Buying a used FPV BA GT/GT-P (2003-2004)
The first GT since 1976 came from a repackaged Prodrive-Ford partnership renamed Ford Performance Vehicles after Ford-Tickford FTE sales strategy bombed. After the intended FTE BA T4 was hastily revamped as the FPV GT, Joe Kenwright discovers an amazing bAs soon as Tickford's 250 kW stroker T3 range based on the final AU Falcon Series III prompted Ford fans to demand the return of the GT, Ford and Prodrive quickly buried the failed FTE venture and rebadged the coming BA TE50 and TS50 as a GT and GT-P under the FPV banner.
Previewed in October 2002, the first examples were not delivered until early 2003 after the preview car was rejected as too lame. Unlike later GT and GT-P models, these T4 TE50/TS50 origins left the first BA GT closer to the XR series compared to the Fairmont-based GT-P with its upgraded dash and features.
Early GT-P had a strong Fairmont/TS50 flavour if ordered without stripes but the Brembo brakes and extra kit are worth having.
Base BA GT missed out on dual-zone climate control, performance seats and other features but FPV's Performance brakes, extra slots in the front and less weight were consolations. Engine was a unique high compression local version of cast iron 5.4-litre block with serious twin-cam, multi-valve heads from Cobra R Mustang.
Early transmissions were upgraded local four-speed auto or carryover TR3650 five-speed manual from T3.
After the new model was quickly upgraded with six-speed manual in October 2004, these first cars which set several new benchmarks at the time have become bargain used buys leaving plenty for upgrades.
PRICES
Imminent new "Orion" Falcon-based model is generating trade-in figures of $24-28,000 so an owner keen to improve on this may accept $30-35,000 for a base GT and around $2-3,000 extra for a GT-P depending on km and condition. Prices are also heavily dependent on colour/stripe combination.
CHECKPOINTS
- Early Boss 290 engines were filled with synthetic oil from new. In combination with generous tolerances, this caused bores to glaze and oil consumption skyrocketed. Engines were monitored. Some were rebuilt with upgraded internals while others didn't need it after non-synthetic oil was used and proper bedding-in procedure was completed. After allowing for initial tightness, engine needs to work hard and have at least 10,000km up to deliver its best. Some experts claim that engine should always run on quality semi-synthetic oil for optimum ring sealing and low oil consmumption.
- Most owners who required engine rebuilds opted to leave their cars off the road until the original was returned. Others who needed their cars had mule engines installed while theirs was rebuilt then swapped back again. Check engine number history so that DataDots match up.
- Camshaft chain tensioners can fail causing oil to drain out overnight and chain rattle on start-up. Allow up to $800 to fix.
- Oil consumption unrelated to early issues can be generated by RHS cam chain frothing up oil which is picked up by oil PCV circuit and fed into plenum chamber for oily inlet. Aftermarket fix allows this oil to flow back into engine.
- TR3650 is a tough manual gearbox from the old school which can generate some rollover noise when idling so check that any noise and clunkiness are within tolerance. Original clutch with ratchet self-adjustment will reach a point when there is no more adjustment for big replacement expense but there are better and cheaper alternatives.
- Early BA GT can break driveshafts if abused. Upgraded BF items are a simple, if not cheap fix. Diffs varied in quality with some clunkier than others.
- Local 4 speed auto is tough and relatively cheap to fix. It will reach a point where 2nd/3rd clutches simply fail and it's time for an overhaul.
- Big wheel and tyre combination chops out inner tyre tread so after market camber and castor kit essential.
- Early suspension was too soft for some when it highlighted extra weight over front wheels but easily upgraded with wide choice of springs, shocks and anti-roll bars even using factory parts. Shocks/dampers go soft at around 60,000km, perfect timing for a wider upgrade.
- Pre-Euro III engine has a big heart and its stock 205-210kW at rear wheels can be boosted to 255-260kW relatively cheaply with upgraded dual exhaust, cold-air system and other tweaks.
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