Au xr8 220kw ute - fact or fiction

[5.8]

I am wanting to know if any of the AU2 or AU3 XR8 utes came with the 220kw engine. I know they got the 200 but I cant find any info whether they got the 220? You see a few advertised from time to time stating its a 220 but most sellers assume they have a 220 because its a series three ute. A quick look at the throttle body and no external oil cooler soon sees them getting very upset when you tell them its a 200. Any confirmation at all??

[FTW-302]

No AU XR8 ute ever got the 220 from factory.
You are right, most owners don't know what they have.

[anto]

Yeah a bit odd considering the pursuits got the 250, wonder what the thought process was..

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by FTW-302

No AU XR8 ute ever got the 220 from factory.
You are right, most owners don't know what they have.

I just want to quote this before someone undoubtedly comments that their mate got a 220 ute from the factory and had it checked by Ford and its all legit and its the only one beeeeeeeeeeeeee essssssss.

[Sox]

The only way it would have happened is if there were left over bits and they were thrown on a handful of utes like they did once upon a time.

Stuff of dreams I think...

[Bill M]

Is there written evidence of "No AU XR8 ute ever got the 220 from factory" from a production perspective from Ford Aus on this?

cheers
Bill.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Bill M

Is there written evidence of "No AU XR8 ute ever got the 220 from factory" from a production perspective from Ford Aus on this?

cheers
Bill.

I doubt it.
But there was nothing written from Ford to suggest that they did ever get the 220.

As far as I'm aware, no one has ever had one to prove they do exist.

That doesn't mean they don't, but it certainly doesn't look like it.

[falcongt4me]

Originally Posted by Bill M

Is there written evidence of "No AU XR8 ute ever got the 220 from factory" from a production perspective from Ford Aus on this?

cheers
Bill.

Research Ford's public release material, car reviews and they all will state that the ute was 200kw not like its sedan stablemate with the 220kw.

If there was a 220 ute then it wasn't officially or publicly released from Ford.

[falcongt4me]

Originally Posted by anto

Yeah a bit odd considering the pursuits got the 250, wonder what the thought process was..

My thought would the Pursuit 250 was the precursor to the forthcoming FPV range which included a ute version. So they were testing? or readying the market for the future model

[Blue Shadow]

Originally Posted by Sox

I doubt it.
But there was nothing written from Ford to suggest that they did ever get the 220.

As far as I'm aware, no one has ever had one to prove they do exist.

That doesn't mean they don't, but it certainly doesn't look like it.

Someone on this forum said his dads mates cousins sisters husbands boyfriend had one but I think it was chineese whispers. There are blokes on here that know more about AU's than most have forgotten. Your one of the ones that know SOX

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Sox

I doubt it.
But there was nothing written from Ford to suggest that they did ever get the 220.

As far as I'm aware, no one has ever had one to prove they do exist.

That doesn't mean they don't, but it certainly doesn't look like it.

There is no definitive proof that Ford did not use trained Polar Bears to install turbo-charged V12s in some Australia built Ford Escorts.
Nor can you dis-prove old-mate at the pub who claims he once owned a Toyota Avalon fitted with an experimental engine made from depleted-uranium.

Maybe others would also like to contribute bits of old tripe that we can't disprove?

[Bill M]

Found this interesting bit on the web, some of the old members here may recall the names.
What makes it interesting is the timing, Oct. 2003 18 months after Tickford became FPV so still reasonably fresh after the events.

http://www.fordforums.com/f526/au-xr...ur-fact-51587/

cheers
Bill.

[Bill M]

http://www.aufalcon.com.au/cgi-bin/i...cles/Handbuilt

The bold in the quote below is my addition.This was discussed by owners in 2003 as per link in my post above in the old Ford forums message board. I understand there is nothing on an official basis from Ford but do accept running changes were made during manufacture at the end of a model's life cycle so that may have happened in this case with the 220 engines.

A few interesting points that some of you might already be aware of. In April 2001 the 220kw engines changed from imported SVO alloy cylinder heads to locally produced cast iron heads. These engines were then introduced into the already in production AUII TE50, AUII TS50 and AUII TL50 as a running change. Interestingly, going on the information I have received, there might only be 2 out of the 12 AUII TL50’s, 8 out of the 47 AUII TS50’s and 38 out of the 141 AUII TE50’s with the cast iron cylinder head 220kw motors fitted to them. The AUIIIXR8 utes never got the 220kw motor like the sedans did, although there have been a few owners of AUIII XR8 utes who have said they have the 220kw engine factory fitted. Only three AUIII TL50’s were built, of which only one was built in 2002. July to be exact. There was a couple of AUII TE50 and TS50 sedans built with the 5.6 250kw motor. Prototypes which were then upgraded and sold off as AUIII’s.
The easiest way of knowing if you have a hand built V8 in your AU is to look at the drivers side rocker cover for a plaque. On the plaque is the name of the Tickford technician who proudly hand assembled the motor prior to it being fitted to the vehicle.

[CFOUR]

this got chewed too bits years ago when people like b2tf asked similar questions.

we slotted a few 220 sedan motors into au1 and 1.5 utes and one in a wagon back in the mid 00's. it turned out the 200 is a better mill for upgrades anyway, and is more reliable.

[Strattos]

Doesn't help when you have ebay and gumtree sellers out there selling AU1/2 5.0L motors as 'Pursuit 302' in terms of confusing the issue for those new to the whole Ford V8 world.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Bill M

http://www.aufalcon.com.au/cgi-bin/i...cles/Handbuilt

The bold in the quote below is my addition.This was discussed by owners in 2003 as per link in my post above in the old Ford forums message board. I understand there is nothing on an official basis from Ford but do accept running changes were made during manufacture at the end of a model's life cycle so that may have happened in this case with the 220 engines.

Since when were the cast iron heads locally produced? Modified locally yes, produced locally no.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by CFOUR

. it turned out the 200 is a better mill for upgrades anyway, and is more reliable.

And already has a lumpier cam.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by CFOUR

this got chewed too bits years ago when people like b2tf asked similar questions.

we slotted a few 220 sedan motors into au1 and 1.5 utes and one in a wagon back in the mid 00's. it turned out the 200 is a better mill for upgrades anyway, and is more reliable.

How is the 200 better for upgrades and more reliable?

The 220 has better potential for upgrades because of the 70mm TB, oil cooler and slightly bigger pipes.
Reliability is arguably identical because they're essentially the same engine.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

There is no definitive proof that Ford did not use trained Polar Bears to install turbo-charged V12s in some Australia built Ford Escorts.
Nor can you dis-prove old-mate at the pub who claims he once owned a Toyota Avalon fitted with an experimental engine made from depleted-uranium.

Maybe others would also like to contribute bits of old tripe that we can't disprove?

Give us some more tripe and tell us why you're such a flog, you'll have no problem proving it...

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Since when were the cast iron heads locally produced? Modified locally yes, produced locally no.

I am not the author of the doc, I am quoting the part relevant to this topic only, chase the author up on that point.

[Blue Shadow]

You would think that if they put out a 220kw ute, even if they used leftover engines, they would have added a few grand to the price and promoted the crap out of it as a special

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Blue Shadow

You would think that if they put out a 220kw ute, even if they used leftover engines, they would have added a few grand to the price and promoted the crap out of it as a special

With the 250 Pursuit coming? I doubt they would have spent the extra marketing $$$ given BA was in the wings. Ex Ford Aus Pres Geoff Polites referred to selling 220 & 250 strokers to aftermarket buyers, maybe a change of plan and use the remaining 220s in XR8 utes to get them out. Either way the only way to know is if key Ford or Tickford staff start talking publicly.

[BOTTLEDUP]

Originally Posted by Sox

How is the 200 better for upgrades and more reliable?

The 220 has better potential for upgrades because of the 70mm TB, oil cooler and slightly bigger pipes.
Reliability is arguably identical because they're essentially the same engine.

I'd say that they're prone to valve spring failures, same as the T3s with the same heads. Early 2000's I'd further speculate that there was no ability to tune these AU1s when fitted the later engines.

I agree that the 220 though is a better package than the 200 in standard form.

[CFOUR]

yeah bog stock the 220 is better, but tune, exhaust and intake mod to both and the 200 is already ahead.
as usual bottledup nailed the biggest issue with the 50000km= valve spring issues
they also have been more prone to split blocks and the occasional non valve related bottom end failure.

the bigger throttle body makes no difference at stock power levels and until you replace the stock restrictive air flow meter near enough makes no difference at upgraded power levels, way nicer bit of kit than the 65mm tb.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by BOTTLEDUP

I'd say that they're prone to valve spring failures, same as the T3s with the same heads. Early 2000's I'd further speculate that there was no ability to tune these AU1s when fitted the later engines.

I agree that the 220 though is a better package than the 200 in standard form.

I've actually never heard of a spring failure from a 220, though I have heard of a handful of 250's.
I reckon a spring failure would be just as likely in a 200 if you're going to tarnish the 220 with that brush.

Originally Posted by CFOUR

yeah bog stock the 220 is better, but tune, exhaust and intake mod to both and the 200 is already ahead.

How?

as usual bottledup nailed the biggest issue with the 50000km= valve spring issues
they also have been more prone to split blocks and the occasional non valve related bottom end failure.

This makes no sense, the bottom end is identical.
The 220 is every bit as reliable as the 200 as the basic engine is the same.

the bigger throttle body makes no difference at stock power levels and until you replace the stock restrictive air flow meter near enough makes no difference at upgraded power levels, way nicer bit of kit than the 65mm tb.

You mentioned the 200 is better for upgrades, how can it possibly be better for potential upgrades if it has a smaller the TB. Sure the TB makes very little difference in standard form, however it alone make the 220 a better platform for modding.

Your theory makes no sense whatsoever, the 220 is better standard, and better for potential mods.

Like for like, the 200 is never in front.

[MrEL]

The 200 cam is bigger then the 220s and yep i know of numerous 220s that have had valve springs let go.

[FTE]

AU XR8 ute had 185, 200, 250

[Sox]

Originally Posted by MrEL

The 200 cam is bigger then the 220s and yep i know of numerous 220s that have had valve springs let go.

The difference in cam size is insignifant, a bee's knob.
There's no reason why 200 springs won't let go if 220 springs have.

[CFOUR]

You sound super myopic sox. The R&D is done and has been for years. The information posed above are facts not assumptions. And again as stated, the smaller throttle body is not restrictive until the restrictive maf has been replaced.

[Bossxr8]

The MAF is 73mm, how is it a restriction when it is bigger than both tb's?