fotz

Hi All Looking for advice here around the best way to tackle this. I recently purchased an 87 XF 5 speed manual with carby. I have also picked up an AU fairlaine 5.0l windsor efi with ecu, Harness, fuse box, and engine components and want to slot this in. Ide like to keep it manual. Below are my thoughts on this: 1) Engine mounts - will use the xd/xe base plates and engine mounts for Cleveland. So im sweet there 2) Headers - pacemakers for gt40p heads suit XB to XF - link 3) Gearbox - looking for a xr8 Manual gearbox / flywheel and bell housing from an eb-au - I assume any will do. 4) diff - looking for an el diff from xr6 or xr8 - 3.49 ratio. I’ve seen I’ll need to put larger bushes on the lower control arms, and also will need to do something with the handbrake cable plus the brake line 5) tailshaft - assume my xf tailshaft will fit - just need to change the yoke on the diff. 6) fuel tank - how different is the carby tank to the efi - do I need to track down and efi tank or is it easy to convert the tank? Also are the existing hoses ok? 7) ECU - should I just ditch the stock ecu and move to like a Holley terminator or should I still use it and consider a J3 performance chip? 8. Wiring/harness - Can I track down a DIY guide or anything similar to assist with the conversion in the xf. I have noticed that the rod shop offer a retro wiring look - is this worth looking into? 9. Radiator - going to use a 3 core radiator(from xd-xf) and I’m sure I’ll find some radiator hoses to suit. Also I’m sure you can find someone with thermos as well to suit this radiator- so not too stressed about this. Thanks again guys I know this has been done before - so looking for lessons learnt - and best way to handle this. Happy to share my findings as I got to help others doing the same.

Worked like a charm. This mount is way better because it goes into the circular space underneath the gearbox, which the rectangular mount doesn’t really do, so understand now why it would be stronger. Thanks @deankxf Motor and Gearbox is pretty much in. I just need a nut for that mount which I am going to get now. Just need to finish off some wiring / mount the dash back up, plumb the power steering, extractors and then I’m getting very close to first start.

Thanks mate. Rod Shop. also have their own version of this as well. Do you have to drill out that square whole on the cross members, or does that single bolt fit straight thrugh?

Thanks @deankxf - what’s the thinking on why this would be stronger. It’s only 1 bolt into the Trans mount instead of 2?

Interesting, does anyone have a photo of the e-series mount or where to get them from? Is that the one with 1 bolt - and looks like an exchaust flange shape?

Hi does anyone know what the 2 relays near the brake booster do for the xf falcon. I understand these are only in the late model carby xf’s have checked wiring diagrams - can’t locate them. I suspect one is a starter relay.

Thanks for this.

Hi All, just an update, I will share some picks soon, but things are coming together. I have mounted the motor in the engine bay. AU extractors, definately dont fit, need some serious modification. I have ordered Pacemaker PH 4032 extractors, ill let you know how these go. On another note, I am just about to put the T5 from an e-series into my XF. I have just noticed a couple different things between the XF T5 and also the E series T5. 1) The mounting holes underneath the gearbox are not in the same alignment. E-series is more narrower. 2) the bolt threads on the e-series is much thinner than what was in the XF I have found a rod shop mount, that has adjustable holes, so going to go after that one https://www.rodshop.com.au/gearbox-mounts-gbmount06-choice-of-rubber-or-heavy I also noticed that in the XF I have an extra bracket that was used to mount the exchaust. See pictures below. I assume that I can just throw this away as this will only work with a 6cyl and dont think it would have even worked with extractors either. Is there an equivalent one for the v8, or would you just mount the exchaust differently. Thanks Foti

Its definately factory, its all hooked up via the factory loom. I have read this before somewhere. https://www.fordforums.com/threads/xf-efi.45775/ If you check the comments, someone calls out the xf falcon later models, had the starter relay added. Thanks\\Foti

For the second one - it looks like some sort of ignition relay? The wires are: 2 yellow wires bridged together - the brown switch. One goes to the battery postive terminal, the other to the relay. The relay has a red wire which is not connected to anything on the carby model. It goes to a plug with another ground wire in it. This plug is not connected to anything. The relay also has a alternator yellow wire which goes to the battery sense I believe on the alternator. The orange cable with the blue stripe gotes to sensor on the carby manifold; cable goes to the carby manifold. Would be great to understand what this relay is... Thanks

ive stripped them out now, but please see attached. What is also interesting (coming from someone who has only worked on XD's), I didnt expect the Carby XF model to have an ECU in it.

I think I have wored this out, but please confirm 1 of them is definately a starter relay, the other was connected up through the carby manifold, so I suspect it is an engine relay of some sort. If someone can confirm please, that would be great

Hi, has anyone attempted to put xd/xe steering column covers onto an XF steering column? Im looking at changing the xf dash to an xd - by just removing the top part of the dash and instrument cluster. I’m also changing the centre surround as well. These all look like they just bolt on. The wiring of the instrument cluster will need to change, and I’m planning to use the XF fan controls. The squarish look on the xf column doesn’t really fit well with the xd dash top. Keen to see if this is possible or do I need to change the whole column.

thanks @deankxf In relation to XG radiator - mounting it I think I can solve - I can get top and bottom mounts, so provided the xf and xd radiator support and holes are in the same spot - this radiator should slot straight in. But.. I take your point the lower radiator outlet compared to the AU /EF will be a problem - 45mm for XG vs 38 for EF/EL and AU. I do like this options as it feels cleaner to mount and I know you can tweak the fans onto this radiator from what I have read. I already have the ef radiator so let me have a muck around with it on the weekend and check where it’s getting caught and check the approach you followed.

Thanks @deankxf I already have an EF radiator - with air con - it won’t fit. Those radiators are too wide (approx. 70mm wider than XG) need something narrower. The top and bottom holes is the same for e series / au Windsor from what I can see. I would have thought that the XG would fit nicely - given it has a the same front end as an XF. The positioning of the hoses with a narrower radiator and the hose sizes was the only thing I was worried about. From what I can see from pictures the XG has different size top and bottom, where Windsor looks the same top and bottom, I assumed I could get some hoses to manage this. Your photo is questioning me on this but, when I try slot it in the radiator is hitting against the air con canister and pipes.

On another note - has anyone fitted an XG radiator with EF/EL Thermo fans onto a Windsor EFI motor? I’m planning to get the xg bottom and top mounts and thinking this will bolt straight in. EF radiator fans will need to modified to fit onto the radiator slightly. Hoses should also pretty much line up (I think) Just wanted to see if this has been done before or should I just use an XD-XF radiator and modify the thermo fans to that?

Hi all I think I have figured it out. Obviously - the main cable that goes onto the bolt goes to the positive terminal. The 3 pin clip only has 2 wires in it. See image below. One wire is yellow the other is grey with a pink stripe on it. The yellow one is your battery sense - it can be connected back onto the main bolt for the positive wire. The grey pink wire is your alternator warning lamp - on the dash.

Hi All Just wanted to provide an update. Have been very busy and haven’t spent any good time on this. Since my last update, below is what I have achieved: Fuel / Pump: EFI tank has been installed. I have removed the existing return line and have made a new hard line 5/16” and installed it. Have also replaced all the hoses with EFI rated hoses, installed a fuel filter and pretty much ready to hook up to the engine. I also have upgraded the pump to a Bosch GENUINE BOSCH MOTORSPORT 023 INTERNAL FUEL PUMP 0580254023. Pretty much slotted straight in. Clutch / Flywheel: Malwood has provided me with a heavy duty clutch/ flywheel / sandwich plate and spigot bearing etc. Also got myself the hydraulic pedal conversion as well, so really excited about that one. So right now I’ve just been prepping the engine and engine bay - and getting close to drop this in. Changing the rear welsh plug and also rear main seal and then I’ll put the flywheel and clutch on. I’ve been looking at the wiring and just checking everything off. Something I haven’t really figured out yet is the alternator. It’s a 3 pin alternator on the motor, does anyone have any advice on how to hook this up in the XF. I have the 3 pin connector it only has 2 wires on it. Currently the XF has B+ D+ + D- The alternator on the Windsor has absolutely no markings. I assume the main connection will go directly to the battery, the 2 wires on the 3 pin connector I am assuming one is the alternator warning lamp the other needs to loop back onto the positive connection on the alternator. Have searched and can’t really find anything on these alternators. Anyone done this before able to explain how they managed this? Thanks

Hi - my first post on here so please go easy :) I have previously never been a fan of this, but due to limited number available at the moment, I have decided to convert an xf to xd. I know with the front end, it pretty much bolts straight on just need to change the wiring of the lights. However the rear is a little more tricky. I don’t think the xd tail lights would fit. Not sure about the number plate holder at the back as well. Any advice on this, and the best way to do it. I was thinking of trying to muck around with the twilight housing - and use an xf back and and xd front. I was also considering xe tail lights as I believe they can be purchased new still. Please share some thoughts and ideas :) thanks

Hi, does anyone have any pics with 20" simmons wheels, with both super low, and also regular low? I assume this will raise the car slightly higher off the ground, but the car will look slammed in the wheel arches.

Hi All Just an update, sorry have been very busy and had a few things on so I havent done any work on the car :( Diff: I have an EF XR6 (3.45 ratio) diff there ready to go. I was able to get the brake lines from the EFT as well. So when ready I will try to fit this to the car somehow. Handbrake cable, I will worry about this later, but thinking of getting one custom made. Tailshaft: Have tracked an EF XR6 tailshaft - Auto. Well see if this fits ok :) Gearbox: I have gone with the CRS bellhousing. I have a 5cyl T5 from an EL, and CRS have confirmed this will bolt up fine. With the E-series, in comparison to a 4.0L motor, the Windsor is mounted more forward in the engine bay - hence why the v8 box in the eseries has a longer input shaft. In the X series, the windsor mounts in the same spot as the 4.1 crossflow, which is why the bellhousing CRS has works. If I had a v8 box with the longer input shaft (from e-series), I am going to run into problems fitting it, with any bell housing in the XF. I would need to look at getting the input shaft shortened to match the 6cyl. Similarly, using the bellhousing from the e-series would also run into problems. Clutch\Flywheel I am planning to use Malwood for this. Also looking at doing the hydraulic clutch upgrade they offer, which I mentioned in my earlier post. This is a pretty cool setup. I will need to remove the pedal box to fit it. Needs a bit of trimming to get it to work, but very small change. Wiring Harness: CRS modified the AU harness for me, and its ready to fit to the car, so I just need to time to hook it all up :) Fuel Tank: I have an EFI tank ready to fit. Just need to update the pump and run a new fuel line. I will use the existing line for the return, and remove the existing return line. Extractors: Have sourced AU Extractors from an Xr8 ute that were barely used. I think this is a good start. Theyll probably need to be modified, but I really cant find something on the market that is guaranteed to fit. I think if I went with GT40 heads id be ok, but because I have GT40P heads, the extractors ill be harder to come by. So my right now, my next plan is to: 1) Mount new tank 2) Install new pump 3) install flywheel, clutch and bellhousing on motor 4) Drop in motor 5) Install harness and ECU 6) J3 Chip 7) Extractors... 8) Test start it and see how it goes. If I get it working ok, then Ill do gearbox and diff next. Will keep you all posted. Plannning to start working on it again soon! Thanks for everones advice / guidance so far :)

Thanks @deankdx So stick to eb-el sedan auto or manual! thanks mate

Hey guys - got myself a world class e series t5 box today - 3.25 1st gear ratio waiting on a response from CRS still. Chased them up yesterday. Any ideas on where’s the best place to track clutch, flywheel and sandwich plate? Was thinking malwood could do the lot - including clutch pedal. Lastly - as I have an ef diff, does anyone know which tailshaft will fit the xf. Are all steel tailshafts from e series the same length - auto/manual also wagon/sedan and Ute -XG/XH?

Yes mate for sure. Is it Stage 1? Only problem is, ill need to get programmed as a manual Ill PM you sepereately.

Hey @ashXFute - I sent you a PM. Was wondering what you did for headers? I have GTP40P heads, EB would have GT40 heads. So keen to see what you did there. I got my hands on AU XR8 headers. To be honest, not sure if they are going to fit.... But curious to see what you did, or if you had to customise them?