MX-3.com

Im looking to see exactly what engine i have in my babby. Im new and this is my first car and when you guys talk about all the other types of engines i get so confussed. Id like to learn which engine is in what car and what other engines are out there so if someone has the time could you possably explain this to me? So back to my engine, its a DOHC 24 valve V6 1994 GS from Japan. Ive heard around that the Japan engines are better? why is this? Also, for some reason, i see other mx3's on the road on on the back brake light it says precidia mine doesnt and the spoiler looks different to mine. Im thinking cuz this is becasue mines from Japan? Help me out here guys, thanks.

This will help alot.

http://www.mx-3.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3418

Nate

thanks, but it doesnt explain why mine looks different from other mx3's. i know mines from japan is that why? it says that the 'ZE' suffix usually indicates of an engine from japan, does this mean that mines a ze?

94mx3precidia wrote:Im looking to see exactly what engine i have in my babby. Im new and this is my first car and when you guys talk about all the other types of engines i get so confussed. Id like to learn which engine is in what car and what other engines are out there so if someone has the time could you possably explain this to me? So back to my engine, its a DOHC 24 valve V6 1994 GS from Japan. Ive heard around that the Japan engines are better? why is this? Also, for some reason, i see other mx3's on the road on on the back brake light it says precidia mine doesnt and the spoiler looks different to mine. Im thinking cuz this is becasue mines from Japan? Help me out here guys, thanks.

What do you mean you it's from Japan. You got the car as imported from Japan or the engine was replaced with one from Japan? The GS 1.8L V6 motor from Japan is known as the K8-ZE. This motor makes 135-140hp. The regular 1.8L V6 you find in North America is known as the K8-DE, and is rated for 130hp. Reason being, in Japan, laws are less strict for emissions, so they can squeeze out more hp out of their motors.

Now, depending, pending your taking about the motor was changed out with one from Japan, not the car itself. They may of swapped out for a Japanese 2.5L V6. That's the KL-ZE, and is rated for 198hp. The domestic 2.5L V6, known as the KLDE, found is Mx-6/626/Probe are rated for 164hp (170 for the Millenia). If the stamping on the head says K8, it's the 1.8L, if the head says KL, it's a KL-DE and KL31 is a KL-ZE.

Precidia is the name that they are known in Canada only. You can get one from Mx-3.com (http://mx-3.com/osv3/index.cfm?action=V ... &ItemID=19). I got a new one cause mine was worn being 10+ years old, but some people don't like it and remove it.

In Canada, the 1994 and up GS models came with what is known as the "wrap-around" spoiler, as opposed to the regular GS wing on the 92-93 GS's. That spoiler was available overseas and in Japan as well, but not in the U.S.. Again, I don't quite understand if your saying that your car is from Japan or just the motor, but I dont know if all Mx-3's in Japan had the swap around spoiler for all years, or just in 1994 and up as well. But if your car is a 1994 GS and it's not from the States, it'll have the wrap around. http://mx-3.com/oem/

thanks alot man, thats exactly what i was looking for. you hit the nail on the head. Well, im the 4th or so owner of this car and the previous owner had told me that the car was manufactured in japan and i dont think that the engine has been replaced. is there a way that i can tell if the car is actually from japan? You say the stamping on the head indicates either a k8 or a kl, where can i find this stamping? ive looked around and i cant seem to find it.

Thanks for the link to the precidia sticker, too bad that their not stocked up. How often do they restock their stickers?

When you gave me this link, http://mx-3.com/oem/ three pictures down is my spoiler, now it says that its the 94-96 GS canada only so im figuring now that my car is from canada.

thanks for the help.

94mx3precidia wrote:thanks alot man, thats exactly what i was looking for. you hit the nail on the head. Well, im the 4th or so owner of this car and the previous owner had told me that the car was manufactured in japan and i dont think that the engine has been replaced. is there a way that i can tell if the car is actually from japan? You say the stamping on the head indicates either a k8 or a kl, where can i find this stamping? ive looked around and i cant seem to find it.

Thanks for the link to the precidia sticker, too bad that their not stocked up. How often do they restock their stickers?

All Mx-3's are manufactured in Hiroshima, Japan, no matter if the car was sold in Canada, the US, Europe or Japan. I believe the country of manufacturer is one of the letters in the VIN.

http://www.thebiglot.com/vinInformation.asp
https://www.carproof.com/content/help/yourvin.asp

Well, if the motor was replaced with another 1.8, you'd have to compare the VIN number on the motor, if there is one (not sure, never checked) and compared to your car's VIN

For the stamping, it's usually partially hidden behind the runners of the intake manifold, it'll look something similar to this


If you can't find it and if I have time I'll take a series of pics to show you whereabouts to find it. One thing tho, if it's an automatic, it's definitely not going to be a KL-DE/ZE

no its standard, for my first car id never get an auto. You have to get a standard as your first car. ill take a look soon and see if i can find it but thanks for the picture, not really helping me where to look but at least i know what im looking for :p its getting dark now and ill try to have a look. thanks.

ok so i found it and it says k81a1. so now i know i dont have kl i have a k8, but how do i know if its a k8-ze or a k8de? i checked my VIN number and it says that my car was manufactured in J so im taking it as Japan.

94mx3precidia wrote:i checked my VIN number and it says that my car was manufactured in J so im taking it as Japan.

That J means it's a Japanese company. All Mazdas have a J. The 11th digit tells you where it was made, but that doesn't mean it is J-spec or anything like that.

so how can i tell the difference between the NA K8 and the Jap K8? id really like to find out.

Who cares? Its only 5hp maximum. Just swap it out for a KLZE and then you'll know what motors in there for sure. :lol:

94mx3precidia wrote:so how can i tell the difference between the NA K8 and the Jap K8? id really like to find out.

Your profile says you are in Canada, why would you think your car isn't Canadian?

i believe the k8-ze's have square runners on the IM, im not 100% sure,but i did hear that somewhere on here.

just post some pics of your engine, and all the engine stamps you can find

alright ill take some pics and post em up later.

tell me why you are so concerned about if its a JDM engien or not. its 99% stock mx3 motor and who cares. Eevn if it is a k8-ze its still slow as hell. Just drive the damn car, when you blow up th k8 swap in a kl-ze

and jsut so you know YES the car was made in japan,They all were actually. But if the was sold in Japan, its easy to know. Your steering wheel would be on the opposite side aka RHD