mazdaspeed3 motor swap into an MP5?

[goride]

ive been feeling that the mp5 2.0 is a little sluggish. I dont want to spend 4k on a built motor, then another 4k on a turbo set up. I figured if i put a mazdaspeed3 motor in ill still be smog legal in cali and still have close to 300hp. Best of all since its technically stock motor i can count on it being reliable.

the motor is 2.3 which is slightly bigger than the 2.0, from the looks of it theres plenty of room in the bay.

Both motors are FWD so thats good.

However, engine mounts is questionable, and wiring.

Does anyone have any input or know of anyone whos tried a similar swap? i want to pursue it but dont want to wind up in a dead end.

 

[Akaveli]

IMO it could probally cost you the same amount or even more then just turboing your 5. You would probally have to switch trannys too.

 

[DayOh257]

IMO it could probally cost you the same amount or even more then just turboing your 5. You would probally have to switch trannys too.

Why not do the MSP swap? Its almost a drop-in. That's what I got.

 

[jamesk]

how do you accomplish a msp swap? where do you start? what do you buy?

 

[DayOh257]

how do you accomplish a msp swap? where do you start? what do you buy?

Well, the guys at Corksport hooked me up. They found a rear-ended 03.5 MSP in WA. They basically stripped the whole front end, so we go everything we could.

My suggestion would be to check out the wrecking yards around your region and see what you might find.

I know that the MSP and P5 utilize about 90% of the same stuff, i.e. mounts, electrical connections, etc.

I wish I could help you more on this subject, but give CS a call. www.corksport.com

That's where I'd start.

 

[jomoyo069]

it would be cheaper to just turbo the p5

 

[Brian MP5T]

Buy EVO

 

[Flash5]

I would say its an awesome idea, but it really isn't worth it unless you have the funds and want to be the first to do it. I would love to see it happen though.

 

[ProtoType5]

What were you smokin when you came up with that idea....

Problem #1....Have you researched the cost of a MS3 engine and turbo???? Plus the labor??? It just doesn't make any sense...You could buy two MS3s by the time you built that beast...



but it would totally kick ass to see it done...I'm still awestruck by the Canucks and their 6-cylinder swap on the P5...That's nice work..

 

[DayOh257]

I'm still awestruck by the Canucks and their 6-cylinder swap on the P5...That's nice work..

Where is that at?!?!? I'd like to see it!

 

[JoshP5]

The discussion is in this thread.
Specifically, pics are here.

 

[goride]

im sure it will be expensive. My thing is that i live in cali and i want my car to pass smog. A MPS motor would be nice but id have to pump it way up to get 300hp smog legal, which would be hard to do.

The MS3 motor is already like 276 stock, a couple smog friendly mods and ill be at 300hp easy, plus 6 speed.

Also if i turbo'd my motor i have i would have to build it up to handle the boost to make it reliable, the motor isnt built for boosting.

If i can find a good deal on the motor and tranny then expect to see pics and details. Plus i got free labor so parts is the only main concern for me.

 

[mdl247]

im sure your best bet is to do a msp swap or even doing forge and turbo then doin a ms3 swap. a brand new msp engine runs from the stealership an easy 10k also that is only the engine not including the msp mani and turbo

 

[jeg0024]

Buy EVO

+1

 

[goride]

what do you mean by EVO?

the only evo i know of is the evolution from mitsubishi.

 

[MakeMeGoFast]

what do you mean by EVO?

the only evo i know of is the evolution from mitsubishi.

Exactly.

 

[qualityrockola]

Smog regs suck here...I think its ok to drop a stock msp motor in, as long as it is newer than your current motor, run the stock msp ecu, and there's a good chance you will have to take the car in to a referee station to get a special placard placed in the door jamb stating that you have changed the engine and it has been verified to be at least up to the standards of the donor vehicle (msp). Its been a long time since I read up on this, but I think those are the basics.

This is kind of a special case though because it is basically the same motor with a turbo on it....maybe just adding a turbo isnt enough to put you in violation of smog regs. If you use stock msp everything you might squeek by. Research the laws thoroughly before you start on this.

 

[asmo 03 mp5]

Hey dude MS3 swap aint gonna happen, why worry about registering it when your never gonna have it. Like they said buy EVO or buy a MS3 and be done, Id like to see the mechanics face when you ask for install quote on that s*** too, "you wanna do what" priceless Im sure..

 

[gottacatchup]

Id say have more fun trying to find an MS3 motor (without just buying and MS3 and taking the engine out which is dumb). Then you can turn your focus towards how to stick it into a P5 which also aint gonna happen.

 

[Brian MP5T]

Might as well drop in a 350 Cu/Inch Chev