Questions about the MX-3(precidia)

[mazdaspeedpower]

Hello, my friend is looking into purchasing a 92 or 93 Mazda MX-3 of this chick he knows. It's a v-6 5speed. It's slightly modded(intake, exhaust, lowered, rims, stereo...etc). Is there any major problems or anything he should look for or be concerned about? Thanks for the help people.

 

[xelderx]

Nothing that I'm aware of. The V6 5-speed is the model to have. Plenty of upgrades for the motor if you dig hard enough. Corksport has a few things listed. There is a local guy here with that motor in an MX6 who did a custom twin turbo setup. I think he was in the 12's last time I heard from him.

 

[ForceFed]

I like MX3's...I would have one with the big motor...Didn't they offer these things with T-Tops too?

I can't remember but I think they are sweet.
Matt

 

[UnNaturalinc]

I'm about 99% sure there was never a T-Top model MX-3....

There's better options for making an MX-3 fast if you get the DOHA 4cyl model. The BPT (turbocharged 1.8L) fits in well. There's also KLZE (Japanese motor w/ 200hp) that bolts into the V-6 models.

One thing that has shown to be a problem with K-Series is cylinder #6 sometimes suffers from oil starvation causing the motor to blow. Even happened to my ex's MX-6. Other than that, there's not really any 'defects' that happen often.

 

[xelderx]

I just picked up the June issue of Grassroots Motorsports Magazine. They have a 4 page article on the MX-3 and it really does a good job of laying out the possabilities as well as good sources for upgrades. Go to the newstand and get a copy.

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

will do. WHats the cover look like so it's easier to find

 

[xelderx]

will do. WHats the cover look like so it's easier to find

http://grmotorsports.com/

 

[Geezer000]

I own an MX-3 v6. So far the only things you have to worry about is if it has a STOCK ORIGINAL distributar it will eventually go on you. If it has been replaced, no problems then. Also the left front CV-joint will go about once every 2 years if driven hard. Also the sway bar end links will go about once every 2 years if the car has been lowered.
Other then that mine has 250,000k's on her and is still running strong. I'm trying to blow it but no dice(Want KL-ZE
I rev it out to redline atleast 5-10 a day and it just keeps on ticking. Still have original clutch, timing belt, o2 sensors, yadda yadda. You get the idea.
And I still love it to death.
If you have any questions just let me know.

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

well, sounds like it holds up to some abuse anyways. are there any good sites/companies for mods or any boards out there dedicated to the MX-3. My friend is really getting interested in this car, and is interested in modding it, so any help for him would be cool.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

are there any good sites/companies for mods or any boards out there dedicated to the MX-3.

www.probetalk.com
www.mx-3.com
www.mx6.com

 

[Davect06607]

I beleive your talking about the kl-03 v6 engine. 165hp at the crank.
Distrubitors are notorious for failing. If the timing belt hasn't been done around 100k, you can expect that to fail. Those are the two most problems
that I can think of.

 

[Geezer000]

I beleive your talking about the kl-03 v6 engine. 165hp at the crank.
Distrubitors are notorious for failing. If the timing belt hasn't been done around 100k, you can expect that to fail. Those are the two most problems
that I can think of.

Actually the K8 (1.8L) and KL03 (North American 2.5L) both have problems with the distributor and timing belts. I'm just letting him know what mine has gone through.
The two engines are pretty much exactly the same except for the Bore x Stroke. Aside from a different intake and tuning that is.

 

[Davect06607]

k8 comes in the mx3, not the kl03? Sorry never was too much of a mx3 guy. (stoned)

 

[Geezer000]

yup the K8 is in the MX-3.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

KL_03 is not the actual engine code. That's some term that was generated on forums years ago. It's actually a KLD (I think KLDE even). The topic of many discussion in years past. The KLD came in the Probe, MX6, 626, and Millenia and K8 came in the MX-3 (all V-6 models of course).

Did someone say timing belt at 100k? (uhm) You're suppose to change the timing belt in most ANY car at around 60k.... cars with a standard rubber belts like that. That's not a "problem" with that engine, it's a wear part that needs replaced. Luckily, the K-series are non-interference motors so breaking a belt while driving won't take out your entire valve train. But it's never a good pratice to let the belt break on it's own.

I the distributor is a problem however.... I had my Probe for around 5 years. I replaced the distributor on two occasions. I had heard of people fixing/rebuilding them, but I'm not sure what that entailed.

 

[Geezer000]

Some people rewired an external ignition coil but as far as I know you need a KLZE distributor cap for that. I don't know the exact details though. I thought that you only face the distributor issue if you replace the stock disty with a stock disty? I bought a rebuilt one and it's been great.
Ya, I don't know whats with my timing belt but its just crazy. The only reason I'm not replacing it yet because I know it's a 10hour job. I was going to wait for either the timing belt to go or the clutch to go and then I'm going to be ripping everything out and putting a new KLZE-Clutch-Tranny-Timing belt on KLZE. So its just a waiting game right now. Although I think my clutch is the first thing thats gonna go. heh

 

[UnNaturalinc]

The only reason I'm not replacing it yet because I know it's a 10hour job. I was going to wait for either the timing belt to go or the clutch to go and then I'm going to be ripping everything out and putting a new KLZE-Clutch-Tranny-Timing belt on KLZE. So its just a waiting game right now. Although I think my clutch is the first thing thats gonna go. heh

10hours!? I think the dealer only bills 6 hours for it. If you know where the bolts are and have the right set of tools it can be done in 4 hours by yourself. I've probably done it on those cars half a dozen times though.

The hardest part is getting the cams lined up... they like to move and mess everything up. And the tensioner pin is kind of a pain to deal with also.

Do a water pump at the same time as the timing belt.... I'd probably do all the belts at the same time actually. But yes, they're friggin deap down in there.

 

[ray w on boost]

i got a k8 (mx3) mortor 4sale if anyone is interested. And also a klo3 block. pm me

 

[z00mer]

The MX-3 is a very capable platform. One of my buds just spent 1.5yrs doing a complete conversion on his 4cyl MX-3. He did a complete swap with a drive train and engine from an 88 GTX. He said he got the idea out of a Sport Compact mag. They had an article on a MX-3 which they called: Mighty Mouse.

Nonetheless....he has one fast as hell MX-3 !!!

Hell..... after seeing what he did to his, makes me want to get one and do the same thing (evil) !

 

[UnNaturalinc]

The MX-3 is a very capable platform. One of my buds just spent 1.5yrs doing a complete conversion on his 4cyl MX-3. He did a complete swap with a drive train and engine from an 88 GTX.

So he built an BPT powered AWD MX-3? (boom01)

Those BPT's are amazing motors... especially for how old they are.