Another Mechanic Question

[rabbitearbandicoot]

As I freely admit, I don't understand engines with computer control - in fact I am 'dangerous' around these vehicles. It's probably simple but - just one of those things I have never looked into.

wiki says: "The Mazda MX-3 is a four-seat kammback coupé first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991.[2] The MX-3 was marketed as the Mazda MX-3 Precidia in Canada, the Eunos 30X in Australia, and as the Eunos Presso, Autozam AZ-3 and Mazda AZ-3 in Japan........... The most common engine swap for MX-3 GS owners with the V6 engine is a 2.5 L V6, either a North American-spec KL-DE 168 hp (125 kW), found most commonly in the 1993-1997 Ford Probe GT, the 1993-1997 Mazda MX-6 LS, or the 1993-2002 Mazda 626 LX or ES, or the Japanese-spec KL-ZE 200 hp (149 kW), found in such vehicles as the Efini MS-8, Xedos 9, & Eunos 800."

I have a Mazda Eunos 30X. It has a 1.8 lt V6 engine - K8-DE. I understand from reading the above and various blogs etc, that you can swap in a 2.5 lt - from a Mazda MX6 - called a KL-DE or a KL-03 from a Telstra TX Ghia, or a KL-G4 from a later model 98-2002 626 ES,LX.

Question: Swapping the engine is OK - it bolts straight in - you can even use the 30X gearbox -  if I can get a whole engine with inlets, exhaust etc but what about the computer? As I understand it, the computer would drive the engine management system plus all the other internals like brakes, fuel pumps, air bags etc. Would I have to swap the computer.

Does anyone know of places that do this sort of upgrade? With a Holden or Falcon there are stacks of places.

[colic2bullsgirlore]

In Queensland for the mods you are contemplating you will need to adhere to the new national code and the vehicle will need a mod plate ( be engineered)

page 6

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Vehicle%20standards%20and%20modifications/Vehicle%20modific...

FAQ section below

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Vehicle-standards-and-modifications/Vehicle-modifications/Frequentl...

[softail-joanie]

Yes, the 1.8 is a bit s-l-o-w. And, No, I don't have a 2.5 laying around.

My dad has a Mazda 626, i think it's a 2001 or 2002, i know it's a 4cyl. He took it to a garage, they put new shafts in it, didn't fix the problem, they said it was the transmission bad, dad went and bought a 2007 Honda Fit and parked the Mazda. it's still drivable, but something clicks or strips in the transmission (auto) when he accelerates hard. Drive it easy, no problem, but theres hills around here.

He spent more having that POS fixed at a garage i believe was ripping him off, than another car would have cost. I gave 750 for my Nova couple years ago, put new tires and altanator on it, drive it every day trips to Columbus, i just have to add oil where it leaks. I think it needs the pan re sealed, but I would want to put in a new oil pump while at it.

I wouldn't mess with it if it still runs ok. 1.8 is plenty, tune it up or rebuild. I wish i would have left my Ranger alone, Took out the 4cyl with plans to put a v8 in it, gas shot up to around 3 dollars a gallon, now I want my 4cyl and 5 speed back, it had less than 20,000 miles.. The Mustang GT engine I have to put in it has over 150,000 miles. Though it's had some proformance work done to it, just means it will get that much worse gas millage.

[vicr3000]

Interesting discussion.

1.8 litre.

I still remember coming out from the UK where we had a Ford Grenada Estate (Station wagon - rare in the UK)

in about 1.5 litre 4 cyl.

Come to Aus, hardly anything less than 2.4 litre and most 3 ltr and above 6's !

(Apart from the every family had a Corolla or Celica )

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

While Joanie is correct in the other thread about the Chevy Sprint getting 50+ MPG, the chiropractic bills from sitting in those horrible seats would more than offset the gas savings.  And that little 3-cylinder Suzuki motor was a death trap getting onto a freeway.......

After my heart attack in 1987, I looked for a trouble-free car for the war department, since the odds were that I wouldn't be around to repair it.  Tried out the Sprint, tried out the Escort............went with the Spectrum (Isuzu)......much more comfortable than the Sprint, much quieter than the rattly Escort......and 40 MPG was nothing to sneeze over.

Here it is 28 years later, and my pride and joy is a SAAB 9-3 with the v-6 turbo.  31 mpg, and goes like a rocket.........plus every creature comfort except an automatic butt-wiper.

[vicr3000]

Escorts !

I had one of them ! LOL

It was a gutless wonder.

[2106greencat]

In New Zealand - a lot of years ago so don't take this as gospel now - a vehicle had to be inpsected and repaired to meet roadworthy standard every 12 months - it was called a  Warrant of Fitness - but we did not have to have registration the way you did here in Oz back then.

So long as you displayed the current WOF on the windscreen (like a rego sticker here) that was it, so basically it only cost you whatever repairs were necessary to keep the WOF up to date each year, rather than a new rego cert each year at whatever cost per state.

When you think about it, it was a more sensible way of doing it, like I said earlier, if I keep reregistering my vehicle, it could be falling apart and still I would get the new rego sticker, in NZ, if it was deemed unroadworthy at the yearly renewal time, you had to fix it before you got the WOF sticker.

More safe cars on the road that way IMO

[wilk1149]

If there is an illogical way to do something the Australian governments will do it

[the_hawk*]

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@vicr3000 wrote:

Interesting discussion.

1.8 litre.

I still remember coming out from the UK where we had a Ford Grenada Estate (Station wagon - rare in the UK)

in about 1.5 litre 4 cyl.

Come to Aus, hardly anything less than 2.4 litre and most 3 ltr and above 6's !

(Apart from the every family had a Corolla or Celica )

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LOL my bike has a 1.8l enginge