most poweful engine swap mazda tribute/mpv 3.0 AJ-DE engine?

[lucifernl]

hi all

my klze is cilinder is cracked.
and i have a question is there a more powerful engine than the klze longneck?

is the mazda 3.0 tribute/mpv 3.0 AJ-DE v6 possible to swap?
maybe someone some suggestions?



greetings kevin

[Daninski]

There was a little discussion regarding a newer replacement engine for the KLZE. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=80298&hilit=replace+klze

[Inodoro Pereyra]

The AJ is really a duratec 30. It produces (for the MPV) 201 bhp, so, IMO, it's not worth the trouble.
That said, if you REALLY (for whatever reasons) want to make the swap, you can, but it's gonna be a royal PITA.
Not to mention that, being a Ford engine, it's probably gonna weigh a ton...

[lucifernl]

what could be the best replacment for the klze longneck?
or is the longneck the best swap engine for the MX-3?

[Inodoro Pereyra]

AFAIK, yes, the best swap for the mx3 is the ZE. Best bang for the buck, easiest, and most powerful.
You can swap in other engines, but the custom work is gonna be extensive.

[Redline322]

If a klze isnt enough power, you could always go with some form of forced induction. You'd also need a standalone system to manage your additional spark and fuel demand along with all the normal hardware. Going with the Duratec isnt impossible, they are not much heavier than the klze and pretty close to the same dimensions, but you'd need a 5 speed trans from either a mazda 6 or mercury cougar, plus custom axles and to basically rebuild the front subframe to use the motor mount system they use. Instead of the mounts on driver and passenger sides plus the trans mounts in the middle of the crossmember, they use mounts at the front and rear corners of the trans and the front passenger corner of the engine, where there is no metal to adapt for mounting at all. If you are good at welding and dont mind a challenge, it should work, but the extra time and cost will be comparable to a forced induction setup. Ideally if you could find a wrecked mazda 6 donor car for cheap, that would give you most of what you'd need. Also, the duratec 3.0 ranged between 200bhp-240ish depending on the year and model, so it would put you in a comparable power range as a forced induction setup with newer and more available parts and the ability to pass newer emission standards.

[MrMazda92]

The Duratec is probably our best bet for a non-conventional FWD V6 swap.

Overall dimensions and weight are the real determining factors as to whether it will work or not. Custom axles and mounts, custom shift linkages, and either aftermarket EMS or grab>go with the Ford goodies, and you could probably make this happen for under $1,500.

Why? Duratecs are a dime a dozen. Low mileage donor car? Ford Taurus from the late 90s and early 2000s, the auto trans bit the farm at ~100-120K in those cars. I had one in my driveway for a long time, if I had the money I would have swapped it myself... I took pictures and a few measurements, but those all went bye-bye when my ex took my external hard-drive.

[lucifernl]

does someone have pics from the engine bay and/or the motor mounts from the duratec.
becouse i am intrested in doing this swap.
is this swap be done by someone?
i have good welding skills and i am a mechatronic mechanic.

because my klze cracked and need a other engine why not the duratec lol

[wytbishop]

The only really good reason I can think of to try the Duratec swap, aside from just to be unique, is if it has more robust transmission options. Otherwise, for the money you spend doing that you could easily make more power than your stock tranny will hold in a ZE with forced induction.

[Sleeper6]

What is cracked on yours, the head or the short block?

[lucifernl]

cilinder 4 cracked




cilinder 6 broken retrainer valve dropped

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Nice...!

Luciferni, where do you live?

[lucifernl]

i live in the Netherlands.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Then, if you're gonna go through the trouble of custom fitting an engine to the mx3, can't you get a 3.5 L Renault Laguna V6?

I mean, if you're gonna go big...

[lucifernl]

it must be a look a like of the stock engine.
if the police see that you have another engine you loose your car papers.