| Author |
Message |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
Soarer V8 (203RWHP), FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 637
Reg: 08-2005
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Would you buy the last Ford Falcon?
I'm an old Ford fan from way back and not so long ago I would have said no.
BUT - having educated myself on the performance capabilities of the newer models all I can say now is - absolutely!
I just did!
I used to drive Fords before I swapped to the Soarers ~ 15 years ago.
Given Ford is shutting their doors here in Australia I just had to have one more look at the last XR8, the last ever Falcon.
I have always been a V8 fan & I discovered the last Ford XR8 model is basically a GT RSPEC which just has XR8 badges on it, with some new body panels.
It has the same suspension package, same Brembo brakes front & rear, hand built supercharged Miami engine & ZF 6 speed transmission.
Had I known just how easy it is to get good performance out of these engines I would have looked at them earlier.
I drove mine from the dealers straight to the local Ford performance shop here in Perth.
Let them work their magic & I just got it back.
Personally I am more than happy with the final results on a stock engine / stock supercharger setup.
Here are the hub dyno results:
507RWKW on E85, that's 680RWHP in the old language! and
466RWKW on BP98 or 625RWHP
The car can have any personality you want.
All determined by your right foot.
Could be a daily driver if you wanted, but I'd hate to see the fuel bills.
Upgrades:
Yella Terra snout with 61mm pulley - 8 rib.
Herrod intercooler
Fuel system to run E85 Process West
Injectors to suit
Manta twin 3" SS cat back exhaust - to decrease the SC's back pressure - plus quite a nice sound as a bonus
K&N Air filter element
Drive train upgrades
Rims & rubber (295 rear / 245 front)
Custom tune (stock ECU)
The bottom line is if you want a quick family car I highly recommend you have a look at any Ford with the Miami engine if you like the V8s.
With just a tune only you will get between 360RWKW-400RWKW !
Plus they can tune the 6 speed auto transmission at the same time for even better performance.
No other modifications are required at these power levels, just a tune.
Here is one with just a tune:
https://youtu.be/p-yGuaOehUQ
A simple push of the right pedal and this will be the result if you hold it there.
Try that in your V8 Soarer. Yes it's possible but not that easy to achieve the same results.
So the last Falcons are more than capable of putting a smile on your dial and are definitely worth a look if your in the market!
If you want serious power, the boys are running over 1100RWHP on built Miami engines here in Perth.
I have no idea what you would do with that sort of power, but each to their own.
I heard the 6's can be even faster with the right kit if your a Turbo 6 fan!
I love my Soarer, but this car is something my V8 Soarer will never be.
However I will admit there are some down sides to owning this car:
1) resisting the urge not to light up the rears at will / tire life
2) fuel economy
3) trying to stay under the speed limits
If your a Ford fan I'd definitely say - go have a look.
Don't judge the car by the test drive of a stock Miami V8 model, they are detuned from the factory to ~ 300RWKW. Just think about their potential.
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Scott Vim
Goo Roo
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)
Posts: 1470
Reg: 12-2010
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Full respect for Ford for this car and the XR6 turbo. Wondering what all this costs? Would love to have one just to drop it on its balls. Couple things that turn me off though. This is quite an expensive car. I don't like the interior at all. Also how quick would it be down the 1/4 mile? There is a chaser that pulls high 10's the only mods being turbo, fuel system and tune. Think the 1jz/2jz is better bang for buck still. |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
Soarer V8 (203RWHP), FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 639
Reg: 08-2005
|
Scott, no arguments from me.
The 2jz and a couple built 1.5's are in a league of their own but these engines won't be around forever.
Plus they are 6's.
I'm a V8 fan, always have been.
You just can't beat the sound of a V8 as compared to the ning - ning of the 6's.
LoL
For me it got to the point where I was just tired of working on them. I've had 6 Soarers over the years. Still have one. It's a nice car.
I have owned Soarers for the last 15 years. I have spent a fortune on my V8 Soarer(s) with upgrades over the years, super-chargers, ITBs, stage 3 cams, Motec engine management etc.
All went Ok but still not in this league.
I know I'm on a Soarer forum, I'm not here to criticise the Soarers. The Soarer is a good car I still have one as a daily driver.
All I'm saying if you are or were a Ford fan, then have a look at the later model Falcons before they are no more. They have good potential.
Cost for a tune only which will get you somewhere between 360RWKW - 400RWK ( 482RWHP - 536RWHP)
Say 500RWHP average for $1500 that's it, no further modifications are required at this level.
With all my efforts I think I only got my V8 Soarer into the ~300RWHP range at best.
I do know of some 1UZFE race /drag cars making big hp but they aren't daily drivers.
http://planetsoarer.com/dynolibrary/dynolibrary.htm |
John Khanh
TryHard
NSW
TT
Posts: 486
Reg: 03-2007
|
That is some very impressive power!
The car should easily run 10 second quarters as long as you can get the power down to the ground.
I have the best of both worlds...
The TT Soarer as my daily and my 353rwkw 11, second BF XR6 Turbo to keep and eventually hand down to my son.
 |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
Soarer V8 (203RWHP), FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 641
Reg: 08-2005
|
John,
Looks like a winner to me.
That's pretty much how I look at it
"I have the best of both worlds... "
I'm definitely having major issues trying to get the power to ground.
Will try the new Kumo ECSTA PS91 rubber next time.
Might be able to squeeze 305s under the Ford, but it will be a very tight fit. |
John Khanh
TryHard
NSW
TT
Posts: 487
Reg: 03-2007
|
I did happen to have a pair of Nitto Invo's in 305/30 19's but there was no chance they were going to get in under there (on the BF anyway). I've got some cheap 275/35 19's under the rear now. I just figure, whatever goes on, are just going to spin anyway. |
Blake Gloyn
Goo Roo
manawatu
soarer JZZ30 TT
Posts: 1264
Reg: 02-2006
|
Blaine these are awesome figures!!! the car will be a phenomenal drive. At what point do the transmissions need upgrading/ strengthening?
Imagine how many supercharged falcon GT V8s would fly out the door if ford made a coupe version!!! |
John Khanh
TryHard
NSW
TT
Posts: 492
Reg: 03-2007
|
The ZF 6 speed auto boxes tend to need strengthening from around the 400rwkw mark, though some have failed with less power and others had more power with no issues.
The main issue with them is the factory heat exchanger that tend to fail and cause mixing of coolant and trans fluid. I had an issue with my heat exchanger that blocked up, causing overheating and the heater to not work.
PWR make a good replacement, but it is around the $800 mark for the parts alone. |
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
LS400 + Soarer.
Posts: 2284
Reg: 11-2007
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I would say they need strengthening at the 300rwkw mark, all depends how long you want it to last but I would say for a car that puts down the power frequently 300rwkw.
I would not get the last Falcon, ugly looking. Much rather something like a FG FPV GT / GS.
XR6T - The FG First Gen Looked the best, it just went downhill from there. |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
Soarer V8 (203RWHP), FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 642
Reg: 08-2005
|
Each to their own on which model you like.
For me it was all about the last Falcon with the supercharged Miami engine knowing how easy it is to get good performance from it.
The KW numbers for the transmission upgrade - I was told was ~ 400RWKW, the same as John said.
BUT it all depends how you drive the car.
The bottom line is, if you jump on the accelerator hard & hit the detent switch which automatically kicks the gear box down 2 gears, at low speeds ( ~ <90 kph I was told ), you are asking for trouble.
If you drive the car like a professional and power on progressively, the car will still run just as hard, probably harder with the correct weight distribution over the rears and you will progressively load the transmission. Less chance to break.
Most guys who just get a tune only do not upgrade the transmission at that stage. |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
Soarer V8 (203RWHP), FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 643
Reg: 08-2005
|
Just did the Perth MC Motorsport performance driving course. It was the most fun I have had with my clothes on that I can remember for a long time.
Still trying to figure out how to stop the back of the car from passing the front, but I'll get there eventually. |
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
LS400 + Soarer.
Posts: 2290
Reg: 11-2007
|
Yes I did that course too, my FG is just too jumpy if I want to push the corners, the back just snaps out but then again it's quite a heavy car.
It was quite fun. |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
G6E Turbo
Posts: 6995
Reg: 10-2005
|
I've had my FG G6E-T for about a year and a half now and still loving it. Definitely the perfect car for a family man who is also an enthusiast driver.
Invested in a good radar detector (I guess unless you are in WA or want to risk getting busted you Aussie's can't do that), flash tune to 400rwhp which is plenty for me.
Only issue I have had is the rear diff mount which gets chewed out very easily if you are brutal with it. Poor design unfortunately. I was going to swap out the transmission heat exchanger but on discussion with the local Ford specialist, it seems this problem was addressed by Ford with the FG model (totally redesigned it), and he's not seen a single 2008 on model come in with a leak.
If I were a wealthier man, I'd definitely be keen on the XR8 - seems a huge bargain performance wise to me - sure it's fugly, but with that engine, who cares? |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
Soarer V8 (203RWHP), FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 646
Reg: 08-2005
|
I tried to add a better heat exchanger for the auto as a precaution and was told they are not available for this model and unnecessary.
So hopefully they were upgraded like you say. |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
G6E Turbo
Posts: 6996
Reg: 10-2005
|
Blaine Hanson wrote on Friday, October 02, 2015 - 05:44 pm:
The local guy said he's done countless BF's and they used to fail quite early on. |
John Khanh
DieHard
NSW
TT
Posts: 502
Reg: 03-2007
|
My BF blocked up on the coolant side at 132,000km |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
TT (for sale $5.2k), 97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo white manual, 96 vvti turbo manual, Legnum VR4, MR2 sw20, Alfa 156
Posts: 3471
Reg: 09-2006
|
Good read. Agreed this V8 motor is amazing. I couldn't get one of those last XR8s though. They were snapped up sooo fast! |
Roland Elliott
TryHard
New South Wales
uzz32 1uz-fe
Posts: 168
Reg: 08-2014
|
well its nice to have an Aussie built car , i have had a few, ford would be my last choice, where will your new ford be in 20 years ? or even 10 years. the quality and design is crap. This is a Soarer forum , please stick to that guys. No hate intended but keep it on track. |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 650
Reg: 08-2005
|
Rolan this is the "Off Topic" section of the forum.
I am under the impression we can discuss any topic we like, cars, boats, planes, people, politics, religion, jokes whatever? including other car manufacturers in this section so long as we keep it in good taste.
Maybe Peter can clarify?
If I'm wrong, Peter feel free to delete the entire thread.
Cheers Blaine |
Roland Elliott
TryHard
New South Wales
uzz32 1uz-fe
Posts: 169
Reg: 08-2014
|
I do apologise , I didnt notice the off topic heading. |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo manual,
Posts: 3476
Reg: 09-2006
|
But yes amazing cars |
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
LS400 + Soarer.
Posts: 2314
Reg: 11-2007
|
I wouldn't call the quality of the FG Crap by any standard.
My first impressions was it felt as refined as a BMW, such a smooth silky auto box and a pleasure to drive.
It does have it's drawbacks like every other car so for it's price range it does great.
A pleasure that has unfortunately worn off, but will be remembered. Blaine I do have mine for sale if you know anybody who wants a collector like kept car, mines a FG XR6T with all the fruit.
I have driven the Supercharged V8's and my god the low down power is explosive just like the XR6T's but in a different way.
It's amazing how many guys here both have Soarer and a boosted Falcon. |
James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvt-i turbo 6 speed manual
Posts: 1956
Reg: 10-2008
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A mate of mine at the time worked for the proto-type department for Ford. We got to drive a development FG GTP with the supercharged 5.0 engine.
Boris is 100% right about the explosive low down power. It was just ridiculous and would keep pulling and pulling. My own Soarer has been tuned and has 325rwkw on e85, and this Falcon bog stock felt every bit as quick, if not more so.
Few other things let the car down, but overall bang for buck - hard to go past. |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 651
Reg: 08-2005
|
"but overall bang for buck - hard to go past."
I agree 100% and that's the reason I bought the car.
I have actually taken the car off E85 tune at 680RWHP as the 295 Invo's can't handle it and were always breaking loose without trying.
The hi stall converter I'm running also contributes to this, as if you touch the throttle a fraction too hard the rev counter goes from say 1800 rpm to 4000 rpm in a blink.
Then the SC kicks in in force and it's tire frying time.
The BP 98 tune at 625RWHP is actually a lot more driver friendly and fuel efficient in comparison.
But you can still fry the tires at will, but at least now it's optional unless you press the accelerator that extra 6mm to hard too fast!
You soon learn to tread very gently driving this car.
I can't wait for the rear's to wear out so I can get some Toyo R888's and stop all this lost traction. |
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
LS400 + Soarer.
Posts: 2315
Reg: 11-2007
|
The only issue is these cars can make more power too easily than they can handle it, just cant put it down it's supercar like power, in a non supercar chassis and driveline |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 652
Reg: 08-2005
|
No arguments from me, but it sure is fun!
 |
Boris Siljanoski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
LS400 + Soarer.
Posts: 2316
Reg: 11-2007
|
Blaine I suggest you join XR6Turbo forum and go on the WA Section, their meets and cruises are very good. |
Blaine Hanson
DieHard
WA
FGX XR8 (680RWHP)
Posts: 653
Reg: 08-2005
|
Thanks Boris I'll definitely have a look.
I used to really enjoy the Soarer Perth cruises we did in days gone by. |
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