5.0l

XR8-260 · 20-08-2007, 08:47 PM

Hi all,

I'm just after some opinions of the 5.0L windsor. Generally, is it reliable and relatively trouble free engine even after 170,000km? I'm thinking about getting a VPSS or an EB XR8 for my daily driver.

Cheers.

Dezza · 20-08-2007, 09:24 PM

They are a good reliable engine. Ghia5L (I don't know if he's still part of this area of the forums though) has done about 350,000 with his 5.0litre. They don't suffer the head gasket issues like the 6 cylinders

Allen · 20-08-2007, 09:33 PM

All the 5.0s I have had have been stock bar bolt on stuff... intake/exhaust, and apart from regular maintenance they are trouble free... I have never been let down, and both 5.0's I have had have had over 200,000k’s when I got them...

If you can, go for a 5.0 Manual xr8... the auto really kills the fun factor with its way too tall first gear. But for a daily you may just want the auto to cruise around in... Its up to your preference really.

The only thing to really look for are leaking rear main seals, and a few small ignition issues... But a change of plugs, leads and coil and some dizzy maintenance will usually cure the low rpm hesitation that you may get.

Above 4500rpm, they tend to run out of steam, due to the restrictive nature of the HO manifold and E7 heads, but with a BA XR8, I doubt you'll feel the need to push it like that...

Good luck with it, and let us know how you go.

P.S., IMO the SS will be quicker and more fun to drive, but its up to you if you want to be a little bit different and go for the Ford in a sea of Commodores.

svo347 · 20-08-2007, 09:41 PM

As for the manual look for the firewall cracking where the cable goes into, also the clutch pedal pivot can crack otherwise they are a reliable motor if regularly maintained

XR8-260 · 20-08-2007, 09:55 PM

Thanks guys. I'm planning to keep my XR8 for the "weekends" to keep the milage down etc. So I'll be needing a daily driver which has plenty of bottom end torque.

My budget is around 5 grand max. Would this be enough to get a reasonable milage (less than 180km) 5.0L falcon?

EBIIXR6 · 20-08-2007, 10:14 PM

not sure about perth but here 5 grand would get you a pretty tidy Eb or Vp with around the low 200 km mark

EBFalcs · 20-08-2007, 10:23 PM

i got two mates with 5.0L windsors 1 was an EF the other was an AU EF at 300,000km's got a loud engine knock, he pulled it out and never looked at it just replaced it the AU got a similar knock and was a stuffed piston, had to be rebuilt was low kays too.

a commodore 5L will eat a ford 5L, purely because of the 1st gear ratio and low down tourque due to the intake manifold design, and they sound insane, also the VP's have a full hydraulic trans which IMHO shits all over computerised ones in fords and later holdens, if you get an SS they have IRS too. i've had 3 fords and two holdens, when it came time to get a V8 i got a 5L VP calais, and i'm glad i did. i looked at a few fords EB-EL but just weren't as punchy as the commos.

MotherNatureVer2 · 20-08-2007, 10:32 PM

Must admit that my 5.0l (ED XR8 Sprint) is best thing I have ever owned. She is my daily driver & goes great.

I have had her for over a year now & with regular services they seem to go forever.

Hate to admit it but as my daily driver she now has 230*** k's on her & still as tight to drive as a lighter K version.

EBFalcs · 20-08-2007, 10:34 PM

lets see him get a sprint for 5 g's

I FluXx I · 20-08-2007, 11:20 PM

best to stay on the safe side 3, and get a ford. You dont want to be punished by the almighty ford god. Dont know about everyone else here, but I couldnt car less whether the 5L commy went better. Commodores look like crap. And il be damed if Im going to surcome to driving jet pilot sticker pasted piece of Sh!t

XR8-260 · 20-08-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I FluXx I

best to stay on the safe side 3, and get a ford. You dont want to be punished by the almighty ford god.

Lol. True, the ford gods wouldn't be too happy if I ended up with a 'fully sick' VN.

:

RG · 21-08-2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBFalcs

i got two mates with 5.0L windsors 1 was an EF the other was an AU EF at 300,000km's got a loud engine knock, he pulled it out and never looked at it just replaced it the AU got a similar knock and was a stuffed piston, had to be rebuilt was low kays too.

a commodore 5L will eat a ford 5L, purely because of the 1st gear ratio and low down tourque due to the intake manifold design, and they sound insane, also the VP's have a full hydraulic trans which IMHO shits all over computerised ones in fords and later holdens, if you get an SS they have IRS too. i've had 3 fords and two holdens, when it came time to get a V8 i got a 5L VP calais, and i'm glad i did. i looked at a few fords EB-EL but just weren't as punchy as the commos.

Mate the power difference is in the gearing not the engine, also the 302 windsor is an extremely reliable engine. Why else do you think that they were in production for 40 something years? VP having IRS would be all good if it wasn't a flawed compromised design too. How long was the 304 Holden engine produced for?

XR6TickfordBoy · 21-08-2007, 01:10 AM

Mate just get a Falcon and put some better diff gears in and ul be right. Having an AU 5Ltr in my Ef with worked Tranny and 4.11 diff gears is awesome. Have the benefit of explorer manifold and GT40 heads with better gearing, will eat commo's all day long, and sounds tougher!

XR8-260 · 21-08-2007, 01:21 AM

I wouldn't mind getting an EB XR6 manual if I can find one with the right kays and for the right price.

Powdered Toast Man · 21-08-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3

Thanks guys. I'm planning to keep my XR8 for the "weekends" to keep the milage down etc. So I'll be needing a daily driver which has plenty of bottom end torque.

My budget is around 5 grand max. Would this be enough to get a reasonable milage (less than 180km) 5.0L falcon?

Don't know how many e series are still actually under 180,000 kays.

I had a V8 ef gli. Bought it at 240,000 and sold it at 305,000 to my mate. It now has over 320,000 and is still running fine. Not the most powerful engine and it has a decent knocking noise (has done for most of the time I owned it) but it doesn't leak or use oil or water, and starts and goes first time every time. Very reliable. It does have good low down torque but if the Boss is anything like the 3V down low (all low down power/torque comments re the Boss 260 vs the 3V not withstanding) nothing short of a 220KW windsor will come close to the performance of your XR8.

I would say that the standard E series 5 litre is about as quick as the standard EF/EL 6 but with a bit more mid range punch for climbing hills or freeway acceleration. It's no powerhouse unless well modded.

You should be able to get a very good V8 powered EB or ED Falcon/Fairmont or XR8 for $5000 or a reasonable, high kay V8 EF Fairmont. I doubt you would get a good EL for that price and it's nowhere near enough for a good EF/EL XR8.

XR8-260 · 22-08-2007, 01:09 PM

Thanks for the replies. Just wondering if it's possible to convert the EB XR6/XR8 front to the ED quad-headlight front? How much?

Cheers.

Allen · 22-08-2007, 01:20 PM

It certainly is possible, we watched Efected do it to his car last night in a car park at our mini meet.

Its just a matter of buying the new grille, headlights and indicators, and swapping them over.

The price can vary, its just a matter of finding some in good condition. I would allow at least $600 though.

Grechie · 22-08-2007, 01:54 PM

My bro used to own a EBII 5 litre, damn it was a beast, sounded tough and went well!

t2te50 · 22-08-2007, 06:54 PM

I'd just use the BA XR8 as a daily driver. It's no T series or FPV so who cares.

XR8-260 · 22-08-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t2te50

I'd just use the BA XR8 as a daily driver. It's no T series or FPV so who cares.

The 'daily driver' thing was just an excuse. I've always wanted a second car

:.

BaYa · 22-08-2007, 10:46 PM

My mate has a 5lt Vr and he did to many spirited take offs in it and snapped the irs kframe

. if you go the crummiedoor its more than likely had a thrashing :eclipsee_ so stay with the trusty blue oval for 5K should be able to find a nice 5lt for that. i know the next car i buy will be an v8

t2te50 · 22-08-2007, 10:46 PM

Two rego's, two insurances unless your loaded a waste of dough. This is coming from someone about to embark on a head kicking 347 build up.

[Tonko] · 23-08-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t2te50

Two rego's, two insurances unless your loaded a waste of dough. This is coming from someone about to embark on a head kicking 347 build up.

haha, its easy... Your only broke for a few weeks a year :(

EBFalcs · 11-10-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedXR347

Mate the power difference is in the gearing not the engine, also the 302 windsor is an extremely reliable engine. Why else do you think that they were in production for 40 something years? VP having IRS would be all good if it wasn't a flawed compromised design too. How long was the 304 Holden engine produced for?

the holden 5L went from about 1965 to 1999.

SLO-04L · 12-10-2007, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBFalcs

the holden 5L went from about 1965 to 1999.

308 might have started in 65 but it ended in 86 with the VL that ran a 304, that ran untill the series 1 VT's which would have been 98/99, still all 5L tho or 4.978 something

RG · 12-10-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSTHIS

308 might have started in 65 but it ended in 86 with the VL that ran a 304, that ran untill the series 1 VT's which would have been 98/99, still all 5L tho or 4.978 something

Exactly.

**TUF_302** · 12-10-2007, 05:32 PM

Ive had my 5ltr for a while now and i love it!, sounds great with the exhaust im running!, and very realiable so far!

mark_TD · 13-10-2007, 01:27 PM

I have a 5.0ltre LTD and I have found it reliable. I was thinking the same as Fairlane Ghia but have 2 more things to add and that is the harmonic balance are common to go so I have now a racing spec one in mine which has solved that problem and the other thing is the valley gasket goes on them so watch out for that too other with they are great with no head gasket issues. I recommend them