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Hi guys I have some questions about the k8 engines. I have a 92 MX-3 GS, which contains the US trim k8-de engine. My car has almost 230,000 miles and I was thinking about soon replacing my engine. I'm not looking to swap to a kl or anything special, I'd just like to replace my stock engine with another that has less miles. I've found a few k8 engines with less than 50k miles, however they all seem to be the j-spec (Japanese) k8, the k8-ze rather than the k8-de. These two engines are really almost identical apart from the k8-ze having about 5-10 more horses. I was wondering if I was to buy one of these j-spec engines, how it would take to my US MX-3. Would the fact that Japanese cars' drivers side is on the right rather than left affect the swap? Would all of my sensors and what not work with the Japanese motor? Would my stock ecu work with the motor? Or would I have to buy a new ecu also? I know they are basically the same engine I just would like to be a little more informed on how this "swap" would work considering it is a J-spec motor going in my US trim mx-3. Also would any year motor past 92, such as a k8 out of a 95, work with my 92 MX-3? Hope to hear back from you guys! Thanks!

If you are going to replace your engine. that means you are going to pull it out and put a different one in. Why in blazes would you spend more money importing a K8ZE than dropping in a regular KL?

It's the exact same work, only less money.

Performance-wise, i had a k8ze with the k8de ecu and stock exhaust, and was just a little bit slow than a kl-de (well, the kl-de i had after the k8ze was not really in good shape, and still with the oem exhaust.) I guess, the k8ze with headers and a good exhaust might me interesting. But again, for the price, PLEASE don't swap in a k8ze, at least take a KF-ZE (v6 2L, sometimes 300$ less than a klze) but you should really go for the kl-de or kl-ze.

I haven't seen one myself but I'm guessing the J spec K8 has no EGR so if you have to go for emissions testing you may need to swap over your intake. The KLDE and KLZE are both considerations but you would then need to use a stronger clutch. Any of the engines will work HOWEVER, after 93 you'll need to drill then tap a hole for your second water temp thermostat found beside where you add coolant above the accessory belts. You need that to be installed for your fan to work properly.

K8 is 2.0 ltr & KL we know is 2.5 ltr.

miguelitorosal18 wrote:K8 is 2.0 ltr & KL we know is 2.5 ltr.

K8 is a 1.8. KF is 2.0

Heard the FE3 Motor from the KIA Sportage is capable of boosting to 30psi at 400 ft-lbs i forget at what rpm. This guy in the Dominican Republic had a 10 second mx-3 with one only rocking forged pistons.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_FE-DOHC_engine

The F-series is not a direct swap for the Mx-3. It's not that it's not doable, but will require some fabrication and custom work, as opposed to the B and K series being essentially bolt-in. There are plenty of FWD engines that make alot of power stock, but regardless that the FE3 is a Mazda engine, it has nothing to do with the Mx-3 platform and would be treated as a non-conventional swap as if it came from another manufacturer.