What Should I Do?

[SteveXR6T]

After reading these forums for quite some time now, I began to realise how lucky I was to enter my local Ford dealer, and on the showroom floor was an XR6T in the exact colour, with the exact options I was going in to order! I even had $2.5K in my pocket as a deposit. The problem is the Citric GT-P that resides next to it. After having driven both(autos), I'm curious as to what mods can be done. If I take the T, it will pretty much have an APS phase II kit installed pronto. My dilemma with the GT-P is how well does the 5.4 lend itself to supercharging? Does anyone have any idea of cost to s/c and what rwkw gains could I expect. When driving both cars, I didn't hammer them as one will go to another lucky owner, so maybe I didn't feel the potential of both engines. Just to start some further mud slinging, the T is Mercury Silver in colour!

[KEN 24T]

SteveXR6T,

Go the T, go the T, on top of everything else, you'll automatically become a Team HgAg member.

... seriously, I'm not mechanical at all so I can't comment on any of your questions, however ... if it were me and I had the choice between a T and a GT, it would be the GT for sure! :o

Best of luck and hope you enjoy the site.

[SteveXR6T]

Thanks Ken, I wondered when I mentioned colour, if you would be the first to reply. I like the GT, don't get me wrong, but in all honesty it didn't feel that quick. It had power across the rev range, but lacked that push you back in your seat acceleration you get with the T. My wife, the lovely minister for finance, wants the GT, no question. I will see if anyone can help with the Q's on enhancement.

[ms700]

It really depends on what you are after. Ultimately I think the XR6T will respond better as far as bang-for-your-buck tuning potential is concerned. But nothing will turn heads like a GT. Insurance will be more for a GT than with a XR6T. Nothing beats the noise of a V8 either. I could go on all night.... both cars have their good points and bad points. Id be stressing about a GT too much I reckon, someone running a key up the side or hitting it, mrs ms700 hates the way I carry on now with only a XR6T!!!!

tough decision.

[SteveXR6T]

I'm exactly the same with my cars. I don't want to come across like an arrogant a*se, I realise a few would like my dilemma. I just like the easy tweakability of the T, the bang for your buck is hard to beat. The car will essentially be my wife's transport, as where I work, I have to park in a shopping centre car park. I may as well sit at home and throw stones at it, probably chip less paint. I like the exclusivity of the GT-P, and the residual!

[AMoffat]

If money was no object I would go the GT-P (as it was I went the Turbo, and don't regret it). But if you want your wife to drive round in a modified car, prepare to spend more money on the V8.

The Turbo is easier on the wallet - both to purchase and to modify.

But satisfying your wife is a smart husbandly thing to do, ain't it!

[XR6TK1W1]

I may not have all the figures right here ( since I can't find the mag ) but CAPA installed a Supercharger on a XR8 and I think it pushed 380Kw's or maybe more. Cost wise it was cheaper than I thought it would be. I think it was in the area of $7500. Made the old Falcon do 0-100 in 4.8 secs from memory. Hate to see what would be left of the drive gear in a years time though.

[SteveXR6T]

Thanks for the replies. I was worried about the longevity of a s/c 5.4. Maybe a chip and an exhaust from Herrods should suffice. There are a few GT-P's around here at the moment. My drive away price is $75000 with dead cow and sound. Is this a good price? I can choose from citric, orange, merc silver, blueprint, white, phantom and black. All GT-P's with leather and sound, all in stock! No-one has any turbos in stock apart fom the one with my deposit on it, silver, leather, roof and sound ; around $55 drive away.

[plonky]

Longevity of a S/C 5.4?

Ford US have been flogging the SVT Lightning and it is one of their most popular models.

The S/C 5.4 (in DOHC form) is severely understressed so I wouldn;t be worried about longevity.

I would be more worried about the tyre purchases!!!!!!

[AMoffat]

The Turbo for 55 is basically the car I have - they are nice options.