REAL BIG FISH

COME WITH US AS WE DELVE INTO THE WORLD OF BOLT-ON MODS FOR FORD'S MIGHTY BARRA SIX-CYLINDER

- IAIN KELLY

EVEN before it was released, Ford engineers knew that the Barra was going to be A Very Good Thing. That's why they codenamed it Project Gull, as, according to engineer Gordon Barfield, they "knew it would crap on everything".

Part of the huge appeal of Ford's Aussie inline six is the ease with which you can make up to 650hp without resorting to a full engine build. Yep, the Barra is a rudely capable engine, but there is some key info to know before you get started on your first bolt-on Barra.

"Oil pump gears, valve springs and head studs are pretty much the go-to modifications," says Zane Heath from Melbourne's Maxx Performance. "But I actually tell people to start with the fuel system, which seems backwards, but Barras are under-fuelled from the factory. I always start with 1000cc injectors and a Walbro 460 off the bat."

Rather than fitting them near the fuel tank down the back of the car, Zane likes to install surge tanks up front, which saves the time and expense of upgrading the fuel lines for most street combos. "A surge tank under the intake manifold means a factory 8mm fuel line can handle heaps of power," he explains. "If you have the pumps and surge up the back, you need to upgrade the whole line to the front of the car to go anywhere near 650hp."

Fuel choice can cause other headaches in certain combos, especially for those wanting to turn the wick up on a naturally aspirated engine on pump unleaded. "If you're using a gas motor or NA motor, you're limited with your fuel due to their comp ratio," Zane says. "It's easy to set them up on E85, and while you can make 400rwhp on 98 on a gas motor, it's on borrowed time."