What would you choose?

[Kryton]

AU3 XR8 or BA XT 5.4L?
feel free to explain why.

[RG]

whadda you reckon? :sm_headba

[b2tf]

Well taking out of the equation the usual factors like age, kms etc, for me it would be based on:

Insurance circumstances. If I couldnt afford to insure an XR model, then the 5.4 is the way to go. If I could insure an XR model, I would. (and i do).

Mods. Do I want to mod it, if yes then I'd probably pick the XR again as a good base to start from. If not, the BA 5.4.

Looks. Do you want go, or show, or both. If both - go the XR. If just go, go the BA.

And for the record, see my sig as to what I picked when i was in this very same situation :

[sbcb]

XR8 already looks the part, the XT would need lowering alloys etc. The money saved on the AU XR8 would give a good head start on mods if desired. Don't think it would even be a choice in NZ. If memory serves the XT wasn't offered over here with the V8, only Fairmonts.

[70caprigt3k]

If the XT was manual then that would be the go imo.

[TUF_302]

I picked the AU XR8 but only casue the BF2 Fairmont wasnt a choice lol :nutsycuck

[Kryton]

the XR has all the goodies and the looks.
the BA is a perfect sleeper plus the SSS Auto (im lazy sometimes) which doubles as a manual, but lacks all the sportiness....its a hard choice.
thinking realistically though, a AU3 XR is probably easier to find at the Wholsalers.
thats what its coming down to...AU2 LTD, AU3 XR 8 or BA XT 5.4.
creature comforts and power or sheer power and minimal luxuries?
hard decision.

[Racecraft]

5.4l XT all day...

[Falcon SXR8]

The xr8 alot more of a sports car handle awsome.

[Aeron]

Its a hard one. I like the look of the XR8 but I dont like the interior.
I'd have to say XT 5.4L Manual.

[jabba]

The AU XR8.. It will with out a doubt run rings around the XT on the circuit, but on the 1/4 the XT would win... I personaly could'nt give 2 hoots about the 1/4

The AU XR8 look heaps nicer also

[Peuty]

I would pick the AU, simply for the fact that I reckon they have more character than a base model BA, V8 or not.

It would have to be a manual though.

[Smoke Pursuit]

AUIII XR8

Specially if its blueprint with the racing body kit.

BA XT 5.4 is too cheap on the inside, i dont like the standard dash board / trims, plus they dont sound anywhere near as good as the 5.0L

[Rob]

Thats a bastard of a question.. go the sleeper? or the charm of the old Windsor?



Cant decide. Make a new option please: BOTH

[andrewts]

I picked a BA XT 5.4L.

I can imagine some serious right foot action in an XT Wagon...

Ah well.

[jarridtheruler]

the auIII XR8 for sure. I reckon the au's look better now than when they came out

[SVR73]

AU - because they look better, handle better, lighter and much better interior materials than BA plus the XT would need lowering etc.

[XR_Strider_GuY]

Hmm interesting one.

I would go for the AUIII XR8. Suspesion is already tuned to have fun around corners, theres a decent exhaust note and the thrill of owning a Tickford hand modified engine. Yeap I would go for the ol rip snorting Windsor 220kw.

[Steffo]

AUIII XR8. It's a sports car. The XT is a wallowy family car with a sub-standard V8 in it.

The 220kW 435Nm S3 XR8's are still very decent machines. On the road, BA/BF GT's can't shake them, they're a bit embarassing (thank goodness for the XR6 Turbo and F6 Typhoon to make up for the 5.4's inadequacy).

And you've got a far easier job of making the 302W fast then the 3v SOHC 5.4, or the DOHC one for that matter. An advantage of being around for 40 years is that there'll be ALOT of parts for that engine. Its no contest really.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Steffo

AUIII XR8. It's a sports car. The XT is a wallowy family car with a sub-standard V8 in it.

The 220kW 435Nm S3 XR8's are still very decent machines. On the road, BA/BF GT's can't shake them, they're a bit embarassing (thank goodness for the XR6 Turbo and F6 Typhoon to make up for the 5.4's inadequacy).

And you've got a far easier job of making the 302W fast then the 3v SOHC 5.4, or the DOHC one for that matter. An advantage of being around for 40 years is that there'll be ALOT of parts for that engine. Its no contest really.

Steffo, my 260kwBAXR8 whipped my 220kw XR8, the difference in grunt is substantial. The 3V or 4V 5.4 if far easier to get more power from than the 5.0 wheezor.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

The 3V or 4V 5.4 if far easier to get more power from than the 5.0 wheezor.

: _

That's all I have to say.

I've given up on these arguments a long time ago. Its fruitless trying to prove to people who don't understand that newer doesn't mean more potential, nor does having more power from the factory.

40+ years of existence + being the most popular Ford aftermarket engine in the world + having an entire professional racing series revolve around one single engine > anything you can think of.

[XR8-260]

Look wise - the AUIII XR8 wins hands down - body kit, alloys, spoiler.

Engine - BA XT 5.4 - more free revving and more potential

Interior - BA XT is much classier in even in entry level form (except for the rear wind-up windows).

[MoreHPformyXR6]

Originally Posted by 30487256

Engine - BA XT 5.4 - more free revving

In standard form anyhow the AU III XR8 5L would rev higher than the BA XT 5.4L

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Steffo

: _

That's all I have to say.

I've given up on these arguments a long time ago. Its fruitless trying to prove to people who don't understand that newer doesn't mean more potential, nor does having more power from the factory.

40+ years of existence + being the most popular Ford aftermarket engine in the world + having an entire professional racing series revolve around one single engine > anything you can think of.

That is so true and at least if you bought the AU it wouldnt look like a Taxi like the XT. I get the opinion that 4vman thinks he knows everything. Anyway thats why i bought a T series its better then both the XR and BA and whats even better theres not one on every corner like the BA XT or the BA XR8 for that matter. : Long live the T series

[Powdered Toast Man]

Originally Posted by Steffo

: _

That's all I have to say.

I've given up on these arguments a long time ago. Its fruitless trying to prove to people who don't understand that newer doesn't mean more potential, nor does having more power from the factory.

40+ years of existence + being the most popular Ford aftermarket engine in the world + having an entire professional racing series revolve around one single engine > anything you can think of.

Someones digging up old threads.....

Lots of guys on here defending the windsor as a powerful engine with mods, and I agree a big budget windsor would be an awsome motor. In fact I am looking at buying a windsor powered car as a weekend toy. But have any of you guys who are saying the 3V is crap actually driven 1?

For the record after owning my V8 BA for a while I can say that the AU would be a better drive in the twisties due to it's lighter weight. The 3V really is a torque monster though!! Now if only the 3V came in a lighter, smaller body all would be right in the world.

I'm sure the aftermarket for the modular engines will grow now that they have been used in the states for a while. But 40 years of windsors will have obviously developed a nice aftermarket.

[cedric]

au pitty about strange blob in centre of dash. ba interior much better. winsor sound flogs 5.4 . was comparing my ba and missus au and the shape of the ba guard accually is same as leading edge of door .if i didn't know better i would say that the ba was first and then modified into the au

[AEF_Silver94]

AUIII XR8, simple,its one of my all time fav cars. Nice aggressive look,one of the cars im pushing to own .

[fiery]

I chose the XR simply because I am a car snob e

I like other cars, just do not wish to own anything other than an XR (yeah, yeah... I know.. no-one has to say anything : )

[[Tonko]]

Originally Posted by fiery

I chose the XR simply because I am a car snob e

I like other cars, just do not wish to own anything other than an XR (yeah, yeah... I know.. no-one has to say anything : )

HAHA me too!
but my standards arent as high, i wouldnt touch anything below fairmont... :

[BAFalconXT]

Really depends if you are going to spend money on it. The XR8 is a package, where the XT 5.4L is a better base if you are going to build it up. I would go the BA, just with CAI, exaust, and custom tune, it will hammer.