Fairmont: EF or EL ?

ECOJET · 25-10-2007, 02:51 PM

hey guys
just after some advice as im a turning commodore man and am about to buy a fairmont.
Im going to keep it stock for a while, first plan is to convert it to straight gas, then maybe later add a turbo.
On the market they're roughly the same price so im just wondering, with the above plans in mind if they have any influence, should I buy an EF or an EL model? why?

bentles · 25-10-2007, 03:19 PM

ef = coil pack

thats about the only functional difference mate.

Allen · 25-10-2007, 03:23 PM

EL's apart from being younger have a few minor differences.

Late EL 4.0's will have the hybrid AU head and rocker gear, Ghia's will have the speed sensitive steering. (or something like that)
The ELs had slightly revised rear suspension geometry as well IIRC.

Personally I think the EF grille looks tougher, but there isn't much between the two models, so just try and find the best example of either for your budget and you shouldn't have too many problems.

ebgli · 25-10-2007, 04:05 PM

The EL handles alot better. Get and EF and an EL sideways and you will see what i mean!

efI_Fairmont · 25-10-2007, 04:21 PM

G'day ecojet ,always nice to see another Ford convert

The difference between the two models is very small, but here goes:

*Slightly different factory alloys on EL's to the EF.
*EF have the coil pack - EL's went back to a distributor/coil (cost saving by Ford was one factor here)
*Rear Suspension is revised in the EF2 and further in the EL to improve handling.
*EF2 and EL Ghia's have the XR6 motor in them, as well as speed sensitive steering. EF Ghia's only get the standard 6. All standard Fairmont's EF or EL get the standard 6.
*Slightly different badges and instrument cluster (Font was changed)
*Colour coded power window buttons, a few other very minor cosmetic changes throughout.

That's about all I can think of. I reckon your best bet is to look at them all, and pick whichever one you can find with less km's and better condition, regardless of the model, since there is so little difference between them.

Good luck!

ef_classic · 25-10-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebgli

The EL handles alot better. Get and EF and an EL sideways and you will see what i mean!

I read that that was corrected in EF2?

tuffnc · 25-10-2007, 05:37 PM

can anyone elaborate on the speed sensitive steering?

**Sorted** · 25-10-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffnc

can anyone elaborate on the speed sensitive steering?

Basically it gets harder to turn the wheel the faster you go..... East to turn wheel when driving slow, harder when turning the wheel when going faster.

I would get an EL Fairmont, I have an EF Fairmont

tuffnc · 25-10-2007, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRHEMI

Basically it gets harder to turn the wheel the faster you go..... East to turn wheel when driving slow, harder when turning the wheel when going faster.

I would get an EL Fairmont, I have an EF Fairmont

cool. thank DRHEMI, i'll go try that now....lol

andrewts · 25-10-2007, 07:13 PM

The speed sensitive steering is insane! You can park the beast with your pinkie.

Good on you ecojet for giving the Fords a go, I hope your car serves you well.

Gohan · 25-10-2007, 09:32 PM

[QUOTE=efI_Fairmont

*EF2 and EL Ghia's have the XR6 motor in them, as well as speed sensitive steering. EF Ghia's only get the standard 6. All standard Fairmont's EF or EL get the standard 6.
*Good luck![/QUOTE]

ur tellin me my 1995 EF Monty has a XR6 motor in it?

used:

used:

i often wonderd somtimes when he revs above 3 grand sometimes

ELs and EFs not much in the body wise differant grilles, rims, the speed sensitive steering but try and get spare body parts u have to look high and low for them trust me i know i need a new bonnet no1 has them!! :evil3: :evil3:

**Sorted** · 25-10-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gohan

....but try and get spare body parts u have to look high and low for them trust me i know i need a new bonnet no1 has them!! :evil3: :evil3:....

Um I found heaps of Fairmont bonnets for you, what was wrong with them? look at your thread:---> http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11192510

FTe342 · 25-10-2007, 09:56 PM

From Ford Falcon 2nd Edition by Ewan Kennedy the EFII suspension was improved but the EL was improved further again with different rate components, revised mounting points and retuning including different geometry in the front.

The EL also scored better glass tinting and sound proofing

Listen to Dr Hemi. I have an EL XR6 and love driving it

ECOJET · 25-10-2007, 11:23 PM

the dizzy worries me a bit on the el! dizzys are so oldschool i feel like im going backwards!
but yeah, not totally fussy, whatever is in the best condition for the right price i'll snap up.
I reckon they're great value for money, ive had a statesman before and loved it and was going to get a vn/vp calais but to be honest im sick of the buick plus fairmonts have the same and more features as a calais and a better motor for sure.
Im hanging to get playing with that big straight six

RED FGII · 25-10-2007, 11:25 PM

EL for sure mate

**Polyal** · 26-10-2007, 07:24 AM

EL Ghia, best e series you can get (of the normal models anyway). Leather, XR spec drivetrain, understated looks; only bummer is auto but if your keen then you can fix that.

Why would you stop at a normal Fairmont? E series are cheap as; dont put it in gas though; bit of a waste unless its a SVI system or something like that.

XXRR-50 · 26-10-2007, 09:00 AM

Stretch your budget to EFII/EL Ghia if you can. Definitely worth it. You'll get XR6 engine, 3.45 LSD, leather, premium sound etc.

I fitted SVI duel fuel to my EFII Ghia V8 and more than happy with it. No power loss, no backfiring, stalling etc and fuel consumption is better on gas than on petrol. Don't know how would SVI go if converted to straight gas. Has anyone done it on E-series?

Cheers,
Bud

**Polyal** · 26-10-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOPGIA

Stretch your budget to EFII/EL Ghia if you can. Definitely worth it. You'll get XR6 engine, 3.45 LSD, leather, premium sound etc.

I fitted SVI duel fuel to my EFII Ghia V8 and more than happy with it. No power loss, no backfiring, stalling etc and fuel consumption is better on gas than on petrol. Don't know how would SVI go if converted to straight gas. Has anyone done it on E-series?

Cheers,
Bud

Ah yes apologies, EFII is not far behind the EL

Moreso if you want a V8.

Allen · 26-10-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECOJET

the dizzy worries me a bit on the el! dizzys are so oldschool i feel like im going backwards!

Don't let the EL's dizzy put you off, they only went back to the dizzy because it never worked 100% on the EF's... Although the EF's can be retrofitted with the better AU coil packs.

I agree with the other guys though, the Ghia is definatly worth the extra premium over the normal Fairmont.

ECOJET · 26-10-2007, 10:14 AM

i cant see a ghia for less than 6.. whereas my tight budget is up to 4 lol.
really i dont need a soundsystem i got my own better gear going in, the xr motor would be nice but will be nothing compared to what ill be building up, and the ls well im not gonna do any racing for a while..

and leather stuff i can always throw that in later on

**Polyal** · 26-10-2007, 10:56 AM

Then you might as well get a GLi mate

raised by monkeys · 26-10-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Then you might as well get a GLi mate

agreed

**Sorted** · 26-10-2007, 12:42 PM

(NSW) 1996 Ford EF Fairmont 6cyl Sedan $5,000
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11195355

(QLD) 1997 Ford EL Fairmont 6cyl Sedan $5,500
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11195454

(VIC) 1996 Ford EF Fairmont v8cyl Sedan (prob get it for $5,000)
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=105462

(VIC) 1998 Ford EL Fairmont Ghia 6cyl Sedan ($5,500)
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11193221

Try looking in the cars for sale section here:- http://www.fordforums.com.au/forumdisplay.php?f=41

You can always offer them $4,000 and see what response you get – worth a try

eBay

(VIC) 1997 Ford Fairmont EL 6cyl $3,250
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1997-Ford-Fai...QQcmdZViewItem

RED FGII · 26-10-2007, 05:27 PM

that last link, broardford car sales, u can get some real bargains there

:

ECOJET · 26-10-2007, 05:37 PM

what u guys think about kays... i know these motors are tough as so where would you put the limit on with the reading, 240ish ?

bentles · 26-10-2007, 06:14 PM

well the car will run up to a million but it wont exactly be as new condition...

personally i wouldnt touch over 200,000 but thats because my car has 80,000

my last one with 240,000 was starting to get a bit rough around the edges for my liking

Josh L · 26-10-2007, 07:03 PM

As bentles said... they will run up to and beyond a million.

Mine has 225,000 and is going not too bad albeit a couple of demons that have popped up. It all has to do with whether you are willing to spend the cash for rebuilding/reco'ing this or that.

Over 200,000 examples will keep you going with regular maintainence until you're ready to start getting nasty. They will handle a bit.

Mate of mine races speedway and bought an ex-taxi 4L which had done the clock once already... he reco'd it, whacked in some performance enhancing "drugs" (headers, zorst, aftermarket ecu and cam) and she's pulling like a train and well.

Is all really a money thing I suppose. So basically... if you go for something with over 200,000... treat it not so harshly until you are gonna be putting in the dough.

[/Ramble]

Josh.

andrewts · 26-10-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECOJET

what u guys think about kays... i know these motors are tough as so where would you put the limit on with the reading, 240ish ?

Well it depends how you treat it. If you drive like grampa, 1,000,000+. I'm not sure what to say if you flog it though. I would say that 300,000 before problems is a generous estimate, but my mate's brother drives an ED with 800,000km on the clock, he flogs the thing like mad and the engine has only been reco'd once.

eb_5litre · 26-10-2007, 07:45 PM

I bought my EL Fairmont Ghia for $4000 with leather and 180,000k's from a caryard in Sydney.

ECOJET · 26-10-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb_5litre

I bought my EL Fairmont Ghia for $4000 with leather and 180,000k's from a caryard in Sydney.

bargain.. they're definitely out there, just gotta be patient.
I guess i could settle for a basic gli, but i wouldnt mind some electrics, and i like things like cruise control, electric windows e.t.c.. im sucker for luxury items now