Swap K8 for KLZE

[JDMChris]

As I was told, due to strict emission laws in Japan, they are to change motors after 60k. Thus the large am mound of second hand jdm motors.

Not sure if that is true or not.. But still.

If I were to swap my K8 (340k) for a KLZE.. Does anyone know a reputable site to look at?
I was shown tigerjapan.. N it looks like they go for 1300 shipped plus duties (advertised 35-40k miles) that's kinda cheap sooo.. Any thoughts?

[Evo_Spec]

i hear a bunch of people saying bad things about tigerjapan but i really don't remember too well but i know some members here will be able to give you more detail

[JDMChris]

Jdmtigerjapan is located in Toronto, like 30 mins away from me.. I can go there and take a look myself. I have also heard bad things tho.. Interesting how there rep on eBay is soo good (975/100%)

[RobMinhas]

From what I've heard about TigertJapan they misadvertise their products. Doing stuff like giving KLZE specs for KLDE engines and claiming engines have lower mileage then they obviously do. However if you could actually go there yourself and speak to someone there, you may end up having a better experience with them.

[MrMazda92]

For $1,300... If it were me, I'd buy a Junkyard KLG4, KL31 Cams, ZE Flat top Pistons, and do a basic rebuild. If you are planning to do anything more extensive, I'd look into having the G4 heads machined. If you're not planning to have major machining done, you'll see more power from the KL31 heads.

Basically...

$100-500 - Junkyard KLG4, which you get to inspect yourself, in person.
$75-150 - KL31 cams, from the forums. Get GOOD pictures first, just to be safe.
Rebuild kits vary in price, but expect to pay between $300-600 if you get a full "kit". Flatlander offers a kit that I believe rings in around $550, which includes pistons(standard or oversized), which allows you to save on the next point.
$100-200 - ZE Pistons, if you buy used, they'll likely be standard sized. Buying them with a rebuild kit helps out here.
$xx-xxx Clutch of your choice, there is a lot of feedback on this forum regarding this. Budgeting for $150 is a good idea.
$100-300 - Various costs, such as O2 sensors, Coolant Temp sensors, pulleys, etc. Much of it can be swapped over from your K8 as you swap.

Basically, it's more work... but you know damned well what's going into your car, and it's basically 0 miles. If the idea of building it is daunting, and you don't have the funds to pay a shop to do it... Then buying from an importer isn't a bad idea.

There's always a junkyard KLDE/KLG4 too, just bolting it in for $100-500 + the cost of a clutch.

[Daninski]

I went to Tigerjap and the mechanic broken a corner off the block removing the trans and they loaded the engine into my truck and never said a word. I did a last chance inspection, found the damage and even then they refused to refund my money without holding back a deposit. I've heard of a lot of people who they screwed over and not one of them got any satisfaction when they complained. Go ahead, buy from them but know exactly how to inspect an engine and what your looking for first. Oh and bring a flash lite, they keep it nice and dark where the engines are. IMO

[Pritchett]

Tigerjap sucks, shipped me out a wreck of an engine...see here
http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=74499
after screwing me over, and a lengthy BBB case, they offered me $100 in compensation..I basically told them to shove it

Jdmsource out of calgary were a little more expensive but the product i got was top notch and after 900 HARD km's its still running and has destroyed my k8 tranny. 900km isnt alot but i got less then 10 with the one from tigerjap.

[Daninski]

Here's a place in Montreal, I believe nitefire bought from them. You could check his worklog I'm too lazy. http://japandomesticmotor.com/jdm-engines/Mazda

[wytbishop]

DO NOT BUY AN ENGINE FROM TIGERJAPAN. THEY ARE CRIMINALS.

You would be doing the entire tuner culture a disservice by spending your money there. And $1300 is not that good. It would be worth your time to drive to Montreal.

[RX8SE3P]

Like others have said, the mythical KLZE performance is basically achieved with some KL31 cams and headers. Easy as that.

You'd be better off with a cheap sub $500 engine, do some work on it, such as timing belts, a few gaskets etc. Plonk some KL31 cams and Ebay headers in. It will go hard and still be cheaper than a POS gunker engine from TigerJapan.

[wytbishop]

I humbly disagree with MrMazda and RX8SE3P on the point of buying a junk yard engine. At the very least with a junk yard engine you are faced with the decision of whether to rebuild or run it and see. You don't seem like the type of guy who wants to do a rebuild, and run it and see is never a good idea.

There have got to be 10 importers within a 2 hour drive of you in southern Ont. Ask around, find one with a good reputation and go buy an engine that you can drop in with confidence. It is an easy swap and you should be able to get the engine for under $1000.

[wagZE]

I used to put klze's in my mx-3's & mx-6's over the years ... After blowing a few of them (4) I have come to the conclusion that pulling a kl-de from a junkyard is way cheaper & worthwhile. You can always buy cams later on, & as far as the klze high compression pistons go, they require premium gas (costs you more) & also you will be getting worse gas mileage for an extra 15-20 horses. If you can find a mazda 626 or mazda millenia with a bad transmission for $500 on craigslist & take the motor out then sell the car for scrap metal you will have an engine for free or under $200. I really recommend that, or just pulling one from your local junkyard. I have had very good luck with junkyard motors. Colt makes really nice cams for the klde also, so you don't have to put used klze cams in.
thats my 2 cents on the subject.
Good clutches for under $130 are Exedy & XTD -from my experience. I have under $600 into my mx-3 as it sits counting the car itself, but plenty of hours of my time.

[Nd4SpdSe]

you will be getting worse gas mileage for an extra 15-20 horses.

I'd completely disagree there, historically speaking we got better-than-k8 mileage on our ZE's, but I also knew only a few people that actually ran DE's. Could ask Duncan, he ran a DE and a ZE, see if his ZE was worse than his DE mileage wise, but he was right on par with the rest of us with his ZE, I know that.

Mind you, recently speaking, since it seems impossible to get over 30mpg in a ZE Mx-3 anymore, you're statement may hold true for the current generation.

[MrMazda92]

Nd4Spd, I think it's in how people drive.

I drive a '98 Toyota Camry(2.2l I4) daily right now, and It's rated at "20 MPG city". I get an average of 28, my most recent fillup(today) pushed me over 31.

Learn the transmission, accelerate slowly, and you can see 30+ in any well running MX-3. There'll be exceptions, like those members who somehow get sub 20 MPG for no apparent reason... I'm glad neither of my cars do that to me.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Nd4Spd, I think it's in how people drive.

I drive a '98 Toyota Camry(2.2l I4) daily right now, and It's rated at "20 MPG city". I get an average of 28, my most recent fillup(today) pushed me over 31.

Learn the transmission, accelerate slowly, and you can see 30+ in any well running MX-3. There'll be exceptions, like those members who somehow get sub 20 MPG for no apparent reason... I'm glad neither of my cars do that to me.

Not even close, we drove like maniacs and never took it easy, haha!

30.76MPG

http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... .5#p474124

Best I've done is 510km on 39L

10.30271 gallons to 316.899308 miles = 30.76MPG

So my Mx-3 averaged about 31MPG. I used to get upto 450 on 31L with my KL36, which is about 34MPG. Those numbers usually involve hard driving too. That 510km tank we must of averaged 160km/h that trip, hitting over 200 frequently, made awesome time cutting about 2 hours off normally a 6+ hour trip. I've never tried a driving in a "pure economy" mode, but considering how well she was on gas, and how fun she's to drive, why would I want to, lol.