Project-Fairmont

Its really sad to see that 4.0 DOHC I-6, a direct descendant of the 1960 Falcon I-6, no longer in production. Although no loss here in North America since we haven't had a variation of that motor since the departure of the 3.3 when production of the Fairmont ended after the 1983 model year.

I was expecting a nice bump on F stock from this announcement. After all this has to do with higher profitability on low margin cars. Is Wall Street considering a future cuckoo paradigm as it relates to a Trump or Sanders Presidency?

My 135 has a 7-speed DCT, and I would agree that consumers would find this type of trans a bit odd feeling. Initial in gear sensation is of course similar to what you have with a gearbox and clutch, only we normally don't associate this with an "automatic" since we have been programmed of sorts to expect a linear/prggessive feel that we get with a conventional hydro trans. It reminds me of a high stall speed TQ, and rather brave of an OEM to put in a compact sedan/hatch. I like mine since it rips shifts like a race car, and acts just like an auto clutched box is expected with 95% of the flexibility of a manual clutched box, and there in lies the rub; expectations. Its the best "automatic" I have ever had including the vaunted ZF 8-speed, sans the FE of that said slushbox.

Overall market gained 5.7% from 2014. Ford finished with a 5.3% gain, so a slight market share reduction. Same 5.3% for Toyota and 5.0% for GM, so the top 3 leaders slide slightly overall. Biggest gainers were FCA, Nissan, Subaru and Hyundai-Kia. Doesn't exactly warm my heart or F stock value, but it is pretty cool to see the Ford brand distance itself slightly from Chevy and Toyota though. Lexus however continues to be a juggernaut, which says allot about its reputation as its "styling" is rather insipid; Darth Vader face. The compact Linclon MKC is sublime while the Lexus NX is so ill proportioned and slightly inferior of a drive by most accounts yet is killing the MKC in sales. Rant over - Happy New Year All!

GM had an excellent I-6 in its trailblazer. I remember when that Atlas family (I-4, 5, & 6) was being released and GM engineers touted the inline engine wear charactoristics were superior to V or H-opposed engines in terms of piston and cylinder wear on the thrust side. Makes sense, as opposed engines are notorious for oil consumption. While the crankshaft is long and can be unwiedly on an I-6, its usually held in place by 7 main bearing vs. 5 on a V8 and 4 on a V6. A less complicated block with less machining on an I-6 is also a virtue of the I-4 that also has more crank bearings than cylinders (5). Harmonics too are in the octave of a more relaxed place than a busier sounding V6. It really is a shame that they are too long for FWD/AWD chassis.

The 1.0EB is a good alternative, since its torque amount and peak makes it more peppy in city driving. Not worth it for the 1 extra G, "JMHO". The amazing 2.7TT EB is $495 over the base F150 3.5. + 45hp and 100lb-tq; deal of the century!

I read today that Multimatic Motorsports will field new Mustangs for the 2015 Continental Tire Challenge. Multimatic developed the FR500C in 2005 and the Boss 302R in 2010. Although they won the final race of the 2014 season at Road Atlanta (the 1st triumph of the year) in the Boss 302R, a newly developed car should improve their contention to challenge for the 2015 Championship in GS class. According to team owner Larry Holt, "its new so it has no name, known only by its chassis code name S550." IRS and better aero are among the stated attributes that will make the new race car more competitive against newer developments from BMW and Chevy teams.

C&Ds long-term F/ST runs a 14.7 @ 97 MPH ET. Not a pooch but its curious why it not faster. I clocked my wife's 2.0EB Escape (best run of three) with a 14.7 @ 94. Yes it is AWD, but its also 500 lbs. heavier and has less hp. Must have a lousy 60 foot time, but only traps 3 mph faster?

I felt compelled to make it at least 100 replies - Nick was a gracious participant to this forum. I thought he had good taste in cars (natch), and kept it real without malice, remarkable when not chatting eye to eye. He is missed!

A. Mullaly himself noted that using Mazda was a "crutch" for Ford. Although I have had Probes, and an Escort LXE (a 4-door Escort GT, DOHC 1.8 4W disc etc.), I often thought that if Ford uses Japanese engineering, I may as well drive a Honda. The "One" Ford plan is fully utilizing its internal brand resources were as before "Ford" was individual fiefdoms around the world. We all know the Fiesta and Focus derivatives are mostly 100% Euro. Very soon we will experience a car; the '15 Mustang, that should be the result of global Ford's best practices. The next car the new Edge. Although I suppose the current Fusion/Mondeo is really the first "one" Ford car..?

Yes, its the gay-lame persons F150 engine of choice It fits the brands startegy of bing the mid range engine or top engine of the entire Ford product line. Dont worry, if someone has a problem with that badge on the rear, thats all most cars will ever see when it matters - or get a Hemi if you need to feel like a MAN.

I think it has a very catchy (contemporary tune) and resonates with being young and trying to prove something...has an offbeat Napoleon Dynamite vibe. The fact that most posted here hated it speaks volumes about the opposite effect on its intended target - a 30 year old that has romantic notions of the 80's.

Yea, thats what I thought too. Its entirely more abstract, the assembly manual is barely a reference. Thankfully there are 2 very active build forums to learn and share. I did not use a donor car per se, however the difficult part is finding solutions to certain (every...) things. The creativity is the best part though. I am glad I knew not of what I was in for in for in terms of door, hood and overall body prep. The irony is I now know what to expect and would do another (maybe...).

My on going '65 FFR Daytona Coupe project. This is a completely home built kit, motor etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq5L95b41js http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoVyYU5HVe4

It would seem to me that a Performace Pack 2.3 will be the affordable performance Mustang with crossover appeal to the tuner/import crowd, were as the 3.7 will be relegated to fleet sales, and entry level buyers. The Performance Pack will be the chassis basis for the GT 5.0 model. I have not been this pumped about a new Mustang design since the '87 GT/LX 5.0 HO. In both cases mainly because of the interior (ok and the rake of the rear glass on the '15), were as inside the current model is as long in the tooth as a CV or Ranger (even when it first appeared in '05).

The Cylinder bore spacing was made compact (the biggest hurdle to large cubes while keeping the long stroke managable) to make sure it fit transversly in an engine bay for FWD apps (Linc Continental). Although GM was able to fit a 5.3 (traditional SBC cylinder spacing) in the GM-10 Grand Prix and Impala...

For what its worth I am sold on the power delivery if not the MPG of Fords EB startegy. I clocked a 6.65 0-60 and 14.85 @ 91.7 time (G-Meter verifed accurate by other runs/vehicals) in our 2.0EB 3700+Lb Escape. That is a feat that the 3.0 would have difficulty matching. FE, ranges between 21-24 mpg average. The verve of this drivetrain has exceeded my expectations, while the FE has been somewhat disappointing. The highest steady state was in the 27 mpg range at 70+ MPH (expected better). I am ok with the trade off as the torque makes for outstanding drivability. The cool thing about TC engines; the greater the load (and exhaust heat created) the faster the turbine spins the greater the torque. That is why the EB 3.5 F150 simply outhauls others in its class and does it on the bottom end - torque. Point being; weight (nor altitude) upset turbo boosted motors, on the contrary higher loads shorten spool time.

We ordered the MKX as soon as the dealer could place in order, and was one of the first built. The paint in that seam area of the door was flaking off. Yes, I could have had it repainted by the dealer, but I had concerns with that long term. I ended up trading it on an '08 X3. It appeared that the area was either contaminated or the paint curring process was defective, good to hear this was apparently corrected (per your Edge).

I rather like it. Although it looks like a concept for the Gen I Edge, curious. It certainly continues the familiar ovoid shape but with much greater character definition. What I like about this (from what I can tell) is that it also retains the Edge's most important feature; lots of rear seat legroom. We had a '07 MKX and the rear seat was outstanding, perfect for parents with teenagers, or for empty nesters with aging parents... I kind of miss that MKX, good power (3.5) the aforementioned room, a good bridge between the over-size Explorer and slightly under sized Escape. I didn't like the way the bottom of the doors where the outside skin is folded over the inner shell; it was rusting after 6-months! I did not buy Ford again until I saw how our current Escape 2.0EB has that door seam sealed...about time Ford!

The 4.6 (especially Teksid block motors like yours) are simply overachievers, and the 5.4-5.8 with the long stroke act like a big blocks! It took me a long time before I became a believer in the mod, and its hard to shake the pushrod simplicty mentality. The first time I rode in a 4.6 terminator with a slingshot like 650hp yet idled like a Lexus I knew my facination with SBFs was coming to a close (I still build em though). My 2v .030 over 5.4 with stage II comp cams quakes like a mutha though - but oh the sound!

And you are very simple; really. Have you ever built an engine or put a more powerful motor in a car? You don't need to answer. The idea of supercharging or turbocharging a V8 is uniquely Ford hotrodders from early on. The reason; Ford motors are usually smaller in CC than GM. Yes, the LS resopnds well (as any internal combusion engine should with the right build and tune), and they can be built to a large CC. The great equalizer for a person that chooses to build a Mod motor is the efficiency of the four valve head. Yes an LS can yield a high CFM from the pushrod head, however the combustion chamber with its central located spark plug means a Mod motor can take more boost on pump or race gas. There are mod motors that have made over 2500 hp, this is a feat that an LS has yet to achieve to my knowledge - look it up. A person that follows will go LS, and will be missing out on Mod motors that love boost, and can be built with stock blocks and heads to achieve what ever goal they have. I love it when people say LS this LS that and its compact etc. First of all the weight is comparable, secondly, if the car came with the Mod motor, well I guess it fits! It will also fit Fox bodies. Time has proven the SBF the better eqaul to the SBC, and the Mod is highly recognized for reliability, strenght, and responsiveness to mods. BTW, guess which engine family is the basis for the most powerful OEM V8 in the world? I will say this though, 5.3 are cheap...l love beating them down (and 6.2's and Hemis) with my 5.4 SVT L.

http://kmi.ford.com.au/emailimages/2013/MFPV0003-fpv-announcement-v2/online-WE.html ^ This. Sad day indeed. Too bad the One Ford strategy did not include a global integration of FPV style performance; which I submit ofered the best of both US (V8) and Eurpoean (RWD suspension). I get why, but I salute the good Blue Oval folks in the land down under for its develpoment of the Cleveland style SBF, the Falcon Inline-6, and early on 5.4 HiPo engines - it was inspiring!

Resto Mod Masters of good taste (FoMoCo).

Personally I prefer RWD; it will be interesting to see how the Fiesta ST (FaST?) will get the power down. I drive a corporate provided Regal GS and it simply sucks in terms of traction control; either it spins and bogs or simply bogs just when you need it most (even with all safeguards deactivaed). Summer=Extreme Performance tires, and Winter=Snow Tires, any other way whether its FWD, RWD or AWD is a terrible compromise IMO.

With all do respect to Mustangs, lord knows I have had more than a few and currently AutoX an '82 GT, the Fiesta is a more refined vehicle. It rides better, steers better and has better fit and finish inside. That being said the GT500 is extremely desirable IMO.