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I've been looking for a while for a car to run in the Asia Classic Car Challenge organised by the HK Classic Car club. First challenge is that the series is run in Malaysia and races at Sepang, and I live in Hong Kong so finding a car meant trawling the internet and seeing what came up. Especially as until recently the rules were cars up to December 1988 and let's say they were not that many imported cars in Malaysia in the Eighties that would be suitable.
All the logic said buy something Japanese as the availability of parts and skill is well in favour of Jap cars. But then I saw this, it's an XR4i shaped collection of parts at the moment. The engine has been rebuilt but who know's what that means, importantly the chassis is very straight and clean. At first glance most parts are there including a lot of 'spares' the seller included, he'd been working on it for ages but needed the space.
It got delivered just in time for the long weekend in Malaysia. Inventory starts next week and then we start with the build. Need to get it registered first and then tested so that will be the first job. It needs to be registered for weird reasons that I don't really understand. The Garage that I'm working with in KL have some good ideas and are used to classic rebuilds normally
Once that's done we need to get it caged. Cage will be FIA approved multipoint out to the front turrets, and then gusseted into the A and B pillars.
Need to work out how to make it handle the best it can. Very open to ideas on this one. Suspension, ARB's, MT/MK Motorsport cradle, Group A parts. Need some expert assistance here.
Engine plan is to keep with the Cologne 2.8 V6 for a bit, then go either 2.4l Lima Turbo like the XR4Ti or 302 V8 from the XR8. Will need approx 300+bhp, I like the V8 idea especially as you can still buy them new from Ford Motorsport.
Nice find, I race an xr4X4
suspension wise, I have a very good balance,
front
compression struts, adjustable top mounts, gaz gold coilovers, MK motorsport adjustable ARB,
Rear
Mk motorsport 6 degree rear beam, granada cosworth ARB, gaz coilovers
Cheers, I'll do some searches on recommended parts. Any feedback on Compbrake stuff? Looking into reg's about adjustable top mounts.
I've got compbrake compression struts, top mounts and lower suspensions arms, the stuff is ok, the bottom ball joints don't last long enough, but they do sell me just the arm with out the rose joint so save me money.
If money was no object I would have Mk motorsports compression struts and bottoms arms there much better.
Good chat with MK Motorsport today, will be going that route. Rear beam, bladed ARBs, compression struts and adjustable TCAs.
Also had an unexpected delivery of all the parts from the seller, we were only expecting the spoiler but as well we received a spare clutch assembly, set of manifolds, front seats, 2 x tail gates ( 1 is glazed), 1 x set passenger doors, 1 x bonnet, 8 wheels, 4 tyres and load of misc interior trim and mouldings. Bit of a result.
After doing another quick inventory we appear to have all the fundamental items to have ourselves a running car except fuel pump, drive belts, water hoses, thermostat, battery, exhaust from beneath front seats rearward.
Well I went and registered the car last week so its all legal, now just to get it running.
The Bosch Fuel Injection was a bit of a nightmare and added complexity without much benefit. With a lot of discussion we've made the decision that at least for now it has to go. So we've started fabrication of an inlet manifold for carbs, twin SU's seems to be the best and simplest answer, this should only be for a season. Bonnet will be coming off so we can get a GRP mould made then we will cut an airscoop and cooling.
All the wiring is nearly out of the car. We will build a custom loom for what we need and minimize any chances of wiring issues. Plus it weighs a ton. New lights, dials, dash and switch panel to be fabricated.
Standard radiator gone, alloy unit with much bigger surface area and capacity due next week. That will allow us to get rid of the header tank as well.
Should be running in the next few weeks then it can go for it's cage to be fitted!
will su's really provide the fueling to make it viable?
im not so sure
Steve
Aren't twin su's used on nearly all rover v8's,they have another 700cc and 2 more cylinders so should be ok for the old v6?
Cool project,strange it's got snow tyres fitted though!
It's a good point. Smarter people than I are saying it'll work. Good spot we are using SU's from a Rover V8, early Range Rover ones as they are easy to get access to and service. They should do what's needed.
Even weirder snow tyres and 40 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur. The previous owner who started the restore runs a few rally cars and that was the plan for the XR4i hence it has rally tyres. Not for long although I need to make a decision on brakes and then decide 16 or 17.
The Bosch Fuel Injection was a bit of a nightmare and added complexity without much benefit.
Partly true, although the K-Jet is a bit of a mystery, it's a very simple mechanical injection and when you do a bit of research on it, can be made to give quite good power. It's cheap to modify and would give superior performance to a carb setup.
Great project by the way!!! Interested to see the updates on the SU's for sure.
Been a while but the car is running and very nearly done. Some problems with the propshaft not liking the gripper diff too much and trying to get in the car with me that's nearly fixed. Side exit exhaust to come, looking forward to driving the thing. SU's seem to work well just need to road test it some once the exhaust and setup are done.
Well it's ready for race 1 at Sepang over Easter weekend.
Probably worth mentioning what I've done.
Full Group A cage seamed into the chassis with strengthening to the turrents and extended front and rear including down to the diff.
All solid bushings and rose joints with adjustable rose joints including compression struts on the front.
MK Motorsport 6 degree rear beam.
Accusump with oil cooler using all aeroquip fittings and braided lines.
Gripper plated LSD full race spec in a new case built by Barra.
Gaz Gold Race coilovers.
Custom prop with strengthened UJs.
Front brakes are 330mm discs with AP Pro 5000 R 4 pot calipers.
Rear brakes are Wilwood calipers with 300mm discs.
Entirely braided brakes hoses to front and rear.
Custom dash with switch gear and dials.
OBP pedal box and bias control.
60l fuel cell sunk into the boot with boot mounted pumps and filters on braided lines using aeroquip fittings.
Under bonnet fuel cooler.
Makrolon windows with NACA vents.
Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 wheels and a random set of Oz (Sparco) for wets.
and probably more I've forgotten.....
Engine and gearbox are the weakest part. It's currently still running a 2.8 V6 on twin SU's with a rebuilt standard box.
Well rounds 1&2 of the Asia Classic Car Challenge are complete. It was the first time ever the car has been on a race track after an 18 month build. The car is setup brilliantly and it handles well but is totally lacking power from the engine and vibrates like heck at pace. Probably due to the gearbox, before we rebuilt it the damned thing was full of water but it worked good enough to get me through its first weekend. Practice and qualifying were ok despite the lack of pace it gave me some time to get used to it. Round 1 the distributor moved causing me to lose ignition after 5 laps so DNF. Round 2 after seeing another class competitor pull out I chose to just stroll it home and make it to the finish for points. It hurt a lot driving so slowly especially with the vibration. But we finished 2nd in class. Need to buy a V8 and new gearbox.
I've been looking for a while for a car to run in the Asia Classic Car Challenge organised by the HK Classic Car club. First challenge is that the series is run in Malaysia and races at Sepang, and I live in Hong Kong so finding a car meant trawling the internet and seeing what came up. Especially as until recently the rules were cars up to December 1988 and let's say they were not that many imported cars in Malaysia in the Eighties that would be suitable.
All the logic said buy something Japanese as the availability of parts and skill is well in favour of Jap cars. But then I saw this, it's an XR4i shaped collection of parts at the moment. The engine has been rebuilt but who know's what that means, importantly the chassis is very straight and clean. At first glance most parts are there including a lot of 'spares' the seller included, he'd been working on it for ages but needed the space.
It got delivered just in time for the long weekend in Malaysia. Inventory starts next week and then we start with the build. Need to get it registered first and then tested so that will be the first job. It needs to be registered for weird reasons that I don't really understand. The Garage that I'm working with in KL have some good ideas and are used to classic rebuilds normally
Once that's done we need to get it caged. Cage will be FIA approved multipoint out to the front turrets, and then gusseted into the A and B pillars.
Need to work out how to make it handle the best it can. Very open to ideas on this one. Suspension, ARB's, MT/MK Motorsport cradle, Group A parts. Need some expert assistance here.
Engine plan is to keep with the Cologne 2.8 V6 for a bit, then go either 2.4l Lima Turbo like the XR4Ti or 302 V8 from the XR8. Will need approx 300+bhp, I like the V8 idea especially as you can still buy them new from Ford Motorsport.
Will keep you posted. Lots of pictures below
Hi there. Ive just discovered this post. Allow me it introduce myself. My name Johann, I believe that you have finally owned what was used to be in the family car collection. It's good to see new owner taking good care of this car. I remembered growing up in this car. I was also wondering whether we could meet one day to surprise my dad. Do give me a holla or text me when you can. Seeing this car means alot to us. Hopefully you will get back to me. Well done with the car.
18-09-2016, 10:12 AM
1984 Sierra XR4i - Race Build (in Malaysia)
especially as you can still buy them new from Ford Motorsport.
!
a nice project 
Interested to see the updates on the SU's for sure.
