EB 4.0 into XB ute

[73GreenMachine]

I've heard that it is possible to drop a EB 4.0 OHC into early Falcons without too much trouble. Is this true? I wanted to put this in with a 5 speed manual into an XB ute? It would be turned into a gas motor running solely on direct injected LPG. I am after about 175kw and still decent driveability. Any thoughts?

 

[xctasy]

Yes, its just a case of hireing a digital camera to log a ready ruuner XG or XH ute. You could do an internet search, buy some old used Wheels back issues and read all the Kevin Bartlett articles from Street Machine, and then follow the mods. Plenty of people have talked about it. Not so many people are doing it becasue they think always along the lines of biffing the electronics. This is a wrong approach, as there is MASSIVE internet support for EFI systems, and people can help do what was very difficutl 10 years ago with by just asking questions like your doing. Ford spent a lot of money making the 90's Falcons very reliable. Don't let the smart lock scare you off, get into it!

The XG Longreach, XG XR6 and XH XR8 ute have all the radiator, trans shifter, trans mount, exhast, fuel tank, oil cooler, air box, emissions gear and fuel tank bits you need.

If you want to go LPG, then you must follow the factory XH ute or EF/EL or AU LPG set-up. Ford again did lots of work here, and so many XC TO BA utes have barbie gas anyway, you won't have a propblem getting the a retested LPG tank, new lines, or upgrading to the better later manifold with the preferable integrated LPG plus EEC computer. Spark advance is all controlled within the factory EEC unit, and it gives 146 killowatts right off the lot in an AU taxi.

There is a lot in it, but if you are methodical, you'll make a great car.

The XG steering box bolts right in, and you are mad not to use the full XG steering column with its flashers, indicator stalks, smartlock and all the good advances Ford made in the 90's. The door locks can use the later power door locks some utes had. Heck, even the instrument bincale from the XG could fit up, as there is heaps of space. The electronic speedo is better, and its a pain spending 200 bucks just to hook an old machianical speedo to a new T5 or BTR 4-stage auto.

I've been busy fitting the XF column to my XC sedan. Bolt pattern is the same if its got a column shifter.

 

[Anonymous]

What the hell is this "Smartlock" I have been told aboiut as being a big pain in the arse with these conversions?
I am considering this conversion to replace the 4.1 and single rail in the Transit. I would rather go for a 4.0 MPI and not a 3.9, and I would rather use all the Ford gear and not go for an aftermarket computer.

Also, is the steering on an XG better than an XF? XFs have horible steering, too light and no feel, if an XG is better then I will have to try ang swap the steering box in our XF.

 

[xctasy]

Smart lock is a master gate keeper security system, just like Toyotas VSS or such. The computer must see the correct code from the Tibb locks on the XGH-on and ED-on Falcons ran. They are a pest unless you fit the earlier EB 4-speed gearbox interface.

The EEC, trans and Smartlock all interface. They can be worked around by the right techie, but for most of us, they are a nasty Gatekeeper to rain on our parade.


The XF suffered from the modifications to the steering geometry and bushings. Same power box was used from XA to XG Falcons, so its all about adding as much castor as you can, running the Herrod Automtive recomended castor bushes, and the nolathane idler bush. Better still, RRS sell a proper castor bar bush which doesn't suffer from the awfull toe in under braking and toe out under acceleration. Adding a set of wider tyres.

The front mounted steering box on a WB Statesman is essentially the same as the the Falcon.

Rear mounted steering boxes don't work as well as front mounted ones.

It's placed too far back and is too dulled by those stock blasted track rod bushes to work correctly.

The old XC pointed better than the XD-XG Falcons.

The very fact that the lastest BA Falcon points so brilliantly required two rack an pinion steering redesigns in the early 90's.

Even the Commodore has had four basic steering rack postion and geometry changes since the 78 VB to the curent VY.

 

[wagon]

A short(ish) note regarding Ford Smartlock.... I did a couple of years as an electronics tech working on automotive electronics, and my speciality was Ford stuff (surprise surprise). Anyway, from EB2 to EL the smartlock signal is *********IDENTICAL********* .... That is, the signal code sequence for ANY smartlock falcon (eg V8 EB) will work with say a 6cyl EL. The computer DOES NOT CARE, AS LONG AS IT SEES THE SIGNAL!!!! The signal itself comes from the smartlock module (red, green or black box in eb, ed; I think blue in EF/EL). OK. So, all you need to do is feed the signal into the relevent pin on the ECU and it will go. I seem to remember someone came up with a box to defeat the smartlock system (Castlemaine Rod Shop?????). Anyway, once bypassed the rest is simple. Maybe.

Kendall.

 

[Anonymous]

If you get stuck I've got a Smart lock defeater a mate of mine made up for me when we put the EF engine into my XF ute. I know longer need it as i'm going A/Market ECU.

 

[MRJLB84D]

its just a thought but i have to say the bad word too, i hear a lot of people, instead if fiddling with factory computers and if aftermarket is too pricey, i hear a computer from a VN Commodore (DELCO system) is the way to go and a very simple yet effective ecu system have i have seen a few carbied engines converted to EFI use the delco, holden and ford engines.

Even STREET MACHINE magazine used a delco on there EA Falcon Scorcher V8 and said it was easier and better but the EEC-V ford computer is a smart bastard of a thing and if you get it tuned at the right place it can be a sweet thing, guess the main thing it comes down to is the good ol $$$

hope this helps

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm... very interesting info there.
Its something that id been thinking about for awhile, to do to my XA wagon.
And it so happens that I was offered an XF Falcon by a workmate (because the plates are dead).
So, can it be done for an XA, can I keep the column change? (cant remember)

 

[xctasy]

The floor plan cut out where the column boltsd in is the same from XA right up to XH Falcon.

You can fit all the later model stuff in to the earlier shell. Wiring codes are similar, so as long as you use the correct pieces, you can do it.

Time for a 'how to EFI my ride' with pictures.

 

[MRJLB84D]

im sure with any modification of fitting injectors and the proper sensors for the ecu u can run the delco on any motor without it going to cost a small fortune

I was thinking of injecting a 2V motor using the delco and for blokes like me the delco is the cheapest and easiest way to go EFI that i know of but im sure xtaxi knows a cheaper way but dont stress if you dont get a ECU with your next donk as there are ways around it

 

[MRJLB84D]

Oh, by the way green machine, i emailed castlemaine rod shop about a kit to fit the 4.Olt into a xa/xb so when i get a reply ill let u know asap!

 

[MRJLB84D]

gday green!

castlemaine rod shop got back to me about the kit.... they are wanting to make a kit but dont have a car or engine to "borrow" to get it made..... if you have the engine maybe a chance to get in on a good thing!

 

[73GreenMachine]

Yeah not a bad idea. Instead of trying to defeat the old smartlock, I've decided to try and put in all the loom of the EB into XB. That way ill have all the goodies like power windows, remote central alarm etc. If I can find a donor car I might try doing this. Any thoughts?

 

[MRJLB84D]

best way to get EVERYTHING you need like that without going to a wreckers, is get onto the NRMA auctions for their write-off's, i think its www.fowlers.com.au from memory but you will have to do a search in google, i know its fowlers tho

They always have shitloads of wrecked falcons and i went there once, and rear ended EB-EL falcons could be had for about $1000! They have their yards in most major cities and really gets the idea's flowing and when you get the WHOLE car for so cheap, u then get every little tiny bit you need, check it out and keep us posted!

(just keep in mind that some of these cars are written off due to theft so the drivetrains in them would of surely had a major hard end to its life and some are burnt out, but they have certain reason put on the windscreens to tell you how the car came to be there, eg i saw one commodore in perfect condition but someone committed suicide in it so on the windscreen in big letters was SUICIDE.... maybe stay clear of those ones too :roll: )

 

[addo]

I wouldn't strip a fatal either. To me, it's desecration.

EF-EL are the ones to grab. Still low mileage, also avoid the w/end auctions; too many dreamers and mug punters. some auctions you need a line of credit to get in the door, see if you can get in a guest of a towie. You'll get EA's, EB's for nothing if you nose around.

 

[MRJLB84D]

the newcastle auctions are held on thursday, so the main worry was cashed up wreckers outbidding you, but like you said, ea-eb's are dirt cheap with a rear ended ef-el or even au's are good for the extra $$$ Even starting to see BA's comming in but would fetch a nice price even at the auctions and its a write-off, id say about 3-6g for a rear ended written off BA

 

[addo]

You might get the alloy sumpers into a Corty, but it's major surgery for a Falcon. You'd need to move the lower integral crossmember for the R&P and possibly relocate more stuff. That's why the pre-AU steel sump jobbies are so desirable.

 

[MRJLB84D]

didnt realise they changed the sump in the AU's.... basically the same block tho right, cant put an EB sump onto the AU block?

 

[addo]

I understand the sump is structural; they took some of the bracing requirements of the motor and allocated them to the sump function. This would be for control of NVH and engine durability as well as cost efficiency. You might be able to make a girdle and windage tray, then fabricate or adapt a new sump.

 

[MRJLB84D]

ive seen that racing class of EB falcons and VN commodores going at it....wonder what sump mods they used? maybe they use the stronger AU sumps on the older engine?