1996 MX-3 KLZE Swap, Lack of Power

[Dest]

I recently Swapped A curve Neck KLZE engine into my 1996 MX-3 GS. The Swap went well and the engine fired up on the third day.In the transmission I replaced The pressure plate, Clutch disc, Throw out and pilot bearing, I replaced the water pump, and the Timing Belt as well as all other belts, Plug wiring set and new plugs. Passenger side fan was hooped as well so I replaced that lol. The engine seems to run fine but lacks alot of power, my 1.8 seemed to have more. I checked and fixed the timing last night and set the idle with the tps. Now im outta Idea's. Oh I also swapped in a KL02 VAF from a probe... let me know what you think.

Thanks in Advance

And yes I searched through other posts..

[kast2L]

I recently Swapped A curve Neck KLZE engine into my 1996 MX-3 GS. The Swap went well and the engine fired up on the third day.In the transmission I replaced The pressure plate, Clutch disc, Throw out and pilot bearing, I replaced the water pump, and the Timing Belt as well as all other belts, Plug wiring set and new plugs. Passenger side fan was hooped as well so I replaced that lol. The engine seems to run fine but lacks alot of power, my 1.8 seemed to have more. I checked and fixed the timing last night and set the idle with the tps. Now im outta Idea's. Oh I also swapped in a KL02 VAF from a probe... let me know what you think.

Thanks in Advance

And yes I searched through other posts..

Probably doesn't make that big of a difference but what cams do you have in there?

[onlytrueromeo]

If you're using the k8 ecu, you should use the k8 maf (I dont think its the kl02 maf, but the JE50). This will be found in the search. Also, talk to some of the guys (Daninski?) who have ZE's in later model OBD2 cars...they may be able to give some advice.


Did you check the heads to make sure it was a true ZE and not a KF?

Do a compression test - it's quick and easy.

Are you running stock exhaust? That will surely choke the engine a bit if it was designed for 1.8l and you're running a 2.5.

[Mooneggs]

are you sure both VRIS are working?

[Nd4SpdSe]

If you're using the k8 ecu, you should use the k8 maf (I dont think its the kl02 maf, but the JE50).

If your using a K8 motor ya, if you swap to a ZE, OBDI or OBDII, and you're keeping the K8 ECU, you need to use a KL02 VAF to lean out the mixture so it doesn't run as rich

Also, talk to some of the guys (Daninski?) who have ZE's in later model OBD2 cars...they may be able to give some advice.

Daninski is running a KL02 VAF

[onlytrueromeo]

Really? I always thought that you needed to use the JE50 w/ the K8 ecu (chipped at least)...hmm...now I needa look into this again.

[onlytrueromeo]

Ok, it seems that this topic is subject to some debate...people say both the JE50 and kl02 are better w/ the k8 ecu.

As far as OBD2,

As far as the 96 OBD2 goes use the KL02 VAF and your engine will run nice.

So I guess its not your kl02 thats the problem. If you still have the JE50, you can stick it in there and see if it does anything different, but doesn't sound like its the problem.


Have you checking your timing? Make sure to jump ten/gnd on the diagnostics board when you do this. This made a difference on my 92, but I dont know if OBDII makes things more difficult here as well.

[Dest]

Yeah, I checked the timing, jumping 10 to ground, I'm going to attempt to get a compression test today, So I will let you all know how that goes... I'm hoping for the best, I don't really want to pull this engine out and put another one in, but I will if I have to..and it is still covered under the "warranty."

Thanks again

[Dest]

Yeah, I jumped Ground to 10 and checked the timing, and adjusted it accordingly. I'm going to get a compression test done today if i Can. And I will let you all know what the results are. Not really to stoked on putting a another motor in, lol . So lets hope compression is good.

Thanks Again

[Nd4SpdSe]

You can NOT chip an OBDII ECU

The JE50 IS the stock Mx-3 VAF, and that's not ideal cause the ECU thinks you still have a K8 motor in there, so the KL02 VAF gives different air-flow measurements, which are more proper ones to run with a KL.

[onlytrueromeo]

Ya I know you can't chip a 96 ECU, only late 92 to 93, didn't mean to quote his whole post! Oops!

[Nd4SpdSe]

Actually only late-92 to 95 OBDI. OBDI exited in 94 and 95. It was typical for 94's, but only seldom in 95's to have OBDI.

96's are 100% OBDII, but they where what most 95's came in and a few 94's, but regardless, you can't chip any OBDII no matter the year

[ramsen25]

what do you have your pressure regulator set to im just finished running a obd2 ze to i put a adjustable pressure regulator in and its set to 45 psi

[solo_ryder]

He has the stock kl fpr. Iam gonna check the motor over when I go to kelowna this weekend.

It is a true klze with kl01 cams, even if the vris isn't working it should still be faster then the k8. I am gonna play with the ecu/vaf combos to see what is going on.

[Dest]

Ok, So I Had a friend who is a heavy duty mechanic helping me put the engine in and apparently he had 2 of the plug wires crossed.... I could KILL him..lol, and yes my car is much much faster now... so that is one issue solved... Now the engine seems to sporadically surge between 1000 and 1500 rpm's..