Not PT, but progress on my XR4Ti project

[DarkBuddha]

Since the Mach isn't making any progress, I bought an '89 Merkur XR4Ti with 60k original miles to hold me over. For anyone who doesn't know these cars, they've got a 2.3 turbo (same as the SVO Mustang), 5 speed, and IRS, so they're quick, cheap to build, and fun to drive.

Well, I finally had some time to do a few things recently, so it got a manual boost control valve, removed the pinstripes and rear emblems, and installed a set of wheels and tires (ALT 16x7 wheels with 215/45 Falken Azenis RT215). And I've already got an intercooler, an Turbocoupe ECU, large VAM, a rear disc conversion, lowering springs, and a few other things for the car too. Just need to install 'em. So far I'm only into the car for around $2500 including the purchase cost.



Anyway, I just thought I'd share a couple pics:

Before:




After:




What I'm shooting for (with 260hp and under $3K)

[4MuscleMachines]

Looking good, I like the new color of the rear spoilers.
Wow, $2500 including car?

[Damn True]

looks like it'll be a fun little auto-x weapon

[DarkBuddha]

Looking good, I like the new color of the rear spoilers.
Wow, $2500 including car?

Thanks... I like the black bi-plane spoiler too. I was thinking I'd paint it, but after mounting it, I think I might just leave it. And yes, $2500 including the car. I only paid $1200 for the car itself, and it was a driver with a recent clutch job, new-ish tires, and a full 3" exhaust and downpipe. These cars don't really cost much at all... I know lots of folks that have gotten theirs for free and they're often for sale for under $750 running and driving. You get a lot of car for your money with these things.

looks like it'll be a fun little auto-x weapon

That is exactly why I bought it... I know it'll be a great car to cut my auto-x teeth with before I do the same with the Mach.

[elcamino80]

Looks good. The only thing I don't like is that "C" pillar that divides the rear side windows into 2... The Ford Sierras don't have that

[DarkBuddha]

Looks good. The only thing I don't like is that "C" pillar that divides the rear side windows into 2... The Ford Sierras don't have that

I kinda agree, but have to admit that I like the unique look of the extra pillar too. I've actually been considering "embracing" the odd pillar arangement by going body color on the B pillar too.

Still, I did consider doing a single window conversion using Lexan for the window itself, but figured it would put me past my $3K budget cap. I'm hoping to hit mid 13s and have very very decent handling (.85g+ and mid 40s mph 420' slalom speed) for under $3k. Ambitious but do-able according to lots of Merkur folks I've become aquainted with. I figure that'd be a lot of car for my money.

[jvike]

All Ford Sierras have the C Pillar, the ones that don't is the ones to watch, they're equipped with the Cosworth engine. 2 Litre Turbo, 220 bhp, in stock form, but easy to tune. The got quite a reputation here in europe.

[DarkBuddha]

All Ford Sierras have the C Pillar, the ones that don't is the ones to watch, they're equipped with the Cosworth engine. 2 Litre Turbo, 220 bhp, in stock form, but easy to tune. The got quite a reputation here in europe.

I'm starting to get familiar with the Euro models... XR4i, Sapphire, Sierra, Cosworth, RS500, 4x4, etc. I'd love to get a Cosworth front bumper, but they're very pricey stateside. One place sells 'em for $1500+. That's just for the bumper cover, no lights, no under structure. That's half my budget!

[dhardison]

Those are awesome little cars with tremendous performance potential. I especially like it because you won't see yourself coming/going. Keep the updates & pics coming!

[DarkBuddha]

Thought I'd share some updates... finally installed the intercooler and bov, and turned up the boost to 17 lbs. That made a huge performance difference. In fact, I surprised myself and shut down an early '80s 911SC the other day. I think he'll think twice about throwing revs at funny looking little hatchbacks.

Also, I installed a set of white face electroluminescent gauge faces, which greatly improves night visibility of the gauges. I sometimes think these things can look a bit cheesy, but I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I like them.

Also, I spent the weekend hanging with a local ex-Ford of Europe Rally team guy. He was the guy in charge of building, developing, and maintaining the Ford Sierra Cosworth (which the XR4Ti is based on) rally cars back in the day. He's a huge resource and a certifiable mad scientist genius type, and generous with his knowledge, time, and patience in teaching and guiding "younger guys" like myself. He's actually developed a monster front disc brake kit for these cars that would put some of Baer's big brake kits to shame, and for around $600. It's now on my list.

Anyway, here are a few pics of my IC, bov, and gauge faces:

gauge faces:




IC and bov:

[Rick Dorion]

Gotta love it. Thanks for the update

[DarkBuddha]

Gotta love it. Thanks for the update

Thanks... I've really been enjoying the car, especially since the Mach is still stuck in "resto jail". What I've really loved is that I'm having a good time building the car without having to lose any driving time. I've been driving it everywhere and have been very impressed with the comparitive performance. I've frustrated quite a few drivers in more highly rated "performance" cars... an '80s 911SC, several stock WRXs and Legacy GTs, a number of ricer type cars, Integra Type-R, and even an '80s 5.0 Mustang. Not bad for a $2500 car.

[DarkBuddha]

I thought I'd post another update since it's been a long while. I had a bunch of stuff sorta go wrong (but not really), which resulted in me doing quite a bit of work since last November. I ended up replacing the Ford Motorsport intercooler with a Cosworth intercooler and installing an SVO VAM and ECU, and a Forge 004 style BOV. With the boost set at 20lbs and the 3" exhaust, I should be within spitting distance of my 260/260 hp/tq goals. I've got a ported exhaust manifold (E6) on hand, and I'm going to gut the upper intake and "knife-edge" the lower. I'm also going to be swapping to a Cosworth exhaust housing on my turbo. That should put me where I want to be if not a bit higher.

I also "embraced" the bonus pillar look, which I think looks great. I also got a fully poly suspension bushing kits (front and rear), larger Cosworth front and rear sway bars, a set of AVO Cosworth spec lowering springs, and new KYBs going on all four corners. I've also busted my budget and bought a Cosworth arch/sill kit, upper rear spoiler, and RS500 lower rear spoiler.

What I can say at this point is that the car is getting right quick... quicker than a new WRX or RSX-s for sure. I've got traction problems when I roll into the throttle from a 3000rpm roll in first, second, and sometimes third gear. Now I just need lots more brake and tire!

Well, here are a couple pics for kicks:








Could this be pro-touring afterall? Hmmm... it is an 18 year old rear wheel drive "american" car that I'm adding performance and functionality to make it better than stock.

[72NovaSS]

COOL! Sorry to hear about the road bumps in your project. The things lookin awesome bud! I see all the hard work you have put into it. Great job!

[ixfn]

My mother's car was a Merkur Scorpio for a while back in the day, and my pops had the XR - chock full of Rapido goodies (custom turbo stuff, enormous intercooler, misc int. goodies etc, etc). I drove the XR for a few months; I liked having a 25+ mpg car that liked 135mph. I used to race my friend in his '95 GSX Eclipse - he won always... Just FYI; the engine is the same as a 2.3 Ranger :( I about sh*t when the gas station monkey called it a glorified Escort

[DarkBuddha]

My mother's car was a Merkur Scorpio for a while back in the day, and my pops had the XR - chock full of Rapido goodies (custom turbo stuff, enormous intercooler, misc int. goodies etc, etc). I drove the XR for a few months; I liked having a 25+ mpg car that liked 135mph. I used to race my friend in his '95 GSX Eclipse - he won always... Just FYI; the engine is the same as a 2.3 Ranger :( I about sh*t when the gas station monkey called it a glorified Escort

Funny... I don't get the "what year Escort is that anyway?" questions much anymore. Rapido is still around, but now that there is some history to check the validity, some of the Rapido mods don't appear to be very effective really (like the Rapido intercooler).

Oh, and the 2.3 is the same 2.3 that came in Pintos, Mustang IIs, Futuras, T-birds, Mustangs, Cougars, Capris, Rangers, and the SVO Mustang. Very little difference between the turbo and the NA motors other than the head really. Still, it's amazing what 20lbs of boost will do for a lousy Pinto motor.

[vintageracer]

Use some gloss black exterior sign vinyl to cover the "C" pillar. Match the top and bottom of the vinyl to the 2 rear windows. This little trick will make the 2 rear windows look like 1 window as on the Sierra. It will not be perfect however it will fit the theme of a cheap upgrade that looks great! Easy to install with a razor blade and a heat gun for the compound curves.

This looks the best when you have tinted windows that are 35% or darker.

[DarkBuddha]

I've seen a couple cars done like that with the blacked out c-pillar and tinted windows. It's pretty effective, but since removing the blackout on the b-pillar, I actually like it a lot.

BTW, the planets aligned yesterday so that I could get my XR over to a friends shop (with a lift) and we rebuilt the suspension and installed a set of Cosworth spec lowering springs and the KYB struts/shocks. It's made a huge difference but it now sits pretty darn low... the exhaust is scraping on big dips and bumps. I was going to replace and relocate the muffler and cat anyway, but now I've got more incentive. Anyway, here are a couple pics of the new ride height:

[elcamino80]

Looks good but why do you have a german license plate behind your own plate?

[DarkBuddha]

Looks good but why do you have a german license plate behind your own plate?

Oh... it's just a nod to the fact that these cars were originally built in Europe. In fact, the XR4Tis that came to the US were actually hand modified by Karman before being exported to the US. This is why some of the electrical stuff is a bit sketchy on these cars sometimes... hand soldered circuit boards and the like.

And you know, to be honest, these cars are pretty much shunned by everyone. In general, the import kids don't even recognize them, the european crowd doesn't acknowledge them, and the domestic folks don't know them. The only exception is other turbo 2.3 Ford guys, and even then they think of 'em as donors for turbo 2.3 Ranger swaps. Feels very lonely sometimes.