Just bought 1995 EF Fairmont - need ideas - Ford Forums

JC-XR8 · 06-07-2003, 08:15

On 24 June, I will be getting rid of my AU V8 and take delivery of my new (to me) 1995 EF Fairmont with 16" Tickford XR rims.

I am after ideas for (cheap) improvements/upgrades to the car. I only have about $1500 to spend.

As a guide, I already have the following on the list:
Extractors (any particular brand people would recommend, though?) approx $400
High flow cat - approx $200
DBA slotted front rotors and Bendix Advance pads. - approx $350
Colour-coding of bits under bonnet (eg air box lid) and in interior (eg door handles) approx $50

That's a grand gone, which leaves $500 - should I get new shocks with this or should I keep this for a 'rainy day' - is there any reason to keep some 'rainy day' money (eg known probs such as head gasket etc?)

Any advice appreciated - not really interested in 'hard-core' mods such as cams etc, as this one will actually be the family car when the boys arrive in July/August.

MADNC_8 · 06-07-2003, 19:47

why did you sell hte AU mate?

EFFalcon · 06-07-2003, 20:14

hmm, i'm thinking if its got 16" tickfords, then its prolly already got lowered suspention?
if not, deffinately do the springs/shocks.
other then that, the other mods are exactly what i'm planning to do to my car. you might as well get the AU XR8 snorkel too, just for the cheapness of the mod :)

xacoupe · 06-07-2003, 20:34

spend the money on decent suspension. If it was anything like my EF when I got it I needed to re colourcode the door handles as there was enough body roll to make it scrape the handles every time I turned !
I dunno if I would bother with a high flow cat unless you put a 'sportier' exhaust system on it. I would still go the extractors as the stock manifolds are pretty woeful..

EFJase · 06-07-2003, 22:57

They do still have the head problems, we blew one at 140000kms. Rad was bit blocked (even though we got rad services 8 days b4 at a ford dealer:( )

The cats that are in them arent too bad with flow, unless blocked of course.

I recon u should always keep a bit of $ when u get a new car because of unexpected suprises.

Jase

Bass Crazy · 06-07-2003, 23:55

The way I would do it.

- Lower
- Full zorst system, leaving your current CAT
- Air Intake mod's

Spinksy · 06-08-2003, 00:15

Agree with Bass Crazy.

Shocks and springs. Recommend KYB shocks and lovells superlow combination.

Full exhaust, you wouldn't notice bugger all difference between the stock and having a hi-flow cat

Air intakes, will find plenty of threads on this in the garage.

EFFalcon · 06-08-2003, 00:19

dammit i want superlow, why can't insurance piss off and die!

Spinksy · 06-08-2003, 02:11

What springs have you got at the moment EFFalcon, because to be honest I don't think the superlows are that unbelievably low. I know I would like to get mine sitting a bit lower.

What regulations does your insurance have in terms of ride height because the superlows might not be below their limit?

EFFalcon · 06-08-2003, 03:20

insurance companies mostly say 1.25inches below standard.
i can *just* get lows with those limits.
XR suspention is like 1.5inches lower then standard.
hate it!
i've got the stock springs atm.