Stroker into Wagon?

sly · 22-04-2008, 05:06 PM

Just as the Raptor kit nears completion, my old bus is starting to consume oil with 330,000km up.:gren: Looks like I'll be needing to do some sort of rebuild or engine swap no matter what.

So I'm idly thinking, why not put a V8 in it? A quick search reveals about 3 relevant threads with not a lot of info. Of the 3, one basically says "buy a V8 Fairmont" and one is still a work in progress.

I won't necessarily need an XR8 V8 to start with. I'm thinking engine, gearbox (mine is still original), looms and PCM. Any Smartshield PCM should be able to talk to my AU1 Smartshield BEM once coded? And will I need K-frame and other hardware?

Then build it with a 347 stroker kit, mild cam, heads and Explorer intake before fitting.

Bear in mind it's a wagon, so selling it to buy an XR8 isn't an option. I need the rear headroom and luggage space.

Any thoughts/advice?

blackers10 · 22-04-2008, 06:39 PM

talk to chief ..wasnt he building a stroker wagon??

your other option may be a 4.8 stroker for the 4ltr ... could go VERY nicely with the supercharger kit!

sly · 22-04-2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

talk to chief ..wasnt he building a stroker wagon??

your other option may be a 4.8 stroker for the 4ltr ... could go VERY nicely with the supercharger kit!

LOL yeah I'd forgotten about that... but then it looks like the order of development will be E-series, then B-series then AU when Joe can get around to it in between supplying E- and B-series setups :(

My engine mightn't last that long as it's gone from using 300ml or less between fills to needing 2 litres before the last change. It has the obligatory oil leak around the cam chain tensioner but I doubt that much is coming out of there. Bummer really, the compression was spot-on at the end of September... will have to check it out again at the weekend.

adxr8 · 22-04-2008, 06:53 PM

A guy just down the road from me wrecked a s1 au xr and put all the front and running gear into a s3 wagon, had to change dash, steering column the lot.

If you want ins and outs pm me and i will find out.

blackers10 · 22-04-2008, 07:22 PM

could always run E series bottom end and get some custom pistons.. apparently they arent all THAT expensive..
or see what atomic can knock you up

LUXO_8 · 22-04-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly

I won't necessarily need an XR8 V8 to start with. I'm thinking engine, gearbox (mine is still original), looms and PCM. Any Smartshield PCM should be able to talk to my AU1 Smartshield BEM once coded? And will I need K-frame and other hardware?

Any thoughts/advice?

au1 was still smartlock(as per eseries), au2 on is smartshield

StealthAu · 22-04-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUXO_8

au1 was still smartlock(as per eseries), au2 on is smartshield

My AU1 has smartshield.

LUXO_8 · 22-04-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

My AU1 has smartshield.

really?. my brother in laws au1 is most definitely smartlock. i take it the change over didnt happen with the au1 - au2 change over then

sly · 22-04-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUXO_8

au1 was still smartlock(as per eseries), au2 on is smartshield

Smartshield is fitted from May 1999 production to the "Smartshield Update" S1 AU's. These cars have front power windows (Forte) as standard equipment.

private9 · 22-04-2008, 07:28 PM

If you're seriously considering a V8 conversion, my advice would be to either sell it and find a V8 Fairmont wagon, or buy a smashed donor car. Buying parts individually can get very pricey very quickly!

sly · 22-04-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

If you're seriously considering a V8 conversion, my advice would be to either sell it and find a V8 Fairmont wagon, or buy a smashed donor car. Buying parts individually can get very pricey very quickly!

The better wreckers can supply a "conversion" package that includes everything. The main issue is knowing who knows what they're talking about. Eg my local Ford specialist didn't know there was an XR6 HP model and were terribly confused when they got an XR6 without VCT or IRS. They also swore blind that BA rear rotors & calipers wouldn't work on my wagon... BA ute/wagon items work just fine. They've been spot-on with other things though...

I might have a chat to FTG. They're far from the cheapest but I suspect that spending a little more there would be money well spent.

A V8 Fairmont wagon would be nice, if I could be sure it hadn't had the guts flogged out of it towing horse floats. At least I know how mine's been treated.

private9 · 23-04-2008, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly

The better wreckers can supply a "conversion" package that includes everything. The main issue is knowing who knows what they're talking about. Eg my local Ford specialist didn't know there was an XR6 HP model and were terribly confused when they got an XR6 without VCT or IRS. They also swore blind that BA rear rotors & calipers wouldn't work on my wagon... BA ute/wagon items work just fine. They've been spot-on with other things though...

I might have a chat to FTG. They're far from the cheapest but I suspect that spending a little more there would be money well spent.

A V8 Fairmont wagon would be nice, if I could be sure it hadn't had the guts flogged out of it towing horse floats. At least I know how mine's been treated.

Very true. I'd still suggest that getting a donor car would be the cheaper way out though. Watch ebay and a few of the auction sites online, and you'll see what's out there at least.

StealthAu · 22-04-2008, 07:33 PM

I think the change over was towards the end of series 1.

sly · 22-04-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

I think the change over was towards the end of series 1.

May 1999. If you want to check for yourself, ask a Ford dealer to look up part no WR2A-12A650-NA and tell you the date it applies from. My car is Aug 99 build FWIW.

blackers10 · 22-04-2008, 07:36 PM

before october 99
as debs lane is S1 and it has smartshield (flashing hand on the dash)
where as my march 99 au lane has no hand ..

also we have different shaped keys..
mine are the EL shape with a sausage shape cutout at the top of the key for the keyring to pass thru
debs is an L shape in the corner of the key.. and her key is fatter

most people refer to the smartshield equiped au1s as au1.5's

LUXO_8 · 22-04-2008, 08:03 PM

well there ya go, learn something new every day

FGII-XR6 · 23-04-2008, 08:18 AM

fordpro at smithfield should be able to help or macarthur parts plus also we have 2 falcon specialists here wickham spare and hunter falcon centre which one were you referring to ( i think i can guess )

sly · 24-04-2008, 09:58 PM

I've never been able to find HFC LOL!

BTW are you still in touch with Tim the Raptor man? He's hit some snags tuning the Intech for boost :( but the VCT engine seems to be fine. I'm thinking maybe to drop a VCT conversion in. It's only a small premium over a like-for-like replacement, and probably cheaper than rebuilding my original donk.

Not to mention that a VCT engine conversion + Raptor kit is probably half the price of a V8 conversion + stroker build.

blackers10 · 24-04-2008, 10:32 PM

vct is only a head and some wiring and and ECU... which being ford.. its all there just not plugged in..id say

sly · 24-04-2008, 10:53 PM

By "conversion" I mean complete engine, loom & ECU. Given the sudden increase in oil consumption that triggered this thread, a complete low-mileage engine is probably not a bad idea...

CFOUR · 25-04-2008, 01:06 AM

i got a explorer manifold for sale. pm me if your intrested

sly · 25-04-2008, 10:42 AM

Just sitting tight ATM while I see if a boosted VCT 6 transplant is a viable option.

private9 · 25-04-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly

Just sitting tight ATM while I see if a boosted VCT 6 transplant is a viable option.

Why not just a good s/h low kay intech and boost that?

I would personally think for all the effort, the VCT conversion wouldn't be particularly worthwhile once it's boosted anyway.

StealthAu · 25-04-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

Why not just a good s/h low kay intech and boost that?

I would personally think for all the effort, the VCT conversion wouldn't be particularly worthwhile once it's boosted anyway.

aparently there are some issues tunning the intech under boost with a flash tuner, I don't really get it, but this is what Raptor have found.