KL swapped RS??

[klmx08]

Is there anyone on here that has sucessfully done this swap? If so please let me know I have a few questions for you...Before anyone tells me how its not recomended you should know the engine is already mounted in there I just have a few questions on a couple things to finish her up...

[RobMinhas]

I don't think there are any current members who have done it but folks like Wytbishop, Josh, etc. will have the information for ya.

What exactly do you need to know?

[MrMazda92]

I hope you had a donor/parts car, if you're missing anything, you'd likely still benefit from picking one up.
As Rob mentioned, we can only help you if you ask the right questions

What's holding you up at this point?

[tbondo]

Yes i personally did this swap. I started with a 94 mx3 with the 1.6 and swapped it over to a 2.5 klde I pulled from a probe. Unfortunately I was forced to sell it before I could reap the benefits of all my hard work. I have stayed in touch with the new owner and he has stated it eats turbo'd civics all day. Feel free to contact me with any questions you have as I think I ran into any and all issues possible.

[klmx08]

O.k. so Like you I started with a 1.6 mx3 and I got a running driving 626 real cheap so I said screw it ill give it a try..like I said engine/tranny is all mounted in I took the engine harness from the 626 and ran it to the engine and I kept the rs ecu to run the rest of the stuff like the protege/escort guys do it my question there is both harnesses have a power cable that is suposed to be hooked to the fuse box but there is only one post to hook it too so which one do i hook to it? I would think both harnesses need power from there? the second thing I havent figured out is the 1.6 power steering pump was on the front of the engine and the power steering pump on the klde is on the back of the engine and i was looking at the lines on the 626 and they dont look like they will work ethier..so how did you go about these issues? thanks alot for the help to guys

[tbondo]

I'm sorry but that is outside my experience. From my experience you should be using the engine harness from a 1.8 V6 MX-3 so they are just plug and play. I'm not sure how the 626 harness will integrate under the dash into the connectors by the ECU. As far as the power steering that goes the same. If you have access to a 1.8 parts car, I would look into that. I bought a wrecked 1.8 and used multiple items from it. The power steering items bolt right up if using them from the MX-3. The 626 is a different animal which I'm assuming is going to require some custom doing to make it all work right. From my experience the "not recommended" comments don't hold true if you have a complete GS parts car. I would recommend finding a wrecked GS for parts so your swap is much easier. Hopefully this helps some, but I will continue to offer any info I can if you have more questions.

[MrMazda92]

Don't try to piggyback the ECUs, that'll complicate things by quite a bit. You can run everything off of the proper ECU that came with your KL engine.

As for power steering, your "simple" options are find a V6 MX-3 donor car, or swap to manual steering. You could always go the harder route too, and custom fab/modify the 626 PS to suit your purpose.

[wagZE]

Whoa!!1 You are torturing yourself running a piggyback combo like that. Functionality wont be up to par without a CEL & whatnot. To answer your question if you are committed to this 'frankenstein ecu/ harness job' than you can run an 8 gauge wire to the positiv battery terminal for the other fusebox if you are talking about the engine bay one no inline fuse needed as it is so close.
I bet you could use your RS body harness with a GS engine harness but don't quote me on it.
What'd you do for motor mounts only 1 (2 with modification) 626 mounts work. Did the engine cradle swap from the 626 no problem? What'd you do for axles, post pics you may have some good interchangeability info as 626s were way more produced than mx-3's
If you come around & want to just have a GS harness I have a spare 5 spd mx-3 GS engine harness I can sell. Not sure if it has ABS or not.
If you have to until you get the PS line from a GS you can feed the power steering right back into itself. You'll feel the road a little bit better

[klmx08]

I looked in every yard within 100 miles from my house for a GS car...Not one I live in new hampshire there arent very many jumkyards in general...I would be interested in the harness cause trust me thats really the last thing i wanted to do..anyone have some power steering lines id buy htem too

[tbondo]

Yes I can say from experience the GS harness plugs right into the RS body harness. That's what I was referring to with the plugs down by the ecu. If i remember right there are 3 down there the engine harness plugs into. Only thing I had to do was extend the VRIS wires so they would plug in with slack. Also an FYI if your 626 isn't obd1 you'll need to find a new obd1 ecu to plug into the mx3 engine harness. I used a 93 probe ecu and mass air sensor. As for the power steering you could just go buy new mx3 lines from the parts store if you cant find a used car. If I remeber right the reservoir is similar enough you could just modify the rubber hoses to it. You'll need GS axels for the correct length. Just an FYI for you.

I'm guessing he just used his RS cradle. That's what I had to do since my GS parts cradle was bent. Everything works just missing the mounts for the lower crossmember.

[klmx08]

Yes I used the rs cradle I used gs axles..also someone said something about a manuel rack is that off a mx3? I would like a manuel rack

[klmx08]

wagze I def want that harness is it good shape?

[Josh]

The manual rack is off of the 323.

How did you manage to use the RS engine cradle? they are different, what motor mounts did you use (custom)?

Yes you need to find a GS engine bay harness for sure. I swapped a BP into my 95RS and changed out the engine bay harness, the GS is no different. It makes things plug and play. I have never heard of any of the 323 or pro guys running piggyback ecu's. Only if they are already OBDII and running an OBDI motor maybe. Save your self some time and find one. usually there are some on ebay, I know I saw one or two on Ebay Germany a few days ago. I can vouch for Wag too he's a good guy

[tbondo]

The RS and GS cradles are the same except the lower crossmember mounting on the GS. Those mounting points need to be added. My motor mounts were a combination of mx3, probe and the upper tranny was custom.

[wytbishop]

I've never done this, but just applying logic I would say this...

You will need V6 MX-3 motor and tranny mounts. The RS MX-3 subframe would work but will lack the weld nuts for the subframe tie bar that GS models have, not a big deal.

You can use the RS steering rack but the hoses are wrong as you say. The manual rack from a 323 is a good idea, but may be hard to find. You can get a reman MX-3 steering rack off Rockauto for a good price since they're blowing everything out for MX-3 these days. You still need the GS MX-3 PS hoses though. They won't come with the rack. It wouldn't be a waste of money to buy new ones off Rockauto.

I would lose the RS ECU altogether, get an MX-3 GS engine harness and use the 626 ECU and VAF and you should be golden.

Some things to think about...The rad from an RS is thinner and has less cooling capacity than a GS. The 626 rad will not fit so you may want to think about getting a GS rad somewhere. Also the RS shift linkage is slightly different. You may not have trouble with it, but it won't necessarily work with the V6 tranny. I tried to replace mine from an RS and there was interference.

So to do this right, you need GS PS hoses or manual 323 steering rack, GS mounts, GS engine harness, you may need a GS rad and you may need a GS shift linkage.

That is why we suggest having an MX-3 GS parts car to do this swap.