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Topic: Merkur to XR-7 turbo swap? (Read 1862 times) previous topic - next topic

Merkur to XR-7 turbo swap?

Does anybody have any experience with these who can give me a little guidance?

I bought my car for cheap, but it has a bad turbo.  I might have a lead on a T3 out of a '89 Merkur XR4Ti.  I've been told this will this swap over directly, but that it might have a different A/R value on it than the stock unit in my XR-7.  Will any T3 from any turbocharged Ford 2.3L work?  Is there an A/R that is any more desirable over another?

Thanks.

Scott
1985 Cougar XR-7...recently departed
plus a few Mustangs, a couple Capris, a '65 T-bird, and several other less significant vehicles.

Re: Merkur to XR-7 turbo swap?

Reply #1
check here, lot's of turbo info!! :grinno:
NATO
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

Re: Merkur to XR-7 turbo swap?

Reply #2
The Merkurs all used the T-3's and some had .48 A/R exhaust housings and some had .63 A/R.  (No one has been able to verify what had what)

The intake sides are the same (.60 A/R)

It will be a direct swap, and if you want/need to swap the exhaust housings (if they are different), they will swap directly as well.


The only turbos that are not a "direct" swap are the IHI's off the 87-88 TurboCoupes.  the rest used the T-3's.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Re: Merkur to XR-7 turbo swap?

Reply #3
From browsing nato nad turboford, the .63 exhaust housing is the more desirable housing.

 

Re: Merkur to XR-7 turbo swap?

Reply #4
Thanks for the input.

I've been doing a little reading also.  It seems it will be a direct swap.  The only difference as a result of the possibly different A/R ratio is a minor difference in spool-up time and if I was really going to increase the boost over stock...the total amount of boost possible.  I'm not concerned about that right now since all I want to do is get it running and be able to enjoy it as is.
1985 Cougar XR-7...recently departed
plus a few Mustangs, a couple Capris, a '65 T-bird, and several other less significant vehicles.