XR4 vs. XR2

[croSSed]

I have a 2.0L XR2. I have the opportunity to pick up an '88 XR4, which is a 2.4L motor. I don't need to go faster at the top end, but I'd like more torque and bottom end. Will the XR4 deliver this?

[90VIPER]

Yep

[gotboostedvr6]

Yes

[nitro_rat]

XR4 is a very desirable 2.4 block as it is steel sleeve. You can swap on the front half of a 2.4 200 and have a steel bore 2.4 200! Easy to port and modify as there's no chrome! I say grab it if you can!

[rock]

And if you pull the heads to verify condition try not to freak out on how poorly the ports in block line up with the sleeves. It's amazing. Probably a lot to be gained by cleaning it up to match.

Rock

[tlwjkw]

if ya have one with sleeves that have turned they will turn again... so port work ta make it a 200 is a waste.. might as well replace with tha 200 sleeves.. grind a little in tha chest and done.. or jus send it ta James P. and spend a little cash...

[croSSed]

Cool. Next question: Can I drop the XR4 onto my XR2 mid? It'd be a lot easier to do a powerhead swap than a full engine swap.

[croSSed]

if ya have one with sleeves that have turned they will turn again... so port work ta make it a 200 is a waste.. might as well replace with tha 200 sleeves.. grind a little in tha chest and done.. or jus send it ta James P. and spend a little cash...

"Sleeves that turn"? What is this?

[tlwjkw]

merc had a problem with tha first steel sleeve 2.4's.. tha "sleeves" were either not put in straight (port alignment) ta start with and/or would actually turn a bit afterwards.. not installed right gets my vote... don't know of anyone lookin' atta brand new, outta tha box motor ta see if they were right?.. it was always "after tha fact" that tha misalignment was found... someone came up with "they musta turned" not knowin' that they were screwed up ta start with.. jmo.


"

It'd be a lot easier to do a powerhead swap than a full engine swap.".... not necessarily so!.. with me anyway.

[rock]

It's not that they were installed incorrectly or that they turned. They just don't match the block at all. Yesterday I installed a sleeve in an xr4. Doesn't seem to be as much interference tween sleeve and block as you see in the 2.5 motors. It makes the sleeves easy to remove and there seems to be a bit more time to properly index new sleeve. Probably why they occasionally turn.

Rock

[tlwjkw]

They just don't match the block at all. Yesterday I installed a sleeve in an xr4. Doesn't seem to be as much interference tween sleeve and block as you see in the 2.5 motors. Rock

thats what I meant by merc screwin' up with first attempt atta 2.4 steel sleeve.... seems like I remember maybe '89/'90 they got better?... a little "public R&D".

[nitro_rat]

Cool. Next question: Can I drop the XR4 onto my XR2 mid? It'd be a lot easier to do a powerhead swap than a full engine swap.

yes!

In fact the XR2 already has the 200 bell tuner in it. It will help relieve the restrictive exhaust in the XR4.

The XR2 was a hot rod 2.0, XR4 and XR6 were choked down 2.4 and 2.5 respectively.

[rock]

The block I am currently working is a 90 model so if they were worse before I cannot imagine how. Maybe just looser fit. I always try to line up the exhaust and let the others fall where they may. Seems the finger ports next to the boost port are probably no more than 65-70% what they should be. Still good motors that run pretty well.

Rock

[rock]

It'd be a lot easier to do a powerhead swap than a full engine swap.".... not necessarily so!.. with me anyway.[/COLOR]

I thought the same thing

[tlwjkw]

I don't need to go faster at the top end, but I'd like more torque and bottom end. Will the XR4 deliver this?

yep, if installed complete.. only thing that will go against what ya lookin' for is IF tha xr4 still has tha "little gearcase" on it... if so put tha one from tha xr2 on it and ya got a stump puller!