{"id":2911,"date":"2015-04-22T14:48:37","date_gmt":"2015-04-22T18:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=2911"},"modified":"2025-05-22T18:50:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T23:50:16","slug":"1985-merkur-xr4ti-with-a-lexus-v8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=2911","title":{"rendered":"1985 Merkur XR4Ti with a Lexus V8"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1985<\/a><\/p>\n

Craig Thommes always wanted a Merkur XR4Ti. Eventually he found one in good condition in Arizona 10 years ago. The factory 2.3 L turbo Lima inline-four was worn out so he rebuilt one with more power. Eventually Craig grew to want more power and dependability as a daily driver.<\/p>\n

\"1985<\/a><\/p>\n

Craig turned to Jake Reed to work on the solution. Jake has a lot of experience working with the Lexus 1UZ-FE V8 and once the team realized it would fit, it only took Craig one look at the 1UZ power band to decide. To get the engine to work Jake had to make a custom oil pan and custom mounts for the motor, transmission, radiator and fans. He was also able to get the Merkur automatic shifter to work with the Lexus A340E automatic transmission.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

This car was intended to be daily driven so everything had to run with factory dependability. That required a lot of wiring by Craig to make sure everything works as it should. He also kept the air conditioning because no one wants to sweat on their drive into work in the summer. A Lexus SC400 cluster was installed which gave the dash a factory look and allowed all car’s vitals to be monitored by the driver.<\/p>\n

\"Lexus<\/a><\/p>\n

Another goal was for the car to pass all California emission tests. Craig was happy to find it passed easily and now sports a window sticker by the California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1985<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Craig Thommes always wanted a Merkur XR4Ti. Eventually he found one in good condition in Arizona 10 years ago. The factory 2.3 L turbo Lima inline-four was worn out so he rebuilt one with more power. Eventually Craig grew to want more power and dependability as a daily driver. Craig turned to Jake Reed to… Read More »1985 Merkur XR4Ti with a Lexus V8<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6029,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":70,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[294],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-xr4ti"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1985-Merkur-XR4Ti-With-A-Lexus-V8-02.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26576,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=26576","url_meta":{"origin":2911,"position":0},"title":"Merkur XR4Ti with a Coyote V8","author":"swaptastic","date":"August 15, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"When a customer wanted more power and something different in their 1987 Merkur XR4Ti they turned to James Deberry and his company MerkWerke who specialize in Modular engine swaps. James replaced the factory turbocharged 2.3 L inline-four which makes 175 horsepower with a 5.0 L Coyote V8 that makes 414\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Merkur"","block_context":{"text":"Merkur","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=293"},"img":{"alt_text":"1987 Merkur XR4Ti with a Coyote V8","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/1987-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Coyote-V8-04.jpg?fit=1200%2C803&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/1987-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Coyote-V8-04.jpg?fit=1200%2C803&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/1987-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Coyote-V8-04.jpg?fit=1200%2C803&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/1987-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Coyote-V8-04.jpg?fit=1200%2C803&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/1987-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Coyote-V8-04.jpg?fit=1200%2C803&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22083,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=22083","url_meta":{"origin":2911,"position":1},"title":"For Sale: Merkur XR4Ti with a Ford 5.0 L V8","author":"swaptastic","date":"March 27, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This 1985 Merkur XR4Ti is for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina for $7,600 or trade for a SVT Focus and cash or upright-style motorcycle. Under the hood sits a 5.0 L Windsor V8 from a 1995 Mustang Cobra with a micro polished Ford Racing b203 camshaft, upgraded springs, high temp\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Merkur"","block_context":{"text":"Merkur","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=293"},"img":{"alt_text":"1985 Merkur XR4Ti with a Ford 302 V8","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/1985-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Ford-302-V8-01.jpg?fit=711%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/1985-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Ford-302-V8-01.jpg?fit=711%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/1985-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Ford-302-V8-01.jpg?fit=711%2C400&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/1985-Merkur-XR4Ti-with-a-Ford-302-V8-01.jpg?fit=711%2C400&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":107070,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=107070","url_meta":{"origin":2911,"position":2},"title":"JH Restorations’ Ford Merkur XR4Ti with a 475+ hp 2.3 L Ecoboost","author":"swaptastic","date":"November 2, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Jesse Henke from JH Restorations unveiled his newest project, a 1987 Merkur \"RS4Ti\" at SEMA 2023. Jesse spent three years on-and-off building a modern Merkur XR4Ti. Under the custom hood sits a turbocharged 2.3 L Ecobeast inline-four crate motor capable of 475-500 horsepower. The motor features a Focus RS block,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Merkur"","block_context":{"text":"Merkur","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=293"},"img":{"alt_text":"1987 Ford Merkur with a turbocharged 2.3 L Ecoboost inline-four","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1987-Ford-Merkur-with-a-2.3-L-Ecoboost-inline-four-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1987-Ford-Merkur-with-a-2.3-L-Ecoboost-inline-four-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1987-Ford-Merkur-with-a-2.3-L-Ecoboost-inline-four-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1987-Ford-Merkur-with-a-2.3-L-Ecoboost-inline-four-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1987-Ford-Merkur-with-a-2.3-L-Ecoboost-inline-four-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":114624,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=114624","url_meta":{"origin":2911,"position":3},"title":"Toyota Crown with a Lexus IS F Powertrain","author":"swaptastic","date":"April 24, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A reader shared this interesting 2005 Toyota Crown (GRS184) from a completed Yahoo Japan auction. The sedan originally came with a 3.5 L 2GR-FSE V6 making 311 hp (232 kW) and 278 lb-ft (377 Nm) of torque and a A760E six-speed automatic transmission. Eventually the builder swapped the factory powertrain\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Crown"","block_context":{"text":"Crown","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=377"},"img":{"alt_text":"Toyota Crown with a Lexus IS F V8 powertrain","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Toyota-Crown-with-a-Lexus-IS-F-V8-powertrain-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Toyota-Crown-with-a-Lexus-IS-F-V8-powertrain-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Toyota-Crown-with-a-Lexus-IS-F-V8-powertrain-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Toyota-Crown-with-a-Lexus-IS-F-V8-powertrain-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Toyota-Crown-with-a-Lexus-IS-F-V8-powertrain-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":101631,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=101631","url_meta":{"origin":2911,"position":4},"title":"Lexus IS200 with a 3UZ V8 and 8HP50","author":"swaptastic","date":"June 16, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This Lexus IS200 originally came with a 2.0 L 1G-FE inline-six. However thanks to SU2 Performance the wagon is now powered by a 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8. The motor features 1UZ-FE manifolds, SU2 Performance custom 3-inch exhaust, and an Ecumaster Emu Black ECU. 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The 1G-FE is capable of 133-158 hp and 130-148 lb-ft (176-200 Nm) of torque depending on if it has variable valve timing (VVT-i). However this Lexus IS200 on Facebook Marketplace in Poland has more cylinders and displacement. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "IS200"","block_context":{"text":"IS200","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=451"},"img":{"alt_text":"Turbo 1UZ V8 swapped Lexus IS200","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Lexus-IS200-with-a-Turbo-1UZ-V8-01.jpg?fit=720%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Lexus-IS200-with-a-Turbo-1UZ-V8-01.jpg?fit=720%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Lexus-IS200-with-a-Turbo-1UZ-V8-01.jpg?fit=720%2C960&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Lexus-IS200-with-a-Turbo-1UZ-V8-01.jpg?fit=720%2C960&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2911"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":132173,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2911\/revisions\/132173"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}