This is my 1986 Merkur XR4Ti. I purchased it in 2001 as a rolling chassis. The engine was gone, as was the driver seat and passenger window. It was originally eqquipped with the T9 manual transmssion, but was replaced with a T5 from a 1989 2.3L Mustang. I finally got the car on the road, running under it's own power in November 2007.
The base engine was pulled from a Mustang II in the junkyard. Someone had swapped a 2.3L Turbo engine into the Mustang II. I sent the engine to Race Prep in Bermuda Dunes, CA to have it rebuilt. They added Wiseco forged 8:1 pistons, Crower 5.5" rods, and ARP studs. The cylinder head was treated to larger 1.89/1.59 valves and porting by Bo-Port Racing Heads in Fremont, CA.
Other than the engine rebuild and welding of the exhaust, I have done all of the work to this car myself. It's been a long project and still has a long way to go. I have a lot of upgrades in storage waiting to go on.
You can find more info and build pictures on MerkurSport .
Videos can be seen on YouTube .
Modifications:
Engine
2.3L turbo block, bored .030 over
stock 2.3L crank, turned .010/.010
Wiseco forged 8:1 pistons
Crower sportsman 5.5" rods with floating pins
ARP head studs
Boport stage 2.5 ported, big valve, iron oval port head
Racer Walsh adjustable cam gear
Erson turbo cam
Ported and gutted intake manifold
Ported E6 exhaust manifold
stock .60/.63 T3 turbo @ 20psi
Rapido front mount intercooler
3" turbo back exhaust with Magnaflow muffler and hi-flow catalytic converter
70mm MAF from 94 Thunderbird
Moates J3 chip with modified PE bin on a PF3 ECU
55lb injectors
Kirban adjustable fuel pressure regulator
Walbro 255lph external fuel pump
Forge dual piston dump valve (BOV)
Rare Ford Motorsport valve cover - powdercoated by Mad Adder
Chassis
Powerflex urethane bushings at all corners
Koni Yellow adjustable shocks and struts
MC2Racing differential mount
MC2Racing nylon STA bushings
Eibach springs
16mm rear sway bar
T5 transmission from 1989 2.3L Mustang
Stage 3 6-puck clutch
Galaxie1 T5 transmission crossmember
Rapido 2-piece T5 driveshaft
16x7 et17 American Racing wheels
205/50R16 Kumho tires
Body/Interior
Ford Sierra 1-piece glass headlights
ASC electric sunroof
Ford Sierra 3-spoke steering wheel
Ford Sierra turn signal stalk with horn button (steering wheel doesn't have a horn button)
150mph speedo cluster from 1988 XR4Ti
Autometer Sport Comp fuel pressure, water temp, oil pressure, and boost/vac gauges
Crack-free dash from a 1987 XR4Ti
246rwhp, but it is in serious need of a tune. Just look at that AFR.
Coming soon:
Holset HY35w turbocharger*
Porsche 944 intercooler*
Saab 900 radiator*
12" front brakes with dual piston PBR calipers*
10.1" rear discs
Cosworth grille*
Cosworth RS front bumper*
more supportive seats
* have already purchased
