Bryan's Red Rocket: v3.0

part 2 of 2

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Updates submitted 07-06-2004

How do you improve on perfection?  Hint: that shaker ain't there for good looks!

In automotive terms, time usually has only one of two effects.  Usually, a car deteriorates over time and with normal abuse until eventually the cost of repairing it's faults overcomes it's value - which then usually assigned to the scrap heap...  But occasionally (or as evidenced by the cars on this site - more often that occasionally!) somebody comes along who defies the norm and the process of time leads to something much, much better than the factory ever intended...

Caught at the 2004 FPV Open Day - photo by Doug Bevan of www.trueblueford.com 

Even better when that someone has the determination to see some really unique mods come to fruition!  But is calling a shaker unique going a little too far?  Maybe not on an XY or even XD - but on a EL the answer is going to be definitely unique!  Now it would be enough to be able to set up a fully functional shaker (as Ford has done with it's 2004 Mustang Mach 1's), but when making the job easier also adds serious horse power (factory type injected Windsor manifolds were never much to write home about - 'cept the T3) who was Bryan to say no?  

If only it was all that simple - as finding a workshop capable and willing to the job proved more difficult than it sounds!  Finally Bryan found LMG Performance of Warnertown, S.A (ph 08 86343118) with their Dyno equipped workshop - who did the job so magnificently and without a word of complaint that Bryan selected them for the rest of his mechanical needs.   "I was trying to get a  Shaker fitted and after talking to all the big places, they were the only ones who accepted  what I wanted to do and came up with the solution."   What he eventually achieved (via an upgraded Unichip) was a worthwhile 145Kw at the treads with more in his sights - up from the 128kW achieved by his previous efforts. Left:  Caught at the 2004 FPV Open Day, this is only the start...

Now it's about here that we should mention that poking a scoop straight through the bonnet immeadiately off of the intake manifold in this day of anti-fun legislation ain't exactly what you'd call legal - although fortunately Bryan reports no undue attention yet.   "Yeah - no problems with the Men in Blue yet, the joys of living in the country I guess. - Although they have  given it an interesting look more than once!  Most people think it's a fake - so maybe they do too." Right:  A view you don't often see on a late model V8 - and a damn shame at that!  Cold air doesn't come any more direct than that...

Braided brake lines were next fitted to the front  resulting in a more responsive brake pedal when it counts. Next came the handling improvements courtesy of LMG via replacement of all the bushes in the rear suspension with Noelathane -  bringing handling back much closer to what the factory intended.

Those of you who remember Version 1 & 2 will also  remember it's admirably clean and un-adorned looks.  But that didn't stop Bryan wanting more - so an alternative was sought to the usual Tickford body kit that sees duty on so many EFs & ELs.  

The new body kit pieces - which ended up being a combination from a number of different sources - were purchased through Advanced Spoilers in Adelaide and fitted by Jamestown Smash who had done such a good job on the hole in the bonnet "that I had no hesitation using them for the kit".  

But back to the mechanicals - where a new engine is now underway courtesy of now well-visited LMG Performance. Starting with a capacity increase from a lowly 302ci to a more respectable 347ci courtesy of a Scat 347 crank, Scat 'H' beam rods, Keith Black pistons, main bearing girdle and full stud kit from top to bottom - including converting the block to accept 1/2" head studs.  Now that's tough!  Edelbrock 5.0 Performer Heads in Alloy will soon join the list of performance items, grooved to accept wire gaskets along with the block - a sign of things to come and NOS intentions - and that's no laughing matter!  

"The motor's built tough enough to take NOS, so a full system will be purchased soon (the new style with individual nozzles under each injector)" making sure that there's always enough grunt on tap to nail the quarter mile time Bryan's after.   Right:  You just don't get many streetable EL Falcon engine bays looking tougher than this...  Photo by Doug Bevan of www.trueblueford.com

A new cam more suited to the new modifications will be used of course - actuating the same1.72 rollers rockers as before via a new set of " top quality" push rods and lifters keeping things nice and reliable when big RPM comes to town...

Well, that's just about it for now (as if that wasn't enough) - until the big day comes and the install goes ahead.  After that, it's just time to run the new motor in, and then "take it to the drags before Xmas for some quarter times as well."  Sounds good to us!  Looking forward to those updates!

Not THE end!

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