Well, I was thinking that the Marauder's problem wasn't so much power as it was torque - or lack thereof.

Sure, the SC 4.6 would be a choice. But if you were a product planner, and couldn't make a business case for the SC motor, what about a version of the 5.4 24v Triton?

 

The Boss 290 is a generic 5.4L Mod motor w/4V heads. Very similar to a Navigator engine, though tuned for more rpm and thus more HP. It's a cast iron block too, meaning stupid heavy - Ford needs an aluminum 5.4, at least for it N/A engines.

2 cam 16V Lightning cams wouldn't work. You could duplicate the specs and put them on the 32V 4 cam motor, but you wouldn't get the same result, as the 4V heads require different profiles and tuning.

My other concern would be fuel mileage - the 'big' 5.4s aren't known for their stellar fuel sipping abilities, though I admittedly haven't seen what would happen if one were installed in a reasonably-light vehicle.

 

I would hope that Ford can get more out of the 3v 5.4! My feeling was they held back on the output so that they could up it later. There is no way that motor should be anywhere near its limit. Mated up to a 5speed auto or a 6 speed manual, even a heavy car like the Merc would be a blast. High 13's for me would be pleanty in a car like that.

 

I think he was talking about exterior design. He's mentioned on a few occasions how great the interior on the F150 is (rightfully so).

 

I love the outside as well. The only thing I dont like about it is the power.........or how the power gets to the wheels. There is no excuse to that combo to feel so slugish. Its a better truck all around then the Titan but the Titan edges it in drivability and fun factor.

 

Without the boost on, an aluminum unit should do just fine too.
I'd have no problem with that. It's when the modifiactions come (including blowers) that the extra heft might pay dividends in less breakage and a better reputation - and let's face it, reputation is what these cars are all about.

But you have to admit, even the cast iron block and the added weight doesn't seem to be overly hindering to the Falcon derivatives down under. Their performance (and styling too IMO) is stellar. If anything, I think the Panther platform would be a good stout platform to handle the added mass.
Remember, Charlie and I were putting numerous restrictions in the conversation like N/A, quick to market, etc. so we are looking at what's basically on the shelf in Ford's walls.

 

I know I said this about 4 months ago, and I was laughed off teh site becaue I didnt know what I was talking about and made no sence.

Outside of the Mustang and F series, Ford has ZERO to offer.
Fusion and its twins are boring and just another version of a the Temp/Taurus duplication that goes on WAY too much at Ford. Its not that they share a chassis...its that they share near the same body!!
500 and its siblings...same thing.
There is nothing unique and appealling at Ford outside of the Mustang.
But Ford, like Chrysler, uses there new icon cars to cloud the rest of the lazy and crappy line up. You walk in to see Mustang or a 300C, and to the left and right is fleet chams Taurus and Crown Vic, and on Chryslers side, you have the Pacifica and a Sebring?
GM has the opposite. GM has no icon car or cars that will cloud the line up, but there line up is very impressive. They have a lot of divisions, and they have there seperate icons such as Vette, but Vette is almost a seperate brand (and almost was). Caddy is so high above everything else, that the popularity doesnt trickle down, and there is no icon car for Pontiac, Buick or Chevy that will really bring them in.

 

Maybe Ford is just trying to pick up the remaining FWD market while other manufacturers go RWD?

I agree though, outside of the F series and Mustang, Ford has the least attractive line-up of any major manufacturer.

 

Uh, I was talking about the DOHC 4V, not the SOHC 3V motor. Either way, I personally don't think there is too much power left in 4V. The 3V ought to be able to get near where the 4V currently is (in Aussie Form), and that's about it.

We'll see, I suppose.

Ford can build an aluminum motor strong enough to take the boost. I wish they would.

To be perfectly honest, I haven't kept up with what Ford has "down under".

GM's lineup might be impressive to you, but its dull to me. Outside of the Corvette and perhaps the GTO, there is nothing at all that I would visit a GM dealer for.

 

I think the Fusion is going to be a pretty big hit. It actually has some style, in a segment that is sorely lacking style. With a starting price of $17,995, it should have no problem meeting its sales goal of 160,000 per year.

When you look at general forums (not brand specific), you get the impression that there are many people out there who really like the looks of the car, from the exterior, to the interior, to the value that it presents.

The Milan has also gotten a very good reception. The only question mark has been the Zephyr.

The heavily refreshed Explorer is out in a few months. The redesigned SportTrac a few months after that. The refreshed F150 is due for MY2007, along with the completely redesigned SuperDuty. The Fusion/Milan/Zephyr are getting AWD, and the new engine or MY2007. I believe a heavy refresh is due on the Expedition for MY2007 also. I have read that Focus is supposed to have some heavy work for either MY2007 or 2008. There is the Hybrid Mariner for MY2006, with the Hybrid Fusion/Milan coming either in MY2007 or 2008.

I think we have to wait and see. As with GM, Ford has a big potential problem with shrinking SUV sales. These are the cash cows for both companies.

I know that Fords car sales have had a decent gain for 2005.............. on that front, how is Chevy doing with car sales??? Also, Ford is continueing to reduce fleet sales (short of Taurus and CV), thus, profitability should be up also (on cars obviously).

Both companies have serious problems. One day I think GM is worse off than Ford, and the next I think the opposite. Once again, we will just have to see how it all plays out.

 

PLEASE - take 2 minutes and glance at these...
MkII GT
MkII GT-P
Pursuit
SuperPursuit
Typhoon
Tornado
Falcon XR6 and XR8

I don't know why in frozenhell Ford does not make cars like that and sell them in the US?!?!
I for one, would be buying one of the FPV vehicles - probably the MkII GT-P...

 

The 500 may be dull and boring, but it sells. Hell, you drive a Malibu Maxx, which doesn't exactly scream "excitement" to me. Ford, DCX, & GM are in the same spot. Nothing besides the Vette, GTO, Mustang, & 300/Charger stand out. I've taken a 500 for a drive, it's a damn nice car, perfect for a daily driver. If it even had the Duratec 35, I would've considered it for a daily driver.

 

that super persuit is much better looking than the holden ute.I can't believe Ford won't bring that here.I would buy one.

 

Personally, I would of love the Milan in AWD...yummie...but because needed the car now..picked up my Mazda 6. I tell you, if The Milan/Fusion drive anything like hte 6, they will sell like no tomorrow. The Milan/Fusion have more style than any sedan in GM's 4 door stable. Why anyone would pick up a Malibu, or wimpala over one of these is beyond me. Milan/Fusion are a more sophisticaed versions of Sex on Wheels Mazda 6.

 

The top 10 selling Focus is nothing? I am sure plenty of Focus owners would disagree. The 500 may be boring at the moment but it is selling better than expected and will do even better when the 3.5 becomes available. Ford is in a changeover period and it will take a few years for everything to be set in place, they aren't going anywhere, and let's not forget the renovation of SVT is going on right now.