BA/BF XR6T/XR8/Tornado/Pursuit

[deanogw]

hi guys, so im thinking about getting a B model xr6t/xr8/tornado or pursuit ute, im torn between which to get, id like 6speed manual but would settle with a 5 speed. kms dont matter as itd be rebuilt anyway. i have a 5.4 triton which has been okay and i have a 6.0 gto so im wondering if it would be better to go the route of a xr6t or tornado , obviously tornados are alot more pricey. i dont live in aus anymore and the vehicle will be getting converted to lhd before reaching its final destination. would love everyones opinions. its gonna end up as a cruise car for one of my friends charity car clubs, i love v8s but the turbo noise is golden. also anyone know of a lhd conversion done for one of these ever?

[WASP]

Welcome, Dean to the forum!

I am used to hearing about people converting to RHD but LHD almost never! lol

Given that this car will be quite unique where you are gong I would be inclined to go down the turbo 6 route. The F6 Tornado's are becoming pretty thin on the ground now while the XR6T Utes are much more accessible. For me personally, it would be the F6 Tornado for the win in either BA/BF or FG form. The auto suits the T6 best for these cars but the 6-speed manual is more fun.

I suspect the T6 would be much easier to convert. The V8 with is huge quad-cam heads consume all the space in the engine bay. Many people choose to drop the engine out just to fit headers! I suspect relocating brake booster, steering assembly etc will be very challenging, not to mention the engine plenum and induction assembly will need to be reserved. It's going to be quite a job.

The BA/BF 260 and 290 5.4 BOSS V8's area good solid motor that goes reasonably well in the mid to upper range. Not as rapid or as nice to drive as the T6's, however, stock vs stock. If you really want them to sing adding boost usually works best but you are better off rebuilding the bottom end to suit. The Boss 260 in the XR's is a slightly lower risk due to its lower compression.

I hope that information helps. I have a BA V8 and a FG Turbo 6. I love them both!

[deanogw]

Welcome, Dean to the forum!

I am used to hearing about people converting to RHD but LHD almost never! lol

Given that this car will be quite unique where you are gong I would be inclined to go down the turbo 6 route. The F6 Tornado's are becoming pretty thin on the ground now while the XR6T Utes are much more accessible. For me personally, it would be the F6 Tornado for the win in either BA/BF or FG form. The auto suits the T6 best for these cars but the 6-speed manual is more fun.

I suspect the T6 would be much easier to convert. The V8 with is huge quad-cam heads consume all the space in the engine bay. Many people choose to drop the engine out just to fit headers! I suspect relocating brake booster, steering assembly etc will be very challenging, not to mention the engine plenum and induction assembly will need to be reserved. It's going to be quite a job.

The BA/BF 260 and 290 5.4 BOSS V8's area good solid motor that goes reasonably well in the mid to upper range. Not as rapid or as nice to drive as the T6's, however, stock vs stock. If you really want them to sing adding boost usually works best but you are better off rebuilding the bottom end to suit. The Boss 260 in the XR's is a slightly lower risk due to its lower compression.

I hope that information helps. I have a BA V8 and a FG Turbo 6. I love them both!

thanks wasp. so far on other forums ive received comments of value etc, i honestly careless about value.
the car will be the only one in the americas id say, but atleast latin central and south america. i really think me going the tornado route would be wrong, as someone who has always loved them i really dont want to chop one up considering how many are probably left same goes for any fpv and thus i think ill go the XR road. i like the t6 just because it is abit different, i have 4 v8 and soon getting a 5th so a t6 would be fun. and as you say the converting would be easier. i plan on getting it shipped to the uk where i work to get it converted as its pretty cheap to do that sort of thing here compared to australia and then the vehicle will be sent to Panama. i am wondering as ive been searching that BA/BF xr6t utes are getting abit pricey, considering im basically gonna create frankenstein as it is would i be better just buying a cheaper xr8 or xr6 and getting a xr6t or F6 engine from a wrecker and slapping her in. im not one to buy fakes but in this case i couldnt bare to chop up a nice fpv. also how much hp is to much hp in one of those, ideally id like to spank my mates gen 1 audi r8

[WASP]

Fair enough on the Tornado call. I totally get that.

The XR version of the engine is almost as capable. You can read about the differences here. Just keep in mind this article is referring the FG and FGX version of the engines https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/fpv...the-difference

Power and torque is sky’s the limit if you are prepared to modify the engine. Even if left stock and you only custom tune one it will dust off your friends stock or similarly tuned LS1 without too much drama. Not sure about the Audi but I suspect that too, grip dependent.


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[deanogw]

well ive found a small time hot rod shop near me in Oxford. (im in the UK) and he has given me a decent ball park figure of about 6k GBP which is pretty decent price. ive decided to got he xr6t route. we have also discussed power mods, and suspension mods, maybe a 4 link rear end (think ive seen a pre done kit some where). inn regards to power mods, what is best? do i go big intercooler, more boost, injectors, turbo back exhaust and headers and tune? i know id like 380 to 400rwkw but not really much more as im still not ready to die.
my other question is price? what would be a reasonable price on a xrt6 with around 200k km or so, or should i just look for a xr6 and get a t6 or fpv f6 engine from a wrecker?

[WASP]

well ive found a small time hot rod shop near me in Oxford. (im in the UK) and he has given me a decent ball park figure of about 6k GBP which is pretty decent price. ive decided to got he xr6t route. we have also discussed power mods, and suspension mods, maybe a 4 link rear end (think ive seen a pre done kit some where). inn regards to power mods, what is best? do i go big intercooler, more boost, injectors, turbo-back exhaust and headers and tune? i know id like 380 to 400rwkw but not really much more as im still not ready to die.
my other question is price? what would be a reasonable price on a xrt6 with around 200k km or so, or should i just look for a xr6 and get a t6 or fpv f6 engine from a wrecker?

You'll achieve close to those power levels without doing much. If you buy a high km motor you are best to completely strip it down and build the bottom end too. The Rods and pistons used arent that durable for high boost applications. The low boost they are fine (up to 12 psi). Injectors, cooling, valve springs and plumbing are the main items that typically limit the stock motor. Get those sorted and you are well on your way. If you rebuild your engine for high boost then I would also look at upgrading the camshafts too.

I would personally start with an XR6T base but if you plan on changing the factory turbo or gearbox anyway this is less of an issue. High boost may also require your manual box to be upgraded or strengthened. The torque rating on the 5 speeder is only 500-550 ish nm I think. The later 6 speed is 650 ish. It will last for a while with a good clutch but you'll be way over on both.

Price-wise, non-turbo's BA-BF XR Utes typically go for between $4k to $8k (AUD), depending on kms and conditions. A manual non-turbo will be harder to find.
As for the turbo variants in the manual, they can fetch up to 25-50% more unless they are a pretty tired example.

Then the is this for $500 :-)
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rock...ute/1230530751

[deanogw]

You'll achieve close to those power levels without doing much. If you buy a high km motor you are best to completely strip it down and build the bottom end too. The Rods and pistons used arent that durable for high boost applications. The low boost they are fine (up to 12 psi). Injectors, cooling, valve springs and plumbing are the main items that typically limit the stock motor. Get those sorted and you are well on your way. If you rebuild your engine for high boost then I would also look at upgrading the camshafts too.

I would personally start with an XR6T base but if you plan on changing the factory turbo or gearbox anyway this is less of an issue. High boost may also require your manual box to be upgraded or strengthened. The torque rating on the 5 speeder is only 500-550 ish nm I think. The later 6 speed is 650 ish. It will last for a while with a good clutch but you'll be way over on both.

Price-wise, non-turbo's BA-BF XR Utes typically go for between $4k to $8k (AUD), depending on kms and conditions. A manual non-turbo will be harder to find.
As for the turbo variants in the manual, they can fetch up to 25-50% more unless they are a pretty tired example.

Then the is this for $500 :-)
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rock...ute/1230530751

gearbox i was really thinking about what you said about driveability and though i am a manual fan the zf 6speed may be my best bet, i saw some wreckers with them for like 550 to 600 dont know if that cheap or not cheap, also saw a bf mk2 f6 engine for 5500 with not many kms only like 70,000km which is like new. i was thinking of buying a roller or one that needs a rebuild on the engine as i can do alot of the engine work myself but if i bought only a roller i could go the route of f6 engine with mods and a zf 6 speed, just comes down to price of the f6 engine and if its worth it or just a normal xr6t would be more cost effective

[WASP]

The ZF 6speed certainly is the more effective box for this engine from a drivability standpoint. However, even that is torque limited (approx 700km) if you really intend to push 450-500rwkw ++. Using a modified C4 or Turbo 400 is often adopted for drag strip allocation.

The F6 motor and assembly is a better base to work from if you can get one. Just keep in mind the bottom end isn't forged either so it will only take so much. For around 380 to 400rwkw and 700 Nm+ of tractive effort if should be fine condition and tune dependent of course.

[deanogw]

The ZF 6speed certainly is the more effective box for this engine from a drivability standpoint. However, even that is torque limited (approx 700km) if you really intend to push 450-500rwkw ++. Using a modified C4 or Turbo 400 is often adopted for drag strip allocation.

The F6 motor and assembly is a better base to work from if you can get one. Just keep in mind the bottom end isn't forged either so it will only take so much. For around 380 to 400rwkw and 700 Nm+ of tractive effort if should be fine condition and tune dependent of course.

ah okay so either way really i need to build the bottom end so may as well just go xr6t engine as they are easily half the dollars of a f6. i will admit the GBP is a god send almost 2 for 1.
i dont plan on really drag racing it i mean im sure itll happen but probably not often so i think id be safe with the zf 6 speed. with the bottom end building, obviously forged pistons but should i be dropping the compression ratio for more boost or with forged pistons would i be safe to keep compression the same and up the boost. and i can get a full 4 inch exhaust made here for next to nothing so are bigger headers warranted? id be deleting the cat completely and be stuffing a big ass CAI somewhere not so visible in the front