looked at. A set of new headers will be a MUST and will be a set of Pacemaker PH4001's, std cats will stay for now and i'd say the exhaust will stay for a while too untill we build funds for a twin system.

So that is basically our starting point for mods. I wont go any further yet untill all that is done. I will keep this thread updated as things progress and pics will definately be coming soon.

This thread will be more like a basic "bolt on build" so dont expect any big numbers or anything just yet but im sure it will be an intereted read for everyone and hopefully encourage others into the same thing.
Once all the above is done i'll be looking at a cam upgrade but who knows where it will go then, only time will tell.

Cheers guys, stay tuned,

Jeff

Run it up the strip on monday so you get a base time.

I wanted to do the same kinda thing with my missus but she won't be into it. Wants 7 seats...

It'll be good to see what gains you get out of the modest upgrades.

Sounds like a tidy little build, probably more then enough to get your missus into trouble

Good build for the forum too, I think it could benefit alot of people looking at similar combos!
Good stuff!

Unfortunately we dont pick the car up 'till Tuesday. Base time definately would be nice.



Hmm... the other toy i wanted her to get had 7 seats.



Cheers Mate. Yeah hopefully she'll keep herself out of trouble, she's a small chick but i have all confidence in her driving it, heck, she's from the country been driving cars longer than me haha.

Your right i think it will be an interesting read for other forum members. Lots of people out there looking to get their AU 5.0's going abit better, although most start with 200-220kw it'd be good for the 185kw owners to see whats possible, same story for any e-series owner running std GT40P's.

did someone say turbo territory?

sounds like a very similar version to mine so far .....i wanted to keep mine so it was still a nice round towner for the missus

think you'll find theyre only 175kw ...theres a bit of conflicting information etc out there ....i think the only difference is in the exhaust

theyre a nice cruizey car ....well done !!

Sounds like a good family cruiser there Jeff.
Looks like you'll be modding it the same as mine to get the same sort of power being a family cruiser and all.


Kids expected soon are they??

Cheers guys.

Timmeh, yep it probably will start out as a similiar build to yours, who knows where it'll end up though
Oh and no kids expected yet, plans are for the next 2-3 years though.

what does the manifold spacer do???? Ive never heard of that mod before.

Heaps of info about it on here. Basically just a Phenolic material spacer that sits in between the upper and lower inlet manifolds. Reduces heat soak into upper manifold and allows for clearance for a/market taller rocker covers. Supposedy increases torque too but yet to see it proven.

Heres a bit of a teaser pic just to show what all the excitement is about

I was looking at the same thing a while ago, was a blue AUIII 5.0 Ghia, even had my 17in series1 XR option wheels.Had the full tickford kit, looked kinda liek a TS50 really Was going to call it the TerroristGhia MkII. Should be a good build and look forward to seeing the progress.
Nice pic. The MSD coils are bolt on, I have ordered mine, but am currently held up waiting for new fuel rails. Then it will be in for a quick tune and all is good. I like the new purchase and really look forward to the picks
Brett

Cheers Brett.
Wednesday just cant come quick enough.

Oh and did you get the reg i sent over all good?

damn they look nice!