AU II/III Low series V8s

**auIILTD** · 14-06-2013, 06:41 PM

Good evening all.

A question for the AU die hards. Were there any AU2 or AU3 low series made with a V8? Obviously, the XR series cars are a low series, but I am keen to source a good bodied low series V8 with 'proper' headlights.

Cheers
Stu

KR1STO · 14-06-2013, 06:49 PM

You could get a Forte in a V8. I've seen a few..
Also, Futura's could be optioned. I have seen one of these.

There was a cheap V8 Forte (series one though) on eBay recently. It was very tempting.. haha

A V8 conversion is fairly easy mate.. Bender with a stroker..!!!

EDIT: The series 2/3 are a lot harder to find for some reason. Although as above I have seen a few.

KR1STO · 14-06-2013, 07:03 PM

Thinking about it.
The ones I saw were very early series 2. Probably because it was an overlap from when Tickford started hand building the engines.
So, you'll probably only have luck finding a very early S2.

revcore · 14-06-2013, 07:04 PM

The AU utes had a V8 option in XL which was the base model, XLS which had the black interior and electric windows and then there was the XR8.

rag top · 14-06-2013, 07:05 PM

JC had an AU Forte V8. Can't recall what series as he's had that many AU's....

KR1STO · 14-06-2013, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rag top

JC had an AU Forte V8. Can't recall what series as he's had that many AU's....

Haha.. sooo true...

**auIILTD** · 14-06-2013, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KR1STO

A V8 conversion is fairly easy mate.. Bender with a stroker..!!!

Cheers Kris. I understand what you are telling me, but if I sold Bender (which I would hate to do - he is such a great car) and source an original V8 engine car, the cost of the project could be so much cheaper. No trans to worry about, no ecu to worry about, with room for a 9" when I break the T3 diff!

So if I was to convert my 6 cyl Bender, immediately, I can see box, ecu, engine loom, fuel lines, engine accessories (alternator and power steering pump etc). It could get quite expensive quite quicky. A V8 donor would be the way to go - even if it is a written off body.

Cheers
Stu

**Mont5.0** · 14-06-2013, 07:34 PM

How about a v8 E series with upgraded AU V8 goodness?

orsm8 · 14-06-2013, 07:36 PM

Yeah I bought a new v8 forte sedan in 2001. Fitted tick ford rims and lowered the suspension . Nice enough car. Eventually traded it in for a series 3 xr8 sedan in liquid silver nice car to

KR1STO · 14-06-2013, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auIILTD

Cheers Kris. I understand what you are telling me, but if I sold Bender (which I would hate to do - he is such a great car) and source an original V8 engine car, the cost of the project could be so much cheaper. No trans to worry about, no ecu to worry about, with room for a 9" when I break the T3 diff!

So if I was to convert my 6 cyl Bender, immediately, I can see box, ecu, engine loom, fuel lines, engine accessories (alternator and power steering pump etc). It could get quite expensive quite quicky. A V8 donor would be the way to go - even if it is a written off body.

Cheers
Stu

Totally understand Stu. Although, doing it all yourself is half the fun. Bender could end up with a 220kw unit pretty easily too..

One question I have for you though. Why do you want another 8? For racing? Planning on retiring the LTD from drag duties..?

While I'm throwing ideas out. What about a forte/futura front end conversion on an XR8 200/220? Therefore giving you the 'proper' lights.
Replace the rear bar with a standard unit and remove side skirts and nobody could tell..!!

**auIILTD** · 14-06-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

How about a v8 E series with upgraded AU V8 goodness?

Ah, let me guess? It is not an AU! There is a reason I titled this as AUII/III

As much as I love EL XRs (they are a killer look), AUs are such a better package when it comes to brakes and handling. Love them.

Stu

beardo · 14-06-2013, 07:54 PM

I have seen a red Sr with a v8 that looked stock so I doubt it would've been converted. Wouldn't think there'd be many around

b2tf · 14-06-2013, 08:00 PM

Ive had an AU2 SR V8 in at work. Bog stock from the outside other than 17" rims which I have a feeling were mandatory when you ticked the donk box.

**auIILTD** · 14-06-2013, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KR1STO

Totally understand Stu. Although, doing it all yourself is half the fun. Bender could end up with a 220kw unit pretty easily too..

One question I have for you though. Why do you want another 8? For racing? Planning on retiring the LTD from drag duties..?

While I'm throwing ideas out. What about a forte/futura front end conversion on an XR8 200/220? Therefore giving you the 'proper' lights.
Replace the rear bar with a standard unit and remove side skirts and nobody could tell..!!

This is all theory at the moment. Just thowing ideas out there. Why would I go for another 8? Because I could revert the LTD back to stock, make it my daily again (not that more to run than a 6), then drop the 300+ kw 5.6 into a lightweight and have some great fun in sleeper Futura.

Probably won't happen, but crikey it would be a fun car. Damn these forums cost you money!

Cheers
Stu

Edit: Besides, James would not want my LTD any more if it was just a stocky! That way I would be comfortable the 'D' would remain mine forever!

b2tf · 14-06-2013, 08:03 PM

Stu I reckon an AU1 XR8 is the way to go for what you want. Upspec the donk and the brakes and you're pretty well there with what you are after. Hell you could even convert the front end and keep it in storage if you wanted the sleeper look.

KR1STO · 14-06-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auIILTD

This is all theory at the moment. Just thowing ideas out there. Why would I go for another 8? Because I could revert the LTD back to stock, make it my daily again (not that more to run than a 6), then drop the 300+ kw 5.6 into a lightweight and have some great fun in sleeper Futura.

Probably won't happen, but crikey it would be a fun car. Damn these forums cost you money!

Cheers
Stu

Honestly, I think that's a good idea if you want to go fast and enjoy thrashing a car that isn't that 'special' to you.
The LTD is probably too nice to turn into a track hack.
The further you go with the D, the less it's going to have that LTD 'appeal'.

Does that make sense..?

b2tf · 14-06-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auIILTD

Because I could revert the LTD back to stock, make it my daily again (not that more to run than a 6),

You'd never be happy if you did this.

**auIILTD** · 14-06-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KR1STO

Honestly, I think that's a good idea if you want to go fast and enjoy thrashing a car that isn't that 'special' to you.
The LTD is probably too nice to turn into a track hack.
The further you go with the D, the less it's going to have that LTD 'appeal'.

Does that make sense..?

That makes a lot of sense Kris, but I have no plans to turn the 'D' into a 'track hack'.

I love my LTD and appreciate it for the rarity that it is. Hence I have not changed anything in the cabin or on the exterior of the car.

Mind you, I do not want to loose what I experienced today. It is still very streetable and just makes you smile when you drive it. It would certainly be a huge call to undo what I have done so far. It is such a unique beast, I cannot see going back to stock happening - not without a huge injection of cash and a total change of direction.

Cheers for the input guys

Stu.

**auIILTD** · 14-06-2013, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

You'd never be happy if you did this.

I tend to agree Austin. I have just had a bit of the Drag racing bug and loved it.

Stu

AU Mont · 14-06-2013, 08:26 PM

already been answered but yeah AU SR Forte V8....... pretty rare, and dont come cheap when they pop up for sale

imo, i do see a point to returning the LTD to a stock cruiser/daily duties, and fitting the worked 8 to a manual SIII XR8 for example.

FGII-XR6 · 14-06-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auIILTD

Obviously, the XR series cars are a low series,

The AU had high mid and low series with corresponding BEMs and clusters the XR was a mid series . mid clusters had all the dials but not things like the individual door indicators on the door open diagram and dimming lights mid series also had cruise as standard and intermittent wipers ( not standard on povo pack)

SantoAU · 15-06-2013, 01:05 PM

Didn't the 8's also come with IRS as standard?

Bucknaked · 15-06-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KR1STO

A V8 conversion is fairly easy mate..

Whats your address. I'll send my ute to you

KR1STO · 15-06-2013, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Whats your address. I'll send my ute to you

Hahaha..!!!

SantoAU · 15-06-2013, 11:15 PM

My 'mont is after bucky's ute. Might be a business opportunity here Kris

KR1STO · 15-06-2013, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SantoAU

My 'mont is after bucky's ute. Might be a business opportunity here Kris

Looks that way..!

I had better set up an ABN then..

**Mont5.0** · 16-06-2013, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SantoAU

Didn't the 8's also come with IRS as standard?

Nope. My AUII 5litre was live axle

Muzzle · 16-06-2013, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

Nope. My AUII 5litre was live axle

From my memory only the XR8 and XR6VCT came with IRS and the Fairmont's too I think. correct me if I'm wrong.

Ride · 16-06-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzzle

From my memory only the XR8 and XR6VCT came with IRS and the Fairmont's too I think. correct me if I'm wrong.

Regular Fairmont's were live axle, the Fairmont Ghia was IRS. All Fairlanes were IRS, same with all T series.

InfernoSR · 17-06-2013, 06:08 PM

I have an AUII SR V8 and an AUIII Fairmont V8...