IPhido

So tomorrow I am having my roof lining replaced and I want to go black. My current roof lining is: Dirty Sagging Drawn on by a 6 and 3 year old with black textas I am going to vinyl dye all the roof fittings, handles, sun visors, a pillars, b, c and also fit the sunglasses holder replacing the standard unit. All black. I am curious to see how this looks, I know the actual FGX's have a very dark grey lining and interior fittings, so it won't look exactly the same, but I am curious to see how it comes out. The Vinyl dye is VHT gloss black. This isn't a paint and will actually soak into the plastic and change the colour No clear coat or other type protective coat is needed and it won't flake off. My current car has over 300,000 km on the clock, so just replacing the existing headlining, won't make the plastic look less faded and worn.

I think the Ghia will not have as bad resale. The $46,000 means you and me can now buy the ghia are prices that are near previously only for the big national fleets. Ghia gets memory seat, 8 way power, auto dip rear mirror, nicer leather with optional china beige, black chrome dash with chrome dials, optional V8, boot liner, lots of chrome inside and out. You get XR suspension + 10 mm. FPV steering wheel etc. They also get other fairlane bits like chrome bits on the aircon vents etc. Over a regular XR6t they get stuff like dual zone climate, premium audio, power peddles, side bags, parking sensors etc. Options are rarely pay their way in resale (except aircon). Definately go sit in a new ghia. They are pretty sweet inside. The new dash looks really nice IMHO. The new leather also makes things a bit classier. Its a simular cut/colour to what was on the fairlanes. It might all sound academic in the forum, but sitting in them/driving back to back will make your mind up pretty quick. Ghia has it all over the XR for luxuries. And the BFII Ghia looks horn and new. While the BFII XR6 looks very 2002. Im going hunting for a 2005 BF Ghia in the next few weeks.

I would think a modest 5 Kw boost might be on the cards (across the board), simply to emphasis the new engine modifications and management. Modifications: -6 Speed Auto (premium and sport models inc Territory ghia) -Improved emissions (euro IV) -ESP on certain models (CBC, EBA, etc etc) as seen on the territory and the Holdens.. Well you would think they will put it in eventually. -Improvements to driveability (via VCT programming and general ECU programming) -Small improvements in fuel consumption (via program and new gearboxes) -Standard equipement changes -Wheels, trim and new colours -Some new options becomming avalible. To be honest I would be happy with that. I would like it more if they improved NVH (other than gearbox), handling (other than ESP), braking (other than EBA/CBC), included as options some new technology (LED lighting, Xenon lighting, vented rear discs, aluminium or carbon panels, magnesium block voice control of interior, curtain airbags (front and rear), electronic differential, etc) but I think Ford is saving these for the next model and are at best unlikely. That seems the plan. Still I think Fairlane/LTD are really going to take a clobbering. Statesman and Caprice with 6.0L 300Kw engines, 6 speed autos, still wrapped up in the best looking LWB body, strong sales right till its end. What can a 220Kw Fairlane offer in comparison?

Colours a phased in and out almost continously these days. As colours are a easy and dramatic way to spice up a car. I'm not 100% sure Velocity has already gone, however I wouldn't be suprised if it got phased out fairly soon. Icon is arriving in April, and is in a simular colour family as Velcoity. My guess is they might chop off a colour when Icon arrives. However Icon is not avalible on XR's so while Velocity is.

Anyone here thinking the XR6T is perhaps by accident the best car Ford makes? Or a even bigger claim. The best car Ford Oz has ever made. Except for the driveline clunk there is not a real single negitive comment. Brakes are optional if you want them (and if you don't you prolly have it booked in for aftermarket jobbies) and its hardly suprising it looks like a XR6. Steering is a tad light (seems very common though these days to all makes of cars). Only real improvements to the XR6T I could suggest: -6 speed auto -ESP -a tad more top end power

Next Falcon update October 2005. What will change: - Most likely minimal cosmetic changes, new bumpers almost across the range, new colours, new interior fabrics and colours - 6 speed Auto will appear (Ghia, XR, FPV, LWB) - Premium brakes standard on T, XR8 - Slight equipment level changes - Basic six will make 190Kw, XR6T will make ~245kw through VCT reprogramming and also to meet new emission targets - ESP will appear on the six cylinder on some cars Fairly minor upgrade.. 6 Speed auto is what we have all been waiting for, more ratios, smoother, stronger, lighter, quieter.

Ive seen T's at dealerships for $33k.. I will have to wait until deprication kicks in and I can get a XR6T sedan with premium sound, leather either SSS or manual for $30k flat or less. My guess is by November this year they will start appearing and dipping into 20's. As the early 02 builds will finish on 3 year leases, and will push prices down. Fantastic car for the money.

Yes, a RGB signal from a SCART connector that can force NTSC timings.. though personally I think I would like to run one of those BMW shark fins on the roof for improved reception.

I think what Ford has done with the F6 is limit boost/power etc at high RPM, hence there is less demand on the xr6t injectors. Unfortunately this means power drops off pretty quick, and the F6 proberly isn't going to turn in numbers (or feels) much faster than a regular XR6T. I honestly think the F6 won't be getting a whole lot further than a XR6T with the tunes due to this fuel system limitation. But the F6 internals are stronger, so with bigger builds you should get further without having to open the engine. I don't feel that Ford will up the power much on the basic six by more than ~10 kw. Power isn't a key target for the basic falcons, Fuel economy and emissions etc would proberly be a higher priority. Ford might just leave the basic six alone and introduce a hipo NA six again with quite aggressive VCT programming and perhaps the F6's valve springs. Maybe making 210Kw. But for that to happen the SOHC V8 would also need a upgrade to ~240 Kw odd, and for that to happen the Turbo would need a upgrade to ~260kw odd and the V8's to 280 and 310 odd. Ford might just be trying to build up mechanicals to handle the torque and then make things much quicker by simply increasing the RPM range in later generations. We still don't know exactly how much work was done on the F6 ECU. My guess is not a whole lot and was incorperated as a bit of a trial run for the next falcon engine upgrade.

As I recall in the BA, it only adjusts the cams at idle to improve emissions and reduce noise and vibration. The thing is VCT adds many complexities with ECU programming. I belive cost is really the only reason why Ford didn't bother with properly programming the VCT units. Costs and time. I wouldn't be that supprised if the Ford intends to use the VCT units mostly to improve economy and emissions not power or torque. My guess is that they are developing the a new engine tune with the new Auto. And they will arrive together as well. But I wouldn't expect amazing jumps.. Maybe 182 to 190kw for the base models.

Premium Audio - Colour ICC, 6 stack in dash, sub etc.. It really lifts the look of the inside from XT -> Ghia. Personally, I'm looking at the Luxury pack equipped cars, seats, premium audio, climate control, analog clock (whoohoo!), leather seats. It really does turn a XR into a luxury car (minus power seats). The premium brakes are nice, but these can be done for less aftermarket and you can get more choice. Side airbags would be a worthwhile safety feature, but you will only notice them in a serious accident.

Premiums worth it for the colour ICC, and the upgraded audio. $950 and you get a sub, colour screen, better speakers etc.. Standard is okay, but its still standard. With premium, really the only thing that needs attention is the sub, it needs more bass. Sometimes you can convince the bean counters to include options that will help resale, or have it included as a performance bonus.

6500 RPM should be fine with this motor with uprated rods. It does have a long stroke, but really its not that long. If Ford simply increase the cut out to 6500 and moved peak power out to ~6000 rpm with some cam tweaking etc these engines would make LOADS more power, not to mention get less changes over the 1/4 or to 100.. It would certainly make it feel alot sporter.. You could imagine a XR6 NA making 220kw @ 6500 rpm would be killer as would a hipo XR6T making 280kw at exactly the same boost as a standard T..

While a XR with luxury pack is extremely close to Ghia levels its not quite their -No full electric seats (Ghia's should really get LTD 10 way) with 3 position memory -Seats are significantly diffrent, XR are definately "sports" seats while the Ghia are more lounge chairs But more significantly XR's look pretty extrovert. Nothing wrong with that. But your not really going to tap into a potential market of wealthy people who would rather a Ghia with a turbo motah than a XR with its body kit, wings, lights, etc. Plus making the conservative car in the range abit of a monster is such a way cool idea. I say definately yes too: -Ford Fairmont Ghia Turbo -Ford Fairlane G260 -Territory Turbo But not just the motors. Give them vented discs all corners and the six speed auto. Even if it added $10k to the price, I think you will find people will fall over themselves to get them. It would also boost significantly the sales of the Ghia, Fairlane. They really need a halo model and the LTD is definately *NOT* doing that. But it will never happen... (well maybe the terri turbo would)

Maybe he assembled it from bits he nicked from work?