Review: FPV BF Pursuit (2005-08)

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• Powerful ‘Boss 290’ V8 engine
• Refined six-speed ZF automatic transmission
• Accurate, well-weighted steering
• Powerful Brembo brakes
• Generally impressive dynamics…

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• … but leaf spring rear suspension struggles for traction on uneven surfaces
• For ZF transmission, coolant lines in heat exchanger were susceptible to failure
• Prone to drivetrain clunks
• No electronic stability control

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Review: FPV BF.I Pursuit (2005-06)

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Overview

Released in October 2005, the FPV BF Mk.I (BF.I) Pursuit was a rear-wheel drive, performance utility. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, the BF Pursuit was powered by a 5.4-litre ‘Boss 290’ V8 petrol engine that was mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Boss 290 engine

Assembled by hand in Campbellfield, the 5.4-litre Boss 290 V8 engine had a cast iron block, cast aluminium cylinder head (shared with the Mustang Cobra R), forged steel crankshaft, cross-bolted main bearing caps, sintered connecting rods, double overhead camshafts (DOHC) per cylinder bank, roller finger followers, four valves per cylinder, an alloy inlet manifold, coil on plug ignition and a compression ratio of 10.5:1.

To comply with Euro III emissions standards and new drive-by noise rules (ADR 83/00), changes for the BF Boss 290 engine – relative to its BA predecessor – included:

• A dual ram-entry airbox (first introduced in the BA F6 Typhoon and BA F6 Tornado ) for more efficient induction;
• Twin knock sensors;
• Camshaft timing improvements for a lower idle speed and better idle stability;
• Repositioning the front oxygen sensor from the manifold to the catalyst downpipe for greater accuracy in measuring the air/fuel ratio; and,
• A new exhaust system which consisted of four-into-one extractors from each cylinder bank joining into twin 2 ¹/₄-inch exhaust with an intermediate silencer box. Exhaust gases would then pass through new tri-flow silencers before exiting via the six-inch twin-outlets which featured a trapezoidal design.

Compared to the Boss 260 V8 engine in the Ford BA Falcon XR8 , the Boss 290 engine had:

• High performance pistons with domed tops, larger internal pillars and a special ring pack. As a result of the higher compression ratio (10.5:1), the Boss 290 engine required 95 RON premium unleaded petrol;
• Re-engineered connecting rods to accommodate the larger gudgeon pin of each piston;
• Specially balanced crankshafts to match the new piston and conrod combination;
• High performance tri-metal main and big-end bearings for extra durability;
• Cobra R inlet and exhaust camshaft profiles (for 13 mm inlet and 12 mm exhaust valve lift);
• Longer valve stems and springs to match the high lift camshafts;
• A modified camshaft cradle for the longer finger followers;
• A high-compression ‘Terminator’ head gasket;
• High-tensile head bolts that were stretched under tension for greater strength; and,
• A unique Boss 290 engine management system.

For the BF range, ‘transient rpm’ limits were introduced which enabled the engine to momentarily exceed the prescribed rev limit of 6000 rpm during upshifting by 250 rpm (i.e. to 6250 rpm). This enabled wide open throttle upshifting of gears to be scheduled at an engine speed closer to the rev limiter than would otherwise be possible.

Transmissions

The BF Pursuit was available with either:

• A six-speed Tremec T56 manual transmission; or,
• Newly-introduced six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic transmissions. The Pursuit was fitted with the high-performance version of this transmission – which had upgraded clutches with extra plates in the clutch packs – and a torque capacity of 600 Nm.

The close-ratio six-speed Tremec T56 manual transmission had double synchromesh on all forward gears and single synchromesh on reverse, linear bearings in the shift rail, direct linkage shifters, an electronic reverse gear lockout and a final drive ratio of 3.463:1.

The ZF 6HP26 transmission featured adaptive ‘Driver Recognition’ behaviour, including brake support downshifts, gear holding when cornering, gear holding for uphill and downhill driving and gear holding for fast-off throttle driving situations. Furthermore, the ZF 6HP26 transmission had a remote transmission oil cooler (RTOC) – with a three-way coolant thermostat – that was mounted to the engine block. Acting as a heat exchanger, coolant lines (or tubes) passed through the radiator to warm-up the transmission fluid on start-up and provide cooling under high load/high temperature operating conditions.

Development and dimensions

Like the BF Falcon Ute range, changes for the BF Pursuit included:

• The introduction of a two-piece, lofted outer dashboard;
• The addition of bitumastic pads to the body for damping of low- and mid-frequency noises;
• The introduction of an absorptive roof-liner;
• Improved static sealing;
• Body structure improvements through the fitment of a reinforcing box section to the transmission cross member and centre bearing body reinforcement;
• New engine and transmission mounts; and,
• Redesigned exhaust hangers to isolate muffler vibration from the body.

Other developments for the BF range included:

• The introduction of Bosch ABS 8.0 (previously 5.3) which included electronic brake force distribution;
• An upgraded traction control system and the introduction of electronic stability control and cornering brake control;
• A revised pedal map for the electronic throttle control; and,
• A higher-output alternator for improved fuel economy, lower rotational speeds and lower fan speeds.

The BF Pursuit was 5077 mm long, 1870 mm wide, 1515 mm tall and had a 3096 mm long wheelbase; kerb weight was approximately 1780 kg. Compared to the BA Pursuit , the BF Pursuit could be identified by its deeper front bumper and fog lights.

Suspension

The BF Pursuit had double wishbone front suspension and a live rear axle suspended by leaf springs (both with gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bars). [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the FPV BF Pursuit included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, front seatbelt pretensioners and driver’s seatbelt load limiter.

Brakes

The FPV BF Pursuit was fitted with a ‘Performance’ braking package which consisted of 355 mm by 32 mm cross-drilled and slotted front brake discs with four-piston Brembo calipers and 328 mm by 26 mm cross-drilled rear discs with single piston calipers.

As an extra-cost option, the Pursuit was available with a ‘Premium’ braking package which had six-piston Brembo front calipers and 328 mm by 26 mm cross-drilled rear discs with single-piston calipers.

Features

Standard features for the FPV BF Pursuit included 19-inch alloy wheels, a 100 watt sound system with six speakers and a six-disc CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, a power adjustable driver’s seat, automatic headlights, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, a soft tonneau cover and an immobiliser.

The Pursuit was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.

Related links

• Specifications: FPV BF.I GT, GT-P and Pursuit (November 2005)

Review: FPV BF.II Pursuit (2006-08)

Overview

Released in October 2006, the BF Mk.II (BF.II) Pursuit introduced minor changes with an FPV performance steering wheel and chrome highlights for the air conditioning vents.

Boss 302 engine – November 2007

In November 2007, the Boss 302 V8 engine was introduced. Compared to the Boss 290 , changes for the Boss 302 engine included:

• New inlet and exhaust camshaft profile to increase inlet valve lift and duration (necessitating new valves and valve springs);
• A higher compression of 10.8:1 (previously 10.5:1);
• Stainless steel fabricated exhaust manifolds;
• High-flow dual exhaust system; and,
• A revised engine calibration.

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Related links

• Specifications: FPV BF.II GT, GT-P, Pursuit and Super Pursuit (November 2006)
• Wikipedia.org: FPV BF Range