E Series Cars...

30-07-2006, 08:44 PM

Hi, i currently own an 87 XF Fairmont and in a couple of months im trading up to one of the E series. Ive heard some things about the earlier models (EA and EB) not being reliable, which annoys me as i prefer that shape to the shape of the EF, EL.

I was just wondering if these cars are really as bad as ppl say?
And is it worth me just getting an EF EL as they are overall better cars?

Basically i want a car which is cheaper to run than the XF (which isnt hard to find haha) and has more performance, and is also a manual. But i dont want an XR series or an 8.

Any advice or info would be great.
thanks

EFFalcon · 30-07-2006, 08:47 PM

EB was deffinately a step above the EA in terms of reliability.
idealy you want an EB II or ED, should give you the best of both, fairly good reliability and the looks you want.
just gotta try find a Manual

30-07-2006, 08:49 PM

haha, yeah i know, everywhere i look its just Auto Auto Auto. I mean i dont mind autos, but i prefer the feel of manuals. I also heard that EDs engines arent as powerful as the EFs?

EFFalcon · 30-07-2006, 08:54 PM

they're not, various changes between the ED and EF bumped up power.
cam profile, intake manifold, ecu changes, the implementation of thermo fans.

ED was 148kw and EF 157kw.

30-07-2006, 08:57 PM

So should i go for an EF to get the extra power out of it? (im going to keep mods down to a minimum on the car as i have a project car that most the money gets spent on).

EFFalcon · 30-07-2006, 09:03 PM

out right power, i don't think you'd notice that 9kw, the EF being a little heavier it evens out a lot.
a 5 speed EF would prolly be about the same as a 5 speed ED in a striaght line.

snypereb · 30-07-2006, 09:04 PM

Here is some info on EA-ED
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=41915

Also find heaps of info at:
www.deleted link

BI6TIM · 30-07-2006, 09:40 PM

Where are you dude? I have a 5spd EBII wagon for sale if you're interested in a wagon, just a thought but I'm in QLD.
Other than that I would deffinately go the ED, I have a ED Futura (factory 5spd and LSD) and like EFFalcon said the EF/EL were a bit heavier so the extra 9kw really just made them about the same.

SVT8 · 31-07-2006, 02:03 PM

like effalcon said EB II or and ED is the way to go, but if your lucky you might be able to find a good condition EA or EB I and that will probably last just as long as the EB II and ED's.

going a bit off the topic, but arn't manual EA's S pak the fastest out of all the EA-ED? (besides the sprint and gt)

FalconXR6 · 31-07-2006, 02:13 PM

Don't forget that not only was the EF/EL more powerful, but it's torque curve was a hell of a lot fatter.

Any reason for not wanting an XR?

If it were me, I'd be looking at an EF/EL manual XR6...

But yeah, you've been given good advice when people are saying go for an EBII - ED if it's a boxcar you're after.

And stick with wanting a manual as well. Manual Falcons are faster than their auto equivalents.

ON_DUBS · 31-07-2006, 02:17 PM

if you prefer the shape of the EA-D then i wouldnt worry about the EF-L being better as all the good bits are backwards compatible if you care about it that much.

of course some things will require more of a "cut and shut" approach than others but you get the point.

as for manual it may prove a better idea just to focus on finding a nice ED to begin with and convert it.

sven · 31-07-2006, 06:55 PM

it only took me about a month of searching before i found my manual ED. keep looking and one will pop up. the biggest problem i found was trying to find a 5spd that wasnt bloody duel fuel. i just wanted straight petrol. the manual does give a HUGE advantage when you have a run against an auto. you find many V8 drivers are hugely suprised when they see the **** of your car pulling away!!

snypereb · 31-07-2006, 08:03 PM

How much are you willing to spend?

03-08-2006, 07:24 PM

Im looking at about 3-4 grand car (this is why i dont want an XR). I got 7 grand saved up, and i wanna get the car and be able to mod it up staight away. I was lookin at EBs, but i thought that EAs and EBs were a really really bad buy. Like nothing but trouble? Or is this just a myth/ or have these problems been fixed?

EFFalcon · 03-08-2006, 07:28 PM

is it is with any car, the closer you get to the end of a model run the more problems are ironed out.
i think the huge problems you hear about EA's are blown out of proportion.

EB II and ED would be my pick.

snypereb · 03-08-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tough XF 57

Im looking at about 3-4 grand car (this is why i dont want an XR). I got 7 grand saved up, and i wanna get the car and be able to mod it up staight away. I was lookin at EBs, but i thought that EAs and EBs were a really really bad buy. Like nothing but trouble? Or is this just a myth/ or have these problems been fixed?

Where do you live? I have a friend who is selling his ED 5 speed $3000!

Dezza · 03-08-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

i think the huge problems you hear about EA's are blown out of proportion.

Very true. The only time I ever had my car on the tow truck was when I pranged it. It has had a few problems, but it has always still been drivable. It did it's first ever head gasket at 225,000 kms. The steering rack had to be replaced as well, but for a 16 year old car, I have found it has been pretty good.

03-08-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snypereb

Where do you live? I have a friend who is selling his ED 5 speed $3000!

I live a bit from Perth.

03-08-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ea_silver_ghia

Very true. The only time I ever had my car on the tow truck was when I pranged it. It has had a few problems, but it has always still been drivable. It did it's first ever head gasket at 225,000 kms. The steering rack had to be replaced as well, but for a 16 year old car, I have found it has been pretty good.

What type of things did they change/fix from the EA to the ED?

And whats the difference performance wise between the 3.9 and the 4.0L?

SVT8 · 03-08-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tough XF 57

What type of things did they change/fix from the EA to the ED?

And whats the difference performance wise between the 3.9 and the 4.0L?

This should answer all your questions.

http://deleted link/portal/kb.php?mode=cat&cat=1

snypereb · 03-08-2006, 08:00 PM

Maybe a little to far then lol!

Damo · 03-08-2006, 09:07 PM

don't get an EA, reliable or not they are still just crap! Only took me 3 years to realise.

noosacuda · 07-08-2006, 10:23 AM

Buy an ED,because Ford had ironed out all the bugs and finally got it it right and spent millions on this body styles suspension etc. This info was given to me by an ex-Ford employee.

ON_DUBS · 07-08-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noosacuda

Buy an ED,because Ford had ironed out all the bugs and finally got it it right and spent millions on this body styles suspension etc. This info was given to me by an ex-Ford employee.

one would assume that anyway...?
logical model improvement and revision?

don't need a ford employee to tell ya the ED is better than EA and EB

BloodyFalcon · 07-08-2006, 02:54 PM

My preferred choice of the E series would be an EB Falcon S! I used to drive my mates one. He never reallt ntook care of it too well, but it was as reliable as John Howard lying!