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I did a search and the basic result I found was that people *thought* they were the same. I'm doing a KL03 swap into my GS mx3 and the KL03 has no disty. Would the K8 disty be compatible with the '03 ECU? I really need a for-sure answer on this. Thanks

im 99% sure they are the same, you could always hook them up and see

When I put my ZE in to replace the old K8, I used the K8 distributor and 17,000kms later, all is good!

So I agree 100% that they are interchangeable

Thanks for the input guys. One thing though-- I'm using a KL03. I've heard that the KL03 and ZE use different distributors, so that means that the K8 and 03 would be different right? Has anyone swapped in a KL03 or does everyone do the ZE?

Originally posted by rebel2k4:
....I've heard that the KL03 and ZE use different distributors, so that means that the K8 and 03 would be different right? ....

The difference between the KLDE (there's no KL03 engine in the Mazda inventory) and the KLZE distributors is that the KLZE has a separate coil, whereas the KLDE (and the K8DE) have the coil built in to the disty. The K8 disty will work on the KLDE (and the KLZE) and vice-versa.

Ahhhh ok I see. thanks for that info.

I'm from the probe/mx6 community and everyone on those forums call it the KL03

I have my k8 disy on my ZE, works no problem, use it cause the one on the ZE was dead,

We call it a DE cause its the proper name, the KL03 is the code thats stamped on the heads or cams (i cant remember) of a KLDE

When my disty went on my old K08, I ordered a 94 Mx-6 disty from my Mazda dealer becaus it was $300 cheaper than the one for Mx-3. I had to pre-pay it and had no return on it, because my dealer told me that they are different part numbers and that if Mx-6 one will not work on my Mx-3 it is not their problem. I drove back to them to prove them wrong. So, even if they tell you that it is a different part number, they are still the same, as is the one off Probe is the same too. It is the same part made by Mitsubishi. Worked on my old K08 and still works on my ZE. Just get the upgraded one off '94+ so you do not get an Igniter failure. 100% sure here.

SO if they are the same....I could use a wiring diagram from a probe to hook up a msd igintion box and coil with my ze disty
where there any difference in the years of the DE disty's

Originally posted by babyblueMX3:
....where there any difference in the years of the DE disty's

YES - Disty's in OBD2 cars ('95-on) have the 3 pin connector wired differently. See this thread . Easy enough to change the wiring, and the later model is probably more reliable.