User:Space alligator/Ford Tickford Engineering

Tickford vehicle Engineering (TVE) was responsible for numerous upgrades and projects for Ford Australia between 1991 and 2002. In 1999 Tickford setup Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) as a competitor to HSV, in 2002 the operations changed to Ford Performance Vehicles when Tickfords global operations were bought out by Prodrive.

Overview.
In 1990, 12 years since the last Falcon Cobra came off the line, Ford Australia started a worldwide search to find to engineering firm to create a new performance arm. This was to create a line of in-house performance products that had not existed in the Falcon line up since the 70's, when ford slowly lost interest in performance cars, with the XD and XE European Sports Pack models being the closest Ford customers got to a true performance car.

Throughout the late 80’s and early 90's, the void was filled by 3rd party tuning firms, such as AVO, Special Vehicle Operations (SVO)and Dick Johnson Racing (DJR). Both AVO and DJR had experimented with using Turbochargers to boost the output of the 4.0L 6-cylinder, with DJR creating the Grand Prix Turbo based on the XE. DJR had intended to be setup as a performance arm not unlike Peter Brocks Holden Dealer Team, but Ford was wary of such modifications, as such, they couldn't guarantee the product. This meant that sales of both AVO and DJR falcons remained very limited. SVO had greater success in the creation of a range of cars, starting with the EA SVO (a car that formed the template for the XR6); however, Ford still did not grant backing to SVO, with Ford choosing Tickford, who had success in tuning British ford products.

TVE were involved in the creation of the XR falcon series, EBII and EL GT's and Capri Club sprint alongside the fitment of options such as LPG systems and sunroofs. In 1999, Tickford introduced the FTE range of products, including the T-series, Mustang and Cougar. At this time Tickford also bought Glen Seaton Racing, to create Ford Tickford Racing, Fords first factory racing team on over 30 years.

Capri Clubsprint
One of the first projects for TVE was to improve the Australian built SA30 Ford Capri, TVE worked on the Turbo XR2 model adding suspension upgrades. A bespoke body kit was also created and larger 16 inch alloy wheels fitted to improve handling.

EB S-XR6, XR8
1992 saw the release of Tickfords first range of performance falcons, based on the revised EBII and took advantage of the return of the V8 to the range. EB S-XR8 was released by Ford in July 1991 prior to the formation of Tickford in Australia. With the introduction of the EBII came the first Tickford enhanced XR8 model

The S-XR6 engine was identified by a red rocker cover with Tickford wings, a revised head and cam saw a power increase from 148 kW to 161. The S-XR8 was visually similar, and used the standard 5.0L V8, both came complete with ABS, LSD, alloy wheels and a Momo steering wheel.

ED XR6, XR8
With the introduction of the ED. Tickford dropped the 'S' from both names and gave both a 4-headlight treatment similar to the RS-500 and Ford Escort RS Cosworth.

Unique for this model, Tickford modified the XR8 further to become XR8 Sprint, complete with an upgraded V8 that benefited from Tickford's experience with the EB GT. The Sprint lacked the luxury appointments and wild body kit of the GT, but was faster in all areas.

Fairlane By Tickford
In 1998, TVE made a number of improvements to the NL Fairlane Ghia, the Fairlane By Tickford (FBT). Using improvements developed from the EL GT program and Ford Motorsport parts, the engine received different heads and an intake manifold to provide 195kW's, up from standard Fairlane's 175kW's. The FBT also benefitted from the EL GT's bigger brake package and an sportier interior. A total of 106 were produced, only available in Navy Blue or Regency Red.

GT Falcons
In 1990, Ford Australia installed an EA Falcon concept, that featured a 5.8 litre (351 cubic inch) Windsor V8 and race prepared suspension to give it the handling to match its acceleration. However, the car never reached production. The fiment of the larger Windsor engine required substanciall alterations to the engine bay to fit the engine, making it to costly. Fortuantly, with the Release the EB Falcon in 1991, the V8 returned with the 5.0l Windsor, the first time in almost 10 years the Falcon was available with a V8 engine. The availability of a V8 in regular production, and with Ford now having the resources of TVE on board, it was the perfect time to re-vive the GT badge. Tickford produced both the 25th and 30th Anniversary GT's, basing them to the luxury Fairmont Ghia models, rather than the sportier XR. The result was not an all out muscle car that the GT had became knowen for, but a proper Grand Tourer, then combined driver comfort, with considerable performance.

25th Anniversary GT
Ford with the help of Tickford commemorated the 25th Anniversary of the first XR GT in 1992, with a limited run 265 EB GT's, the First time the GT badge had been used on a production Falcon since the XB GT in 1976. 265 were built, released just one month after the release of the S-XR6 and S-XR8 models.

Body The body was adorned by a complete styling kit designed by Paul Gibson, who worked on the Ford Escort RS Cosworth. The kit was tested in a wind tunnel in England, to insure that the additions improved aerodynamic performance, as well as looks. The result looked very much like the Lotus Carlton.

Mechanicals

The GT received the Mustang Cobra version of the 5.0L Windsor, with Tickford adapting it for local conditions. The 200kW was the result of changes to the camshaft, intake and cylinder head improvements. The rest of the drivetrain consisted of regular XR componats, with the only changes being slightly different gear ratios, and recalibrated shift points in the auto.

Performance (Wheels, Nov 1992, all in Km/h)

Manual


 * 0-100 7.57
 * 1/4 mile 15.48
 * Top Speed: 222

30th Anniversary GT
In 1997, Ford and Tickford released the 30th anniversary GT. The EL GT has gone on to become a collectors item alongside other GT models, with prices for a secondhand examples reaching as high as $85,000, almost double the purchase price when adjusted for inflation. A total of 270 example were built, including exports to South Africa and New Zealand

Body

The EL GT was quite well known for its outlandish looks, penned by then Ford Australia's design chief Steve Park. His original sketch had a silhouette akin to that of a Bat mobile with a wilder wing consisting of a circular stop light mounted on a protruding centre post. . However, Ford engineers had to strike a balance between form, and function.

One of the most distinctive features was the grille consisting of vertical stacks, with park suggesting that it gives the car a strong graphic. Park went on to be involved in the AU falcon project, that featured some of his ideas found in this model. The wild body kit was not just there for looks, but was developed in Monash University (alongside the EL race car program) wind tunnel to improve aerodynamics and engine airflow. The Rear wing greatly reduced aerodynamic lift at speed, and unique bonnet vents were placed in a low pressure area that helped with engine cooling. Wheel arch extensions were used to cover the wider EL GT 6-spoke alloy wheels. Available colours

Mechanicals
 * B5 Sparkling Burgundy 157
 * E3 Heritage Green 62
 * N9 Navy Blue 51

The engine was locally developed in TVE's (Tickford Vehicle Engineering)workshop, consisting of a heavily re-calibrated ECU, bigger SVO GT40 cylinder heads and new 42mm headers. The result was 200kW's and 470 nm's from the Windsor 5.0L. TVE had considered both using the 351 Windsor found in the EA GT prototype, and an increased displacement version of the 5.0L Windsor block, both were shelved due to assosiated costs. One of the unique features in the EL GT, was the special adaptive shift 4-speed auto developed by BTR. A computer monitors a number of inputs to select one of 5 different shift protocols, adapting to the drivers own style. To allow the EL GT be driven in excess of 180 km/h, a carbon wrapped aluminium tail shaft, this eliminated the driveshaft flex commonly found in standard falcons. An EL GT was road tested in Wheels magazine clocking 232 km/h. Suspension

The ELGT featured a front end setup unique to the model, consisting of re-shaped cast uprights to allow the use of larger discs (328mm instead of 287mm on regular falcons). Twin pot callipers were also used in place of the standard single pot callipers.

Performance (Claimed, all in Km/h )

Manual


 * 0-100 6.97
 * 1/4 mile 14.97
 * Standing km: 208.8
 * Top Speed: 230

Auto


 * 0-100 7.73
 * 1/4 mile 15.65
 * Standing km: 201.8
 * Top Speed: 226

TVE became rebranded as FTE (Ford Tickford Engineering)as the performance arm for Ford Australia between 1999 and 2002. Alongside performing the duties of tweaking the XR Series of falcons, Tickford began selling its own performance models as the T-series based on the AU Falcon. The series consisted of three levels, TE50, TS50 and TL50. Tickford was acquired by Prodrive in 2001, and effectively the operations became Ford Performance Vehicles in 2003, with the Introduction of the BA series. However, Tickford were still involved at an early stage of the development of some models, such as the XR6 Turbo, with early parts having the Tickford logo stamped on them. The European sourced Ford Cougar and RHD converted Mustang Cobra's were also offered for sale under the FTE banner.

Series I
"Tickford have helped add further refinement, safety and confidence to the T-Series range. It is very easy to build a car that just goes fast, but one that handles, performs and lends itself to outstanding driving dynamics is what we have aimed for," Tickford Managing Director David Flint. This was the early motto behind the creation of the T-series. Whilst the brand was an obvious attempt to combat the successful HSV products, FTE did not want to get into a "power war"; instead the key value was refinement.

Mechanicals

All T-Series models used the familiar Windsor V8 Engine renamed "Synergy 5000", but was hand built to provide more power over the XR8's standard 185kws, with a plaque on engine signed by employee that built the engine. The TE and TL models were equipped with a 200kW version, whilst the TS50 gained aluminium cylinder heads to produce 220kW. The TE was available in both auto and manual transmissions, with the TS and TL were only available with the ESS (Electronic Sports Shift) automatic, this featured buttons on the steering wheels that operated as a tiptronic gearbox, with the ability to shift up and down. Body

Each model featured a styling kit that consisted of front and rear fascias, and sill skirts. To identify the separate models, each had a unique front fascia, with the TS50 gaining driving lights in place of the brake ducts of the TE50. Paint options were limited to Silhouette (black), Liquid Silver and Sparkling Burgundy on the TS50, and Galaxy (metallic dark blue) and Venom Red available on the TE50. Performance

TE50
 * 0–100 km/h- 7.3 sec
 * 0-400m- 15.2 sec

TS50
 * 0–100 km/h- 7.1 sec
 * 0-400m- 15.2 sec

Build Numbers
 * TE50 104
 * TS50 54
 * TL50 43

Series II
Mechanicals

With the Series II in 2001, all models received the 220kW Engine.

Body

The Series II retained the same body styling as the SI, but added a new range of colours, including Winter White and Narooma Blue.

Performance

TE50
 * 0–100 km/h- 6.7 sec
 * 0-400m- 14.7 sec

Build Numbers
 * TE50 141
 * TS50 46
 * TL50 12

Series III
Mechanicals

With the introduction of the Series 3, FTE developed a 5.6 "stroker" Windsor block, with an all-new crankshaft, ported cylinder head and a three-piece high flow inlet manifold and conical air cleaner. This boosted output to 250 kW and 500 Nm. This made the final outing of FTE's T-series models the fastest, most powerful ever, since the GTHO Phase 3. as the Windsor engine had been replace by the modular series worldwide, FTE received the last allotment engine blocks. A number (248) stroker engines were fitted to XR8 utes, and marketed as the "Pursuit 250", but not under the direct FTE branding.

Body The Series III was equipped with an all new V8 Supercar inspired styling kit, which consisted of a deeper chin spoiler, tall boot mounted wing and chunkier side and rear fascia extensions. The Rear wing offered more rear end grip above 100 km/h. FTE also went beyond Fords internal guidelines regarding specifics such as departure angles. The result was the most visually aggressive product since the EL GT 6 years earlier. Blueprint, Congo Green and Monsoon Blue were 3 new colours offered across the range.

Performance

TE50
 * 0–100 km/h- 5.86 sec
 * 0-400m- 14.18 sec

Build Numbers
 * TE50 204
 * TS50 224
 * TL50 3

Mustang
To combat the release of the Holden Monaro, FTE set out on a massive project to re-engineer the 2001 SVT Cobra for Australia. This involved substantial revisions to the body, electronics and drive train. More than 250 changes were made by the time a RHD conversion was finished. The process started on the Assembly lines in the US, were a windscreen that conformed to Australia’s Design Regulations was fitted, as well as revised wiring for the electronics in the seats. Other parts such as lights and exhaust were swapped in favour of Japanese spec items that required minor revision for the Australian market. 250 were sold between 2001 and 2002. One of the biggest challenges was the floor pan, which gave the LHD setup more room for the driver. The engine and gearbox offset had to be reversed with the use of Tickford engineered brackets, and unique floor pan sections that allowed the driver more room in RHD spec. All new RHD dash and interior trimmings were also installed. In effect FTE re-manufactured the Mustang, to a cost of $4 million for the total project, and remained the largest, most involved project undertaken by Tickford in Australia.

Cougar
In 1999, the Ford Cougar was imported to Australia to capitilise on the sports coupe market, sales however were low due to the shrinking demand, and lack of public awareness of the Cougar name. In late 2002 FTE released 100 Cougar Eibach models, it featured sportier suspension and a bodykit based on a US market item, but further modified by Tickford for the Australian Market. The Cougar was discontinued in 2004.

Showcars
TVE developed a range of show cars for the a variety of shows around Australia, not only did these cars stand to grab attention, a range of technology was displayed in these cars, including an EL XR8 with a Harrop engineered and built sequential shift kit, intened for release in the upcoming TVE range of AU falcon's. TVE also developed an EL Futura based showcar to improve secondhand sales, TVE fitted a supercharger to the Inline 6 engine boosting output to 230kW, and upgrade both the exterior and interior.

Racing
In 1999, Glenn Seton's racing out fit was rebranded Ford Tickford Racing, and expanded the team for 2 cars, and hired driver Neil Crompton. This marked the first time since 1973 that Ford officially backed a team into the Australian touring car championship. Ford eventually diverted attention to Gibson Motorsport, leaving Glenn Seton to run without factory backing again, until his team was acquired by Prodrive at the end of 2002, becoming Ford Performance Racing