3k: eXperimental Racing 4-Cyl Turbocharged Injected: 1989 Merkur XR4Ti
In the 1980s, European cars such as BMW’s 3- and 5-series were
hurting Detroit automakers’ sales. Bob Lutz looked around and said, “We
have European cars. Give the people what they want.” And thus the Merkur was born. Find this enthusiast owned and modified 1989 Merkur XR4Ti for $3,000 in Arizona via Merkur Club of America forums. Words and tip from DT commenter & contributor slowcarSLOW-MPGlol.
A Merkur XR4Ti is a
lot like the 1984-1986 Mustang SVO. It used the same turbocharged 2.3
liter engine but had independent suspension. And though it lacked
the Mustang’s intercooler, limited-slip differential, and rear disc
brakes, this one now has all of the above. Automatic versions, which is
how this one rolled off the assembly line, made 145 horsepower with 10 psi of boost.
This
one has the most horrifying three words you can see in a used car ad:
“Manual boost controller.” But it only goes up to 12, which still below
the 14 that manual-equipped XR4Tis were equipped with, and some owners
run at double the stock levels with no issues.
show the care put into this car by three owners over 181,000 salt-free
miles. The dashes on these cars may as well have come cracked from the
factory, so don’t read into that.
On its transatlantic voyage, the XR4Ti gained 300
pounds over the European Ford Sierra, up to 2,920 lbs due to strict
American safety standards (and this was before airbags, folks).
With its
performance upgrades and an SVO-sourced T5 transmission, this would be a
great commuter or weekend car. It would fly under the radar of most
drivers, as it originally did from 1984-1989 while car buyers passed it
up on their way to BMW dealerships.
See another turbocharged American oddball? Email us at tips@dailyturismo.com.
Big thanks to slowcarSLOW-MPGlol to sending in this tip complete with a functioning story to surround the images!
These cars can really come alive with the B234F (Volvo) cylinder head mated to this block.
Naturally a large amount of fabrication is required, but its one of the cheaper ways to get a significant bump in power vs. just throwing boost at it.
For all that these cars are, and for as good as they are, I've always been blown away by how inexpensive they can be.
If the original 2.3 Turbo Ford 4-cyl dies, I would stick in the new 2.3 Turbo Ford 4-cyl Ecoboost. I wonder how fast it be with twice the power.
When the next model year Mustang hits the streets the 2.3 4 cyl EcoBoost will already be set-up in rear wheel drive. Now we just need to wait in hiding for these to land in the salvage yards!
I figure a year from now they should be plentiful. (although maybe not so easy to find with a stickshft)
I would love to put one in my wife's 77 Mustang II or my Volvo 1800ES. Could you imagine the power and the gas mileage in these light vehicles ?? Green too!!