My own car...

I've been away a lot but finally got around to picking my MX-3 up this week. It's been at my mechanic's since before Christmas getting a JDM KLZE installed. Output has been bumped from 135 to 200 hp.

Drove it all around the wonderful winding roads near Mosport yesterday... I've come to the conclusion that this is the engine this car was meant to have. It's exactly right for the size and handling aspects of this car - now it's as zippy as it looks. Not overwhelming, or really powerful... it just feels right.

Really nice not to wear my clutch foot out constantly shifting...was experimenting a bit and it's perfectly happy to take hills in 4th and even 5th. Should have it lapping soon, it was good last year but more of a "momentum car", now it will have a bit more oomph to get it up that long Andretti Straight.

Funny how satisfying it is to drive a 20-year old car with horrendous wind noise... when it's your own.

It's funny. Most every car I've ever been in that had an "upgrade" swap feel like you describe. Not overwhelming, just "right". My buddy has a mildly warmed over 4.6L in a 80's t-bird. Every time I ride in it I think, this is the one they should built. Glad to hear you are a happy camper.

This seems appropriate:

Sorry about the crappy blackberry photo. I know, I need to get rid of all that black plastic ugliness and get a cold air intake in there. I will, just glad for now that it's in there, running great and with no CEL.

Sweet, looks like a nice one!

I think those are really neat looking cars when they're done up well. Unfortunately you see so many of them these days that are clapped out or decayed that it's kinda surprising to come across a good one. Wait another 10 years and they're going to be like 1G CRXes.

I owned a 96, loved it but, holy electrical gremlins Batman, did it have issues. And it started to rust. Found this one, virtually rust free, new exhaust, brakes, fairly low kms (120,000) ... but it had been painted with boat paint so it looked like ass. Got it really, really cheap - $900. I have a nice chin spoiler and rear wing for it.

Someday I want the same for my escort wagon. Someday....

Joey

I've owned a probe gt with the stock kl-de and it was pretty fun, I can only imagine the extra power and lighter weight make it a joy to drive.

Really enjoying it, took it on its first highway road trip today. There was just so much clutching with the old engine that it got really old after a while... this one's got enough oomph that you can just cruise along in 4th or 5th if you want. It's a bit thirstier though.

joey48442 wrote: Someday I want the same for my escort wagon. Someday.... Joey

Joey, I bought an Escort short-shifter off the Sprongls, and didn't use it. It's yours if you want it.

Very tastefully done Lesley.

Lesley wrote: Sorry about the crappy blackberry photo. I know, I need to get rid of all that black plastic ugliness and get a cold air intake in there. I will, just glad for now that it's in there, running great and with no CEL.

Car looks sharp. You aren't going to neglect the Dak now are you?

Where did you find a wall in Canada with grafitti?

That car is sitting too high. Drop it a couple inches and it will be perfect!

Maroon92 wrote: That car is sitting too high. Drop it a couple inches and it will be perfect!

You read my mind

That's an underpass in Peterborough, it was one of my fave places to photograph a car, especially if it was raining out. It's been there for years, and just recently the shiny happy folks painted over it.

RobMopar, the poor Dak is horribly neglected. I feel guilty every time I look at it – I wish some 20-year old guy would come and buy it and give it the attention it deserves.

Lesley wrote: That's an underpass in Peterborough, it was one of my fave places to photograph a car, especially if it was raining out. It's been there for years, and just recently the shiny happy folks painted over it. RobMopar, the poor Dak is horribly neglected. I feel guilty every time I look at it – I wish some 20-year old guy would come and buy it and give it the attention it deserves.

Lesley,

If that was a hint, I'm flattered but almost twice the age of your proposed Dak suitor.

Already have several Daks in the stable. And partial to first gens. Took my wife out on our first date in my now long gone '88 Sport. That was a good truck.

Did get a paint estimate the '96 Friday. It's the spiritual successor to the '88. Need to finish carving up the '95 parts truck, and finish assembling the '89 Shelby for the $2011 Challenge. And that's only the Dakota branch of the fleet.

Maybe getting the Mazda back on its feet will inspire you to rekindle the Dak love too.

Nope, no hint. But the Dak is a young guy's wet dream. I'm never home (off again tomorrow, home for three days, then gone again) and that truck should be driven and taken to truck meets. Your daks sound interesting! I used to belong to an R/T club – we'd have parking lot meets, track and dyno days. All gens would show up, and from bone stock to crazy, 600hp modified. It was fun.

Lesley wrote: ... I know, I need to get rid of all that black plastic ugliness and get a cold air intake in there. I will, just glad for now that it's in there, running great and with no CEL. .....

That looks like a pretty sweet factory "ram air" /Cold air intake. it may not be pretty but looks functional.

I Love the OEM look of everything.

Lesley, I remember when you were posting pics of the Dak's engine while it was still partially assembled in the mud room.

That was great - I learned so much. Eventually turned it over to professionals, since my dreams were haunted by visions of twisted pushrods and bent valves.

I'm so impressed with this KLZE... one nice thing about that little 1.8 that the car came with, was that it was the smoothest little V6 ever and I was reluctant to give that up. But the KLZE is just as smooth.

Here is a picture of KCBHIW's Hong Norrth MX3. It has 15's on it and has a good looking ride height.

In reply to clownkiller:

Awesome... I bet it's a lot lighter without that rear hatch, dang that glass must be heavy.

clownkiller wrote: Here is a picture of KCBHIW's Hong Norrth MX3. It has 15's on it and has a good looking ride height.

That actually looks pretty good as a trucklet! And I agree about the ride height.

Congrats on the swap - it's nice to see someone doing something with these cars for a change. I wanted one real bad in high school when they came out.

I think my car has the factory chin spoiler and side skirts options...

Sooo... how fast it is really, Lesley? I'm wanting to know if i'll be entertained with that same motor in a ~500lb lighter car.