IceQueen and CaffeineTripp - 1993 MX-3 Base

[CaffeineTripp]

Well, I figure we'll start off with the purchase of the 1993 MX-3. Got it from a Mazda dealership in Minnetonka, MN. Pretty cheap, and in pretty darn clean condition considering it's been in Minnesota for nine years.
This is the girlfriend's car (IceQueen), and she's got some decent plans with it. She's been searching for this vehicle for a good nine months or so. There are quite the amount of plans with this car, so, let's get started with some pictures.







Not the ideal color, and not the ideal engine, but it's a project! The exterior has some surface rust near the windshield in three spots, and one at the rear hatch just below the glass on the passenger side. A crinkle dent is near the gas door. Other than that, she's quite clean. Paint is great, no accidents, and a decently clean engine bay, that is unaltered.

Our plans are to swap in the B6-D, after a rebuild of that engine, add a turbocharged, some intercooler piping, and other 'miscellaneous' parts, and she'll have herself a good weekend/daily driver car.
Neither of us know in-depth about the current engine, the B6-D, or much else about the vehicle, but that's where you all come in of course. Lots of reading to do.

We'll end up starting with a few parts, something minimal and usual; intake, header, and exhaust. Save for a gloss black paint job, wheels and tires. The plan for the intake is to create a custom one from a swapped throttle body (and ported intake to match) using intercooler piping from SiliconeIntakes.com.
As for the header, we've been looking at the Cork Sport header, or even going the length of having one custom made. Of course, this depends on if the route for the engine is N/A or turbo.
As for the exhaust, as we understand it, it should bolt up no matter which engine, despite the K8/KL, by going with a 2.5" header back, no catalytic converter as there are no emissions laws here in Minnesota. Yet.
However, the one thing that I'm worried about is scavenging from the exhaust pulses, so possible just 2". Looking at a muffler that doesn't sound like a beehive, and nothing with a giant fart can tip on the back. Something subtle, yet able to flow what we're looking to do, yet give a nice sound. Thinking a Magnaflow. Of course, the exhaust system would be a custom mandrel-bent job done locally. Not going to even think about purchasing a PaceSetter exhaust system. I've heard them, dealt with them, and they're junk as far as I'm concerned.

[Daninski]

Looks like you picked up a pretty minty looking car. Welcome to the site and good luck with the car. There isn't any question you can't get help here with and as far as parts go there's always stuff for sale (see [FS] section).

[CaffeineTripp]

True. There seems to be quite a bit for sale in the FS/FT. There aren't too many salvage yards up where I live, two within driving distance easily, but the third's a bit far. And I highly doubt they have any MX-3s there. Happen to know of any online OEM part distributors? Specifically interior pieces, or have they all been discontinued into oblivion?

[SuperK]

So you can kinda get more of a bearing of where you're going with the car, and your plans, some basic stuff you may find helpful:

scrap the B6D idea. You'll end up in a wiring mess that will not be worth the result for the same 1.6l engine. Look for a BP. it's easier swap, bigger engine, and a lot easier to source parts for. That way you can start researching that engine.

All B series engines are very loud. They become really "tinny" sounding if you don't run a resonator midway, so whatever exhaust you look for, get a resonator! Magnaflow and Flowmaster make some good mufflers in my opinion. Flowmaster 60 series is their best offering, not sure about magnaflow. there's some pictures of my old set up here:http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=61707

If you decide to do interior, that's going to be a tough one. Most interiors are black paneled-and-dashed ones... so getting replacement parts may end up in mismatched colors. You'd want a full 92-93 donor car interior to convert to. A 94-95 donor is possible but prepare to cry a lot. It's a lot of work, and it's not all bolt-in plug-and-play.

Don't get too overwhelmed! Just take it one project at a time, keep in budget, and if you need anything, ask!

[CaffeineTripp]

Sounds good, we'll keep that engine in mind definitely, especially considering a wiring harness nightmare. BPs outta the Miata correct?

As far as interior goes, the most that we'd be replacing are just some odds and ends; rear top seat, wiper switch arm (or the whole assembly if it comes to it), handbrake boot and button. Not a whole hell of a lot. The rest of the interior's in decent condition; save the seats are torn, but no big deal there.

[SuperK]

not the miata, you're looking at a 93 escort GT or protege.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_B_engine#BP

A OBD1 BP from a transverse mounted car will do. Miata is longitudinal mounted (RWD) so it doesn't count.

[CaffeineTripp]

Just took a look at Wikipedia while at work, seems that's the one that we may get instead of the B6-D. Now, just gotta find a donor engine that we can rip out and purchase on the cheap.
Though this may have been asked plenty of times, which I'm sure it has since you guys seem to have done absolutely everything to every kind of engine, but how well does the BP, not the BPT, like boost? On a rebuilt engine of course with supporting modifications of pistons, bearings, valves, and so on. Being a naturally aspirated engine and going turbo can sometimes do wear and tear on things that were meant to be quite solid; rods, crank, cam(s). Really, the only thing that I'd be worried about doing during the rebuild is the pistons, a full bearing set, head rebuild hopefully including some machining of the head just to open it up a little bit, and maybe a pair of aftermarket/reground cams.
Still getting the hang of everything on all the different engine choices, the swappable parts between them all. Lots and lots of reading to do in the FAQS let alone the worklogs. In any case, thanks for the info!

[mikeinaus]

if you did a rebuild and used good parts i believe it would be just as strong. im not 100% sure about the 4 bangers but i believe the bp and bpt are almost identical internally? dont quote me on that

what kind of numbers are you getting on your talon? specs sound nice...

[mx-3_4evr]

Welcome to MX-3.com! I have a bunch of parts still if you need any from my MX-3 part out. As far as going B6DE, it would be a waist of time, the BP 1.8L or the FE3N are better engine choices as far as more HP for the $. PM me if I can help you with anything, I like meeting new MX-3 owners

[CaffeineTripp]

Good/bad to hear about the part out of the MX-3. Mostly interior pieces we'll be looking for.
Time to do some more research and see if the N/A and turbo BPs have the same internals, save the pistons. Lower CR will be a bit better. Wonder what the stock bottom end can hold for horsepower on boost.

The Talon's pushing, according to DSMLink, which I don't consider to be that good at estimating horsepower, 244. Which isn't bad, but I haven't gotten it on the rollers yet to figure out what it's actually laying down. I would estimate between 210-230. Last time I had it at a shop to get it on the dyno a brake line popped. Nope, not a hose, a line. lol Bad day. She's a quick little car all right, but terrible in the snow, even though it's AWD. Tires are too wide and not enough tread. 'Hydroplanes' all over the place doing 30 on an inch of snow, so it's parked for the winter until new wheels and tires can be afforded for the winter/fun driving. Carting around in an '86 Jeep Comanche Custom for the winter.

[mx-3_4evr]

Here is a simple run down of what you should do for a bp swap.
-junk yard bp engine with good compression
-gtx turbo set up with gtr intake manifold
-gtx/gtr cams
-gtx ecu
-g series transmission, flywheel, and axles
-eBay 6 puck clutch out of a mx-6 2.5l v6
-eBay intercooler set up
-boost controller
-turbo supra vaf
-boost controller set at 14psi
-port wastegate

That would make the mx-3 a fun daily driver.

[RS_OBD'oh_2]

for B6 turbo, my log:
http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=69074
and Mike is a BP GOD. If you have not seen his log, it's a must read if a BP is in your future.
http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=62251

and no ebay clutches.

[mx-3_4evr]

LOL! Not worth buying a nice clutch, they are all the same. Plus is not like it will be making more than 300whp

[CaffeineTripp]

for B6 turbo, my log:
http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=69074
and Mike is a BP GOD. If you have not seen his log, it's a must read if a BP is in your future.
http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=62251

and no ebay clutches.

I second that. Not going name brand on everything here, but on a clutch, yeah, definitely buying name brand. Rather it be expensive and work forever than cheap and burn off the surface in two weeks after a few hard launches.

[CaffeineTripp]

For IceQueen's birthday I got her a set of front speakers, Infinity Reference 6502ix. Decided to do a custom install, rather than just putting the speakers in the doors and being done. It's decently clean, but I'm going to do a little more cutting to the OE speaker grill and put a rubber surround around it so there's no jagged edges left.





The speakers mounted perfectly with the brackets provided by Infinity, though Crutchfield didn't supply a wiring connector, it was no big deal to push the wires out of the Mazda's factory connector and crimp them to the speakers, even got to retain the OE connectors.
Next up for A/V is to get the rears done with the same brand and model of speakers along with getting an amp and an 8" or 10" sub to round out the frequencies.
Replaced the old CD player, some Panasonic, with a Sony DSX-S200X Digital Media Receiver. No CD drive, but a pocket for an iPod and a good interface.

Since the previous photos aren't that great, here's some better pictures.





Though everyone must know what the 1.6 SOHC looks like, figured I'd get a picture up of a rather nice clean engine bay.



Performance wise, for the time being, we'll end up doing a 2" manifold back exhaust system into either a Magnaflow or a Dynomax muffler. Want to keep it a nice low, resonant tone without sounding like you're at WOT at all times. Good to cruise with and sounds nice when you get on it.
Comparing shifting from the Eclipse to the MX-3 there's a world of difference. The stock shifter will definitely have to go. Time for a short shifter with a heavier shift knob and a new shift boot.