Has anyone looked at using an mx-3 as a donor?

Stonking little engine but don't know if the rest of the components would be at all suitable. I know some mazdas share components with ford (eg the 2.5l v6 is the same in the mx-6 and the ford probe) but I don't know the extent of this.

Any thoughts?

If not, does anybody want to buy a MX-3?!

As a word of warning on this one.. certain V6 Mazda engines had an achillese heel on the cylinder head. Poor machining lead to an undulating surface and problems with sealing... when they are good they are good. Conversly... same applied to the Xedos.

According to the Haynes manual, the Probe and 626 use the same transverse gearbox with the same bolt pattern for the K-series V6 (1.8/2.0/2.5) and F-series I4 (1.8/2.0/2.2) - with 2 more bolts on V6.

This should mean you can take the gearbox from any rear-drive Mazda fitted with the F-series 4 (early rwd 626 or E1800/E2000 van), and use it with the V6.

Some of the Miata websites suggest the V6 has oiling problems used rwd, but Fraser Cars in NZ use the 2.5 V6 this way in their 7 clone (with an adaptor for Ford gearboxes).

Visit http://members.aol.com/solomiata/Drivetrain.html for more info on Mazda gearboxes.

I haven't tried this (yet!) but it sounds like it should work

[Edited on 22-2-05 by locost_bryan]

It has a standard 198bhp compaired to the UK 165bhp. So if going for the 2.5 get the Jap import version (it is retricted to 112 mph but it can easily be unrestricted by using a speedo from a UK car).

I think the same engine is used in the Vitara v6 not sure if it is the UK or Jap spec though.

The Jap spec in standard trim was excellent and mine had done 200k miles (I got it with 40k miles on the clock) before I traded it in, no mechanical issues with it at anytime.

for MX6 info goto www.mx6.com they can answer many a Mazda technical question.

my god ewan you live !!!!! whats happened to your 4x4 build we were following?

quote:

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Originally posted by ewanspence
I think the same engine is used in the Vitara v6

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A first offspring caused a little interuption but hopefully he is now into a routine of sleeping from 7pm so I should get and hour or 2 of an evening.

I am still collecting parts for it and WILL complete it, if not it will be a legacy for the wee man to take over once I have taught him to weld. I am still trying to get a welding mask for a 5month old but Mothercare don't do them.

I am getting backing to playing in the garage and over the last couple of weeks I have been doing an hour here or there changing the timing belt in my Prelude...and then redoing it as there was a strange rattle when I started it...good old haynes manual was wrong (theres a surprise) but all is well again.

Anyway...the locost is waiting to have the fuel lines and brakelines plumbed in then just the bodywork and interior to do - so only a few hours to finish ;o)

I've got a mx-3 v6 1.8, cracking little car and goes like stink. The engine's great, but my god a pain in the butt to work on. EFI, aircon and loads of other tiny little pipes to choose from. Plus finding an airfilter to replace the panel job is hard work. Normal mushroom or cone filters don't fit, and there is a plunger type thing (dunno what it is called) just after the airbox and the engine will not run with it removed.

I've heard of people transplanting the 2.5 v6 into an mx-3 so guess you can go the other way, worth looking into and would make a 7 clone fly!

Cheers
Chris