[intimidator992002]

Is there any engine building tips for an 89 1.9LHO engine. And is there any way to get the rev limiter off the car or at least get it to rev higher, it cuts out at 6800. I run the car on a 3/8th mile dirt track and we run 2nd gear, I'm hitting on the rev limiter half way down the straights. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[89harper]

i think the merk ecu will turn the rev limiter up. i know it gives it a little more kick anyways.

 

[intimidator992002]

Dont want to sound dumb but what is a merk? I'm new to this but if it helps I will get 1

 

[89harper]

merkur xr4ti ecu. i kinda made it short. lol i reckon the ecu gives it better fuel curves and what not. unexploded cow or 1lowscort knows alot about them. i havent gotten to try it yet. just heard alot of talk.

 

[1lowscort]

Rev limiter is the same on the Merk ECU, 6800. I honestly don't know what exactly is different for the Merk ECU, but I know it gives a few extra horses, and a bit better top end. I am running one currently for my turbo car, but I had been using it NA also. There is a noticeable difference.

 

[WJC]

When I see a pitcure of a Merkur I think of Jim Rome.

 

[FADRacing]

what restrictions are enforced at your track?
How serious do you want to get?

 

[intimidator992002]

we can only have 8 valve engines about the only things they check are stock wheels and might pull a valve cover to check for more than 8 valves. I want to get everything I can out of the car so any help would be appreciated.

 

[89harper]

hmm... turbo?

 

[UnexplodedCow]

Slap the 2.0 SPI in there with a 1.6L head, then install a turbo from Merkur. This is, of course, if you want it to look remotely stock. You can claim the engine is from the vaunted early 80's turbo Escort . They probably won't be able to disprove that. It might take some fab work to get the mounts to work with the SPI block, but I believe it bolts to the MTX tranny, although I'm not 100% on that. I know the ZX2 Zetec does, so I'm assuming the SPI has the same bolt pattern. A 2.3 Lima will also bolt up, same as the 3.0 V6 (find a Tempo, and swap parts).

 

[intimidator992002]

turbos not allowed but does the 2.0 with the 1.6 head have more power than a 1.9ho engine

 

[UnexplodedCow]

I'll put it this way: The 1.9 HO uses a slightly smaller intake valve (should fit the 2.0 intake valve just fine with the stock seat), and a hemi combustion chamber. The 2.0 uses a split intake port, but uses a leanburn setup. The pistons, however, should work fine with a hemi head. I suggest the 1.6 head because, while it has very slightly smaller intake ports (1 or 2 mm smaller than the HO ports) the exhaust ports are much, much larger. This is good for high revs. You'll lose a little bit down low, but make up for it up top. Plus the 1.6 has a lot of cam options (aftermarket if you can get away with it), that will really open the engine up. Couple that with the extra displacement, and you'll see where I'm going. Plus the 2.0 uses an 8 counterweight crank, vs. the 4 weight style of the 1.6/1.9. It'll rev more freely.

Stock power out of a roller cam 1.9 HO is 110 hp.
Stock out of a 2.0 SPI is...110 hp. Of course, if you could get the SPI to work on its own, just use the HO's roller cam with a magnet slug in the end for the EDIS system, and you'd make more than 110 hp. But that would require completely redoing the wiring harness. I'm just partial to the 1.6 heads, too

 

[Spiffy]

I've been seeing these Merkur ECU swaps all over here.

I'll be honest, never heard of a Merkur, nor have I ever seen one.

Don't suppose anyone knows where to pick one up (ECU/performance parts from them), or do I just keep checking junkyards?

 

[UnexplodedCow]

It's a Merkur XR4-Ti. It's from Germany (the brand Merkur). Just check the junk yards for it, although I'm sure a few people on here have a spare.

 

[Spiffy]

Well since it's supposed to help out some I wouldn't mind picking one up. Hurt fuel economy any?

 

[UnexplodedCow]

Good question: I don't know. My guess is that it might impact mileage slightly, although not heavily. The engine shouldn't require any more fuel. I guess the fuel and ignition timing maps would make the difference.