AU1 XR8 Questions - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

xr8power · 03-16-2004, 03:46

I was looking at an AU1 XR8 today, I took ti for a test drive and from what i remember, it seemed to have every bit the power of an AU2 I drove a couple of weeks back, I know the series 1 was 185 kw and is meant to only have the old e7 heads and normal headers but this particular one also had a good looking (unrestricted) set of pipes and the metal spark plug caps, is it possible it has the GT40p heads? For the record it was a sept/oct 99 build.

Many thanks in advance,

Mark.

Cobra · 03-16-2004, 05:25

I have a Feb 99 built AU1 XR8 and it's every bit as quick as AU2 XR8's! I am sure it has GT40 heads on they look different to the E7 heads. I'll have another look at mine but I always thought AU1 XR8's all had gt40 heads anyway.

IAMTC · 03-16-2004, 17:22

All AU1 V8s had gt40 heads and explorer intake manifold, 175kw engines had very restricted extractors and exhaust system. XR8s (185kw) had "better" factory extractors and free flow twin type exhaust system. XR8s used allen cap screws to bolt extractors to the head.

Bearman · 03-17-2004, 01:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAMTC

All AU1 V8s had gt40 heads and explorer intake manifold, 175kw engines had very restricted extractors and exhaust system. XR8s (185kw) had "better" factory extractors and free flow twin type exhaust system. XR8s used allen cap screws to bolt extractors to the head.

Is the exhaust the only difference between AU1 XR8's and the 175kw 5.0L version in Fairmonts/Forte's etc?

xr8power · 03-17-2004, 01:50

Thanx 4 the help guys. I always thought the XR8 engines specification went as follows-
EB,ED- E7 heads, restricted headers,exhaust, intake. CFi injection. (165 kw)
EF/EL1- same as above but with thermo fans as std (168 kw)
EL2- gained explorer intake system and MPFi. Still had E7 heads, restricted extractors. (185 kw)
AU1- Same as above (185 kw)
AU2 (200 kw)- Gained better stock extractors, twin ex system and GT40P heads hence the 15 kw increase.
AU2/AU3 (220 kw version)- Better exhaust system again, revised cam, compression ratio.

But looks like I'm proven wrong! What changes then were made between AU1 and 2 for the 15 kw increase if the AU1 had GT40p heads etc?

galaxy xr8 · 03-17-2004, 02:59

This is what make's me wonder weather the 200kw job's are actually 200kw, to me I think they are 192,just like the old sprint's,IMO.

PigDog · 03-17-2004, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by xr8power

Thanx 4 the help guys. I always thought the XR8 engines specification went as follows-
EB,ED- E7 heads, restricted headers,exhaust, intake. CFi injection. (165 kw)
EF/EL1- same as above but with thermo fans as std (168 kw)
EL2- gained explorer intake system and MPFi. Still had E7 heads, restricted extractors. (185 kw)
AU1- Same as above (185 kw)
AU2 (200 kw)- Gained better stock extractors, twin ex system and GT40P heads hence the 15 kw increase.
AU2/AU3 (220 kw version)- Better exhaust system again, revised cam, compression ratio.

But looks like I'm proven wrong! What changes then were made between AU1 and 2 for the 15 kw increase if the AU1 had GT40p heads etc?

There is no CFI V8's

Thunder Kiss · 03-17-2004, 16:57

Like you, xr8power, I thought the GT40P heads came out in AUII. Are the rest of you guys sure they were in AU1?

Cobra · 03-17-2004, 22:10

Thunder Kiss - My AU1 XR8 doesn't have E7 heads! Ask PigDog. We compared heads to his EF and mine look totoally different. I had a look at an AU2 XR8 and mine look the same. Makes me wonder how they managed to keep the same power as EL2 yet AU1 XR8 was quicker as well as gaining weight with the IRS.

PigDog · 03-17-2004, 22:21

He definently has gt40p heads.