NEW CAR (EL with 60,000ks)

[Jack-5150]

Hey guys,

Just picked up an 1997 EL Futura with only 60,000ks on the clock. Paid a little more than I wanted to but she was worth it :-)
She was fully serviced recently, so I'm going to wait until she hits 70,000 to take her to a mechanic.

Anyhow, just wondering what mods you guys would recommend? I want to keep things relatively modest, so no forced induction or internal work just yet.
So far all I can think of is...
Full exhaust, are Di Fillipo systems ok?
CAI (SS inductions big mouth?)
Manifold insulator from Mace Engineering
Shift kit

Any words of wisdom are welcome, I want this thing to last me for at least the next 4 years while I go through uni.

[XR_Lightning]

sounds good man, chuck up some pics or make a show thread

[Jack-5150]

Oh one more thing....what rims suit the EL shape?
I like the look of the BF XR8 rims, but they don't fit...right?

[mickyyyy]

Extractors and LPG so u can save money for future updates

[Kyle the ED4LTR]

Im running a full Stainless Steel DiFillipo on my ED and loved the results, they sound quite nice too

[bng]

Oh one more thing....what rims suit the EL shape?
I like the look of the BF XR8 rims, but they don't fit...right?

Ive got ba xr6T rims (from what I've been told) but I'm running hub adapters. You can buy pre Au rims. I've found anything that comes stock on the newer fords look good on the El's.
Good to see your from the gong. My el will be there on saturday

[TechXR]

From experience, pacemaker extractors and redback exhausts will do you fine. For the intake, you could go with BA intake piping and a BA XR6T snorkel (as they are fairly bigger), or a CAI with the snorkel. Also get some lowered springs and some different/bigger rims. They are the mods people usually start off with and get you results right away.

[Mr_4.0]

I would lower it and leave it. To good to molest.

[Jack-5150]

Thanks guys. She certainly is a keeper.
Being the obsessive-compulsive freak that I am, I'm going to get my mechanic to go through it with a fine-tooth comb.
The brakes were done a few days before I bought it, and it received a basic service (oil change, inspection etc).
To keep it running lovely, and to put my mind at ease, I'm going to do the following.
1)Replace serpentine belt and tensioner pulleys
2)Flush radiator, replace coolant, replace thermostat
3)New oil filter, synthetic oil
4)New Fuel Filter
5)New plugs and leads
6)Gearbox service and diff oil change
Shouldn't cost too much considering it's just an E series.
I'll get all that done before I look into CAI and exhausts. I'm leaning towards XR6/GT snorkel, modified airbox with K&N filter.

[TechXR]

XR6 snorkels aren't bigger iirc, but the GT ones are.

Here's hoping you don't do the neons and the stickers and the other usual BS mods that p platers do.

[Jack-5150]

XR6 snorkels aren't bigger iirc, but the GT ones are.

Here's hoping you don't do the neons and the stickers and the other usual BS mods that p platers do.

Mate, I'd never do that tasteless sh*t haha. Besides, I'm not a P Plater :-) I'll be 21 in September.
She's going to stay nice and clean looking, I'm even going to leave the bonnet/headlight protectors on.
I just want her running smooth, and sounding good... I'll worry about rims, lowering etc later.

Would you recommend I replace the dizzy cap and ignition coil along with the plugs and leads? My pop has a brand new ford dizzy cap and bosch ignition coil.

[falcon4life]

Imo if it aint broke dont fix it especially when it comes to dizzys and thermostats, thats the stuff you wait till you have a problem, normally you create more by replacing them

[Ef_frmnt]

Imo if it aint broke dont fix it especially when it comes to dizzys and thermostats, thats the stuff you wait till you have a problem, normally you create more by replacing them

you do not create probems with preventative maintenance unless you dont know what you're doing.

[mickyyyy]

Thanks guys. She certainly is a keeper.
Being the obsessive-compulsive freak that I am, I'm going to get my mechanic to go through it with a fine-tooth comb.
The brakes were done a few days before I bought it, and it received a basic service (oil change, inspection etc).
To keep it running lovely, and to put my mind at ease, I'm going to do the following.
1)Replace serpentine belt and tensioner pulleys
2)Flush radiator, replace coolant, replace thermostat
3)New oil filter, synthetic oil
4)New Fuel Filter
5)New plugs and leads
6)Gearbox service and diff oil change
Shouldn't cost too much considering it's just an E series.
I'll get all that done before I look into CAI and exhausts. I'm leaning towards XR6/GT snorkel, modified airbox with K&N filter.

1) Leave belt if it looks fine
2) Radiators should be replaced every 5 years or 100,000 kms
3) Use Genuine or Cooper brand filter
4) Good idea
5) Plugs yes but leads can wait if the car is running fine...
6) Do a flush and not a service for transmission and also add a transmission cooler to bypass radiator...

[Jack-5150]

Thanks guys. She certainly is a keeper.
Being the obsessive-compulsive freak that I am, I'm going to get my mechanic to go through it with a fine-tooth comb.
The brakes were done a few days before I bought it, and it received a basic service (oil change, inspection etc).
To keep it running lovely, and to put my mind at ease, I'm going to do the following.
1)Replace serpentine belt and tensioner pulleys
2)Flush radiator, replace coolant, replace thermostat
3)New oil filter, synthetic oil
4)New Fuel Filter
5)New plugs and leads
6)Gearbox service and diff oil change
Shouldn't cost too much considering it's just an E series.
I'll get all that done before I look into CAI and exhausts. I'm leaning towards XR6/GT snorkel, modified airbox with K&N filter.

1) Leave belt if it looks fine
2) Radiators should be replaced every 5 years or 100,000 kms
3) Use Genuine or Cooper brand filter
4) Good idea
5) Plugs yes but leads can wait if the car is running fine...
6) Do a flush and not a service for transmission and also add a transmission cooler to bypass radiator...

Thanks Micky. She runs beautifully, only thing I've noticed is the belt (or possibly tensioner pulleys) make a little noise when I start her up in the morning. After driving for 5-10 it goes away. I doubt the belt has ever been changed as the car's been garaged it's entire life, doing only 4,000kms a year. The last recorded service was carried out in 2007, but the old bloke assured me that he had them do another one when he put it up for sale... the sticker on the window confirms this.
I'm just one of those obsessive compulsive blokes who needs everything perfect, and I'm the worst when it comes to my cars

[mickyyyy]

It's called preventative maintenance and I'm the same

I drop my oil and filter every 3 months and use Valvoline Dura Blend 15w50 Semi Synthetic and I do about 1200-1500 kms per month...

As you got it with low kms and if you intend to keep it a while maybe do the same or every 4 months....

[Jack-5150]

It's called preventative maintenance and I'm the same

I drop my oil and filter every 3 months and use Valvoline Dura Blend 15w50 Semi Synthetic and I do about 1200-1500 kms per month...

As you got it with low kms and if you intend to keep it a while maybe do the same or every 4 months....

Haha yep. Going through my Gregory's manual right now in fact.
I have a spare ignition coil and distributor cap sitting in my boot. Are these things that last long?
I'm the first to admit that I know pretty much bugger all about cars, so pardon my ignorance haha.

[mickyyyy]

It's called preventative maintenance and I'm the same

I drop my oil and filter every 3 months and use Valvoline Dura Blend 15w50 Semi Synthetic and I do about 1200-1500 kms per month...

As you got it with low kms and if you intend to keep it a while maybe do the same or every 4 months....

Haha yep. Going through my Gregory's manual right now in fact.
I have a spare ignition coil and distributor cap sitting in my boot. Are these things that last long?
I'm the first to admit that I know pretty much bugger all about cars, so pardon my ignorance haha.

Yen they last so I would change it when they fail...

I'd flush the transmission first up and add trans cooler as that cost's the most and most common thing to fail...