MX-3.com

I hope I wont get blasted here because I searched and came up with some different scenarios but my situation is somewhat unique IMO.

Anyway, I have both a 97 millenia 2.5 (automatic) and a 92 MX3 GS 1.8 (5spd). Engine seized on the MX after valve stem seal leak went unattended while I was out of town. Millenia needs water pump, catalytic converters (the expensive ones, $1000 just for the parts), and a list of other minor repairs. If I'm not mistaken, The Millenia has a straight intake and the MX has curved. So, I have both these cars parked in the same driveway for over a year wishing I had the extra cash lying around to fix them both, but being realistic I need to get one of them back on the road ASAP. I figure the MX is my best option.

While searching the forum here, I found reference to lots of things that dont apply to what I need most right now. Here's what I need to know:

1. Can I swap the Millenia engine into the MX?
2. If so, can I use the Millenia ECU and/or VAF?
3. Do I have to have a clutch from a 626/mx6/probe?
4. If not interchangable, is there anyway I can get 1 good engine form these 2?

I know this sounds cheap and maybe even lazy, but I already lost around $1000 dealing with some shady guy who basically took my money and left my car sitting at the house he was renting. I'm currently driving my mom's car and while I appreciate it, I can't keep doing that. If I can get my MX back on the road, it will be my daily driver.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance...

the millenia motor will fit but you need to shave down the bolts on your brake booster to get it to clear. you can use a mx3 clutch but it will burn down faster because it isnt made to handle the torque of the de. however a probe gt/mx6 clutch will fit in your mx3 tranny no problems. you can get a exedy oem clutch on ebay for around $100 and there pretty good quality. your millenia is obd2 so i doubt the ecu will hookup unless you switch to an obd2 harness. grab a mx6 ecu/vaf from the wreckers and you should be golden. you will also need to keep the thermostat sensor from your mx3 and tap it into the fill neck of the millenia. other then that i think the swap is pretty basic.

1st off theres alot of info on this site, it just requires time and patience, both your going to need to do a swap. All your answears are here just use search. Secondly as for your swap, I may not be 100% correct but you should be able to use the millenia motor but keep in mind your putting an obdII setup into an obdI vehicle so your either going to need to swap a bunch of parts or use the whole harness and such from the millenia. Also youll need to run the VAF from the 2.5 as well as get a larger clutch to hold the engine (so yes a clutch from a 626/mx6/probe is really needed, however you can use your mx flywheel) As for the ecu I dont know if you can use that but you can use one from a probe etc again. As for the intake you can either use it and swap a mx6 booster for clearance or you can buy the appropriate curved intake from a 2.5 and swap them. Also keep in mind if you go for the swap be sure to put a new t-belt on when you do the waterpump as its much easier out of the car.

mikeinaus wrote:the millenia motor will fit but you need to shave down the bolts on your brake booster to get it to clear. you can use a mx3 clutch but it will burn down faster because it isnt made to handle the torque of the de. however a probe gt/mx6 clutch will fit in your mx3 tranny no problems. you can get a exedy oem clutch on ebay for around $100 and there pretty good quality. your millenia is obd2 so i doubt the ecu will hookup unless you switch to an obd2 harness. grab a mx6 ecu/vaf from the wreckers and you should be golden. you will also need to keep the thermostat sensor from your mx3 and tap it into the fill neck of the millenia. other then that i think the swap is pretty basic.

^ what he said lol

yeah and make sure your egr is in good shape. that thing is a b---- to get at when its in the car. suck on the vacuum hose coming off the egr. if it you hear the valve open and it holds a vacuum then closes when you let it off its good. anything that looks hard to get at id replace if its looking worn.

Thanks for your quick and to the point answers. I will start looking for what I need and for some willing vounteers to help.

mx3 clutch and the probe/mx 6 clutches are all the same, so long as you go with a good upgraded clutch you will be fine, the v6 clutch bolts to all kl series flywheels. In fact almost everyone who does the swap uses the mx3 or lightened flywheel since the mx3 flywheel is much lighter than the mx6 or probe flywheel.