03 BA Fairmont Ghia 5.4 3V

[Michael (HYPOEB)]

Im looking at buying a BA Fairmont Ghia with the 5.4lt 3V motor. I dont no a real lot about B series and next to nothing about the 5.4 3V motors. Is there any problems i should be aware of with these? Are these motors hard to get power out like the Boss motors? How do they compare to the AUIII 220kw motors?
$10,000 to $12,000 seems to be a good price for these?

From the small amount of info i can find on these i've read that the valve stem seal seems to **** up and they start blowing smoke? Also they seem to make a funny niose when the revs drop back down,Anyone know what this is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na0SgVBq ... re=related


Any help would be much appreciated!

[EFFalcon]

2 issues with the engine.

timing chain tensioners, VCT phasers

both pricey to fix.

but both are typically audible.
make sure you get a chance to hear the car start from a reasonably cold start, that'll normally make the tensioners audible.
once its warmed up, the phasers have a light knock .

The auto's arn't as good as the XR8 auto's.


power is somewhat limited, low 200's seems to be the most you'll get with all the bolt ons and a tune.
cam's are expensive.

but these are very torquey.

havn't been able to compare to a 220kw AU, i'd say the AU would be quicker though.

[Michael (HYPOEB)]

Cheers for that info mate

[Mr. CVE]

mine made 230 with bolt ons and went 13.5 that was a ghia full street trim on the 20's !

Then I boosted it was much more fun !

Dont forget how much fun you will have with spark plugs ! they cost u a fortune !! and if one breaks..... well we just won't go there !

[Sloxr6]

Also they seem to make a funny niose when the revs drop back down,Anyone know what this is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na0SgVBq ... re=related

Sounds like a stuffed bearing in one of the pulley's to me.

[EFFalcon]

nah its not pulley related, they only do it when free revving, and i've heard a lot of them do it.
ours does.

[Mr. CVE]

Mine was in the gearbox, Was one of the sprags or something ?? Gearbox guy said don't worry about it, so I didn't.

[EFFalcon]

haha, makes sense.
my wagon's got a busted sprag clutch, keeps goin though.

[Sloxr6]

Never heard heard it. The missus one never done it.