AUs. Bonnet Bulge. Yes or No?

[tim_pato]

yes, plus 1 if its functional! theres somthing about looking over a bonnet scoop while dirving, i have no doubt a bulge would be the same.

[Bucknaked]

That's the one thing I love about the bulge. Is the view from the front seats.

[JR.]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

That's the one thing I love about the bulge. Is the view from the front seats.

Originally Posted by GUTLES

Until you drive on a long straight road & the suns glearing off it!

Agreed they look great from the inside Bucky, but Gutles is right; the reflection off the back edge of the bulge on the C/F bonnets I had on my BA's used to drive me nuts!

Get the sun hitting it at the wrong angle and it's worse than oncoming high beams in your face at night...

[sly]

Originally Posted by BRADFORD000

I say yes. Heres a pic of mine

How about a pic of the underside?

[2000auwagon]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

So as to not clutter Kristos thread..




Totally agree, chazs au shows how right a fg bulge looks on a au...

let me say your AU is beautiful, it gives me a tear to my eye (sniff) very nice, I love it

[JC]

Yes - though IMHO, they should be limited to V8s because the bonnet bulge first appeared on the BA XR8 as they needed it for clearance. The BA was the AV (progression of AU series) but was re-lettered to distance it from the "failure" AU....

[mik]

Originally Posted by JR.

Agreed they look great from the inside Bucky, but Gutles is right; the reflection off the back edge of the bulge on the C/F bonnets I had on my BA's used to drive me nuts!

Get the sun hitting it at the wrong angle and it's worse than oncoming high beams in your face at night...

matt black bonnet will fix that right up

[JR.]

Originally Posted by JC

The BA was the AV (progression of AU series) but was re-lettered to distance it from the "failure" AU....

If you're going by existing part numbers as proof, then technically, the AU was the ER Falcon and was changed to AU at the last minute by Jac Nasser to play up its uniquely all Australian design over the VT Commode which was a just a stretched & tweaked version of the Opel Omega design...

And the FG supposedly took that designation in part as homage to the Fairmont Ghia...

All of which has nothing to do with the OT...

[auIILTD]

Originally Posted by JR.

If you're going by existing part numbers as proof, then technically, the AU was the ER Falcon and was changed to AU at the last minute by Jac Nasser to play up its uniquely all Australian design over the VT Commode which was a just a stretched & tweaked version of the Opel Omega design...

And the FG supposedly took that designation in part as homage to the Fairmont Ghia...

All of which has nothing to do with the OT...

Interesting info though JR

[LeadFoot81]

My thought is - no way. The AU range has a style all it's own. Tacking any B-Series stuff on an AU wrecks the look, particularly on any of the gorgeous Tickford badged models. Good luck to the peeps that do it, I have no beef with them but I think AU/B Series cross pollination is the pits.

Interestingly when the T3s were released I remember seeing sketches (can't remember if it was Wheels or Motor) of a T3 with bonnet bulges (similar to an EB GT) The FTE designers must've toyed with the idea of a bulge as a lead into the 'T4s' (BA GTs) bulge.

[JC]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

My thought is - no way. The AU range has a style all it's own. Tacking any B-Series stuff on an AU wrecks the look, particularly on any of the gorgeous Tickford badged models. Good luck to the peeps that do it, I have no beef with them but I think AU/B Series cross pollination is the pits.

Interestingly when the T3s were released I remember seeing sketches (can't remember if it was Wheels or Motor) of a T3 with bonnet bulges (similar to an EB GT) The FTE designers must've toyed with the idea of a bulge as a lead into the 'T4s' (BA GTs) bulge.

You do realise that door shape is the same on AUs and BAs, so it's not really cross pollination (not in the same manner as e series parts on an AU or vice versa). Which is why I posted up the link between BA & AV to show that a BA is just a hyped AU4 anyway so the bulge is OK (IMO).

[auIILTD]

Originally Posted by JC

You do realise that door shape is the same on AUs and BAs, so it's not really cross pollination (not in the same manner as e series parts on an AU or vice versa). Which is why I posted up the link between BA & AV to show that a BA is just a hyped AU4 anyway so the bulge is OK (IMO).

Great input JC. Very interesting. Do you have any idea why a B series is so much heavier than an AU? Apart from the Boss motor (which is why they needed a bulge) the B series are much much heavier. Even the 6cyl models are heavier (ok the barra has an extra cam).

I find it interesting that a BA XR8 has a heavier kerb weight than my AU LTD with all of the fruit. Sort of makes the 260kw a bit of a joke in my opinion. Give me a 220kw AU XR anyday.

Cheers
Stu

[mik]

ba 6`s had a windage tray as well i think, slightly bigger brakes, a bit more sheet metal in the b series roof, rear end more metal too with the sqauring off i would imagine,
might be a bit of extra weight in wheels and tyres too if they are bigger on the b series, ...........au`s had a single piece tail shaft, alloy on my xr6, not sure of other au models, did`nt ford go the 2 piece in the b series?

[Quasi]

Originally Posted by auIILTD

Great input JC. Very interesting. Do you have any idea why a B series is so much heavier than an AU? Apart from the Boss motor (which is why they needed a bulge) the B series are much much heavier. Even the 6cyl models are heavier (ok the barra has an extra cam).

I find it interesting that a BA XR8 has a heavier kerb weight than my AU LTD with all of the fruit. Sort of makes the 260kw a bit of a joke in my opinion. Give me a 220kw AU XR anyday.

Cheers
Stu

1760 Kg for a BA XR8 (and I think the XR6 is only 10 Kg lighter) versus 1510 Kg for an AU XR8. I only found that out a couple of days ago. An extra 250 Kg sort of negates the 40 Kw advantage really....but now we're off topic, sorry.

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by auIILTD

Great input JC. Very interesting. Do you have any idea why a B series is so much heavier than an AU? Apart from the Boss motor (which is why they needed a bulge) the B series are much much heavier. Even the 6cyl models are heavier (ok the barra has an extra cam).

I find it interesting that a BA XR8 has a heavier kerb weight than my AU LTD with all of the fruit. Sort of makes the 260kw a bit of a joke in my opinion. Give me a 220kw AU XR anyday.

Cheers
Stu

The IRS on the BA was an anchor around it's neck, especially considering it didn't handle particularly better than the live axle AU.

[bartsau]

Well I voted yes. I think that they certainly suit certain AU's better than others. Here is a pic of one I got off from eBay. Full metal and pretty well finished. When I get some coin over the next month or so ill get it painted and then fitted. Same goes for the genuine Tickford lip. And there will be a custom rear bar at some point to finish it all off nicely, just need more time...Here is a pic of it unpainted.

[Mont5.0]

^ Envying the work space.

[bartsau]

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

^ Envying the work space.

Yep...probably one of the key reasons I'm still living at home :/ borrowed this space for the past 10 and a half months from Dads grips.

Ps could a Mod please delete my double post above thanks,
Rhys

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by JC

You do realise that door shape is the same on AUs and BAs, so it's not really cross pollination (not in the same manner as e series parts on an AU or vice versa). Which is why I posted up the link between BA & AV to show that a BA is just a hyped AU4 anyway so the bulge is OK (IMO).

Yes JC, I'm well versed in the transition from AU to BA and BA is in no way a hyped AU4.

As much as I don't like the way they drive, or the bland styling of the lower end models the B-Series is very much a different beast.

They may share door skins, but the AU's curvy, bulbous body is nothing like the BA's plain jane, square jawed look. The bonnet bulge(s), body kits and wheels (factory Ford or aftermarket) from B-Series were designed to complement that shape and I think they clash (for the most part) with the AU shape.

[JR.]

Originally Posted by MNM96

The IRS on the BA was an anchor around it's neck...

Yes, isn't the Control Blade IRS fitted into a steel cradle for NVH isolation that brings the total weight of the IRS to something like 150kg+ on its own? Also they upped the sound deadening for NVH reasons, so that always weighs a lot...

So mostly the extra weight seems to be for NVH reasons - worked though, as they finally won COTY with it and then the Terry on the same platform...

[JR.]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

Yes JC, I'm well versed in the transition from AU to BA and BA is in no way a hyped AU4.

Back to my point about the AU really being the ER. So if;

AU = ER
BA = ES
BF = EX
FG = EY

(As I don't think they would have used ET, EU & EZ for obvious reasons, and EW just sounds too like VW).

But then, if you think about it, Ford were suddenly getting very close to combined vowel sounds that could be mistaken for VR, VS, VX & VY by someone not listening closely, so looking ahead, perhaps they were smart to realise this and make the switch to the AU designation when they did (If only it had worked and they'd stuck with AY that is...).

[sirchAU]

I voted yes, but only if the car has a V8 under the bonnet. Something about a bulge with a 6 underneath it just doesn't seem right to me IMO

[OwnTheRoad]

6 cyl cars with bulge are far too common , and they seem to be fitted to Commodores too ,I have even seen one on a green Ford Escort ,at least it was a Ford ! I think the bulge really suits th wagon shape , I have wanted to put a wrecked BAXR8 ute driveline and trim into a BA wagon ,it would have been a great machine had the factory done it .

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by Quasi

1760 Kg for a BA XR8 (and I think the XR6 is only 10 Kg lighter) versus 1510 Kg for an AU XR8. I only found that out a couple of days ago. An extra 250 Kg sort of negates the 40 Kw advantage really....but now we're off topic, sorry.

Above statement is not correct with regard to weight of AU XR8. closer to 1650kg+ Also wise to consider the torque as well

for performance times.....

http://autospeed.com/cms/title_Ford-...0/article.html

[Elks]

I voted yes. I think they look good in both high and low series.

That said, I won't be fitting one to my T anytime.

[auIILTD]

Originally Posted by RAPID_BA

Above statement is not correct with regard to weight of AU XR8. closer to 1650kg+ Also wise to consider the torque as well

for performance times.....

http://autospeed.com/cms/title_Ford-...0/article.html

According to Redbook, AUIII XR8 Manual -Kerb Weight, 1500KG. Auto 1510KG??????

2002 BA XR8 Manual - 1740 KG, Auto 1760KG

And, just because it is me:
2002 AUII LTD V8 1785KG


stu

[JR.]

Originally Posted by auIILTD

According to Redbook, AUIII XR8 Manual -Kerb Weight, 1500KG. Auto 1510KG??????

2002 BA XR8 Manual - 1740 KG, Auto 1760KG

stu

Umm, hate to burst your bubble here Stu, but Redbook, she ain't so accurate...

Same source lists a 1999 AU Forte V8 at 1600kg, but a 2001 Forte V8 at 1505kg.

BA is no doubt a porker. but the 'light' AU comes in part from manufacturer 'Kerb' weights that are dry of fluids and no spare tyre on board.

[auIILTD]

MMM. No bubble burst.

Just did a quick lookup on redbook for comparison. Thought that it was interesting.

Interesting thought on kerb weight. I thought that it was supposed to include fluids etc.

Stu

[Sox]

Just for reference sake, I've had a few of my cars on the local weigh bridge over the years.

All manuals
AU3 XR8 220 sedan - 1660kg
AU3 XR8 P250 ute - 1800kg
AU2 XLS I6 ute - 1600kg
BA XL I6 ute - 1660kg
XH XL I6 ute - 1600kg