T5 Conversion - advice sought

[launch]

Hi All,

For starters, hello to all of the fellow E-series owners. It's great to see such a specific forum for these strong, reliable (and cost-effective) vehicles.

What I'm really after is some advice.

I own an automatic '94 ED XR6, with nearly 240,000 kilometers on the clock, and still going strong.

Recently I've been overcome by the desire for the manual transmission that I should have held out for in the first place!!! To this end, I contacted Mal Wood auto in Warwick for a quote on a T5 conversion. They offered me the following:

A kit containing a reconditioned XR6 spec T5, with improved shift, new clutch etc for $3200. They will install this kit (drive in, drive out, same day) for close to the $600 mark. Initially this was more than I bargained on, but on closer evaluation, it seems like an OK (if slightly expensive) price, considering the reconditioned box, shift improvements, new clutch etc.

So now I'm at the cross roads. Do I:

a) Go with the Mal Wood conversion (with rebuilt, shift kitted T5, new clutch, and single day, stress free install)
b) Obtain a wrecker supplied conversion kit (of unknown quality) for around $1000, and have it installed be a random mechanic (also of unknown quality)
c) Sell the ED, and look around for a manual EF, EL or AU XR6 (with airbags! )
d) Purchase the 5 speed BF XT Falcon that I took for a test drive yesterday (40,000 odd kilometres, $19,500, drive away)

Any advice would be much appreciated. I've been racking my brains over what to do for over a week now!

PS. To any mods - I've started this thread in the general discussion area, as it's not a tech question per se. Feel free to relocate it if this is incorrect.

Thanks,

Richard

[-jjM-]

B would be my option, C if you want a factory car with a manual, but d does sound prity sweet, not an E-Series, who cares 5spd XT thumbs up

A is just too expensive and not really worth it, good parts included as well as a proper XR manual but i wouldnt pay anything over 2k for that

[nommic]

Go the BF, or a BA with more km's (hence lower purchase price and hopefully higher-spec than XT, or more money left over for mods).

[private9]

I think you need to decide first whether you want a newer car, or you simply want a manual. If you simply want a manual, option b sounds boost. No way in hell I'd be paying 4k for the mal wood conversion. For that money you could afford to do a wrecker conversion, and blow the gearbox a few times before it'd cost that much.

[OED666]

surely the BF would be a 6 speed manual.

go the BF...

[launch]

OED666 - in BF models, the T56 became available in atmo 6 cylinder cars only in XR6 spec, so the XT misses out.

dansedgli, private9 - as for the choice between a new car, and a simple manual conversion, I'd would rather a new car (as would most people). It really comes down to whether I can justify dropping close to 20 grand on a car (I've never spent more than $7500!). It will take just over $100 from my pay cheque every week for the next 6 years. While I can afford this, I'm more than a little tentative about such a commitment. The other side of the coin is that a newer car is safer, more reliable, better on fuel (on the highway at least) and has a longer life span (not that Falcon's really wear out, it just comes down to how much you like replacing parts, once the vehicle starts to age).

I did an oil change (Mobil 1) + degrease on the weekend, and at the same time I replaced the O2 sensor. The car is so smooth to drive with the new sensor. This has made me think about keeping it a bit longer.

nommic - fair call about an older car, the only problem is that tracking one down is such a pain (unless you're after a ute).

Does anyone have an idea of what a straight, automatic, poly-green XR6 would be worth? $4000 - $5000?

[private9]

OED666 - in BF models, the T56 became available in atmo 6 cylinder cars only in XR6 spec, so the XT misses out.

dansedgli, private9 - as for the choice between a new car, and a simple manual conversion, I'd would rather a new car (as would most people). It really comes down to whether I can justify dropping close to 20 grand on a car (I've never spent more than $7500!). It will take just over $100 from my pay cheque every week for the next 6 years. While I can afford this, I'm more than a little tentative about such a commitment. The other side of the coin is that a newer car is safer, more reliable, better on fuel (on the highway at least) and has a longer life span (not that Falcon's really wear out, it just comes down to how much you like replacing parts, once the vehicle starts to age).

I did an oil change (Mobil 1) + degrease on the weekend, and at the same time I replaced the O2 sensor. The car is so smooth to drive with the new sensor. This has made me think about keeping it a bit longer.

nommic - fair call about an older car, the only problem is that tracking one down is such a pain (unless you're after a ute).

Does anyone have an idea of what a straight, automatic, poly-green XR6 would be worth? $4000 - $5000?

If you only want to spend 7500 and want the newest manual falcon you can get, then search around for an AU3 (if you can handle the looks). They are pretty good overall, and they are around for that money, just ignore the stupid prices some people are asking for them.

I reckon you may get 4-5k for the ED as long as it's nice and clean.

[XR8TickfordBoy]

keep the auto, shift-kit and stallie FTW. Going from a manual to a fully worked auto, I now love the auto, if your planning boost or major power down the line the auto can hack it (rebuilt, shift-kit & stallie) but otherwise if u just want a manual u may as well upgrade to an AU or BF.

[launch]

And the winner is....


















Option D!!!!

After 3.5 years, and 80,000 kilometres in the ED, the era of the BF has arrived!
Pictures coming soon-ish.

I picked it up around 5pm this afternoon. Initial impressions - a bit of noise from the T5 (the usual whining), along with a very quiet off idle exhaust note (making it hard to hear the engine), but other than that (and the high-ratio open wheeler, and the lack of sports suspension), I'm very chuffed (the handbrake is happy to be seated in comfort too!)

It cost 19,000 all up (on road, with new tyres, six months rego, and the balance of new car warranty).

Thanks for the advice fellas! I'm going for a drive!

[Damo]

BF's are good. Congrats on the Purchase.

[private9]

Good stuff mate, congrats.

[Ef_frmnt]

bf 5sps are bit noisy/clunky/jerky but you get used to them.

[launch]

Ignore the 18's - it's on steel rims/ hubcaps at the moment

[Jim Beam]

Needs ultra lows.

[Kenaz]

Nice mate. That thing will go pretty hard with minimal mods.

[Commando]

Good stuff, post up some skid pics soon

[Rollin]

Can you get Lokkas for BF's? I suggest you look into it

Dump on its guts and lokka FTW