Plans for Basic Cost Effective Mods???

I Just bought an AU2 Wagon last week after trading in my old 3.5 litre Magna Wagon. I intend to do a few cost effective mods to attemt to increase both power and economy. For me this involves a few mods to intake of air and exhaust.
On my last vehicle I achieved at least a second off times just with just a few minor changes to the Magna. I used and ITG foam air filter (which according to a dynoe test compair I saw flow better than a K&N for another $10 $20 dollars).
I then heard that they had a very restrictive rear muffler so I changed it for a large redback straight through muffler and immediately after fitment my economy increased from a close consistant 470 km a tank to a close consistant 550km to and from work. I was very pleased with the minimal outlay involved. The Magna was still quiet at cruise. Also got a very noticable increase in power as well..
I put this to test before I traded it it. I did 5 runs from 0 to 100 kph and got readings between 8.5 and 9.0. more were 8.5 than 9s. Stock standard the Magna Wagon is said to do almost identical times to the AU2 Falcon Wagon at around 9.7 0-100 kph as it is almost identical weight AU11 W 1585kg Magna W 99 3.5 1560kg?
Nice to be on the Forum, cheers.

[Mechan1k]

Welcome to the forums.

I have already changed by snorkel to Tickford version (off the 220kw 5.0L V8 engine ... XR8 S2 or 3 ... I think). Bought that straight from Ford for like $30 ... and put and Redline panel filter in the air box ... als changed my spark plugs for NGK Iridiums .... just doing this has made a noticeable difference (especially on the sluggish EGAS engine).

Next I will be doing a full 2.5" exhaust system (pacemaker headers ... using factory cat) ... and also will be changing the intake pipe between the airbox and throttle body with mandrel bend piping (Joe at Crescent Motorsport will be getting some made up).

Later on a cam change will be on the cards.

I just want better response and torque for courier work in the ute ... and also a bit more punch ... as running on LPG is a little lacking compared to petrol (but OH so much cheaper when doing high km's).

Hi Mechan1K
Nice to hear from someone. Its good to get the most of both worlds if possible with power and economy XR 8 on gas sounds good to me.
Im going on a 700 to 900 km round trip tommorow so Im hoping to see how the wagon will do on open road. Im going to cut a little peice out of the top of my grill as there doesnt seem to be much airflow to the snorkel with the grill in the way at the moment. It will be under the bonnet anyway so no one will notice. If I have to Ill strengthen it up later.

Regards Tim

[GK]

Originally Posted by TazzieTim

I Just bought an AU2 Wagon last week after trading in my old 3.5 litre Magna Wagon. I intend to do a few cost effective mods to attemt to increase both power and economy. For me this involves a few mods to intake of air and exhaust.
On my last vehicle I achieved at least a second off times just with just a few minor changes to the Magna. I used and ITG foam air filter (which according to a dynoe test compair I saw flow better than a K&N for another $10 $20 dollars).
I then heard that they had a very restrictive rear muffler so I changed it for a large redback straight through muffler and immediately after fitment my economy increased from a close consistant 470 km a tank to a close consistant 550km to and from work. I was very pleased with the minimal outlay involved. The Magna was still quiet at cruise. Also got a very noticable increase in power as well..
I put this to test before I traded it it. I did 5 runs from 0 to 100 kph and got readings between 8.5 and 9.0. more were 8.5 than 9s. Stock standard the Magna Wagon is said to do almost identical times to the AU2 Falcon Wagon at around 9.7 0-100 kph as it is almost identical weight AU11 W 1585kg Magna W 99 3.5 1560kg?
Nice to be on the Forum, cheers.

Welcome to the forum TazzieTim,

Keep me posted with how you are going with the new mods. I would be greatly interested to see how you go with a new freer flowing air filter and rear muffler. I just changed my system but went for stock. I am very interested to see how you go though, as you appear to take care to measure the results! Good job!

By the way, what did the muffler and air cleaner cost?

Cheers,
George

[TURBOTAXI]

technically a turbo engine driven lightly should retrun better fuel economy than an NA engine. So go the turbo for power and economy!

[buickman]

Originally Posted by TURBOTAXI

technically a turbo engine driven lightly should retrun better fuel economy than an NA engine. So go the turbo for power and economy!

But in real everyday driving you are going to use the power more so the ecomony suffers.

buickman

[Chris]

PM casper, he'll steer you on the right track for the bolt ons, for a tune or camshaft, PM XRFPV8, he has the good oil on AU mods through G and D.

[Syk0AU1]

jim mock's dev1 kit and upwards uncludes dev performance spark plugs, how are these compared to the Iridiums?

[TURBOTAXI]

I'll use any excuse to justify boost. I realise people dont fit a turbo for improved economy - but I needed every argument I could muster.