Learn Me MX3 GS V6

I have run across a 1992 MX3 GS with the 1.8 V6. It has 86,000 miles and runs good. It needs a left side mirror, rot repair on the lower left door and in the left rear fender lip. Also has a rot on the left fuel tank strap. Weird thing is that the rest of the car is completely rust free. Runs very well. Looking for info as far as parts availability, problem areas, etc.

It's a BG chassis car so you have a metric ton of other cars to swap parts with. Plenty of engines to swap with too.

More popular and sold longer in Canada than US.
Here is a Canada based website that serves both countries.
http://www.mx-3.com/

I am jealous. I want one. GREAT cars.

pres589 wrote: It's a BG chassis car so you have a metric ton of other cars to swap parts with. Plenty of engines to swap with too.

So the EC platform MX-3 is similar to the BG platform Ford Escort? Pickings are slim as far as suspension parts are concerned when one looks up MX-3. What interchanges with which other cars?

Pickings are slim with the BG Escort suspension-wise too.

Here's a run down stolen from every Mazda forum on the web:

This guide covers the various suspension parts that interchange between the following models: * 1991-present Ford Escort * 1997-present Ford ZX2 * 1991-present Mercury Tracer * 1990-1994 Mazda Protege * 1990-1994 Mazda 323 * 1992-1996 Mazda MX3 First of all....the 1990-1994 Protege and 323 are basically the same car, using the same chassis and unibody. The 1991-1996 Escorts and the 1997-present escorts and ZX2's use the SAME chassis as the Protege/323 (known as the BG chassis). Thus most every suspension part will interchange with a few minor exceptions. The Mazda MX-3 uses the same unibody as the Protege/323/ZX2/Escort/Tracer hence why so many suspension parts interchange. The MX-3, however uses a different chassis known as the "EC" chassis. The main differences between this chassis and the BG chassis is the different swaybar design that uses droplinks instead of endlinks. The control arms and trailing arms are of a different design and the rear disc brakes on GS models use different style calipers. Strut Tower Bars- It is easiest to find MX3 strut tower bars on ebay or online. All MX3 strut tower bars fit the 90-94 Protege, 2nd gen escort, 323, and the 3rd gen Escort and ZX2. The 3rd gens may require some re-location of various brackets as there are more systems (like ABS) and stuff. The rear bar does fit, but require trimming of your trunk interior to fit in the 97+ Escort sedan or ZX2 hatchback. Tie Bars- Front Tie bars will fit all models listed, with the exception of the MX3. The MX3 rear tie bar fits all models listed, with the exception of the 97+ Escort/ZX2. The rear control arm links are ~2.5" shorter on the 97+ Escort/ZX2. However, there are rear tie bars for the 97+ Escort/ZX2, so all models are covered for rear tie bars. Swaybars- All front swaybars interchange between the Protege/323/Escort/ZX2, as do the rear bars. The MX3's bars WILL NOT fit any of these models. This is because they utilize horizontally mounted droplinks rather than the vertically mounted endlinks found on BG chassis cars. Bushings- Control arm, Trailing arm, and swaybar frame/endlink kits will interchange between the Protege/323/Escort/ZX2, and possibly the MX-3 (no one has tested them). Shift stabilizer bushings are the same between all Protege's, 323's, MX3's and 2nd gen Escorts and Tracers (1991-1996). The 97+ Escort and ZX2 use larger in diameter bushings which will not fit. Motor Mounts- The engine mounts for the Protege, 323, 1991-1996 Escort & Tracer, and 4 cylinder MX-3 RS are the same. The 97+ Escort and ZX2 may use the same mounts, but no one has yet to test this. The #1 and #2 lower transmission mounts for the ZX2 will interchange as the Protege/323/2nd gen Escort&Tracer and MX-3 RS however. (this has been tested). Since the MX-3 GS uses a V6, none of the enigne mounts are the same and will not interchange with the exception of the #4 mount located under the battery tray (upper transmission mount). Struts- All MX3, Protege, 323, ZX2, and Escort struts will fit one another, but the ZX2 SR (and all 3rd gens) use a larger diameter strut shaft (20mm vs 22mm)So you will need to use ZX2 thrust bearings (also known as strut bearings) if you want to use the ZX2 SR Tokicos. These are easiy modified into the MX3, Protege, 323 or 2nd gen Escorts upper perch. Although, to avoid any modifications, get a set of any 97+ Escort/ZX2 upper perches for this mod. Please note that the ZX2 SR struts are .5" shorter in legnth. Springs & Coilovers- All springs will interchange but each spring is designed with the cars weight in mind. The MX3 and Zx2 are close to each other in curb weight, but are heavier than the Protege/323/EGT. Coilovers seem to fit, but Let it be known that most won't fit the ZX2 SR Tokico struts without having to mill or bore out the top hats to fit down over the larger SR shaft (which is too fat to slip the sleeve over). All other struts will accept the coilovers fine. Strut Mounts- All strut mounts are identical for all of the forementioned cars (Protege, 323, Tracer, Escort, ZX2 and MX3). Wheels- All of the forementioned cars use the same 4x100mm bolt pattern and use similar offsets. All of their wheels will interchange. All of these models tire and rims sizes are listed below: 1990-1991 Mazda Protege 4WD: 185/65R14 1990-1994 Mazda Protege SE/DX: 175/70R13 1990-1994 Mazda Protege LX: 185/60R14 1992-1995 Mazda MX-3 RS: 185/65R14 1992-1994 Mazda MX-3 GS: 205/55R15 1991-1993 Ford Escort Pony, LX and Wagon: P175/70r13 1994-1996 Ford Escort Base, LX and Wagon: P175/65r14 1991-1993 Mercury Tracer Base and Wagon: P175/70r13 1994-1996 Mercury Tracer Base and Wagon: P175/65r14 1991-1996 Tracer LTS: P185/60r14 1991-1996 Escort GT: P185/60r15 1991-1993 Ford Escort LX-E: P185/60r15 1997-2003 Ford Escort & some ZX2's: 185/65R14 1997-2004 Ford ZX2 w/wheel option: 185/60R15 1997-1999 Ford ZX2 SR: 205/55ZR15 with a unique wheel style Hubs, Rotors and Calipers- here are two different diameters of drive-axles used in the BG and EC chassis cars. There is the F-series transmission and G-series transmission found in these vehicles. All of these cars have identical wheel bearings, hubs and brake calipers and rotors/drums, and use the same brakepads and shoes. I will break down the cars in terms of which use F-series transmission and which use G-series transmissions: F-Series transmissions: 1990-1994 Mazda Protege DX and Mazda 323 1991-1996 Ford Escort Pony, LX 3 and 5 door hatchbacks and 4-door sedans and Mercury Tracer (base) 1992-1996 Mazda MX-3 RS G-Series Transmissions: 1990-1994 Mazda Protege LX 1991-1996 Ford Escort GT, LX-E and Mercury Tracer LTS and Ford Escort Wagon 1992-1994 Mazda MX-3 GS 1997-2003 Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer with 2.0 SPI engine 1997-2004 Ford ZX2

I read somewhere that the v6 was a destroked version of the 2.3 L in the 626. Would there e any interchange between those two?

jrg77 wrote: I read somewhere that the v6 was a destroked version of the 2.3 L in the 626. Would there e any interchange between those two?

It's more closely related to the 2.5 litre variant. The KLDE/KLZE.

KLZE swaps are STUPIDLY easy and extremely fast in this chassis.

93celicaGT2 wrote:

jrg77 wrote: I read somewhere that the v6 was a destroked version of the 2.3 L in the 626. Would there e any interchange between those two?

It's more closely related to the 2.5 litre variant. The KLDE/KLZE. KLZE swaps are STUPIDLY easy and extremely fast in this chassis.

Read about this swap. If the 1.8 in this car wasn't in such awesome shape, I would making it a Challenge car with a 2.5 swap.

Moparman wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote:

jrg77 wrote: I read somewhere that the v6 was a destroked version of the 2.3 L in the 626. Would there e any interchange between those two?

It's more closely related to the 2.5 litre variant. The KLDE/KLZE. KLZE swaps are STUPIDLY easy and extremely fast in this chassis.

Read about this swap. If the 1.8 in this car wasn't in such awesome shape, I would making it a Challenge car with a 2.5 swap.

Just boost the 1.8, then. It's still pretty strong, should have no problems putting down over 300whp on a stock motor.

cool car for sure. (5spd right? )

Oh, and wherever you're finding a low miles MX3 V6 for Challenge prices.... let me in on your secret. This would solve my dilemma of a cool but different ST car in a heartbeat.

93celicaGT2 wrote: Oh, and wherever you're finding a low miles MX3 V6 for Challenge prices.... let me in on your secret. This would solve my dilemma of a cool but different ST car in a heartbeat.

Two minute search on www.craigloook.com brings up these examples:
1995 -last year in US
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1665883845.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/1683027354.html
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1686376675.html

2.4L partial instal: http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1649471804.html

1st one just barely out of budget, second two are 4 bangers, the 4th one is VERY interesting, hadn't seen that one before somehow. I've seen the other three, though.

Thanks! I'm going to ask for more details on the last one, though it's not ST legal.

The guy wants $1200, but since it has a rot hole right through the bottom of the driver's door, rot on the left rear fender lip, it needs a new left mirror, new power window master switch and panel, paint, new tires and left fuel tank strap (and that is what I do know), I made him an offer of $1000. I await his response.

you can't use the supercharger hardware from the millenia on that motor can ya?

He countered with $1100. I am on the fence.

He countered with $1100. I am on the fence.

Drop your offer to $800 now that you have had time to "look up" replacement part prices.

I did. $35 plus shipping on the mirror and $89 plus shipping for the switch and panel on E-bay. The door is rotted allthe way through. I can weld a patch in, but it may need a new door. That is my last offer. It he passes, he passes. If anyone else wants it I will provide info. The car is in NE PA.

Since everyone else has "chimed in" on the mechanical aspects of this car (MX3s are rare in my "neck of the woods"....and the 4 cylinders VASTLY outnumber V6s) I'll add my $0.02 on the "rot issue". It's my theory that in countries with driving on the right side of the road AND heavy salting in winter, the left side of the car gets WAY more than it's share of exposure to salty splash from cars and trucks passing on the driver's side. However, a car as rotted as you describe sounds like it was all that well cared for. Like the owner couldn't/wouldn't wash the underside in the winter. My Dad is nearly 88 years old, but he always washes the underside of his car after driving in heavy salt.

That is my concern. If someone didn't care to wash off the salt, what else didn't they do?

Use it as a parts car and put all the good stuff into a cleaner 323 body.

If you transfer EVERYTHING over, the V6 will fit into the other BG cars. That includes the KL 2.5L engines.

Supposed to be a project for my son. He gets his permit later this year.

Buying the MX-3. May God have mercy on my soul.