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Update: Got an awesome deal on a 98 626 mtx today so tranny swap will be under way as soon as the snow goes away. Also since I updated last I got a set of ebay strut bars. They are a bit chintzy but I have used them b4 and they do the job just fine. Still haven't gotten a core support yet, but I found a place that'll cut one out for $100 so I may go that route. I still also need pedal assembly, linkage, master, etc for the atx to mtx swap, but I feel like I am gaining some headway on this thing. I hate body work!

Another update. I went to a local dealer and found a black mx with a DE swap already done and it was done well. Has a curved neck. The motor is mad clean, the body ain't too shabby either. It is fairly riced out with hood pins and the rear half of the old eribuni kit(rear bumper and giant supra wing, etc but between my se and this 92 GS I could make one sweet ride. The price is right so I hope its still there when I get my taxes back in a week or 2. The dealer said he hadn't had much interest in it cause of the engine swap(ford valve covers) I think this is a good route to go even though my SE is clean, it need so much work and I was gonna paint it black anyway.




What do you all think I should do?

Uh, that looks like a K8 engine to me. Unless they used the K8 intake manifold on the KL-DE, but why anyone would do that is beyond me...

Buy the black one and sell the SE to me, muwhahaha.
Naw, but you should get the black one and boost that, (that was your plan for the SE wasn't it?) and fix the SE all purdy-like.

But why does the DE have a K8 intake? (meh...Flyer got to it first)

This is why I was concerned. Is it possible that the K8 has for valve covers? Or is it a DE with a K8 IM? I thought it looked weird? Is it possible to use the K8 IM on a DE 2.5? At first I thought it had a curved neck but then I got home and looked at my K8 and was like wtf? Any easy way to ID this thing Myabe I should post that pic in the v6 section or make a thread to link it to here

Well, a K8 intake can work on a ZE, its impractical, but it can be done. I don't see why it would be any different for the DE.
Maybe the person just wanted a stock looking engine? Or maybe they didn't want to go through the hassle of whatever it is you V6 guys go through.

Except the KL-DE drops RIGHT in...intake manifold and everything. I believe the one manifold that has an issue is the stright-neck KL-ZE, and even that has been done.

I think the only way to verify would be to check the cams. It IS a dealership after all...

Why not just check the head codes? KL for a DE, KL31 for a ZE.

93SOHC wrote:The dealer said he hadn't had much interest in it cause of the engine swap(ford valve covers)

Well, some people would be skeptical because they think it's a Ford motor, so it would be a POS, regardless that it's a Mazda motor. Why would people NOT want an extra 35hp and 50ft-lbs of torque?!

Where is it stamped on the head? I am new to the V6 world

top of the head, you have to look between the intake runners, with a flashlight more likely.

Umm wouldn't the De straight neck contact the brake reservoir that's why they used the K8 intake?
That's not a 92 K8 for sure, look at the coolant cap, no phenolic/plastic adapter.

Yes. It was common long ago for people to put in DE's with K8 IM's. Let us know what the head code says!

The giant FORD leads me to believe its from a PGT...why would they swap VC's? My bet is a DE w/ a K8 IM.

I would assume it is in fact a DE. From the other aftermarket parts, i'd assume that this car was modded some time ago. I have a couple hits on my Festiva for sale so if it goes, than this mx will have a new home next to my SE!. I'm running outta space in my driveway so i gotta make room. I will check the head code to be sure when I go to visit the car again next week. Thanks all

Update: Didn't buy that other mx. I was afraid of dealing with someone elses handy work. I did however purchase a 96 mx6 for the motor and trans and etc. The car is a box of crap but it has most of what I need and 130000 miles. I got it from a shop I do business with at work and for a scant $600 the shop is pulling anything I want from the vehicle. Also got my front core support today. Now all i need is warm weather! Pics soon!