The Merkur Club of America Forums

Note that I didn't say first XR4, just first automatic. Actually, this is my first automatic in about twenty years!

I'm not a fan of automatics at all, but this car is so so so clean that I want to be as minimally invasive as possible with modifying it.

I have a T5 and Mustang BH in the garage from my former XR4 days. My choices are either to swap that in or seek out a better, stronger auto with OD.

I'm more conservative with building cars than I used to be. I would like this car to end up with about 300HP, and I want a trans that is up to the job. I know that the T5 can do it, but I want to explore my AT options. I really have to have OD, because I want to drive this car occasionally for my long freeway commute and will need to run at 80+ MPH.

Yeah, most people would find that position quite rational.

You can put a A4LD OD auto trans in.

http://forum.merkurclub.com/forum/viewt ... =a4ld+swap

Page 1 is my first swap. It was OK...good learning experience.
Page 5 is my second swap. Pretty much as refined and bolt in as possible.

Second swap consisted of:
1989 Scorpio A4LD as core (rebuilt to Explorer 4.0L specs)
1991 Mustang 2.3 A4LD bellhousing and front pump assembly
1988 T-Bird Turbo Coupe Flexplate
1988 T-Bird Turbo Coupe Torque Converter
Stock XR crossmember/mount (flipped backwards)
Scorpio A4LD dipstick and tube

I have a completely professionally rebuilt A4LD with zero miles ready to go into an XR for sale for anyone interested. Its a Scorpio a4ld that requires no computer communication with the correct 2.3 A4LD front pump, bell, and converter. Willing to sell for what the bill was to have it built -- like getting the 2 transmission it took to make it for free. PM for more details if you're interested. I'm less that 2 hours from Columbus, FYI.

Good stuff. Thank you. Can you tell me what power I could expect your AL4D to hold? I would be pleased with 300 to keep things sane.

300 crank HP or 300 HP at the wheels? With a good external trans cooler 250-275 crank HP should be fine (reliable).
If you are talking 300 at the wheels then the A4LD will be at its limit IMO.

4R75 with a Quick4 controller? That'd be my go-to!

I have decided to give up on the automatic and convert to T5.

LS and 80E is a serious temptation for me, as well as some other "keep it German" ideas, but a good T5, BH, and fork are sitting in my garage.

Good call.

Can't go wrong with T5 especially since you already have one on hand.