V8 MX3 possible?

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » March 21st, 2005, 9:07 pm

I have heard of a V8 Mini Cooper, a V8 Civic SI and a V8 Ford Focus.
I know the engine bay on our cars wont offer enough room for a V8 but there are ways to make more room like cutting into some room in the interior where the dash is at.
Sure pretty much 95% percent of everything under the hood will have to go but I wouldnt mind spending $7k on dropping a V8 and having it ready to work on a Mx3

Of course, I am not talking about putting something big like a Chevi 350. A 4.6 DOHC engine would do.
You guys think its possible?

just curious...

mazdubber · Post by **mazdubber** » March 21st, 2005, 9:12 pm

With a full tube chassis anything is possible. How bout an all wheel drive 4 Rotor Turbo???

fry_81 · Post by **fry_81** » March 21st, 2005, 9:33 pm

if your removing almost everything from under the hood anyway, your only limited to your imagination and budget. you could almost any engine in there. but ya that would be a really cool thing to see.

Nd4SpdSe · Post by **Nd4SpdSe** » March 21st, 2005, 10:00 pm

My mechanic said when we were doing my swap that there's prolly enough room for a 350

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » March 21st, 2005, 10:04 pm

Nd4SpdSe wrote:My mechanic said when we were doing my swap that there's prolly enough room for a 350

A Mx3 with a Chevi 350 would be awesome.

Personally, I think it is possible through on a budget of $6.5k (US). Thats of course with everything used except the engine (4.6 DHOC). It shouldnt even be hard to find used parts espically since there are alot of Mustangs out there.

But, how will emissions go is my question...

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » March 21st, 2005, 10:09 pm

Id put 360 cu.in. mopar in there ....talk about fast

atlantamx3 · Post by **atlantamx3** » March 21st, 2005, 10:10 pm

With enough money and fabrication- ANYTHING is possible.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 21st, 2005, 11:18 pm

I think the real issue would be converting the car to RWD. Off the top of my head I cant think of any FWD trans that would work well. Doesnt mean there arent any.. but I think the car would be way nose heavy if that was even possible. There is enough room for a small block V8.. RWD.. either a Chev 327 or a Mopar 340 would be sweet. Then you would just have to figure out how to keep all that torque planted on the ground

Could modify a ford 9 inch rear end.. cut the axles & tubes to fit without too much problem. But talk about squirrly.. dayum.. Reminds me of a kid I knew in high school that had a blown 302 stuffed in his pinto.. At the high school drags he pulled a 16.7.. but that was because his tires never stopped smoking all the way down the track.. was quite a sight to see.. good thing he brought spare tires along with him. I think the MX-3 would do about the same with a small block in it

Tunes67

Flashpoint2 · Post by **Flashpoint2** » March 21st, 2005, 11:20 pm

If you can fit a V8 in a focus, you can fit a V8 in an MX3. At the very least, you would definitely be able to stuff a 289 in.

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » March 23rd, 2005, 6:48 pm

Word, V8s rock. They may be heavy but with just bolt-ons a 300hp/300ft torque V8 can reach 400hp easily. Hell, add a blower and your already there. A exhaust with a H Pipe or X Pipe will always sound mean.

Tomorrow I will try to do some measurements.
See if it really is possible to fit a 281 Cubic Inch 4.6 DHOC V8 in a MX3.

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » March 23rd, 2005, 6:52 pm

Tunes67 wrote:I think the real issue would be converting the car to RWD. Off the top of my head I cant think of any FWD trans that would work well. Doesnt mean there arent any.. but I think the car would be way nose heavy if that was even possible. There is enough room for a small block V8.. RWD.. either a Chev 327 or a Mopar 340 would be sweet. Then you would just have to figure out how to keep all that torque planted on the ground Could modify a ford 9 inch rear end.. cut the axles & tubes to fit without too much problem. But talk about squirrly.. dayum.. Reminds me of a kid I knew in high school that had a blown 302 stuffed in his pinto.. At the high school drags he pulled a 16.7.. but that was because his tires never stopped smoking all the way down the track.. was quite a sight to see.. good thing he brought spare tires along with him. I think the MX-3 would do about the same with a small block in it

Tunes67

And any person in a Mustang will s--- themselves seeing a V8 MX3 do that

mazdubber · Post by **mazdubber** » March 23rd, 2005, 6:56 pm

Just remember that you'll really need to tube the whole car. The unibody just isn't designed for those stresses. Just factor in the cost to tear it down to bare metal to tube and cage it. If it's still within your limits your rockin. A buddy of mine has a Chevette with a 350 in it. A very nice car!!!

Flashpoint2 · Post by **Flashpoint2** » March 23rd, 2005, 7:17 pm

I was thinking about it, and a V8 would be fun, but wouldn't just be easier to use a miata drivetrain/engine and change the MX3 to RWD? It would be awesome just to have that or an AWD MX with the BPT in it

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » March 23rd, 2005, 7:41 pm

Flashpoint2 wrote:I was thinking about it, and a V8 would be fun, but wouldn't just be easier to use a miata drivetrain/engine and change the MX3 to RWD? It would be awesome just to have that or an AWD MX with the BPT in it

A BPT is great but a V8 is much better in my opinion
Like I said, with just bolt-ons, 400hp shouldnt be a problem on a 4.6 DOHC V8.
Have you ever heard a V8 with a X pipe or H Pipe? They sound aswesome. You will never be able to make that kind of sound with a 4cyl or V6... NEVER.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 23rd, 2005, 8:49 pm

I personally dont have the fabrication skills to do a project like this.. wish I knew Jesse James personally.. Heh.. someone should write into Monster Garage and see if he will do an episode where they bang out a V8 MX-3 LOL

Tunes67