I got me an engine! (or: UK KL-ZE Swap...)

Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE · Post by **Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE** » May 12th, 2005, 11:35 am

Hi there,

I'm going to be attempting the swap within the next few weeks, and have a few questions that I'd really appreciate everyone's feedback on - reason being I'm operating under a tight budget and have to get this right, first time!!

First of all, my car is a 1994 "SE" MX-3 MT, apparently only 150 made, has limited edition wheels, leather/suede interior, A/C, elec sunroof etc. I've ran it from 97,000 to 113,000 with it's K8 engine and now feel the need to have that extra power.

So, I recieved "the call" today, apparently a jap specialist have a KL-ZE in England (I live in Scotland) which is in good condition, 55-60k miles avg, and will cost me £715 including tax and shipping ($1330). I'm OK with paying this if the engine is the real deal, but should I get them to send me some pictures of it? Apparently it's nothing but the engine (no extras, like tranny, dizzy etc - is this OK?).

I intend to buy the following to install with the new engine (from rr-racing.com):
Stage 1 clutch + fidanza flywheel
Magnecor HT leads
drilled rotors + carbon pads -OR- HS headers
straight-through 2.5" exhaust system

....
my question is:
Is there anything else I need to buy? I'm having a mechanic I know do the work for me, so is he able to use the existing tranny, distributor, wiring loom etc etc etc ?
Am I right in thinking I'll need to get a KL-ZE ECU? What about the VAF?
Should I insist on a curved neck ZE? Or if it's a straight neck how difficult is it to adapt?

Thanks a lot in advance, I estimate I'll have about £2250 to spend, so will be cutting it tight.

Cheers,
David

::edit::
Just had a thought - what about emissions? Does anyone know if it'll pass a UK MOT test? (guess it's a tough question for a canadian/american board...

)

Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE · Post by **Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE** » May 12th, 2005, 12:09 pm

Update!

Found another engine!!! I'm trying to be really careful to make sure I get a true KL-ZE, so the guy is sending pictures of it tomorrow morning. But it's only £464.13 including tax and shipping!!! He checked the TB for me, it's KL31 - any clues?

Cheers,
Dave

ccreech · Post by **ccreech** » May 12th, 2005, 12:20 pm

You can expect to not get the tranny and you don't need the disty...you have to use the k8 one anyway. The best way to tell if it is a KLZE is to look at the casting on the Head...right by the intake runners. A true ZE will read:

As for price I paid $1050 but I knew other people that had bought from the place before...does that price include shipping? If so Id say its not bad. You will want to get an Ecu...It will run with your K8 but KL31 or KL36 ECU's are recommended. Most people end up using a curved neck intake weather it came with the engine they purchased or if they had to pick one up from a scrapyard.

One More thing, go ahead and get the Stage IIR clutch from Rafi@RR-racing.com I think that the stage I is crappy. A friend of mine had problems with his I think

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » May 12th, 2005, 1:05 pm

Also get headers not brake parts. The headers are almost impossible to install with the engine in the car, so if you ever decide to get them you'll be kicking yourself if you already did the swap. Other than ECU, engine, clutch you should replace plenty of other things as well. Front and rear main seals and timing, water pump, timing pullies and tensioner. All those things get very hard to get to with the engine in.

UK_MX3 · Post by **UK_MX3** » May 12th, 2005, 2:43 pm

I started building up most of the parts to do a swap with. but then I dropped on an unused K8 from a mazda warehouse for a couple of hundred quid. This was far more economical and easier to do so thats what I decided on + I'm saving for an rx7 for next summer I'm almost 25

This board is like an ultimate resource for the swap.

There is a uk guy on here who knows quite a bit about the swap. but I'll suggest most things I can. Firstly I think it will pass uk emissions as the emissions tests for both engines are apparantly the same. Will you be telling your insurance??? I doubt it as I couldn't find an insurance company that would cover me on the transplant and if your older than me I guess you would just buy a big power car. An idea for you if not telling the insurance is to remove the engine code stamping maybe. If you crash this may be checked by an inspector. Apprantly the engine bay layout is a little bit different in relation to batteries etc (this is what i was told) and you'll get away with the manifold already on it. If your going to do it replace everything seems to be one of the main points, i.e: timing belt, water pump etc etc.

You'll find a thread on search which tell's you everything to replace.

Good luck! Will you be running this as a sleeper(unmodified) or are there more mods to come?

Gro Harlem · Post by **Gro Harlem** » May 12th, 2005, 6:23 pm

like i've said 200 times for the past couple days NO!

if it says KL31-101 on the heads it still could be a KLDE!

if if has a "KL31" stamped on the camshafts or throttle body, then it IS a klze.

THe newere KLDE's came with square-runner ports which means they came with the same cylinder heads as the KLZE. This is a BAD way to id a klze b/c you could still be getting a lower-compression KLDE.

mxmaz · Post by **mxmaz** » May 12th, 2005, 7:47 pm

Actually on the newer klde's the runners look square but the actual ports are still oval shaped like the old de IM's.

[img][img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/mxmaz/02626IMp.jpg[/img][/img]

Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE · Post by **Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE** » May 12th, 2005, 10:34 pm

Gro Harlem wrote: if if has a "KL31" stamped on the camshafts or throttle body, then it IS a klze.

Yeah dude the KL31 was identified as being on the throttle body !!!!!!!

I'm getting pics in a few hours, will post them up asap.

Thanks for the feedback so far guys, and to answer your question UK_MX3, I wont be telling insurance (I'm 20) and it wil be a sleeper (standard except 2.5" exhaust + meatier sounding backbox (but nothing over the top

))
Do you have any of the parts left from what you built up? If you could put me in touch with this guy that'd be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,
David

Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE · Post by **Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE** » May 13th, 2005, 7:03 am

Update!

I spoke to them again today, the main man in charge isn't 100% sure if it's a UK spec car or an Import (JDM). So I'm going to make the 5 hour round trip tomorrow to have a look at it and another they have...
SO..
What do I look for? I'll spend enough time there to find all the codes (bearing in mind the engine is still in the car)

New info today is that the VAF is KL02.

Thanks!

mxmaz · Post by **mxmaz** » May 13th, 2005, 9:32 am

What do u mean the vaf with the engine your looking at is kl02? That would be a klde if it is klze's us je50

Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE · Post by **Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE** » May 13th, 2005, 10:03 am

Yeah... after doing a search I realise this.. oh well. Back to the drawing board!

Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE · Post by **Dave-UK-MX3-V6-SE** » May 16th, 2005, 6:41 am

Update... and moving a little off topic...

After considering different things, such as, complications / parts sourcing / traction issues / upgradability / cost, I'm contemplating doing up my MX to sell, and buying a Nissan 200SX instead.

ECU reprogramme + performance exhaust = ~270bhp through the rear wheels, turbo fun... what you guys think?
At the same time I don't wanna leave the MX community!