Considering MX-3 for New Project Car

[dj4monie]

After loosing my '95 Neon to the city impound and later in an auction, I'm looking for another project car. I work as a courier and put alot of miles on my new car, '01 Dodge Neon R/T. To give this car a break, I'm looking for another project. I would consider yet another Neon, but I'm on Neon number 4 currently and feel like any unfinished business I have with the cars will be taken care of with the current new car.<P> So that leaves my options open for another project that will in phase one, serve duty as a full time work-load car and moonlight as my "other" race car.<P> The cars I have considered currently are -<P> '89 Isuzu I-Mark RS sedan<P> '91-'93 Isuzu Sylus XS<P> Mazda MX-3 GS<P> So the Mazda is what brings me to your site. If I were to get an MX-3 it would be a GS model because I want the V6 to allow the 2.5L engine swap to be easier. Plus I like having all options... Plus the swap is 100% smog legal in California as long as I use the Probe GT or Mazda 626 engine of the same year or newer and get it certified before I make any changes.<P> So here's my questions -<P> 1) About how much does the swap run? Could get a decent exchange for the 1.8L V6 in return?<P> 2) Are there any MX-3 2.5L in the 13's all motor? From what I can take, seems most people have gotten it down to low 14's with bolt-ons and maybe some minor headwork. I'm not sure anybody has used slicks, because from what I can tell, the car's with the swap will run a trap speed high enough for high 13's<P> 3) Is anybody running a 2.5L with nitrous? This would be my first option, along with a better exhaust system and a good CAI. 13's maybe even 12's should be a problem then.<P> 4) Is anybody using programable engine management? What makes the Isuzu so attractive is the fact that the Haltech E6GM can be had for less than $600 and that Isuzu imported the turbo chared RS model which is a very basic and easy swap for any model with the 16V engine. With the MX, I would do the V6 and not the BP turbo because it's different and a challenge. But I've never been too fond of "chips" and like to have FULL control when possible. I heard the LINK system unit might work with a simple motherboard upgrade is that true?<P> 5) How much do most MX-3's weigh?<P> Thanks for your input...

[Gabriel Sandoval]

welcome to the board. although i really cant answer your questions i do want to say that the mx-3 can be a great project car. and im not just saying that because i have an mx-3. although i have thought many times about selling my 93mx-3 i have come to realize that this car has great potential. that klze swap alone can put you in the league if not beyond the league of civics, integras, eclipses. and we all know that those cars already have a big impact on the streets. an mx-3 moded up is a unique car on the streets no doubt.

[94MX3]

Looks good and original too... Thats why im fixing mine up