Funny but real swap question

[kulluminati777]

When your taking out a K8 from the MX-3 can you use the MX-3 exhaust (manifold, muffler) and also when you do the engine swap do you need the DE ecu? When you have a HEI and external coil do you have to wire it up like you would on the MX-3 or do you wire it up like you would on a MX-6.....

[AaronTietje]

I'm quite sure the exhaust will bolt right up. (I put in stainless probe headers and that requires work to the exhaust in my car because the ypipe is longer). I would use a kl01 or klo7 ecu. (assuming your mx3 is a 92 or 93) Also, if your car is a 92-93 then the disty's from the 93-94 probe will work as well as the ecus that I mentioned. I don't think that you will have to rewire your HEI.

[Nd4SpdSe]

When your taking out a K8 from the MX-3 can you use the MX-3 exhaust (manifold, muffler)

K8 manifold won't work on a KL, you need the KL manifolds. Exhaust and the rest are fine, restrictive but fine.

When you have a HEI and external coil do you have to wire it up like you would on the MX-3 or do you wire it up like you would on a MX-6.

You wire it up for the wiring harness that's in your car. Harness/disty change on the year.

and also when you do the engine swap do you need the DE ecu?

[RobMinhas]

Slightly unrelated but is there a KL-ZE/DE swap guide on the forum? My searching skills seem to be weak as I can't find one and I'm almost certain that I've seen one before.

[kulluminati777]

ok im just making sure, ill take the MX-6 ecu out with the engine

ok so the K8 manifold will not work got it, I have the KLDE manifolds in the closet..i have cheap EBAY headers on the KLDE now, but something tells me i dont want to use those anymore and i dont want to modify anything (i understand you have to mod the crossmember but i dont want to touch the SRD cross member i have) im looking for the most bolt on approach as possible with out any modification ( i also want to keep my mazdaspeed back box)


Basically im trying to put a DE with a little more horses into my grocery getter...im not trying to win any autocross races or be on best motoring international (the greatest show of all time) i just dont want the MX-3 left at every stop light and i have to swap the engine anyway so why put another K8 in it

[marcdh]

Why won't the k8 exhaust manifolds work? I see no reason for this, unless you have bizarre manifolds over there.

I'd run the ebay headers if I were you. Yes they're 4-6" too long or whatever and require a bit of tweaking but when you compare them to the OEM logs they appear much more free flowing.

[kulluminati777]

i understand the headers would be better for the car, but is it just the headers that need modification? if there is something else id rather just stick with the manifolds for now

[mikeinaus]

some ebay headers had crappy quality control and didnt fit the engine properly as far as i know. something about them rubbing on the oil pan or being too short. the clearance issues with the cross member i believe had more to do with people having problems with turbos and larger piping, and not headers... the only other real problem is the flange where it connects to the cat is about 8" longer on headers so you will need to cut your exhaust and weld on a new flange for it to work.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Why won't the k8 exhaust manifolds work? I see no reason for this, unless you have bizarre manifolds over there.

Yep, the K8 is unique like that. DE and ZEs use the same exhaust primaries but the K8 one is different, so the K8 y-pipe won't line up with the rear bank I believe, and the MX-6/Probe y-pipe won't line up with that K8 primary. I already tried that with my ZE.

I think that's it. This was info that was given to me by CurtKLZE before or around my ZE swap, so we're talking about 2002-2003 here.

[Ryan]

Correct that the orientation of the bolts on the primary to y-pipe flange changes between K8 and KL. Depends what ypipe you wanna use. To bolt back onto your exhaust, you want K8. As far as I know, they're the same anyway.

The only headers that require modification of the crossmember are the Pacesetter ones, which you don't have, since you said you have the cheap ebay ones.