Thinking of buying an MX-3

[shawnjohn32]

I think its a deal a 1992 MX3 (tranny issue) seller wants a $1000.00 for the car. I have a Taurus 3.8L engine I thought about putting in it iplace of the 1.8L Any thoughts

[onlytrueromeo]

Taurus engine will not fit in MX3 without alot of work. I'm guessing the mx3 is an auto because you said it had a tranny issue? Instead of trying to put that engine in, convert the car to manual, and drop a BP in it. It'll be alot cheaper and more straightforward.

Also, try to talk the guy down if you can...if the car is mint besides the tranny thats an awesome price, but if the paint is bad, interior ripping, few rust spots, I'd offer like 750-800. You can try lower too.

[Savin]

That engine is a NO GO! It will only work with tons of $$$$ and time. In the end, you'd only get 10hp gain. That is, if the taurus 3.8L has the same hp rating as the 3.8L T-bird HP of 140, which I'm almost sure it does.

Even still, why swap out a motor, when its the tranny that is causing the issue?
If its a MTX, swap it out for another one.
If its ATX, convert to MTX. (the auto's are crap)

Next off, is SEARCH! I know you had an idea to swap out for a 3.8, but search for other V6 engines that WILL work. I won't tell you the motors or transmissions that you can use because I don't want to spoon feed you. You just need to search the V6 tech section, the V6 FAQ, and the Transmission section; you will EVERYTHING you need to know.

I might be sounding like an a--, but too many people lately are having ideas to mutilate their cars. (targa top, chevy big block, etc). There is just a much easier solution to you question you ask.

The "seach" button is at the top of the page under the mx-3, just in case you didn't see it....

Oh, Romeo, i think its the V6 1.8, lol not a BP 1.8

[Daninski]

Take a look under the car. These's a rust issue where the rear end joins onto the frame rails if you live in an area where they use salt on the roads.

[shawnjohn32]

I really would like to put the biggest engine possible in the car. I'd like to take it to UT and see if I could make it into the 150 club at the salt flats. there is a little rust, but not much. paint is in good shape. I've always loved the car - just not sure how to make it comp. at the salt flats. I'm more of a muscle car guy - whose always liked the rice burners.

[onlytrueromeo]

If you want top end, a bigger engine isn't gunna help that. You can swap trannys and then swap out the 5th gear and final drive for a ridiculously big ratio, definitly getting you to that 150 range...just beware that mx3's arent designed to go that fast, so make sure your brakes and suspension are in good shape! A BP is your best upgrade into that car, or a BPT. Yes it's only a 1.8L engine, but it's got 130 HP and you can turbo it and make quite a bit of power.

[shawnjohn32]

I was thinking - Lotus or Porch suspension. Good idea on the gearing should have tought of that. Guess that's why I'm here. Is it a bad idea to try the 150 club with this car? maybe the 626 would be better. I just think the wgt to hp ratio would be detter in the mx3. may be deadly, but isn't that half the fun

[fowljesse]

A few guys have done about 150 with the KLZE swap, and 626 tranny. You could do it pretty easily, especially compared to swapping the suspension you mentioned. If I put a tall gear in mine, and tall skinny tires, I could go 150 with my setup. I've been to about 140 with some throttle left, and I have short gears. The car felt solid. My mods are below

[onlytrueromeo]

Definitely not a bad idea to try it, I would just make sure the car is in good condition before you do

[Nd4SpdSe]

The biggest motor you can easilly fit in your Mx-3, and would be the best option in terms of cost and ease of install because you have a GS, is the Japanese 2.5L V6 known as the KLZE. It's output is 198hp. The most powerful is the rare GTR version of the BPT, a turbo 1.8L 4cyl that's rated for 210hp, the GTX is 180hp, but it's much easlier to get more power from a factory turbo motor. As well, the 4cyl conversion from a V6 is much more involved, but all bolt in.

Turbo-in a K8 is the least-feasable option as it's not a strong motor and it has pretty much no aftermarket if you want to upgrade the internals for more power. Usually most people do with the North American version of the 2.5L, the KLDE, and turbo that. Most perfer it since it's lower compression to run higher boost. There's plenty of turbo and swap information if you search for it around here and on probetalk.com.

Porsche or Lotus suspension...man, you'd pay more for that than you did for the car itself. There's good aftermarket suspension setups you can get for the Mx-3, or even modify some k-sport Mx-6 suspension I believe.

You can just get past the 150mph mark with the Mx-3 trans, the mx-6 i believe gets you about another 10km/h or mph, not sure. The fastest I've seen myself go is 235km/h, which is about 146mph, with just a few hundred rpm to go...but at those speeds you don't pay too much attention to the cluster. My car too was dyno'd at a measly 148whp too. My car handled those speeds beautifully, of course you get alot more wind noise, but other than that it was like it was built for those speeds. Mind you, my car is far form stock too.