Learn Me FE3, Kia Sportage Edition

I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD?

Thanks, Ben

I would like to know too....

There are RWD manual Sportages. The Kia version is what most people swap in Miatas so they have to kick some ass.

I think that the Mazda version has stronger internals.

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD? Thanks, Ben

The Kia version is ok. Depends on what you're going for. They were available in straight RWD, so there IS that.

The Kia version has different (weaker) pistons, and the cams aren't near as aggressive. The Mazda version can make up to 170hp, the Kia never comes close.

I would use one as a base that you can get easily, and then modify it to make it as strong as the Mazda version if it were me doing it. Beware, you MAY find yourself spending more money doing this than just buying the Mazda version, which is NOT expensive in the first place. You can get them for under $1000.

...here in the US. There aren't many old Mazdas in Korean boneyards.

I have two Kias and I love them, but raw horsepower and performance are not words that I associate with anything from Kia.

Mazda's slogan is "Zoom Zoom".

Kia's slogan is "We have light-up speakers"

nderwater wrote: ...here in the US. There aren't many old Mazdas in Korean boneyards.

We have to get them from Japan. The FE3/FE3N/FE-DOHC was never in a Mazda in the US. They're not expensive motors, though.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD? Thanks, Ben

The Kia version is ok. Depends on what you're going for. They were available in straight RWD, so there IS that. The Kia version has different (weaker) pistons, and the cams aren't near as aggressive. The Mazda version can make up to 170hp, the Kia never comes close. I would use one as a base that you can get easily, and then modify it to make it as strong as the Mazda version if it were me doing it. Beware, you MAY find yourself spending more money doing this than just buying the Mazda version, which is NOT expensive in the first place. You can get them for under $1000.

I'm just playing around with ideas. In the next couple years I want to build something nuttier than my Daewoo. Playing with the idea of a front engined Pontiac Lemans with RWD and some very aggressive ground effects.

I was originally planning on using a 1000cc bike engine, aiming for ~200 hp and shooting for a weight in the 1400 lbs neighborhood, but if I could use a Mazda FE3 hooked to a Kia tranny, 300 plus hp and 2200 lbs might fit my goals better.

Your posts on the FE3 just got me thinking.

DaewooOfDeath wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD? Thanks, Ben

The Kia version is ok. Depends on what you're going for. They were available in straight RWD, so there IS that. The Kia version has different (weaker) pistons, and the cams aren't near as aggressive. The Mazda version can make up to 170hp, the Kia never comes close. I would use one as a base that you can get easily, and then modify it to make it as strong as the Mazda version if it were me doing it. Beware, you MAY find yourself spending more money doing this than just buying the Mazda version, which is NOT expensive in the first place. You can get them for under $1000.

I'm just playing around with ideas. In the next couple years I want to build something nuttier than my Daewoo. Playing with the idea of a front engined Pontiac Lemans with RWD and some very aggressive ground effects. I was originally planning on using a 1000cc bike engine, aiming for ~200 hp and shooting for a weight in the 1400 lbs neighborhood, but if I could use a Mazda FE3 hooked to a Kia tranny, 300 plus hp and 2200 lbs might fit my goals better. Your posts on the FE3 just got me thinking.

The Kia variant might hit that number and stay together, i don't really know, to be honest. I WOULD at least put in the Mazda cams.

There's adapter plates that have been made to attach the FE3 to a Miata trans if that helps.

show me more about FE3 miatas. ive never been able to find a lot of info on that.

6spd FE-DOHC Miata w/ ITBs. Apparently minimal work to get transmission to bolt up: http://www.mx6.com/forums/fe-dohc/244441-fe-dohc-miata-6speed-itbs.html

http://www.solomiata.com/FE3.html

http://www.davidandjemma.com/mazda/FE.htm

http://www.mx5atlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2945

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/208651/1990-mazda-miata-mx-5

http://www.fe3miata.com/site/

This guy is one of the better ones, in my opinion: http://www.miataturbo.net/showthread.php?t=49372

I also have a turbo or two that could be used for ludicrous FE3 Miata shenanigans.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD? Thanks, Ben

The Kia version is ok. Depends on what you're going for. They were available in straight RWD, so there IS that. The Kia version has different (weaker) pistons, and the cams aren't near as aggressive. The Mazda version can make up to 170hp, the Kia never comes close. I would use one as a base that you can get easily, and then modify it to make it as strong as the Mazda version if it were me doing it. Beware, you MAY find yourself spending more money doing this than just buying the Mazda version, which is NOT expensive in the first place. You can get them for under $1000.

I'm just playing around with ideas. In the next couple years I want to build something nuttier than my Daewoo. Playing with the idea of a front engined Pontiac Lemans with RWD and some very aggressive ground effects. I was originally planning on using a 1000cc bike engine, aiming for ~200 hp and shooting for a weight in the 1400 lbs neighborhood, but if I could use a Mazda FE3 hooked to a Kia tranny, 300 plus hp and 2200 lbs might fit my goals better. Your posts on the FE3 just got me thinking.

The Kia variant might hit that number and stay together, i don't really know, to be honest. I WOULD at least put in the Mazda cams. There's adapter plates that have been made to attach the FE3 to a Miata trans if that helps.

Would said adapter work on the F2T as well?

MG Bryan wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD? Thanks, Ben

The Kia version is ok. Depends on what you're going for. They were available in straight RWD, so there IS that. The Kia version has different (weaker) pistons, and the cams aren't near as aggressive. The Mazda version can make up to 170hp, the Kia never comes close. I would use one as a base that you can get easily, and then modify it to make it as strong as the Mazda version if it were me doing it. Beware, you MAY find yourself spending more money doing this than just buying the Mazda version, which is NOT expensive in the first place. You can get them for under $1000.

I'm just playing around with ideas. In the next couple years I want to build something nuttier than my Daewoo. Playing with the idea of a front engined Pontiac Lemans with RWD and some very aggressive ground effects. I was originally planning on using a 1000cc bike engine, aiming for ~200 hp and shooting for a weight in the 1400 lbs neighborhood, but if I could use a Mazda FE3 hooked to a Kia tranny, 300 plus hp and 2200 lbs might fit my goals better. Your posts on the FE3 just got me thinking.

The Kia variant might hit that number and stay together, i don't really know, to be honest. I WOULD at least put in the Mazda cams. There's adapter plates that have been made to attach the FE3 to a Miata trans if that helps.

Would said adapter work on the F2T as well?

Yes. Anywhere an FE3 goes, an F2T goes, and vice versa.

Well... i believe F2T would require a somewhat sizeable hole in the hood of a Miata if that's where you're going with that. I've thought about it, for sure.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

MG Bryan wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD? Thanks, Ben

The Kia version is ok. Depends on what you're going for. They were available in straight RWD, so there IS that. The Kia version has different (weaker) pistons, and the cams aren't near as aggressive. The Mazda version can make up to 170hp, the Kia never comes close. I would use one as a base that you can get easily, and then modify it to make it as strong as the Mazda version if it were me doing it. Beware, you MAY find yourself spending more money doing this than just buying the Mazda version, which is NOT expensive in the first place. You can get them for under $1000.

I'm just playing around with ideas. In the next couple years I want to build something nuttier than my Daewoo. Playing with the idea of a front engined Pontiac Lemans with RWD and some very aggressive ground effects. I was originally planning on using a 1000cc bike engine, aiming for ~200 hp and shooting for a weight in the 1400 lbs neighborhood, but if I could use a Mazda FE3 hooked to a Kia tranny, 300 plus hp and 2200 lbs might fit my goals better. Your posts on the FE3 just got me thinking.

The Kia variant might hit that number and stay together, i don't really know, to be honest. I WOULD at least put in the Mazda cams. There's adapter plates that have been made to attach the FE3 to a Miata trans if that helps.

Would said adapter work on the F2T as well?

Yes. Anywhere an FE3 goes, an F2T goes, and vice versa. Well... i believe F2T would require a somewhat sizeable hole in the hood of a Miata if that's where you're going with that. I've thought about it, for sure.

My Miata is pretty hideous anyway. You don't have dimensions on the the F2T do you?

I'd much rather do that than buy a BP and everything needed to turbo it.

MG Bryan wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

MG Bryan wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD? Thanks, Ben

The Kia version is ok. Depends on what you're going for. They were available in straight RWD, so there IS that. The Kia version has different (weaker) pistons, and the cams aren't near as aggressive. The Mazda version can make up to 170hp, the Kia never comes close. I would use one as a base that you can get easily, and then modify it to make it as strong as the Mazda version if it were me doing it. Beware, you MAY find yourself spending more money doing this than just buying the Mazda version, which is NOT expensive in the first place. You can get them for under $1000.

I'm just playing around with ideas. In the next couple years I want to build something nuttier than my Daewoo. Playing with the idea of a front engined Pontiac Lemans with RWD and some very aggressive ground effects. I was originally planning on using a 1000cc bike engine, aiming for ~200 hp and shooting for a weight in the 1400 lbs neighborhood, but if I could use a Mazda FE3 hooked to a Kia tranny, 300 plus hp and 2200 lbs might fit my goals better. Your posts on the FE3 just got me thinking.

The Kia variant might hit that number and stay together, i don't really know, to be honest. I WOULD at least put in the Mazda cams. There's adapter plates that have been made to attach the FE3 to a Miata trans if that helps.

Would said adapter work on the F2T as well?

Yes. Anywhere an FE3 goes, an F2T goes, and vice versa. Well... i believe F2T would require a somewhat sizeable hole in the hood of a Miata if that's where you're going with that. I've thought about it, for sure.

My Miata is pretty hideous anyway. You don't have dimensions on the the F2T do you? I'd much rather do that than buy a BP and everything needed to turbo it.

They're somewhere on MX6.com... i'll take a look around. It IS taller than an FE3. (That long stroke had to go somewhere!)

I think a 6spd with the lowest rear end you can find, F2T miata would be a riot. It would sound HORRIBLE, but it'd be fast.

I think they sound cool.

When I get home I'll measure my F2T that's sitting on my garage floor. I'd measured it before because I was thinking about F2T FD but to make that work w/out hood cutting would definitely require a dry sump

JamesMcD wrote: I think they sound cool.

It's probably just mine... i've been told before that mine sounds especially bad for an F2T. Probably for obvious reasons.

JamesMcD wrote: When I get home I'll measure my F2T that's sitting on my garage floor. I'd measured it before because I was thinking about F2T FD but to make that work w/out hood cutting would definitely require a dry sump

That would be awesome. Thanks!

As to the cutting, I might derive a sick sense of joy from it looking and sounding hideous if it was fast.

The B6 that is in it doesn't too hot anyway.

MG Bryan wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: When I get home I'll measure my F2T that's sitting on my garage floor. I'd measured it before because I was thinking about F2T FD but to make that work w/out hood cutting would definitely require a dry sump

That would be awesome. Thanks! As to the cutting, I might derive a sick sense of joy from it looking and sounding hideous if it was fast. The B6 that is in it doesn't too hot anyway.

Just make sure you have to cut a hole in the hood for the turbo.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

MG Bryan wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: When I get home I'll measure my F2T that's sitting on my garage floor. I'd measured it before because I was thinking about F2T FD but to make that work w/out hood cutting would definitely require a dry sump

That would be awesome. Thanks! As to the cutting, I might derive a sick sense of joy from it looking and sounding hideous if it was fast. The B6 that is in it doesn't too hot anyway.

Just make sure you have to cut a hole in the hood for the turbo.

I feel like the exhaust should probably exit through the fender in homage to your car.

Harder to do on a RWD car... though the hood 6" behind the turbo would do.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: I heard that Kia Sportages, the first generation models, had a Mazda FE3. I've also heard FE3s kick ass. Does the Kia version also kick ass? Would it be that hard to make the Kia FE3/transmission work without the AWD? Thanks, Ben

The Kia version is ok. Depends on what you're going for. They were available in straight RWD, so there IS that. The Kia version has different (weaker) pistons, and the cams aren't near as aggressive. The Mazda version can make up to 170hp, the Kia never comes close. I would use one as a base that you can get easily, and then modify it to make it as strong as the Mazda version if it were me doing it. Beware, you MAY find yourself spending more money doing this than just buying the Mazda version, which is NOT expensive in the first place. You can get them for under $1000.

I'm just playing around with ideas. In the next couple years I want to build something nuttier than my Daewoo. Playing with the idea of a front engined Pontiac Lemans with RWD and some very aggressive ground effects. I was originally planning on using a 1000cc bike engine, aiming for ~200 hp and shooting for a weight in the 1400 lbs neighborhood, but if I could use a Mazda FE3 hooked to a Kia tranny, 300 plus hp and 2200 lbs might fit my goals better. Your posts on the FE3 just got me thinking.

The Kia variant might hit that number and stay together, i don't really know, to be honest. I WOULD at least put in the Mazda cams. There's adapter plates that have been made to attach the FE3 to a Miata trans if that helps.

If the Japanese spec engines are that tough and that cheap I would just import one. Would the Mazda spec, FWD engines would bolt to the Kia tranny?

Digging around, it looks like the early Sportages used the transmissions out of the Bongo. Bongo's are about the easiest thing in the world to find for me ... hmm.