20+ Year Old TickFord XR8 Tested - Induction System Modifications - Building For Performance

We take a 200kw AU xr8 5.0 ( 302w ) v8 ute that sat in a paddock and restore it to its former glory and performance. We then find the restrictions that we can fix for free and test it along the way. If you like this kind of video, leave a like and comment. Let me know what you would like to see next.
Thanks for the love guys, let me know what you think if the outro at the end.
Check out Seans quick airflow videos • Intake Manifold Line O...
Blake.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thank you to all my subscribers for the support, you mean the world to me ❤

[@bears2604]

2023 nearly over mate, still waiting on the proposed content? Or have you giving up on your channel?

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@bears2604 This video is part of the proposed content. Been working a full time job as well as tuning, head porting and custom cams for customers so the channel suffered. Left my main role last week so plenty of time now for the channel.

[@bears2604]

@@GapSauceKZbinglad to hear (read) it. Enjoy your channel m8, you had me worried for a bit 😂👍

[@CastledSphere15]

Gap how u doing mate do you know when you will next be uploading? love watching your videos.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@CastledSphere15 This afternoon 🙂

[@user-cr4pl8fq3d]

Great information mate.. You've got me motivated to put some love into my old EF XR8 manual.!

[@jasondargie-lee438]

Great to have some Gapsauce content back!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Jason! Appreciate the support!

[@ls1hinchy546]

This is the sort of stuff I jump on KZbin for mate👍, the mighty AU is still my favourite ford

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Hinchy, I had a lot of fun making making this one and keen do do lore like it!

[@RustyShackleford]

I really appreciate the information you provide throughout your videos. You have a great way of presenting your work and nobody else does anything like this. Your channel will grow. I am going to share a lot of your videos to likeminded people. Seems like you are a great bloke all round. Chill vibes throughout all videos.

[@Hugo_Dvz]

The king returns

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thank you kind Sir 🙏

[@MrKrueger88]

Ever so thankful you're doing up older , cheaper falcons ... Love it !!! And I've always wondered how much those little incremental changes could make to an engines output , and you've done it wonders !!! Proved by faster and faster times 👍😁 Looking forward to more content , more knowledge and a faster xr6 of mine 🔥 Thanks again ... Great work , great channel 😁😁😁

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate! I definitely have some 4L content you will like, just waiting on machining. The head will be really nasty when it's done!

[@rickylemon6395]

I can't believe the king of brains and brawn is back! Looking forward to all the content you've been saving up for everyone

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Ricky, I had a busy year but we are back! 😁

[@lachlanbrown409]

Good to hear from you again. Have enjoyed seeing your progress with the BA GT and now with the AU XR8.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Cheers Lachlan, still more to come for both cars 😁

[@tommyrowanracing]

Nice job Blake. Damn .1 second is hard to find, let alone 10 of them 😊

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate, thankfully I love spending my time grinding away. Another second or two to go now 😉

[@justin3131ify]

He's back! I was looking forward to another raunchy boss 290 eargasm session, buuutt can't complain about some windsor love.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Haha, I promise if you are patient, you wont be disappointed. Those pistons at the end are for the Boss!

[@mrdoiii]

I have a feeling this Windsor will end up sounding just as good 😎

[@justin3131ify]

@@mrdoiii Hope so... I have an Au XR8 ute with a healthy alloy headed carb converted combo. So i feel I'll be following this one even closer than I do the GT.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@justin3131ify I won't disappoint you 😁

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@mrdoiii You know me too well 😅

[@danwiththe8647]

David Vizard is an absolute machine! he recently started a youtube channel too, get on it

[@GapSauceYoutube]

He is where I started, between DV, Darin Morgan, George Bryce and Eric W, I have assembled a wealth of knowledge. We live in a wonderful world of information!!

[@zacsborntorunrunningadvent3441]

Great work. 14.6 vs 15.8 is pretty epic improvement with those practical airflow improvements and the J3 chip retune farout. Love it. Itd now be keeping up with stick 260 boss 1/4mile efforts id think around low to mid 14s pretty realistic.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate, it's definitely a new car. I ended up finding some damage in the bottom end and it's on its way back together now. Should be a fair bit quicker. I just uploaded a video about the progress last week.

[@ThePureArc]

That AU is screaming for 4.1 gears haha

[@GapSauceYoutube]

I already have a set on the way 😉

[@MrToranaGuy]

Very nice!

[@mrdoiii]

Hell yeah! Back and with another V8 💪💪💪. Keen to see what's coming, I have a 5.0 Windsor that needs a rebuild.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Awesome, they are nice and simple and fairly cost effective to maintain too.

[@garyvonpein1747]

Up the AU xr8 💪🏼

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Love ya Mr. Gary!

[@aaroncomben]

Good to see you back keep up to content.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Aaron, it's been too long now!

[@seanb250]

Fantastic video mate 👍 Very well explained and the track results to back it up, looking forward to the next one.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Sean, love your work!

[@mex351]

Was about to link you bred

[@user-wt3uv1sk3p]

I’m brand new to your channel and loving it. I’m an old school builder, overhead valves a carbys. Really enjoying your “real data” input on your videos. So refreshing and very well done

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Peter! This ute will see a carby eventually for some testing too. Plenty more to come 🙂

[@WARxMACHIN3]

About time you got yourself into an AU!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Haha, I actually used to have a T2 TE50 5sp and I couldn't shake the need for another 5L!

[@holdehj]

He's Back !!!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Yeah buddy!!

[@bengibson3955]

Awesome work, Blake! I must admit that I pronounced it bull-ar-kay after Key & Peele's classic "substitute teacher" bit. :) I've been following your channel for ages, really enjoying what you've done with the modular engine. As a proud owner of two AU Falcons (manual V8 ute and a neat, bone-stock VCT AU2 Fairmont Ghia) I'm really enjoying your tweaking of the mighty XR8. Keep up the great content. 👍

[@lucygugich460]

Good to see your last video it's been a while keep up the good work

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Lucy!

[@Chad_Thundernuts]

Man, I can't wait to get my AU XR8 back on the road. It's been too long. This video is good inspiration to pull thumb and get stuck into it, and I'm gonna have to try these mods out too! I've got a series 2 sedan also with the 200kw. Never in my life have I experienced a car that just feels so right for me other than that thing. I love it!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Cheers mate, keen to hear how it goes for you. There is something about the AU v8s that just got me back into one!

[@tyzievegemite4251]

This is going to be awesome! I have an 01 xr8 Ute, she is parked up at the moment. Now I have a new daily, I can start working on her. Not a lot of videos on the AU’s on here, so good on you mate! Keen to watch it, and see what I can learn for my beast.

[@anthonypllu3864]

good stuff, who doesnt love free HP

[@GapSauceYoutube]

I certainly do, feels like a whole new car.

[@MrMerlinPower]

Awesome work on the AU so far.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Merlin!

[@billjake5158]

I just bought a el xr8 Booked it in last month fitting the biggest cam crow cams can put in it and a 3000 stall hopefully pick it up this week

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Hell yeah mate! I would absolutely live an EL xr8! Such a beautiful car

[@thatguyben3128]

_Awesome to see you’re back up and running on YT and what a great little project to start off 👏🏽_ … _I’ve got to admit I thought the AU would have been faster but can see why, as the old girl was a tad tired, great job in breathing new life into her_ 🏆💪🏽

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Ben, yeah it may be a little tired. Although the 200kw wasn't immensely quick, I've seen the 220s run high 14s before in stock form too.

[@arkhsm]

@@GapSauceKZbin Was that 14's a manual or auto ?!

[@ethanpotbury2515]

Absolutely Beaty and awesome job, just bought a ef fairmont for $200 and planning on putting a au red top in it, love the vids and your car collection

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Ethan! Appreciate it. That's a hell of a bargain, the red top is a nice upgrade too. Keep an eye out for some videos in the future, I'm building a nice red top currently for my EF with a Vortech 🙂

[@ethanpotbury2515]

@@GapSauceKZbin will do been following the gt content for a while now, and a au xr8 as well🤯

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@ethanpotbury2515 Hopefully not much longer and we will have the GT back out!

[@BMIBaldwin]

Good to see the vids back mate

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Cheers Baldy 😁

[@B1Gboz]

You’re back!!! Love your content, inspired me to get a BF GT 6spd man

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Hell yeah!! Excellent choice mate, wonderful cars!

[@-CHeWy-]

Love this. I have own an AU2 XR8, and a T3 5.6L. Shame i sold them. The Windsor was never done right from the factory sadly. So many small things that could have been done.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

The T3 was definitely a step up and would have given the boss290 a good run at the lights in its day. But definitely needs some pep up thsts for sure. I had a 5sp T2 with SVO alloy heads and cam. Was a really nice car.

[@-CHeWy-]

@@GapSauceKZbin A T3 wipes the floor with the boss 260-290. I raced 4 290s in my time, and they were sitting still. The T3 is quicker than most people know.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@-CHeWy- Yeah I've driven a near stock P250 and id say it would beat my GT stock at the lights but the GT would have been running it down pretty hard by the top of 3rd gear. Mine went 14.0 stock but at 104-105mph

[@-CHeWy-]

@@GapSauceKZbin Mine was a bit of a freak, went a 13.5, intake, headers, exhaust.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@-CHeWy- Thats decent mate, my T2 went 13.8@102 but had a small cam too.

[@marklowe7431]

The 5L windsor is an awesome mighty mouse. Build a bottom with a 331 kit, AFR's and girdle and they can be insane.

[@thomasgeisler1392]

Mate great video. In depth and to the point. Plus a book of knowledge. Very clear and even I learnt something!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Tom, glad you liked it mate 🙂

[@nickpotts5378]

Nice work dude, will have to keep an eye out for the new car

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate, 😁

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

I think you can get that beast to run a 14.0 maybe even a 13.9 with heads cam exhaust intake and all the other modifications you have done. The biggest problem you have being a ute would be traction. You may need to run slicks.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

It's been 14.3@97 now. I'm expecting to go low 13s/high 12s with the heads,cam and custom intake. Stall converter too.

[@yusuf.alajnabi]

@@GapSauceKZbin please do a video when you do. I might need to do the same thing to mine.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@yusuf.alajnabi Already begun on the filming :)

[@justkyddingracing9268]

glad to see you back. interesting content that a backyard hack like me can follow

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thats the plan mate, something for everyone 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@hansdereeper7550]

great vid bud

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Hans, appreciate the time taken to comment 🙂

[@mex351]

Same ET as my AU XLS 5ltr in stock form. Great gains from basic work, props bud.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Your stock AU XLS went 14.6@96.7? Wow! Thanks 🙂

[@crd-nz_001]

Drop the stock valves for a Beehive. I did this to a mates Holden. Mixed bag motor, 0.060 over 308 block with 5.0l heads. Used stock but new LS6 springs, comp cams 787-16 retainers and +0.050in keepers. They are a little tight on the seat (1.78 v 1.8) but matched to a 0.49in lift, 216@0.050 cam the thing exceeds 7500rpm and makes 300hp at the hubs. I even did the same to a 4.1l 6 cylinder XF motor. Problem here is it runs the standard mechanical pump which maybe running out of fuel above 6500, so it lays over... Point being, get beehive valvsprings. Some research is needed for the installed height and what Ford keeper to run (787-16 retainer is 7 degree - needs to match). Once done, it will haul.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate, I'll take a look into it. It's been a while since I've played with the 5L stuff. 100% agree on the beehives though, great resonant frequency range.

[@julianalderson3938]

Get the flow. I do tree work every small saw i have open em up. So much better thanx

[@GapSauceYoutube]

That is awesome! I bet the castings are fairly easy to improve on too. I have a ride on lawnmower that I keep eyeballing too, can't wait to take it apart 🤣

[@galaxiexr6625]

Good To see you back,Blake .Top Video.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks for the ongoing support legend!

[@galaxiexr6625]

I went t&t Willowbank last night got a 12.96 out of the siver BA GT. Quite Happy .@@GapSauceKZbin

[@bluepower8593]

The man is back after almost a year absent 👌

[@GapSauceYoutube]

It's been a hot minute but we are here and I've got alot of content saved up 😁

[@TBONEMALONE..]

Great episode mate ✌️

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it!

[@Colt_10R80]

Love watching what you do brother! All way from Texas in USA.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Cheers mate. Texas is definitely on my list of places to come and see!

[@arkhsm]

Very impressive....makes me wonder how quick my stock 220kw AU2 auto sedan would be in the quarter ? Bigger throttle body and valves from the factory. First I have to find out where all the water is pissing out of near the back of the intake manifold (just happened the other day dammit). It rips to redline in first and second fairly easily, even at 320,000+km's !!

[@grimtehme]

Hell yeah bro, love to see some free gains. Mad work, Yeeeeewwwwww!!!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate 😁

[@RypienGT]

The only 'sauce' I need.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Hahahahaha yeah buddy 😎

[@cameronchircop7393]

Good to see some new content mate. Good gains from the mighty au. Looking forward to see the upcoming content.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Chop, I'm more keen to be there when you take the crown of fastest manual VE/VF!!!!

[@cameronchircop7393]

Need to get shit together and finally start dialing this clutch in and see what it can do

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@cameronchircop7393 1.4x 60ft haha

[@jonathonbrisbane2350]

Love the windsor content mate

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate, plenty more to come 🙂

[@stingraysdownunder2372]

Very interested in following this as I have a few 5.0 efs here only power gains on a Windsor I’m keen to learn

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Definitely gains to be had mate! Thanks for watching!

[@marcusharman5901]

The return!!!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Reminds me of Lord of the Rings... The timeslip fell, Gondor calls for aid 🤣

[@brettwarren3429]

Will definitely have some spicy content in the future! Keen to see what comes, and help with a bit of added content myself.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Hell yeah mate, very keen!

[@brettwarren3429]

@@GapSauceKZbin lets chase down deep 10's on the TVS1900! After I take down a 10 on stock pulleys that is!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@brettwarren3429 That would be so impressive, definitely going to be fun!

[@mg74xbgt]

Took our series 1 Fairmont to the drags recently and managed a 14.9 , which surprised us as it is stock and has standard heads on it , which is strange as AUs were ment to have gt40ps from factory. But it doesn't have the 4 bars cast into the ends of the heads.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thats a very decent time for a s1. Auto?? I'd say they are 40p's if you're in the 14s and it's stock.

[@HEKTIC458]

Please upload more videos!

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Done! 😁

[@Mosesk1988]

I remember old bosses son had and au pursuit ute with a stroker motor, it pissed along back then, probs not so much in todays standards.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

I had a T2 Te50 and have drive a Pursuit 250 with the T3 stroker engine and I was impressed by both. I think the T3 manual would have given my GT a hard time on the 1/4 when they were both stock.

[@danielash9834]

Great content love these type of videos been doing a similar mods on a 16 Mustang

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate, really great engine to be working on the coyote!

[@jimcbr1990]

great vid mate

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks mate, I saw you have one up too. I'll have to check it out tomorrow.

[@BamBamZ_Gaming]

I was unaware the j3 worked on the Windsor.... there ya go hey

[@galactica1980]

I think the J3 still causes issues with the AC control on the AU.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

I haven't noticed but I'm sure there is a way around it

[@galactica1980]

@@GapSauceKZbin actually if I remember rightly, it's the TI Performance J3 chip that has issues with AU and AC. I had the same issue when I tried it on my Fairlane.

[@justinharris7407]

Mate love ya work would love to speak to you about my 2002 vct intech

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks, Shoot my friend!!

[@preemz45]

Love the vid. How do we go about getting the gt vlog out quicker lol

[@GapSauceYoutube]

I'm waiting on machining for the GT, I'll have plenty to come in the next few months 🙂

[@paulieurlich7386]

Mint

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Paulie!

[@runslaTe]

Love this thing..I've got the 220 ..nothing like a Windsor

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Great engines, I used to have a 220 T2 TE50 5sp, mildly cammed and same intake mods as this xr8. Made 300whp. Miss that car!

[@runslaTe]

Also had a Boss 260 full dillipo twin 3 inch , cats headers etc..was louder and faster than my little 220 but...something about the Windsor..I don't even know

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@runslaTe Yeah I'm not sure what it is either. I think the AU feels a little more raw too which helps.

[@slimshady2777]

That restrictor in the airbox isnt factory for the xr8 .. that lloks like a 6cyl airbox .. the xr8s had an alloy belmouth in the airbox.. 15.1 is around the correct stock time

[@GapSauceYoutube]

I was thinking the same. Didn't seem right.

[@CastledSphere15]

My dads running a bf supercharged 550 horsepower at the wheels 700 nm of torque

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Hell yeah, nothing better!!!

[@CastledSphere15]

@@GapSauceKZbin cheers mate me and my dad are ford fans i wish I could send u a photo of my dads falcon

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@CastledSphere15 Shoot the Gap Sauce Facebook page a picture if you get a chance :) I don't check it every day but I will reply when I get a chance :)

[@gtempo4673]

New subscriber here mate. Bit late to the show here got directed over from Richard holdeners channel reviewing boss intake but wanted to ask you bout boss heads and compatibility with Ford 5.4 2v engines . I have a Ford expedition 2004 5.4 2v and was curious if our boss heads would bolt on at all?

[@weekesy5122]

How did you remove the rubber restrictor in the intake tube? The air intake on the 4l vct engine is similar but from my understanding the restrictor is part of the manifold that screws onto the airbox? I could be wrong. I was thinking of cutting it out but didn't want to damage the intake and not be able to reconnect pipe to airbox

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Hey mate, you can just unbolt it. I made a thick gasket up with some nice tape that I have. You could use cardboard with painters tape if you wanted to as well. Definitely worth removing it, as you can see I made some good gains deleting it.

[@weekesy5122]

@@GapSauceKZbin thanks for the tip. If it's not too much trouble would you mind sending a photo?

[@GapSauceYoutube]

@@weekesy5122 Come to think of it, if yours is the 6..you won't have the MAF and it will be different to this one. Leave a comment on the Facebook page and send me pics of yours.

[@weekesy5122]

@@GapSauceKZbin sorry mate. Could you send link to FB page please? I had a search and it wasn't obvious to me. Cheers

[@SuperTambo69]

check out T-Moss with the intake

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Same idea, I remember seeing his stuff probably a decade ago.

[@lordhumungous7908]

Another great video! AFAIK the AU's MAF system will measure airflow and add fuel as required. But can these mods be done to B series Fords? Aren't they speed density managed?

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Yeah so I needed to adjust the tune to suit it. You can do this to a B series. Although like you said, they are MAP based rather than the MAF tuning. My throttle body was modified in a similar way on the GT before I upgraded it.

[@lordhumungous7908]

@@GapSauceKZbin So, the AU still needs an adjustment to the tune? I thought MAF systems could relearn anything and you could change anything as long as the injectors and MAF sensor are calibrated to each other. I dunno?

[@lordhumungous7908]

And I just subbed. I have a lot to learn about late model Fords from you 😀

[@galactica1980]

​​@@lordhumungous7908I would say that because the maf itself was modified, it needed to be recalibrated.

[@samicarlin4491]

😍😍👌

[@rover265]

Hey man, enjoying your vids. Can you do the plate knife edging on electronic throttle bodies? I have a couple of throttle plates sitting here for the 5.4L, one of them I accidentally scratched the surface lightly when removing it from the bolts, will that cause any issues?

[@GapSauceYoutube]

That will be fine mate, I clean them up with a flapper wheel. The factory elec throttle body in my GT had the same mods as show here. Just make sure you apply loctite and damage the threads so they can't come out. You might be able to see the half shafting in the video that I have left a small amount on the other side of the shaft to help retain the blade as well.

[@rover265]

@@GapSauceKZbin excellent. Not game to do the half shafting lol but going to give the knife edging a go. Any retune required?

[@GapSauceYoutube]

If you remove too much material from the blade and create more space for the air to pass thru at idle then yes you will need a tune, it's an easy fix and I am happy to help if you can get hold of the software or are local to SE QLD. 🙂 The trick is rounding th blade edge without removing too much from the diameter of the blade.

[@jrburger95]

Is it worth replacing the Explorer intake with one off a Foxbody Cobra?

[@GapSauceYoutube]

I have run a tubular upper on my T2 TE50 and it was a slight upgrade over the factory manifold.

[@CastledSphere15]

When will u next upload on your blue falcon?

[@GapSauceYoutube]

The bottom end is at the machine shop, have ALOT of footage to put together for the blue one, you won't be disappointed, the piston I showed at the did was for the GT. Thanks for being patient 🙂

[@CastledSphere15]

Hey gap sauce can u plz upload.

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Done! 😁

[@forddriver8827]

'Fix for free' after spending many thousands of dollars on required tools and tuning equipment...🤔

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Well, I guess that's a fair point. A couple of burrs and a compressor is all you need. Something to measure with too and some time spend researching and testing yourself. J3 tuning equipment is cheap though, just need to know how. 🙂

[@MaXpeedingRods_Coop]

hello mate , you ig address is wrong , how to dm you ? thanks

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks for letting me know. It should be GapSauceKZbin or [e-mail]

[@samigirlxoxo1456]

Love it 🥰👌

[@GapSauceYoutube]

Thanks Smanf 😘 My very supportive girl ❤