P5 1.8 coil swap project

[Dave_x]

I'm having random misfires with my 02' P5. RockAuto.com & BBB Automotive are out of ignition coils and don't know when they'll get new ones in. So, I think I'm going to go with the 1.8 coil swap talked about in this thread and also in this thread.

Here's what the parts boil down to and what I plan on using.

Wires:
These $34 NGK wires at sparkplugs.com
instead of these
These OEM $66 wires at Onlinemazda.com.

Coils:
This $39 coil at NapaOnline
instead of this
This OEM $160 coil at Onlinemazda.com.

=$73 w/o shipping or bracket.

I might skip the the bracket, but is there anything else I'm missing? I don't feel good about having to cut the plug wires to fit the stock valve cover as seen in this picture. I might have to dig for a 2000 626 2.0l valve cover. Anyone have leads other than ebay?

When I get everything together, I'd like to do a how-to. There are plenty of pics in the threads above though.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

The bracket comes with coils @ napaonline. NGK wires + napaonline coils + 2000 626 valve cover FTW.

 

[Moonman8]

The bracket comes with coils @ napaonline. NGK wires + napaonline coils + 2000 626 valve cover FTW.

That's the exact setup I'm putting together now. I am putting the finishing touches on the new valve cover (wrinkle red finish) and then everything will be installed. NGK wires for 1.8L from NGK.com, coils from NAPA, and a 626/Probe valve cover bought used here on the forums. I'm not expecting miracles but hopefully some difference will be noticed.

 

[khaosman]

Finding a 626 valve cover is a PITA

 

[njaremka]

you WILL need the valve cover - otherwise, the plug wires will not seat on the plugs.

 

[Javo]

why are they PITA what are the difference?

 

[mazdaspeed777]

PM'ed you. I have two 2.0L coilpacks from a P5 if you would be interested in buying them from me.

 

[Kansei]

Aha, I knew there was something missing on my list of "spring cleanup/maintenance" for my car.

1. Mazda6 wagon rear wiper
2. 1.8 litre coilpacks, new wires, and some NGK ZFR6F-11 or ZFR7F-11s. I'll have to call some junkyards to see about sourcing a valve cover, there's gotta be 626s at the junkyards, and most people didn't get the V6.

I figure I probably need new coil packs soon anyway (79500 miles on original ones), and my plugs + wires are about 1k miles old but one of the plug wire boots got messed up already.

 

[khaosman]

Well, I'm having trouble finding one. You need one with the cam position sensor bung on the passenger's side. Here is a good example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/POWD...019QQitemZ290038385582QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
The second picture shows it.

A P5/MSP/MP3 valve cover has mounts in the way... so a couple of the plugs won't fit properly unless you trim their grommets. Look closely at the plug holes on that cover in the link I posted, and at the your stock one. You should see the difference.

 

[njaremka]

the protege 2.0 liter cover has a raised ridge around the plug holes, the 1.8 cover does not.

trust me, you will need a different cover.

 

[justanotheradikt]

is there any advantage to having these over the stock ones or not?

 

[njaremka]

the 1.8 coils are supposedly stronger / better with the stock ecu - aftermarket ecu, you want to stick with the 2.0 coils.

 

[njaremka]

oh, plus with the seperate plug wires, you get a more consistant spark across the cyclinders

 

[Kansei]

oh right, totally forgot about the cam position sensor, d'oh!

yeah I know all about the difference in the plug wire seats, it sucks. it's a b**** of an area to get at with a file, but I guess I could dremel it up. I still need to find something to take the wrinkle paint off my valve cover so I can just shoot it low gloss black.

 

[khaosman]

the 1.8 coils are supposedly stronger / better with the stock ecu - aftermarket ecu, you want to stick with the 2.0 coils.

Why stick with 2.0 coils on an aftermarket ecu?

 

[Mr.Ames]

I've been looking for a valve cover off a 626 but I'm not having much luck.
What years of other models will fit? Probe/MX6 weren't made anymore after 1997, right?

 

[mryellermp5]

Ebay actually has the 626 2.0L valave covers and u can get the powder coated watever color u want...depending which person u ask...

Aha, I knew there was something missing on my list of "spring cleanup/maintenance" for my car.

1. Mazda6 wagon rear wiper
2. 1.8 litre coilpacks, new wires, and some NGK ZFR6F-11 or ZFR7F-11s. I'll have to call some junkyards to see about sourcing a valve cover, there's gotta be 626s at the junkyards, and most people didn't get the V6.

I figure I probably need new coil packs soon anyway (79500 miles on original ones), and my plugs + wires are about 1k miles old but one of the plug wire boots got messed up already.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

Too bad us turbo guys can't run them... Unless you mount the coils over the intake mani.

 

[SilverProtege5]

I happen to see this post as I logged onto the forum. I have a 626 valve cover if anyone is interested.

Just e-mail me and I can send you a pic, I tried to sell it here a few months back with no luck. I don't post much but as you can see I have been here a while.

 

[CTt3P5]

sub-scrizzle