New guy with XR4Ti

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mokancraig
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New guy with XR4Ti

Post by mokancraig »

Howdy all, picked up a 1987 XR4Ti from a friend a few weeks back. Car is in pretty good shape for a 30 year old car. Needs paint and a little interior work, but overall it's a solid car that is a good base for some performance improvements.

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It already has a PE and big VAM. I plan to add an intercooler, 3" exhaust, boost controller and an adjustable FPR. I had a similar setup on an SVO and managed 13.20s @ 102. How well do the rear ends on these car like slicks? :mrgreen:
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Esteban
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by Esteban »

Nice choice. It really needs an intercooler if you have the PE and VAM already. To be safe, keep boost stock but personally, i'd lower it to 10psi until the IC is in.
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John Brennan
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by John Brennan »

Esteban wrote:Nice choice. It really needs an intercooler if you have the PE and VAM already. To be safe, keep boost stock but personally, i'd lower it to 10psi until the IC is in.
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mokancraig
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by mokancraig »

Thanks for the tip guys. Makes sense though, noticed it didn't really want to pull in the higher rev range, so I've been just piddle poking it around until I can get it lined out.
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by merkurdriver »

Welcome and congrats on the purchase :cheers
Since you've already had a quick SVO, you know the 2.3T is an engine with lots of potential for minimal $ :)
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mokancraig
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by mokancraig »

Indeed. The SVO just had exhaust, an adjustable FPR, a Gillis valve and the rest of the parts where stamped Ford. Slicks and 5k launches helped. :D
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by grampy666 »

If it's a 5-speed, the stock T-9 transmission won't hold up to 5K launches
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1985 XR4TI - one owner - off the road since 1999, finally starting to work on it!
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mokancraig
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by mokancraig »

grampy666 wrote:If it's a 5-speed, the stock T-9 transmission won't hold up to 5K launches
Luckily it came with a T-5 to replace the T-9. Though my experience with the SVO told me even the T-5 isn't the strongest transmission either.
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by abomb1982 »

Always nice to see another Xr on the streets. :D
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by grampy666 »

mokancraig wrote:
grampy666 wrote:If it's a 5-speed, the stock T-9 transmission won't hold up to 5K launches
Luckily it came with a T-5 to replace the T-9. Though my experience with the SVO told me even the T-5 isn't the strongest transmission either.
from what I have read, not all T-5s are created equal...

http://www.merkurencyclopedia.com/
-Michael-

1985 XR4TI - one owner - off the road since 1999, finally starting to work on it!
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Snake
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by Snake »

The latest TVR's before they went bust were all Borg Warner T5 and they had more than 400hp and 300 torque pound feet.
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by my8950 »

Nice car, I would also recommend installing in Intercooler.
I don't think the rear or the trans/ T5 included will hold up well with slicks.
I'm not sure that you would benefit much from running slicks on the car unless you're making a bit of power.
It's not going to blow the tires off once it's moving along...
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Spaldino
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by Spaldino »

the axles won't like the hard launches on slicks either
88 Mono-white XR: Side exhaust, Walbro, MC2 Front Adjustable Coilovers, Rear Bilsteins, Full Poly bushings, MC2 Diff Mount, Rapido intercooler, Some sort of mild cam(?), Rear Disc conversion, 225s on 17x8 wheels.
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Bob Weir
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Re: New guy with XR4Ti

Post by Bob Weir »

XR's were never designed to be a drag machine. They have inde rears and better suspension to handle the twists, especially on country roads.


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