Doing up the '98 AU

[rul3r]

Well, since this is my first post I though I might post something very newbish.

I am thinking of buying a '98 AU falcon forte. Basically, I was wanting to ask what should I do to the car (please note I'm fairly new to all this, as in having not much idea of what I'm talking about, so please don't flame too much :P)?

From reading some of the posts on this forum, I sort of want to "rice" the car, but also do some suspension mods, as where I live there are some pretty fun ranges .

Anyhow, so far I've come up with:
* 17" BA XR8 rims
* Suspension mods (maybe lowering, suspension upgrades)
* Maybe body kit (the car is white, but being a forte it has that horrible black strip along the side and black side mirror paintjob. I was thinking of getting them done white).
* Maybe change the Head & Tail lights, as they look pretty crap.
* Chrome tip on the muffler.

Overall, I basically want the car to look nice, and handle great all for under $3000. Any suggestions / ideas (I'm assuming I can get the rims for about $1000 with tyres second hand)?

[S3SR]

Originally Posted by rul3r

Well, since this is my first post I though I might post something very newbish.

I am thinking of buying a '98 AU falcon forte. Basically, I was wanting to ask what should I do to the car (please note I'm fairly new to all this, as in having not much idea of what I'm talking about, so please don't flame too much :P)?

From reading some of the posts on this forum, I sort of want to "rice" the car, but also do some suspension mods, as where I live there are some pretty fun ranges .

Anyhow, so far I've come up with:
* 17" BA XR8 rims
* Suspension mods (maybe lowering, suspension upgrades)
* Maybe body kit (the car is white, but being a forte it has that horrible black strip along the side and black side mirror paintjob. I was thinking of getting them done white).
* Maybe change the Head & Tail lights, as they look pretty crap.
* Chrome tip on the muffler.

Overall, I basically want the car to look nice, and handle great all for under $3000. Any suggestions / ideas (I'm assuming I can get the rims for about $1000 with tyres second hand)?

weclome to the forums

so look and handle great well what others will say is

upgrade the rotors and brakes
get those black moulds colour coded
DONT get altezza's cause they are crap
get a extractors and xorst
BA scuffs are cheap and look much better
Tickford snorkle
any mags look better than AUI forte's
spoiler (bob tail or XR)
tickford cluster
momo steering wheel and gear knob
power windows all round
chrome door handles (interior)

u might hate the exterior as do most but do it bit by bit and ull eventually love it and being something that u want to mod immediately i recommend not spending alll your money in one place especially not a car u dont like the look of

[robbo_yobbo]

Originally Posted by rul3r

Well, since this is my first post I though I might post something very newbish.

I am thinking of buying a '98 AU falcon forte. Basically, I was wanting to ask what should I do to the car (please note I'm fairly new to all this, as in having not much idea of what I'm talking about, so please don't flame too much :P)?

From reading some of the posts on this forum, I sort of want to "rice" the car, but also do some suspension mods, as where I live there are some pretty fun ranges .

Anyhow, so far I've come up with:
* 17" BA XR8 rims
* Suspension mods (maybe lowering, suspension upgrades)
* Maybe body kit (the car is white, but being a forte it has that horrible black strip along the side and black side mirror paintjob. I was thinking of getting them done white).
* Maybe change the Head & Tail lights, as they look pretty crap.
* Chrome tip on the muffler.

Overall, I basically want the car to look nice, and handle great all for under $3000. Any suggestions / ideas (I'm assuming I can get the rims for about $1000 with tyres second hand)?

Depends what your willing to do yourself.
- Ive started retrimming the entire interior (doors, dash, front/rear seats, roof, trims) and the total cost there should come in under $500 which includes the purchase of sports seats sports seats.
- steering wheel/gear knob/hanbrake cover
- If you wanna stay white, pull off all that black trim junk on the door strips and the mirror covers and paint them to match (that should cost you next to nothing),
- you can pick up a nice set of second hand 17"s for around the $200-$400 mark,
- Im a fan of the altezzas $100-$150,
- If its rice your after, cheap undercar LED/NEON kits go for around the $100 mark,
- set asside about $1000 for skirts, front/rear bars and spoiler (take a look on ebay) and paint it yourself for the cheapest option,
- lowered springs for your car are dirt cheap 2nd hand cos they wer the same for the E series (NON IRS),
- I pickedup a sunroof for $100, install it yourself
- get your windows tinted,
- a couple of illegal washer jets,
- braided hose kit for under the hood, tickford snorkle, paint rocker cover,
- spray your brake calipers to stand out through the rims,
- and a couple of "ford racing" stickers for the windshields should see you with change outof that $3000 budget if you do it all yourself,
then that leaves money for the soundsystem also or a start to put towardsmaking your car go faster, Another $3000 got me an engine upgrade and a manual conversion, My advice is spend the money here first, its a worthwhile investment!

[GlennBA]

You'd be nearly able to get rims and new tyres for $1000, if you're only going 17's.
My bodykit was $660 from AWC and i had it painted along with my side mouldings and mirror scalps for $128.00 and a carton of beer in regency red, white may be even cheaper, who knows...
I wouldn't bother with the chrome exhaust tip, just get a 2.5" catback sports exhaust with some nice twin tips, mine set me back around $290 with the tips.
Heres a few suggestions..
-hawk grille (if you've got the horrible whale tooth grille)
-remove forte badge
-series 2/3 tail lights
-series 3 side repeaters

[OZFORDAU]

Have a look at my forte mate in in mt avatar!

If u look in my singnature it will say what i've done and what i wont to do!

Cheers

Simon :hihi: :sm_headba

[rul3r]

Righto, well thanks for that guys. But, I don't want to look like a loser with Neons under my car lol.

AWC is awcinfo.com right?

Anyhow, the awc bodykit on that site looks nice. Catback Sports exhaust with twin tips was what I was originally planning, but someone said not to bother. I guess it would be worth it though?

Debadging sounds great, as that forte badge looks a bit sus.

I think a decent paintjob is out of the question there as they are upwards of $2000 right?

I think I'll skip the sunroof part. Also, it's an auto, so I don't know about the momo gear knob, or does that look decent for auto's aswell? About the momo steering wheel, what happens to my cruise control and sound system buttons, and air bag? Doesn't the airbag cost a bit to muck around with? Windows are tinted already.

As to FalconSR, I don't hate the look of the car. In fact, I love what it can become, I just think that as the car I'll be getting is a base model forte, theres room for a hell of alot of improvement.

So, so far, basically:
* Get a decent set of rims
* Cat Back Sports exhaust with twin tips
* Debadge
* Get some sort of a bodykit (with spoiler, if funds allow)
* Get the engine looking nice
* Re-trim the interior, because it does look crap
* New lights, Altezza maybe, but FalconSR reckons they are crap

Looks like the bodykit with skirts and bars is about $1000?

[S3SR]

Originally Posted by rul3r

Righto, well thanks for that guys. But, I don't want to look like a loser with Neons under my car lol.

AWC is awcinfo.com right?

Anyhow, the awc bodykit on that site looks nice. Catback Sports exhaust with twin tips was what I was originally planning, but someone said not to bother. I guess it would be worth it though?

Debadging sounds great, as that forte badge looks a bit sus.

I think a decent paintjob is out of the question there as they are upwards of $2000 right?

I think I'll skip the sunroof part. Also, it's an auto, so I don't know about the momo gear knob, or does that look decent for auto's aswell? About the momo steering wheel, what happens to my cruise control and sound system buttons, and air bag? Doesn't the airbag cost a bit to muck around with? Windows are tinted already.

As to FalconSR, I don't hate the look of the car. In fact, I love what it can become, I just think that as the car I'll be getting is a base model forte, theres room for a hell of alot of improvement.

So, so far, basically:
* Get a decent set of rims
* Cat Back Sports exhaust with twin tips
* Debadge
* Get some sort of a bodykit (with spoiler, if funds allow)
* Get the engine looking nice
* Re-trim the interior, because it does look crap
* New lights, Altezza maybe, but FalconSR reckons they are crap

HAHA i do but just so u no i did put them on and saw what they looked like and i wont put them on even if they were for free but have a look at some other falcons on here and see what u think

ALSO if u havent checked it out check out the AU workshop build it should be at the top of the aufalcon.com thread

anyways good luck with the car
FalconSR

[OZFORDAU]

Get the cat back exhaust they sound truly mad! As for the momo gear the atuo shifter knob looks great if u get a momo one and the airbag wont be touched when installing the new momo sterring wheel and ur cruise and audio buttons just go straight back on!

Hmm about re-triming, if ur interrior is in really good nick i wouldn't bother about it mate, concentrate more on the out side and under the hood of ur car instead!

And buy either a C2R grill or a hawk grill or even the futura grill looks better for the time been!

I hope i've helped!

Cheers

Simon :evilking: :nutsycuck


PS: Be carefull of the MOD BUG too mate, you'll hear alot about it! Be carefull not to be biten by it as it doe's hurt! Oh and if you would like any tips on BLING ask Bucknaked! : :

[GlennBA]

Originally Posted by rul3r

Catback Sports exhaust with twin tips was what I was originally planning, but someone said not to bother. I guess it would be worth it though?

Yeah its worth it, the tips look great and its such a better exhaust note.

Originally Posted by rul3r

Debadging sounds great, as that forte badge looks a bit sus.

Just don't remove the "ford" or the "falcon" badge, the panels you take them off have locating holes on series 1's. Only the forte badge doesn't.

Originally Posted by rul3r

Also, it's an auto, so I don't know about the momo gear knob, or does that look decent for auto's aswell? About the momo steering wheel, what happens to my cruise control and sound system buttons, and air bag? Doesn't the airbag cost a bit to muck around with?

The momo auto gear knobs look pretty good. They were a factory option. The cruise control and audio buttons will screw straight onto your new steering wheel. Airbag is unscrewed and unplugged while the battery is disconnected. I changed my steering wheel over myself.

Originally Posted by rul3r

* Get some sort of a bodykit (with spoiler, if funds allow)
* Get the engine looking nice
* Re-trim the interior, because it does look crap
Looks like the bodykit with skirts and bars is about $1000?

It depends which bodykit you get. If you get a TS50 kit you'll need to replace the bonnet as well. If you get the XR50 kit you'll need to replace lights. If you get the hawk kit.. you're crazy : .. you should be able to get the tickford series 1 factory option kit through awc cheaper. I got my tickford series 2 kit through them for $660 which wasn't too badly priced.
With the engine, you can make them look pretty good. I got a belt cover off an EF falcon for my engine bay, i also painted the rocker cover gloss black and polished up the writing.
Also the re-trim of the interior will cost you almost 2/3 of your budget..

[robbo_yobbo]

Originally Posted by GlennAUII

Yeah its worth it, the tips look great and its such a
Also the re-trim of the interior will cost you almost 2/3 of your budget..

Doesnt have too...... It'll take up ALOT of time though if you wanna do it cheap. $100 worth of vynil, almost another $100 worth of good quality spray on contact adhesive is the bulk of it, then its just a matter of using a hair dryer to stretch out the vinyl to shape as you go (thats if you want to use vinyl), and get your missus/mum/sister to sew up your rear seats (if you trust them), another $200 or so on a set of bucket or reclining seats for the front and another $50-$100 on some rubber backed carpet (the real cheap stuff will mould itself to the shape of the floor if you leave it out in the sun on a hot day), and $50 worth of spray cans and plastic primer for all the little plastic trims and inserts.
Theres definiteley more expensive ways to do it, but its possible to do your entire interior for around $500ish with a 10/10 finish if you're prepared to put in the time

[b2tf]

If it were me:-

* lower and decent shocks etc
* set of AU2 XR8 rims, or any Tickford 17 (they all look great)
* colour code door strips and mirrors
* MOMO shifter and wheel (comfort to the max)
* chrome interior handles
* leave the vinyl at Spotlight and find yourself some XR or Fairmont doortrims
* AU2 taillights - look better than AU1
* Nice headunit, nothing too crazy but just better than stock
* catback exhaust and headers if you can afford em
* K&N + Tickford Intake (BA XR6T intake is exactly the same less Tickford wings)
* Cam of some sort

In no particular order, thats what Id do. Ive seen a few AU1's in white, no kits, nice wheels and sitting low, i reckon they look great.

[rul3r]

At the end of this I'm hoping to have basically a nice white version of Bucknaked's AU. Except he probably spent way more on it. I must say it looks incredible though.

What headlights does he have? The AWC ones?

[OZFORDAU]

Originally Posted by rul3r

At the end of this I'm hoping to have basically a nice white version of Bucknaked's AU. Except he probably spent way more on it. I must say it looks incredible though.

What headlights does he have? The AWC ones?

They are the XR series headlights! You have to buy the front bar and also the driving lights....Hmmm very expensive!

Cheers

Simon :nutsycuck

[rul3r]

Really, how much does that set you back?

[loxxr6]

Suggested mods....

Lowered springs - King Super Lows ($400)
Wheel and tyre package (18" @ $1800~ or so)
Tickford Air Intake (snorkel, $35-40 or so from Ford. For gods sake don't pay anymore than that from con-men on ebay)
Extractors and Exhuast ($1000 or so for a full system inc tip)
Series 3 (maybe even 2) tail lights (or a set of decent "shadow" altezzas)
Debadge
Colour code side strip
Window tint ($250-$350)
Remove mud flaps (if it has them)
Body kit eg Rebel rear bad, side skirts, rear spoiler etc
Replacement head unit mp3/cd player ($250 >)
Colour/change finish of your fascia and other strips eg http://www.modicoat.com/

[loxxr6]

Check out some of the cars here for some inspiration http://www.fordforums.com.au/forumdisplay.php?f=135

[rul3r]

Righto, thanks heaps loxxr6. Most of the stuff I'm aiming for is within my grasp, but the bodykit I'm looking at $1500+, and that's fairly hefty for a 1 go mod. But still, the old AU will look rad

[GK]

Originally Posted by rul3r

Anyhow, so far I've come up with:
* 17" BA XR8 rims
* Suspension mods (maybe lowering, suspension upgrades)
* Maybe body kit (the car is white, but being a forte it has that horrible black strip along the side and black side mirror paintjob. I was thinking of getting them done white).
* Maybe change the Head & Tail lights, as they look pretty crap.
* Chrome tip on the muffler.

I think you've got a great batch of ideas to start with. I think the head and taillights are fine though. If you replace the tail lights though, just make sure what you replace them with will be ok with your insurance company.

I also like the idea mentioned previous of a leather steering wheel and gear selector, a tickford dash would look awesome too. You'd have to add a rear spoiler also wouldn't you?

Welcome aboard.

GK

[JeffAU1]

Hey

ReTrimmimg the Interior ???

Whats this gonna set you back ? Its something I might consider doing if the price is right.

Any info would be handy.

[GK]

Originally Posted by merkus

Hey

ReTrimmimg the Interior ???

Whats this gonna set you back ? Its something I might consider doing if the price is right.

Any info would be handy.

PM LG & JC.

GK

[JeffAU1]

Originally Posted by GK

PM LG & JC.

GK

Cheers, I'll do that now !

[rul3r]

Well, righto, thanks guys.

I've sort of come up with a shortlist of how I might do things, so here it goes. Probably in this order:

* Remove mud flaps - This better be free :P
* 17" BA or AU XR8 Rims + Tyres = Around $600 - $1000
* Suspension Upgrades + lowering : Around $600 with Monroe GT shockies and King Super low springs.
* C2R Grille - $175
* Tickford Snorkel - $40
* XR Spoiler - About $150
* Colour code those stripes on the side, or pull them off
* Twin Tip Cat Back Exhaust - $400
* Momo steering wheel, and gear knob - $400 or so?

Total Package ATM (assuming rims + tyres are $1000): $2765

If Budget Allows:
* $1500 worth of this bodykit: http://www.awcinfo.com/secureshop/ca...php?cat_id=299
* Rework Interior : $1500

I'd probably do the interior last, as like a project sort of thing, but get the bodykit done as soon as I can justify the expense

Anyhow, can someone just confirm the pricing of the momo steering wheel + gear knob?

This seems to be shaping up to look pretty decent when it's done. Anyhow, I'll grab some pics of the interior and body of the car and try to get them up ASAP.

Oh, just so you know, the AU has about 94,000kms on the clock, has front power windows and an electric ariel. If that helps lol.

[OZFORDAU]

Originally Posted by rul3r

* Remove mud flaps - This better be free :P
* Colour code those stripes on the side, or pull them off

If your going to remove the mud flaps there will most likely be marks if not rusting of the panel of where it is....Just be carefull as that is what i have! It's faint buty yeh looks better with mudflaps on! I know its dickey but yeh!

And if u take the side mouldings off, there'll be indicator holes (Meaning you'll have holes in the side of your door panels) Your going to be better of getting them painted!

Cheers

Simon

[JC]

Originally Posted by rul3r

Anyhow, can someone just confirm the pricing of the momo steering wheel + gear knob?

$200 to $250 for the wheel, $60 to $120 for the gear knob.

[loxxr6]

And if u take the side mouldings off, there'll be indicator holes (Meaning you'll have holes in the side of your door panels) Your going to be better of getting them painted!

Had to take another look at a Forte to realise how the mouldings were. Yeah, you'll definately have to get them painted. Colour code them to the rest of the car. Colour code the side mirrors while you're at it.

[OZFORDAU]

How much roughly u reeckon that would cost? That is getting the side mouldings and mirrors painted! I'd be supllying that paint....So minus the paint cost!

Cheers

Simon :

[JC]

Originally Posted by loxxr6

Had to take another look at a Forte to realise how the mouldings were. Yeah, you'll definately have to get them painted. Colour code them to the rest of the car. Colour code the side mirrors while you're at it.

Or just buy a silhouette falcon, and they're already colour coded.

[loxxr6]

Originally Posted by JC

Or just buy a silhouette falcon, and they're already colour coded.

lol good point and advice I've already taken....such a pain to keep clean tho.

[rul3r]

Ok, well, I think I'm going to have to get alot of things painted. How much will it cost to get one of those AWC bodykits painted do you guys reckon?

I don't really want to do it myself, as I have seen first hand how sus that looks up close.

But anyhow, how much for colour coding, then how much for painting the bodykit white?

Hehe, so much for $3000. But I'll go on a bit of a road trip with it at the end of the year after it's finished, to show it off

[GlennBA]

Where are you from? If you're from sydney i'd reccomend getting AWC to fit the bodykit. They deal with them all the time and will know what to fix and how to get the perfect fit. The side moulds will probably have to come off to be painted to prevent overspray accross the car. Not sure on cost