FS/FT '88 Merkur XR4Ti, black 5 speed

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Well something has come up and i may be getting rid of the old Merk. I'm open to offers and trades at the moment, so please don't ask for bottom dollar lowball stuff.

The list:

1988 Merkur XR4Ti
114xxx original miles
Turbo 2.3L
Black with black/grey "Raven black" interior (highly sought after in these cars)
5 speed RWD/IRS with new Zoom clutch and flywheel 10k ago
Sunroof (pops up and slides back)
New guibo (2 piece drive shaft rubber coupling)
New battery
E6 exhaust manifold
2 sets of stock wheels, summer and snow tires

It's mostly stock except for a Gillis manual boost controller, an LA3 computer and air meter swap (bigger Tbird meter, more aggressive timing/fuel curve ECU, has been repinned internally so the ECU can be swapped back to stock if needed), and a K+N cone filter. If you're familiar with these cars, you know they can be nasty fast for pretty cheap but they are a bit finicky. It has some minor issues that are typical for these cars that i won't bother to list but anyone with serous interest i'll go over it in detail with you. This car is NOT recommended for a daily driver...it's more of a performance toy type car but i have driven it to Columbus and back with no problems. It is NOT a drag car and has NOT been drag raced not by me or the previous owners. It has been well maintained considering its age.

Here's pics:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee275/EVIL85SSP/Merkur%20Pics%20and%20Videos/P4260037-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee275/EVIL85SSP/Merkur%20Pics%20and%20Videos/enginebayafter.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee275/EVIL85SSP/Merkur%20Pics%20and%20Videos/P3290010.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee275/EVIL85SSP/Merkur%20Pics%20and%20Videos/P3290011.jpg[/QUOTE]



Right now it has been my summer DD for the last 3 years, but i only drive about 8 miles to work and in the 3 years i've owned it i've only put 11k miles on it. I get complements and gawkers everywhere i go in this car and it's been a real joy owning and driving it. If you like driving something unique then THIS is the car for you.

[2Kblacksleeper]

I've got a buddy that likes these cars.

What's the asking price?

we will have to work out a time to get that CD from you sometime.

John

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Like i said i'm not really set on a price just yet...but i'm open to offers.

Any time you're in the area just let me know and i'll hook up with ya.

Also forgot to add mileage to the original post...just fixed that.

Damnit i forgot the interior pic again.

This was the day i got it before i detailed the interior so it cleans up a bit nicer than this. No rips or major holes in the seats..the interior is easily a 9 out of 10 with only a cig burn on the driver's seat. The seats are originally made by Recaro and have lumbar and side support adjustments and are heated (though the driver's seat doesn't heat)
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee275/EVIL85SSP/Merkur%20Pics%20and%20Videos/P8180009.jpg

And here's a shot from one of the '08 cruise ins just for kicks.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee275/EVIL85SSP/Merkur%20Pics%20and%20Videos/P427003.jpg

[KB1]

Nice Merk David, I always wanted one of these!

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Now's your chance man! There's not many around here anymore, let alone many this nice. The ones you see on CL are ragged the hell out and rusted through.

[mailman]

Way cool. I would buy if I had funds and was allowed a 4th car.

[Walter]

How much???

[plated]

how much boost is it adjustable now? what you think as far as 1/4 mile seat of the pants? and how much?

[jack90gt]

Man that is awsome. Any intrest in a third gen trade?

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Its on 16psi right now which is the most you can get away with without an intercooler. I had a junkyard setup on it and had it to 17psi and even just one psi more is a world of difference with an IC. Quarter mile is hard to say ive never got on it from a stop but it pulls like crazy on the highway. It spools up to full boost by about 2500.

[wildstang89]

Wow! I love this car!!

[Pitbull1052]

where are those black rims D i've never seen those it looks pretty sweet with them on it

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

where are those black rims D i've never seen those it looks pretty sweet with them on it

They're in my closet. It's been on the snow tires for the last couple years. Last year i barely drove it at all through summer because i was driving the Mustang so much.

[Xowner]

man i keep checking back with hopes of a price being posted and still none

[plated]

man i keep checking back with hopes of a price being posted and still none
call me i'll fill you in

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Ok talked it over with some people and we're looking to get $2900 obo or trade for..? Again it comes with 2 sets of wheels, a bunch of random other parts and i think i even have a spare T3 in storage somewhere for it but i'll have to check to make sure on that one.

[Stangman]

mstake!! don't sell it David!! thats a badass car!!!

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Zip it Jesse...the end justifies the means :D

[Stangman]

:lol:

It better be good!!

[plated]

:lol:

It better be good!!if it's got my name on it you can bet your sweet ass it will
;)
primered wonder pffft:rolleyes:

[Stangman]

if it's got my name on it you can bet your sweet ass it will
;)
primered wonder pffft:rolleyes:

OOHH!!! :bigthumb

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

if it's got my name on it you can bet your sweet ass it will
;)
primered wonder pffft:rolleyes:

:lol: you set to change my title yet?

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I forgot to mention, the exhaust is a straight pipe to the rear factory resonator. No mufflers, no cats. It's not obnoxious or too loud but you can hear this thing spool up from 1/8 mile away and when you shift you can hear air rushing out of the k+n..it's awesome. When you roll through a parking lot full of ricers you should see the looks on their faces. Not only do they have no idea what the car is but they hear the turbo and i've had several of them go nuts over the exhaust note and ask what muffler i run, and i just laugh and say no fart pipe for me that's all engine.

Here's an idle/rev clip:
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee275/EVIL85SSP/Merkur%20Pics%20and%20Videos/th_88MerkurXR4Tiexhaustclip.jpg (http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee275/EVIL85SSP/Merkur%20Pics%20and%20Videos/?action=view&current=88MerkurXR4Tiexhaustclip.flv)



Also it got a full tune up (plugs/cap/rotor/Motorsport wires, new PCV) when i got it and i use Mobile 1 full synthetic oil in it, plus i flushed the coolant and put a new Tstat in it (heat still sucks in these cars no matter what you do). I also forgot to mention it has power windows and locks as well. I have the original owners manual and i'm gonna burn a CD full of all the tech info i've collected over the years.

[supercab78]

If he can get traction, ET should be low to mid 15's on the 1/4.

[onefastcobra]

Those are nice cars a buddy of mine from work had one ran pretty nice

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

If he can get traction, ET should be low to mid 15's on the 1/4.

Front mount intercooler, 3 inch downpipe and exhaust, turn the boost up to 20psi and it'll go mid to low 13s all day if the IRS will hook. These engines are bulletproof. They'll hold 400+hp with the stock bottom end as long as you have a good head gasket on it. Put a T3/T4 on it and a 255gph fuel pump and adjustable pressure regulator and if nothing breaks it'll go 12s. There are Tbirds running high 12s with the same setup and they weigh a good 1000lbs more than this car. The manufacturer's curb weight on these is 2900 and change. When i got it the A/C was toast so all that came out to make room for intercooler plumbing which probably dropped a good 75lbs.


But, like i said that's all talk. I don't drag race this car, it has NEVER been to the strip and never had any clutch drops or anything crazy like that. If you're used to driving built Mustangs then this car will seem slow. It's not a racecar but with the right mods it can be a nasty sleeper. To really get crazy with it you need to swap out the T9 trans for a built T5 and either swap in a Cobra IRS or put an Eaton posi in the rear pumpkin. They were built for road racing, not drag racing.

There's a guy named Phil Marshal who is like the John Urist of Merkurs. He's got an incredible XR that makes over 500hp at the wheels....they don't know exactly what it makes because it smokes the rollers every time they dyno it. I believe he has a Volvo DOHC head swap on his 2.3 (very badass...do a search).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omnFjfmzuuM

But like i said, the magic with these cars is in the handling. If you have any interest in autocross or road racing, these cars are the shit. I know a guy in West Chester (the only other guy i know local who has anything as nice as this) who has 4 of them. One is his DD, one is a parts car and the others are road race projects. One of them is crazy and regularly eats up Evo's and STi's and the engine is STOCK, all he's done is suspension work and tires. The other car is an AWD conversion (which you can get from the UK for $$$).

Over seas these cars were called the Ford Sierra. They had slightly different noses and more options (even a 4 door). Here's a video of one drifting (yeah drifting is gay but it takes good handling to get it done like this).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpBzxWZukSQ

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

oops double post

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I'm gonna list this on craigslist and the merkur forums tomorrow but i'll give anyone here first dibs. It'll probably get hit fast on the merkur forums. Money talks!

[Kevin1989]

i would love to DD this but i know my truck wouldnt sell quick enough

[Xowner]

Looked at this car today its as clean as the pictures show. would be mine but somone dropped the ball on my end. I hope it goes to a Good owner. David nice to meet you man.

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Likewise! Kevin pm me an offer, maybe we can work out something.

[03z06vette]

Kevins offer will be....tree fidy,

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

You give that goddamn lock ness monster tre fidy?


Well it's on CL and the Merkur Club of America forum, also Stangnet, carbdford.com and foureyedpride.com :(

[WYLDFANTASYX]

Wow man beautiful car! I remember it from the SBZ cruise ins... too bad you have to sell it and worse I can't buy it. Awesome machine.

[Kevin1989]

Likewise! Kevin pm me an offer, maybe we can work out something.
i just went back to work yesterday the cash flow aint there:(

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Also would consider a trade with partial cash. I know times are tough and people are short on cash so make me an offer and we can try to work something out. I really want this car to go into good hands.

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Not trying to BS anyone and stir up interest but i have 2 guys supposedly coming to look at the car, one is from New Castle PA and one is from Baltamore MD. I don't think either one would come all this way without buying it. If ANYONE local is interested then talk to me because i'd much rather see it stay local.

Call or text me. 513-557-6249

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Still here...make me an offer.

[IEATLT1]

I have a friend interested if you see an odd 740 number might want to answer it this eveing and I know he has cash...

[Kevin1989]

i dont know that i could bring my self to drive that everyday... ive only ever seen one and it was beat to hell. if i had cash i would buy it and just drive it when i felt like it:(

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Well i get away with it because im only 5 miles or so from work but still i only put 11k on it in 3 years. I drove it the snow one winter and some last winter but i was so afraid of getting in a wreck i usually drove my jeep. Im supposed to be driving it to dayton tomorrow to trade it off so LAST CALL!

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

SOLD

I'm happy and i'm sad. I'll miss the shit out of that car but there's good things to come :D

[Pitbull1052]

what ya trading for D

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

'87 t top GT

[Pitbull1052]

nice when you getting it? hows the interior I've got some for you if it's gray

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

It's in Plated's hands...he may need some stuff...PM him.

[Pitbull1052]

ahhh gotchya so you traded and then sold the trade or ????

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Its so complicated lol