i have a crazy cool idea.

[Gespacho]

i posted at greasecar a while back about dropping a diesel into a merkur xr4ti. which would be awesome. so yester day my brother tells me about a person that he works will selling another of these to get rid of it. it is in perfect running condition. besides the fact that it runs on gas and only premium gas at that. this car is going for about 300. they juat want to get rid of it because they got new cars and no space. so i pose the question again. can it be done? i'd like to put a diesel in it. but what sort of engines are available at what cost. so far the only decent diesel engines i've found are big cummins. which wouldn't fit into a two door sedan. would be cool though. furthermore does anyone know where i could find the electrical system for an engine, if i find one. do the remaufactured engines that sell for a couple grand include the computer? i'm willing to gass around for a bit till i can get an engine. but this car it too awesome to pass up. thanks for any help.

[drboost]

Get an old MB diesel. There are very little electrics to worry about. But You'll still have to worry about getting guages hooked up. For that, I'd make a guage plate and buy aftermarket guages.
Drop in the MB engine and trans and get a drive shaft made. I am pretty sure the XR4TI rear end will handle the HP and torque.

[jgnat1488]

Not sure on the under hood layout of this car so I wiil be general in my answer. If it's a rear wheel drive you could get several engines that would work and not need much more than an adapter plate and mounts, VW, small Merc., any number of industrial engines. On the other hand, if it's FWD then you are limited to some industial and VW style. Hope this helps some.

[cgoodwin]

1.9TD VW best hp to weight ratio, least electronics.


Chris

[jgnat1488]

1.9TD VW best hp to weight ratio, least electronics.


Chris

AGREED!! :D

[Sk8rdi16]

Try getting an entire front clip. I know they sell them by the dozens in the import scene. Not so sure about diesels. The front clip will come with most everything you will need ie wiring harness ect.

[Gespacho]

FR layout i don't think that i am up to messig with the electrical on a 1.9 engine. where can i obtain a complete electrical system or at least the corecomponents for one?

[vegipete]

You need a diesel vehicle that was wrecked, preferably due to a rear ender. Then you can test the engine before you lay money down.

[Greenlion]

Ford Ranger or Mazda pickup diesel, or Escort/Tempo diesel for most likely easy conversion (Ford) or the others suggested above

[veggiesuburban]

There was a Mistubishi diesel available in the ranger over a couple of model years. Considering the Xr4ti used the same 2.3 as the ranger I bet you could easily modify the 2 piece stock motor mounts to bolt the diesel motor in without a whole lot of effort....

[Gespacho]

i have been looking into the nissan engines. so far i like them. anyway. is there any way to easily install a new engine and get around the electrical? i am able to do the mechanical install. but the electronics is my stumbling block. are my only options to learn quick or just settle for an older mechanical only engine? :confused: