V6 in 4-Cyl. Chassis

[Lookwuticando]

So this surely sounds clown-headed, BUT my knowledge of auto mechanics is very basic:

When my 4-cylinder 1.6 SOHC engine finally craters, there won't be a reasonably easy way to upgrade to a V6? All I can do is get a better 4-cylinder in there realistically?

What are the major obstacles to overcome in doing a 6-cyl. swap? Too
ridiculous too attempt?

So at 125,000 on the clock, is there any point trying to put any boost in this little engine, like CAI or exhaust? Would it help that much? I'd just like to have a little more street power, for passing and that type of thing.

How about replacing the stock rims with 16's and low profiles, would that help much in itself, or would I need to look at suspension/springs then too? I think somebody here said good rims/tires was a better performance upgrade than an engine swap...true/false, matter of opinion?

[94blaze1.6]

Do a search and look in the FAQ section, its covered. Now that you read that info you will know what the obstacles are, it’s doable, but it is easier to put a bp (from protégé or escort) or bpt (jdm 323 familia) in the 4 cyl chassis. NOTE that the bp will give you almost identical power as the k8 v6!!! It probably weighs less so you would come out winning on the power to weight ratio. Think it over man and i think you will come to the same conclusion. If you still want to go ahead and try to swap the k8, then you are best off buying a whole donor v6 car as it will make your life just a bit easier (but not as easy as it could’ve been with a bp swap ).

There are benefits in performance by upgrading your rims/tires to a lighter/stickier set (due to uncompressed weight savings and stickier tires help with traction). I think that the person meant to say that upgrading your wheels is better $$$/performance ratio not that it is somehow just as good. In my opinion it’s good to have both of those upgrades! As to your suspension, well you will find yourself wanting to lower your car after the rim/tire upgrade as you will now be sporting what is known as the 4x4 look. Obviously there are performance benefits in doing that. This site has a lot of info, use it and it will be your best friend. Then one day you will be sitting in your room with your best friend (lol) at 7 in the morning on Sunday replying to somebody’s question as you will suddenly realize that you forgot to sleep because you were thinking of what you are going to do next to your mx lol. Not to mention you haven’t even looked at porn yet

[neutral]

94blaze1.6 is right. A V6 swap really requires a donor GS car because you'd have to replace everything in the engine bay, from the radiator to the firewall including things like rad, trans, axles, wiring harnesses, ECU , alt, starter, A/C equip, pwr steering pump etc... Also would probably want to upgrade your front struts/springs to handle the heavier V6.

For now, sounds like you're just looking for a little more from your existing SOHC motor - as long as that motor lasts. Would recommend keeping the exhaust but add either a CAI or drop in an OEM style K&N mesh type reusable filter. That'll give you a noticeable power band in mid rpms like when passing and makes the motor feel more responsive. Also be sure you're getting all of those existing 88 hp ya can by:

• -keeping oil changed
  -basic tune up stuff done (plugs, plug wires, dist cap,rotor, pcv valve, fuel filter).
  -Clean fuel delivery sys with something like BG44K in a tank of gas.
  -Maybe an engine Seafoam application

IMO replacing rims should probably be to upgrade to the lightest 15" rim possible - there is another thread on that topic, listing various ltwt wheels, if ya search "lightweight rims." If the 16's are heavier than your stock rims, the increase in what's called unsprung weight and rotational inertia of the wheel/tire combo could make pick-up feel more sluggish. The larger the wheel dia., generally the more it weighs, plus that weight is further from the center of the wheel and the lower profile tires are heavier too.

[jschrauwen]

my knowledge of auto mechanics is very basic:

So is mine. The previous posts make great points as well. When and if the time comes and your engine does crater, it would probably be best to BP or BPT it. Yes the basic outlay of $$$ is greater than that of a KLZE engine, but the retrofit will be easier and the cost (if required to pay someone to do it) should be lesser than that of a KLZE simply because of the previously mentioned incumbant necessities when putting a ZE into an RS.
On the plus side, a BPT will be easily comparable power-wise to that of the KLZE. The few BPT owners that I do know seem to thoroughly enjoy the boost factor of the MX. Not to mention the extra engine space available to work on the BP or BPT as compared to the V6.

[Lookwuticando]

Hey dudes really appreciate it now everthing is a lot clearer--I have read everything I could find prior to posting but your answers really cinch it up for me. That's cool the souped-up 4 is about as strong as the V6--that's surprising. But yeah, sounds like to do a 6-cylinder swap would be
a major pain not worth the trouble. Replacing the whole front end! Forget that noise...

I definitely try to stay on top of the maintenance thing...

Yeah I'm sure I do spend more time researching stuff on this site than porn, can't believe it myself either

[92blackmx3]

i was just reading this post and was wondering if a 1.8 v6 would work in a 1.6 dohc car i just got a 94 mx3 1.6 the water pump is gone and it was driven without a fan it overheated quiet a bit and the fly wheel is spinnin but not catchin on anything the car says it has 130 000 kms on it right now im drivin my 92 1.8 v6 and wanna swap it into the 94 since the 94 is in a lot better shape since i got the donor car would it be worth it.

[94blaze1.6]

DID YOU READ THIS POST????? YOU SHOULD ANSWER THAT YOURSELF!!!!