1.8 V6 Mx3 - Major Overhaul

[Junior444]

Hi I live in the UK and own a 1992 mazda Mx3 1.8 V6

Just testing the water to see if there is any activity on this forum iv signed up with three now and the first feels like ghost sites.

Ill be working on the mx3 this year, replacing all the suspension, wishbones, track rod ends bushes basically everything it rolls on. then eventually it will be painted by a friend of mine in the same shiny red paint as it once was and then ill polish it up as shiny as I can get it.

engine wise ill just be using the 1.8 engine until I source a 2.5 KLDE or KLZE I don't mind, then ill be getting a set of turbo manifolds and all high quality turbo components (turbo, intercooler, bov, hoses and silicone pipework) and that should finish it off nicely.

Its nothing special I want it to look and sound nice and that's all I'm after.

Never built a car before but iv rebuilt a hand full of motorbikes and scooters so this is a whole new experience.

Bad Bits:

So far iv found:

Interior is old and worn out so that will need replacing.

Rusty bar behind the front bumper - looks removable.. hopefully!

Rusty sunroof hatch - easily replaced.

Window seals need tlc - especially the door rubbers.

Engine needs a good overhaul - top to bottom.. belts, filters, fluids, hoses.. basically getting it all perfect and giving it a good clean up.

other than that I'm really happy with the chassis the rear arches are smooth no rust anywere! I was surprised.. Under the drivers footwell there is a dent, not too easy to spot but its definitely not supposed to be there.. Looks like its been dropped off the corner of a curb or jacked up.

Luckily I have a family member that works at a mazda dealership so I'm looking into getting some new exterior parts off the shelf if possible as I'm looking to have the paintwork and exterior parts in immaculate condition.

[Junior444]

http://imgur.com/7vvOlW1 - Mazda Front engine
http://imgur.com/mKzkIUh - Mazda front side shot
http://imgur.com/ri4CwkH - Rear left arch
http://imgur.com/N86olD9 - Rear right arch
http://imgur.com/PZNFpGy - Front bar
http://imgur.com/E3CIKyh - CCTV as it sits 2017

I'm not sure how to upload pics so if this works then these should give you an idea of the scale of the job.. it is allot but I love to fix, build and modify things so I think iv got this sussed.

luckily i pickup two bikes to repair and sell and that should give me a nice 2k to play with, I'm going to have it resprayed in the basic red with loads of lacquer so I can polish it up.. I was quoted £900 but ill try use that quote to get a better deal somewere else.. other than that the rest of the money will go towards the suspension and all the bushes trackrods wishbones sway bars all them bits an bobs I want new, after that ill add to the cash iv got left and get a nice set of wheels (17,18's). the engine/box will be the last on the list infact it will be removed for the respray and I'm not sure what to do yet.. maby find a 2.5 KLZE or even the 2.5 KLDE I think that's what the uk ford probes have.. depends how deep the pockets are.

[Junior444]

So last year I was going to start the build I thought it would be on road in afew weeks if I gave it a good service and a clean up, I ordered new belts plugs oil n filters.. I was buzzing about it all and wanted to get stuck in but had nothing to do so I flushed out the oil system before I changed oil and filters.. I attempted to loosen the belts and just check it could be done with no problems hoping that there would be no messing when the parts arrive and i managed to snap the tensioner bolt off.. this is when I realized it was going to be a pain unless I take the engine out.. its all rusted and seized up! it was coming to the end of summer so I kinda gave up and prepared it for another year of storage (changed sunroof seal, sanded the rusty roof and primed it to stop the rust getting worse) and now iv finished my last project I'm finally getting round to the Mazda.. and I have a feeling shes gonna eat money!!

hope these pics work, I'm not sure how to upload.


http://imgur.com/gFhtnD3 - Snapped Tensioner Bolt

http://imgur.com/QWs0RTN - Last taxed 2007 - 10 Years Ago!!!!

Heres the rusty front bar, I grinded some of the rust away I'm hoping this isn't too bad ill be getting it welded up soon.
http://imgur.com/gQ4LJED -


http://imgur.com/hAGOPN2 - Mileage (129288)

[nsklzemx3]

How did this turn out?
Looked good before you started.
How bad is the typical rust assault where you live?