Ford looking to level the score...

Ford's new range of performance-oriented Falcons can be described in one word: uncompromising. With performance partner Tickford, the engines powering the trio of Fords have been stroked, or have an increased displacement.

Perhaps in a bid to give the lucrative HSV name a much-needed competition, the new Ford models are looking very hot indeed.

The muscular new T3 range is powered by a stroked version of Ford's legendary 5.0-litre V8, with capacity now 5.6 litres. Power and torque are also increased, from 220kW to 250kW and 475Nm to 500Nm.

Styling of the new range mirrors the power beneath the bonnet, with front fascia and rear spoiler on the TE and TS modeled on the aerodynamic package fitted to Ford's XR8 V8 Supercars. The trio of cars also come with massive 18-inch wheels and low profile, high performance tyres.

"The T-Series now has the looks to turn heads and the power and torque to back up its image," says Tickford Managing Director David Flint.

"The widely-acclaimed chassis remains unchanged, while the added horsepower makes for an even more exciting drive."

The TE50 and TS50 are now available with the choice of manual or optional automatic transmissions. The TE50 employs an adaptive automatic transmission and TS50 owners have the unique Electronic Sports Shift (ESS) automatic gearbox, with steering wheel-mounted change buttons.

The TL50, which retains the less aggressive design of previous models, features the same driveline as the TS50. Automatic transmission is standard.

All three vehicles now produce 250kW of power @ 5250rpm and 500Nm of torque @ 4250rpm. These impressive figures push the cars from standstill to 100km/h in less than 6 seconds, putting that these cars up there with the fastest four-doors in the world.

The 5.6-litre V8 is built at Tickford using a tried and tested "Windsor" block now boasting an all-new crankshaft, ported cylinder head with high performance springs and valves.

You get new billet machined connecting rods, lightweight pistons with fully floating pins, a revised camshaft profile and an 82 mm diameter throttle body. With a three-piece high flow inlet manifold and a conical air cleaner with dedicated mass air flow (MAF) sensor, the new 5.6-litre big-block is indeed an impressive feat of engineering.

Each 'stroked' engine carries a build plate signed by the Tickford technician who worked on it, signifying craftsmanship that goes further than any previous Tickford-enhanced engine.

In addition to the sports suspension package, a sports/luxury suspension system is available on the TE50 and TS50, and standard on the TL50. The premium suspension incorporates Koni shock absorbers and variable rate rear springs, a retuned front stabiliser bar and ride height lowered a further 7 mm.

Exceptional braking is provided by a package consisting of large 329mm vented and grooved front discs with twin-piston calipers and 287mm grooved rear discs.

But more than this, an optional Brembo brake package is also available, featuring massive 355 mm cross-drilled and ventilated front discs and 330 mm cross-drilled and ventilated rear discs, all with four-piston calipers. The result is a comprehensive brake package well suited to performance driving.

High performance Dunlop SP 9000 245/40 ZR18 tyres complete the dynamic package. They are fitted to all-new five-spoke 18 by 8-inch alloy wheels on the TS50 and TL50, while the TE50 has multi-spoke alloys.

The extra power and torque of the new T3 range is complemented by an aggressive new body design, taking a leaf out of the V8 Supercar book.

Incorporating the aforementioned front and rear fascias, plus a black mesh grille incorporating the Tickford logo, prospective buyers also get side skirts with T-Series badging, a deeper rear bumper with exposed exhaust and a choice of unique (and sexy) spoilers for the TE and TS.

Inside, the T-Series offers a luxurious driving environment featuring leather seats, Momo accessories, floor mats and an impressive CD/audio system.

The Engine

When Tickford decided to increase the output of the 5.0-litre Windsor engine, engineers had to make significant modifications to extract the maximum power improvement.

They needed to make this additional power without resorting to boosting the intake air with a supercharger or turbochargers. The only alternative was to increase the stroke of the engine and in doing so, create a higher airflow throughput and thus increase performance.

To achieve a restroked engine, a number of parts needed redesigning:

Crankshaft:
The 5.0-litre crankshaft provides a 76.2mm (3.00 inch) stroke. The new crankshaft extends the stroke to 86.4mm (3.4 inch), increasing engine capacity to 5.6 litres. A girdle is fitted, interconnecting all of the main bearing caps to improve crankshaft and cylinder block rigidity and cope with the higher stress conditions of a longer stroke.

Connecting Rod:
As the stroke of the crankshaft is increased, it is essential the connecting rod and piston still remain within the bore dimensions of the carryover 5.0-litre block. As a result, the connecting rod is a new part with the big end to little end bore (center) distance revised and a new piston to suit. Additionally, the new connecting rod is an H section part machined from a billet for increased strength to cater for power increases.

Piston:
A new short skirt piston is used to provide clearance to the new connecting rod and is a low friction, high load design to take the increased gas pressures. The new compression ratio is 9.6:1.

Once the increased capacity and performance potential has been achieved through "stroking", it then becomes necessary to match other components to the equivalent performance capability. This requires improving the airflow capacity of the intake and exhaust systems:

Camshaft:
For every revolution the engine now consumes 12 per cent more charge air because of the increase in stroke. The camshaft has been revised to increase valve opening duration, resulting in better airflow management into and out of the cylinders.

Cylinder Heads:
These are the same heads as used in the 220 kW engine with modified combustion chambers, increased valve sizes and 1.7:1 ratio roller rockers.

Intake Manifold:
A new manifold increases airflow into the cylinder heads

Air cleaner, throttle body and intake ducting:
Increased flow capability has been achieved by the adoption of a Mustang-style air cleaner with larger ducting and a significant increase in throttle body bore (up from 70 mm in the 220 kW engine to 82 mm in this application).

Exhaust System:
The ceramic coated tubular headers and 1.7-litre catalysts provide sufficient airflow capacity to match this engine's output. Synthetic engine oil and a standard fit engine oil cooler ensure the engine is protected in all operating conditions.

"The Tickford-Ford partnership recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and this new T-Series is the ideal way to celebrate that milestone,"said Tickford MD, David Flint.

"We've come a long way since 1991, but our focus has remained on designing and building cars that are a joy to drive. The recent 220 kW power upgrade in XR8 was evidence of Tickford's commitment to providing a true driver's car. Now the new T-Series is a further step in that exciting journey."

So there you have it. The new range of performance Fords are looking very hot and should provide HSV's models a run for their money. All we need now is a blown 300+kW T-Series model and Ford will have a production car to compete with the manic 300kW HSV GTS.

Pricing:

TE50
Manual $57,350
Automatic $58,350

TS50
Manual $66,950
Automatic $66,950

TL50
Auto (only) $84,500