Finally got my AU

**Polyal** · 30-03-2009, 10:05 AM

Right well, after ages of talking about it I finally got a new daily/family bus. I really did want a T of some type but for what I am doing I couldn't justify using one like that.

Ill get some pics up soon, but the basic specs are:

2000 Fairmont
Regency Red
109,000 k's

As it will be a daily I dont think I will bother with any power mods, short list of to do's are:

Ghia door handles
BF Chrome mirror scalps
Ghia shifter surround
Lowered
FG G6ET rims (or something else with a bit of dish maybe).
Skirt Kit

And thats it, I just want a classy looking daily. I have actually printed a pic of GlennBA's old AU and thats the look I am going for (but with a hint of chrome..LOL)

It drives really well, has all the features that I want, I was after a Ghia but I couldn't be assed looking any longer and the main thing I seem to miss out on is leather and thats ok.

It seems to have traction control aswell, yet to play with it but was this standard or optional?

**Peuty** · 30-03-2009, 10:13 AM

I thought on non-Ghias, traction was optional.

Ghias also has IRS too.

Pics?

**Polyal** · 30-03-2009, 10:16 AM

^^there you go, I explained to the missus its the burnout button..LOL

I picked it up saturday and have only driven it once, ill try and organise some pics tonight.

Forgot to mention that naturally clear repeaters will be on asap aswell. I got a quote the other day for a VSI system aswell, $4k ouch! But get $2k back so its not that bad.

mcflux · 30-03-2009, 10:41 AM

Nice work Al, a Fairmont will make an excellent family car.

Have you looked into the cost/benefit ratio for VSI vs a mixer ring system? I'm not against VSI, and your car is much nicer than my daily (so VSI would suit it better be being a more refined system), but if you went a mixer ring system it would take a hell of a long time to make up that $2000 difference in LPG consumption between the two systems.

Let's assume that with VSI you used 12L/100kms in gas, and with a mixer ring you used 15L/100kms... that's 3L/100kms difference between the two. And working off gas prices being 80c/L(?) in Tassie, it'll take you approx 80,000kms before the VSI starts saving you money over the mixer ring system. How many years will it take you to rack up 80,000kms?

If you have a decent coil, coil packs, leads, and plugs, a mixer ring system shouldn't backfire or run rough at all (you'll still want decent ignition components with any gas setup). And I doubt you're after raw-powah in a dual-fuel family car hey.

Chuck up some pics when you can

**Polyal** · 30-03-2009, 10:59 AM

Yeah that has gone through my head alot Dave, and your logical posts are always welcome.

I guess the reason I didn't want a mixer was basically bad experience with my first car (remember the white EA XR6 thing?). It was a PIA to be honest, never ran right and backfired like a dog.

I would be interested in looking at a mixer setup if someone could help me with finding the best parts for it, and I would be interested in setting up a top notch ignition setup if I went down that track.

Actually I think the grant would cover a mixer setup 100%..hmmm

Good to hear from you to mate, hows the black beast?

The plan is to keep the AU for a long time to be honest, atleast 5 years I would think. Very versatile, efficient enough and shouldn't cost to much to run.

I haven't had a chance to even clean it yet, ill give it a quick rinse tonight and post pics later.

RG · 30-03-2009, 11:01 AM

Remember to take into account the fact that resale on a VSI system equipped car will be higher and make the car that little bit different from the rest come sale time.

**Polyal** · 30-03-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RG

Remember to take into account the fact that resale on a VSI system equipped car will be higher and make the car that little bit different from the rest come sale time.

True, but to be honest its at a price point in which resale isn't a huge issue.

OK here is the carsales link, its so stock it makes me sick. Better than no pics though, he hasn't taken the ad down yet.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...cs=5&silo=1011

big-e · 30-03-2009, 11:18 AM

Looks very nice mate.
Would have been nice to get a T but not to worry.

Hey, on your list of things to get you might want to add steering wheel, I think its a beit worn out (or it might be the light)

mcflux · 30-03-2009, 11:18 AM

Well I guess that's the thing with mixer systems, they can be hit & miss. I had a good system installed, but the installers cut a couple of corners and didn't know how to tune it. Went to another LPG place to get the bugs ironed out & it's been perfect ever since

As for ignition parts, just new factory-spec replacements for everything will do the trick (maybe LPG-specific plugs rather than standard), so you'd only need to spend a few hundred in parts. Just because gas is more temperemental to weak spark, whereas petrol is much more forgiving.

With your old EA did you get it checked out by an LPG specialist, and/or get it tuned + the ignition parts replaced?

Well for 5+ years, assuming you're doing 20,000kms a year, you'll end up ultimately ahead with a VSI setup. Although you'll have 3-4 years of catch-up first...

Yeah, the EB's going good mate, but it's pretty much just a thrashcar now, + the odd trip to work here & there. Hoping to take it to the Bairnsdale 1/8 in June, but I need slicks for it - if I tromp it in Drive (or 1st/2nd) while doing anything less than 40, it just skates everywhere (on 245s). I give the motor 6-12 months before the rings let go :P

EDIT - looks really nice even just in the carsales pics! High-series AUs look much better, inside and out, than their low-series counterparts.

**Polyal** · 30-03-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big-e

Looks very nice mate.
Would have been nice to get a T but not to worry.

Hey, on your list of things to get you might want to add steering wheel, I think its a beit worn out (or it might be the light)

Yeah I am spewing a let a T1 TE50 go a few months back for 9k...AH!

Reason for getting a "lesser" car now is that I made a deal with the devil to get sell the ute, get a sensible car and then buy a toy later in the year. It was actually her idea so for once there would be any arguments..hehe

Yes your right, the wheel is to go aswell, ive seen some nice black momo's ones on evilbay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

Well I guess that's the thing with mixer systems, they can be hit & miss. I had a good system installed, but the installers cut a couple of corners and didn't know how to tune it. Went to another LPG place to get the bugs ironed out & it's been perfect ever since

As for ignition parts, just new factory-spec replacements for everything will do the trick (maybe LPG-specific plugs rather than standard), so you'd only need to spend a few hundred in parts. Just because gas is more temperemental to weak spark, whereas petrol is much more forgiving.

With your old EA did you get it checked out by an LPG specialist, and/or get it tuned + the ignition parts replaced?

Well for 5+ years, assuming you're doing 20,000kms a year, you'll end up ultimately ahead with a VSI setup. Although you'll have 3-4 years of catch-up first...

Yeah, the EB's going good mate, but it's pretty much just a thrashcar now, + the odd trip to work here & there. Hoping to take it to the Bairnsdale 1/8 in June, but I need slicks for it - if I tromp it in Drive (or 1st/2nd) while doing anything less than 40, it just skates everywhere (on 245s). I give the motor 6-12 months before the rings let go :P

EDIT - looks really nice even just in the carsales pics! High-series AUs look much better, inside and out, than their low-series counterparts.

Hmm well Ill have to get some more quotes and suss out the LPG section a bit more. Im just after something that will be reliable and cut some running costs.

JC · 30-03-2009, 11:36 AM

Nice pickup. $6900 is a good price too; they are a lot of car for the money. It's nearly even the right colour (I assume it's Barossa Red though, not sparkling burgundy?)

mcflux · 30-03-2009, 11:47 AM

VSI will be the ultimate long-term winner, but if you want to cut running costs straight away, a mixer ring setup will suit you best. Yes, do some local research on mixer-ring setups: Find a reputable LPG specialist (installer and tuner) in your area and you can't go wrong with a mixer-ring setup.

InfernoSR · 30-03-2009, 12:03 PM

Not bad at all mate

**Polyal** · 30-03-2009, 12:08 PM

Thanks guys, ill get a build thread going once I get some bits and pieces. JC, it was a good price, I got it for less than that aswell.

Does the AU have an AUX input anywhere? I want to keep the standard H/U but have an ipod. If not whats the best way to get it working trough the standard system?

InfernoSR · 30-03-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Does the AU have an AUX input anywhere? I want to keep the standard H/U but have an ipod. If not whats the best way to get it working trough the standard system?

From what i've heard, no AUX...

You can either do a hard line FM Modulator, or remote FM Modulator.

The hard line connects into the Aerial port itself.

JC · 30-03-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Thanks guys, ill get a build thread going once I get some bits and pieces. JC, it was a good price, I got it for less than that aswell.

Does the AU have an AUX input anywhere? I want to keep the standard H/U but have an ipod. If not whats the best way to get it working trough the standard system?

I figured you may have got it for less than that - good work.

There is no AUX input standard on the AUs. There is a tech article on how to make one though (in the radio section).

***edit*****
Found it: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ighlight=input

**FTE217** · 30-03-2009, 12:17 PM

About b!oody time Polyal ! congrats on the AU purchase mate she looks a very good base to start with.

Stattic · 30-03-2009, 12:38 PM

109ks, nice

**DJM83** · 30-03-2009, 07:39 PM

Congrats on the purchase mate, i know you have been looking for a while. Welcome to the AU fold.

mik · 31-03-2009, 12:15 AM

that AU looks in very good shape ...nice pick up.

**Polyal** · 31-03-2009, 09:33 AM

Thanks again guys, I ran out of time yesterday to take pics but I will be working on it. Ill take some before I give it a good clean.

Ive thought about the AUX thing can I dont know if I want to stuff around with things to much, Ill just get a good charger/cradle/transmitter. Not the best but my care for awesome audio is not as high as it used to be.

Cheers!

Cookie-XR8 · 31-03-2009, 12:32 PM

wow, looks the goods mate,

Bucknaked · 31-03-2009, 12:34 PM

AU's suck. No idea why any of you guys have them. Just look how silly they look.

:

I'm considering getting back into an AU. Been thinking about it now for a little while, since the problems with that POS focus I had. Mondeo is nice, but wouldn't mind getting another AU. This time it will be a V8

You got a good buy the Poylal. You get all the good gear with a Fairmont, gotta be happy with the price. Well done.

Mr Hardware · 31-03-2009, 02:05 PM

haha JC that looks almost identical to my car
except that one has no AUIII sideskirts or chrome strip in the door mould channels
oh and no clear repeaters

blueoval · 31-03-2009, 08:54 PM

Congrats Polyal. You've picked up a bargain. And SVI too? very nice.

I am looking at the prospects of going SVI as I need cheaper running with my s/c now fitted. I already have the tank and the lines in, just need the rest of it. Although expensive, you'll get better power, better reliability, and room to do other things like BOOST