Ba xr8 fpv

sang54 · 12-04-2021, 03:06 PM

Hi all, I’m hoping someone may be able to shed some light on this. I am looking at purchasing a BA XR8 and it has a FPV tag under the bonnet (photo attached) which states it has a FPV test engine in it and that it is 1 of 10 built. It also has a FPV dash cluster and and FPV vin number tag on the radiator support. This car is definitely not a GT as it is the 260 motor. Any more info on this car would be great, cheers.

Bossxr8 · 12-04-2021, 03:29 PM

Possibly a pre-production test car. Motors were built by FPV.

Unusual because i've never seen metal tags fitted to test cars like that.

When was the car built?

bangm001 · 13-04-2021, 12:26 PM

Doesnt look right to me.

GT450 · 13-04-2021, 12:39 PM

FPV assembled all the 5.4 litre engines , the 290s were balanced and blueprinted and used several different parts to it's 260 counterparts. If the tag matches the engine number on the block I can't see what the problem is. It does not make the car and official Ford Performance Vehicle however.

**Polyal** · 13-04-2021, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Possibly a pre-production test car. Motors were built by FPV.

Unusual because i've never seen metal tags fitted to test cars like that.

When was the car built?

Agreed, I call BS and by now something would have popped up here.

Get them to prove that 10 engine program existed. And even if it did then those 10 engines would most likely not make it to the customer...lastly, id rather not have a test engine even if it was legit.

Bossxr8 · 13-04-2021, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Agreed, I call BS and by now something would have popped up here.

Get them to prove that 10 engine program existed. And even if it did then those 10 engines would most likely not make it to the customer...lastly, id rather not have a test engine even if it was legit.

I've simply never seen a test vehicle with any form of tag advertising that it is a test vehicle, let alone one that has the number of them built on it. Very odd.

That's why I asked when it was built, as if it was built before roughly Oct/Nov 2002 then it could be a pre-production model.

Smoke Pursuit · 13-04-2021, 02:04 PM

That aint legit....

sang54 · 13-04-2021, 02:40 PM

Hopefully the seller gets back to me today with the build date. Thanks for your replies so far.

**DFB FGXR6** · 13-04-2021, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sang54

Hopefully the seller gets back to me today with the build date. Thanks for your replies so far.

Do you have the VIN number, as that will decode the build date for you.

Sprint XR8 · 13-04-2021, 11:24 PM

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/karr...pytopasteboard
2003 build so it won’t be pre production.

Citroënbender · 14-04-2021, 04:33 AM

Interesting, thank you for the link. Hopefully the VIN can be diligently probed.

In case the ad goes, FPVH3J06923 / 6FPAAAJGSW3J32438

Bossxr8 · 14-04-2021, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprint XR8

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/karr...pytopasteboard
2003 build so it won’t be pre production.

It's a 2003, so how the hell can it be the first ever made when they went on sale in 2002?

Seller is an idiot.

raised by monkeys · 14-04-2021, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It's a 2003, so how the hell can it be the first ever made when they went on sale in 2002?

Seller is an idiot.

This was my thought and first giveaway

Citroënbender · 14-04-2021, 09:43 AM

What does the VIN decode as?

**DFB FGXR6** · 14-04-2021, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It's a 2003, so how the hell can it be the first ever made when they went on sale in 2002?

Seller is an idiot.

XR8 and GT with the Boss engines launched in early 2003, Febuary for XR8 and March for FPV models.

Smoke Pursuit · 14-04-2021, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

XR8 and GT with the Boss engines launched in early 2003, Febuary for XR8 and March for FPV models.

That was autos.

You could buy xr8 manuals from the start...

**DFB FGXR6** · 14-04-2021, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

That was autos.

You could buy xr8 manuals from the start...

No, auto Boss 260/290 arrived in April (Q2) 2003. Manuals launched as above.

Check the fine print in this brochure scan, "260kw XR8 engine available early 2003"

http://www.fordforums.com.au/photos/...php?photo=4959

BA XR8 and FPV model were however announced late 2002.

**Mont5.0** · 14-04-2021, 08:30 PM

where can i buy one of those plates???

Ill stick it in my engine bay but make it 1 of 500, just to keep it real.

V8Crazy · 14-04-2021, 10:52 PM

Only time i've seen a genuine test vehicle was a BA XR6T test car, it had a basic interior (Like bottom like everything, no carpets, no trims, a dash but no glove box/etc, plus lots and lots of holes drilled everywhere where they obviously had things mounted).

It also had a VIN that was basically the ford code and then all 1's.
The car couldn't be registered because the vin was an invalid VIN and the car wasn't ADR compliant. As such the car was being used as a track car at the time.

Even the ECU was a pre-production ecu that was so wonky and locked down that it couldn't be accessed tuned (by sct xcal at the time). After much mucking about, they ended up getting a ECU and engine harness (as the harness with the test-bed ECU was very different to production) so they could tune it.

From memory that introduced a myrid of other bugs in the car (due to pre/post production mixing) but nothing that really effected it in the sense of tracking the car.

It didn't have any special plates, just had all standard ford stickers and such and the VIN was invalid.

Bossxr8 · 15-04-2021, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

XR8 and GT with the Boss engines launched in early 2003, Febuary for XR8 and March for FPV models.

Nope. Manuals were available late in 2002. The autos didn't arrive till Feb. I know cause I had ones of the first autos delivered, and I had a manual XR8 to test drive in december. So they 100% were building and delivering manual xr8's in 2002. Although the xr8's came on line later than the 6 cylinders did.

They usually start delivering cars to dealers before the actual published release date, that way it gives them some time up their sleeve if they have any issues.

tweeked · 15-04-2021, 04:16 PM

Also, it is a “Ford Performance Vehicle” the company always labeled with an S

genebaby · 15-04-2021, 06:03 PM

I met a guy a long time ago that had a 2002 build XR8. I think it was November. I can't remember if he had an auto or a manual.

**DFB FGXR6** · 15-04-2021, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Nope. Manuals were available late in 2002. The autos didn't arrive till Feb. I know cause I had ones of the first autos delivered, and I had a manual XR8 to test drive in december. So they 100% were building and delivering manual xr8's in 2002. Although the xr8's came on line later than the 6 cylinders did.

They usually start delivering cars to dealers before the actual published release date, that way it gives them some time up their sleeve if they have any issues.

Interesting, I might have to revise my records then.

I remember the media launch drive for the XR8 being after the rest of the range. It was also absent from the Wheels Car Of the Year testing that year.

Jan 2003 review-
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...1-27/3039.html

This also from GoAuto at the time -

"The BA Falcon, however, will not go on sale until October, when mainstream Falcon sedan, ute, wagon and XR6 models are likely to be offered at a premium of three to four per cent over current AU models. But the BA XR8 will not appear until early 2003..."
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...9-04/3041.html

"The XR6 Turbo slots into the XR6 range above the Barra 182-engined XR6 and below the yet to be released XR8, which we know gets a 260kW four-valve version of the new 5.4-litre modular V8 called the Boss."
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...9-27/3040.html

Also, as I linked, the BA Falcon brochure states the XR8 would be available early 2003.

So having said all that, and from what others have said, I'm guessing Ford started to manufacture XR8's from late 2002 to build up stocks for 2003 delivery? I'm also guessing this allowed FPV to build up a stock of engines.

GTLEGEND · 15-04-2021, 10:41 PM

9/2003 BA XR8 5.4 4 Speed Auto White Police Pack

au2000 · 16-04-2021, 09:29 AM

Pretty sure this is the XR that’s being referred to.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-7064845/?Cr=2

Looks dodgy as to me
Given the condition of the paint outside compared to door jams etc, and it’s unregistered I’d not be surprised if it’s a stat write off re bodied etc, especially after gtlegend’s info..

Smoke Pursuit · 16-04-2021, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Interesting, I might have to revise my records then.

I remember the media launch drive for the XR8 being after the rest of the range. It was also absent from the Wheels Car Of the Year testing that year.

Jan 2003 review-
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...1-27/3039.html

This also from GoAuto at the time -

"The BA Falcon, however, will not go on sale until October, when mainstream Falcon sedan, ute, wagon and XR6 models are likely to be offered at a premium of three to four per cent over current AU models. But the BA XR8 will not appear until early 2003..."
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...9-04/3041.html

"The XR6 Turbo slots into the XR6 range above the Barra 182-engined XR6 and below the yet to be released XR8, which we know gets a 260kW four-valve version of the new 5.4-litre modular V8 called the Boss."
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...9-27/3040.html

Also, as I linked, the BA Falcon brochure states the XR8 would be available early 2003.

So having said all that, and from what others have said, I'm guessing Ford started to manufacture XR8's from late 2002 to build up stocks for 2003 delivery? I'm also guessing this allowed FPV to build up a stock of engines.

Could definitely get BA XR8 manuals in late 2002, autos came later.

**Polyal** · 16-04-2021, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au2000

Pretty sure this is the XR that’s being referred to.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-7064845/?Cr=2

Looks dodgy as to me
Given the condition of the paint outside compared to door jams etc, and it’s unregistered I’d not be surprised if it’s a stat write off re bodied etc, especially after gtlegend’s info..

Hard pass

Bossxr8 · 16-04-2021, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au2000

Pretty sure this is the XR that’s being referred to.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-7064845/?Cr=2

Looks dodgy as to me
Given the condition of the paint outside compared to door jams etc, and it’s unregistered I’d not be surprised if it’s a stat write off re bodied etc, especially after gtlegend’s info..

This looks sus af. Why would the tyre placard only have a 16 inch tyre listed, when XR's only came with 17's and 18's? And why would an XR have datadots? Only FPV's got those. Reckon someone has added a bunch of things off a GT wreck and is trying to pass it off as some some of FPV prototype.

So many things just don't add up.

cossie88 · 02-01-2023, 09:50 AM

Did you ever find out what the test engine means?

I have a BF GT that has a test engine tag on a decal in the valley of the 5.4 and am trying to find out what it means. My car is an ex BP Australia owned which was one of two ordered by BP Australia for testing of their newly developed BP ultimate fuel. The other BP car had Manley rods fitted to it but the current owner didn’t fit them and he doesn’t think engine was upgraded by previous owner as he bought it stock original from him.

sang54 · 02-01-2023, 10:35 PM

Hey mate, sorry I had no luck getting to the bottom of this so I did not buy the car. The engine in my current XR has Manley rods in it but they where added during the engine rebuild. Sorry I can’t be much more of a help. I’m sure your running into the same brick walls I did on google as there is very little info on these test engines. Good luck, cheers.