MAZDA NOOB HERE!!! Buying my first MX-3

[tommy_t]

Hello all, I'm currently looking at purchasing an MX-3 and I have some questions. First off, the one I'm looking at is a 1994 MX-3 GS with a 2.5L V-6. The person selling it can't offer me too many answers to the following.
Question 1) Is this engine stock or was it put in to replace a 1.6L/1.8L?
Question 2) If above is a swapped engine, how safe am I to assume that the 140,000km on the odometer is correct?
Question 3) If it is a swapped engine how can I identify what it is exactly? <p>If there is anything else I should be asking, please let me know. Thanks for your help.

[Casino]

first off is the car silver? cause if so i knwo the seller, the engine is not stock it has been swapped in.
as for the odemeter i wouldnt know but you should try asking some more aggressive questions

[tommy_t]

This is car is actualy black. The problem is that the seller is a dealer and doesn't know that much about the car. I guess my first question really is...Is there such a thing as a factory 2.5L V-6 in a 94' GS?

[Nd4SpdSe]

1)no, but there were a few mx-3 KLDE's(north americain 2.5l v6) - i've heard. but only as done for warranty replacements when the K8 1.8l v6 was in short supply. Its a common replacement for the 1.8l v6 mx-3's. I'm sure its possible to do a swap on a 1.6l 4cyl, but is alot of work and cost alot more.<p>2)the 140'000 one the odometer is more likely the car's life milleage, chances are his engine swap was done no eariler than 100'000kms<p>3)I've heard it can be hard to tell if a KL 2.5l v6 has been installed, especially if they use the intake manifold from the original 1.8l v6 engine<p>[ May 26, 2003: Message edited by: Nd4SpdSe ]</p>

[tommy_t]

Kewl, thanks for your help. Maybe I'll do a VIN # check to see if it turns up anything.

[henz94]

How much is the dealer asking for it?

[tommy_t]

Dealer wants $6500 for it.

[mx3man83]

Take the car for a test drive. While your at it, find a friend with a PGT and race him. IF you beat him or you tie, then it is most likely an american 2.5. If you smoke him, then its most likely a Jspec 2.5. Not the nicest methods of testing, but it will work. Or you can find the part number for the heads. If you do a search you will find out what they are on the 1.8, aspec 2.5, and jspec 2.5.

[tommy_t]

Another question...these 2.5L engines that people put in, are they brand new or do they come out of other Mazdas?

[Custommx3]

usually wrecked pullouts out of cars in japan.

[Custommx3]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by mx3man83:
Take the car for a test drive. While your at it, find a friend with a PGT and race him. IF you beat him or you tie, then it is most likely an american 2.5. If you smoke him, then its most likely a Jspec 2.5. Not the nicest methods of testing, but it will work. Or you can find the part number for the heads. If you do a search you will find out what they are on the 1.8, aspec 2.5, and jspec 2.5.<hr></blockquote><p>Actually, take it to the track and see your time. IF its 14's, its a KLZE, if its 15's its probably a KL.

[mx3man83]

Not too many places are going to let you take a car to a track while you are on a test drive. The easiest way is just to get the part numbers off of the heads. TO find out which part number corresponds to which engine, do a search under the v6 section.

[henz94]

$6500 also seems cheap if it has had the klze put into it

[tommy_t]

OK, FINALY know what the deal is on it. It IS, in fact, a 1.8L V6 in it not a 2.5L. Took it for a drive today, to have a mechanic take a look at it, and, after looking at different things, concluded that the car was not taken care of properly and that I shouldn't buy it. So, my search continues.<p>Thanks for all the help

[red-mx3]

A lot of dealers get mixed up because of the MX-6, the 6 cyl. in that is 2.5L and they assume it's the same 6 in the MX-3. If you look through autotrader you'll see a few listed as 2.5L 6cyl and they aren't. Good luck in your search ....