1/24 Tamiya Ford Sierra XR4i + 302ci V8

[Spottedlaurel]

Haven't done a WIP here for a while as I've been running through a few quick-ish, simple, curbside builds. Decided it was about time I actually built something with an engine, and to make life more interesting I thought I'd do a transplant that came to mind when I was pondering another project.

We got this one in Europe with an injected 2.8-litre V6, which gave it solid but not super-quick performance. That came with the later Cosworth and RS500 versions, and the XR4i was eventually replaced by the 5-door XR4x4 with the same engine and 4wd.

In South Africa they had the XR8, which logically enough came with a V8. I had the Mustang Pace Car on the shelf, and as I have something else in mind for that engine-wise it seemed natural to look at putting its 302 into the Sierra.

I bought the kit partly started, the only way of getting one at sensible cost. The suspension is going to have to be carefully dismantled and of course I'm not worried about the V6 (on this build at least). Luckily the body hadn't been touched and the glass was still in its original plastic bag so had survived unscathed.

A quick mock-up with the original wheels and engine. Certainly looks like an XR4i, with the distinctive additional rear pillar (and the double height rear spoiler will really finish it off).

Rear pan on the original engine's sump.

Which nicely matches the arrangement on the 302.

The 302 seems to fit in there nicely, it even has a raised portion in the bellhousing which clears the anti-toll bar. A bit of shaving and trimming is going to be needed to get it level, but so far it's promising.

I want to keep the bodywork standard but sit on some alternative wheels. The five-spokes (ex-Monogram/revell ferra 308 GTB!) aren't quite big enough. The cross-spoke wheels from a Fujimi Skyline are good, but the ones that really appeal to me are the Hartge alloys from a Fujimi accessory set.

At 15" diameter they're not too big, but the rears are wider which seems like a good thing with the V8 swap. I think they're primarily intended for BMWs, but they suit the Euro look of this nicely.

I'm hoping to find another intake/filter set-up for the 302, and look at fitting some different seats, otherwise I hope this should be a fairly straightforward project......

Edited June 12 by Spottedlaurel

[Zen]

Cool project! Have been wanting to build A Sierra with a coyote swap.

[beeRS]

Superb idea, and probably done in the 1:1 world a few times - especially in South Africa. You were lucky to find one of these kits at a sensible price- they are rare now, just like the real XR4i. 
You’ve made a good start. Looking forward to seeing more. 

[Spottedlaurel]

14 hours ago, Zen said:

Cool project! Have been wanting to build A Sierra with a coyote swap.

Just looked up what that would give, 400+ BHP?! Wow,that would go nicely.

I imagine a de-smogged 302with a bit of tuning would give 200-odd BHP? A useful improvement on the injected V6 without the complexity of adding a turbo (which was a readily available conversion on it back in the '80s, from the likes of Janspeed).

25 minutes ago, beeRS said:

Superb idea, and probably done in the 1:1 world a few times - especially in South Africa. You were lucky to find one of these kits at a sensible price- they are rare now, just like the real XR4i. 
You’ve made a good start. Looking forward to seeing more. 

Thanks Sonny, seems to be very plausible as a 1:1. I think a few got the ubiquitous Rover V8 conversion too, but I have a thing about keeping engine swaps within the same make if at all possible (and there aren't many 1/24 Rover V8s out there!).

From memory I paid £50-60, a bit of an indulgence but it's a nice kit and it'll sit well alongside others from the same era in my cabinet. Also a little bit of personal significance, as my uncle worked for Ford and I remember the one he had for a while, getting a lift in it once or twice. Plus it'll be the closest I can get in 1/24 to the XR4x4 my mum and stepdad had for a few years, which I managed have the odd drive in.

 

Haven't yet decided on colour, the choice was fairly limited on the XR. I might be brave and go for straight black. A bit of 1:1 reference/inspiration:

 

 

 

Not sure if I'll go as extreme as this classic bit of 1980s German craziness....

[Greasefinger]

On 6/13/2025 at 9:36 AM, Spottedlaurel said:

Haven't yet decided on colour, the choice was fairly limited on the XR. I might be brave and go for straight black. A bit of 1:1 reference/inspiration:

Not sure if I'll go as extreme as this classic bit of 1980s German craziness....

I built one a few years ago straight ootb and painted it gloss black (from top down), The red trim is actually tape, did´t trust my masking skills back then..for me Sierra was the first car I drove regularly after getting the licence (in -86).

Edited 7 hours ago by Greasefinger

[Pete75]

Nice one. Will enjoy following. Personally, I love the pepper pot wheels - they sort of feel like a signature element - but I look forward to seeing your vision realised. I'm hoping the red pinstripe will be staying?