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need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 12:02 pm
by bret94mx3
ok i have a 1994 mx3 with the 1.6. i want to but the 2.5 v6 in it.
so i am about to buy a 92 mx3 with the 2.5 in it but idk about how to start the swap.
i think the motor wire harness in the 94 1.6 is not the same as the in side harness so i think all i have to do is chang the motor monts and the ecu and the motor wire harness.
but is the 94 wire harness the same as the 92?? i need help. thanks

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 12:33 pm
by umcamara
I hope you have a fire extinguisher, because you're about to get flamed...

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 12:34 pm
by bret94mx3
what do u mean by that??

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 12:35 pm
by umcamara
Nothing... Basically everything in the engine bay needs to be swapped over from a V6 Mx-3.

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 12:36 pm
by bret94mx3
well id like some help so if u can help that would be great

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 12:41 pm
by wytbishop
You are going to need to do a lot of reading to understand what you are about to attempt. You have a parts car so that's good, and what you want to do is certainly doable, but you're taking maybe the most complicated of all MX-3 engine swap paths.

Putting a V6 into an RS can be done but it's a lot of work. There is no specific set of directions to do it this way because as a rule it's considered a bad way to go. Go do a bunch of reading in the 4 cyl FAQ BEFORE you buy that 2.5 donor car and decide if you still think it's a good idea. It doesn't sound like you have a lot of mechanical experience so i would suggest that you start by learning everything you can about the 1.6L first. It has a lot of potential with things like the BP swap and turbocharging which make more sense than doing the DE or ZE swap.

I'm not trying to stomp on your dreams but most young guys who don't really know alot about this car...or cars in general...immediately want to do the ZE swap when there are other more sensible options. Just because the 2.5L is bigger doesn't necessarily mean its the best way to go.

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 12:46 pm
by bret94mx3
im smart about all that i just dont have alot of money and im get a realy good deal on this car. and i love the sound of the v6. if i had the money i would bild my 1.6 and turbo it but like i said i dont have alot of money. how hard would the swap be??

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 12:57 pm
by wytbishop
Well the engine harness is different so you need to swap it in with the engine. The front subframe is different as well as the rad and rad support. Motor mounts of course.

If I was going to do it I would take the entire engine, tranny, subframe and front suspension complete. Unplug the wire harness from the ECU, feed it through the firewall and leave as much as possible connected to the engine.

Just start reading the manuals and other people's worklogs. If you know what you're doing you'll figure it out.

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 1:48 pm
by Daninski
Money? New hoses, belts, possible upgrading the mounts, and any other parts the existing ZE may need not to mention swapping over a lot of stuff. All I can say is 'good luck' but then again don't let common sense dampen your enthusiasim. IMO

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 7th, 2010, 2:08 pm
by bret94mx3
thanks guys. if any other ppl no anything plz help me

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 8th, 2010, 8:03 pm
by MrMazda92
bret94mx3 wrote:thanks guys. if any other ppl no anything plz help me
Simply put, replacing a 4 cyl. with a 6 cyl. is a b---- in these cars.

If you have your heart set on the '94 you already own, your most cost effective option is to put in another I4, or stick with what you've got now.

You will spend more money + time swapping the guts out, testing and retesting everything you do, that you would be much better off just buying an Mx3 that already has a ze in it.

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 8th, 2010, 8:33 pm
by RS_OBD'oh_2
all the help you need is right here: http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/search.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

what is wrong with the car the 2.5 is in now?

Best to stick with a 4cyl if that is what your car came with.

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 9th, 2010, 7:26 pm
by bret94mx3
the cars sub fame is realy bad. but i changed wat i was going to do.
i have some more ?
is the miata and the mx3 the same motor cuz im get new rods and pistons and turbo and i need a turbo header and i think that the miata header will work and i right?? cuz if i just stick with this motor ill only spend about 1500 in parts

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 9th, 2010, 11:06 pm
by RS_OBD'oh_2
ok, now you are going to piss people off.

Have you seen the miata engine? Have you noticed that it sits in the engine bay differently? The turbo mani's also point up....

FACE PALM!!!!!!


Search. There are many turbo mx's out there. Read the worklogs, and for god's sake..... search

Re: need help with klze swap

Posted: June 9th, 2010, 11:28 pm
by bret94mx3
ok dum a$$ i only asked if it would bolt up. its called moding i can get one realy cheap. :lol: