mx5cartalk.com

Just pipe dreams but I was just wondering if anyone had done a KL-ZE conversion (don't think so) or seriously considered it?

I know there is a general consensus that it will have oiling issues when mounted vertical, however I have a read a lot on Miata.net about it and there are some fairly strong arguments made that this is just an internet rumour and it should be fine...plus there are a few examples that have had no problems.

Anyway just curious to hear what people think about it. Obviously turbo = less money for more power but something about a V6 MX5 really appeals to me

Incidently there is this one
http://majica.net/JNR/jnr.htm
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.ph ... t=%2AKL%2A

that has already been done...sounds awesome and I reckon it would be a nice match for the MX5.

You'll have to excuse my general ignorance but....

Isn't the V6 found in the Suzuki Vitara based on the Mazda KL? Is it E-W or N-S?

And the B6, BP, SR20, KA24 engines were all built to be E-W first, and then modified to be N-S. I struggle to see how oil supply would be a big problem as long as the pump pumps, you will have oil flowing in the engine.

Now starvation under certain loadings - that I could understand.

it is the mazda V6, however i think it is strictly seen in JDM 626's. I would imagine it would be tough to find and bring in one (might be expensive), however they are a sweet engine that produces approx 200bhp.

It's a very tall motor, the one which has been converted has the sump too low to be legal and he still had to cut a hole in his bonnet for the inlets...

I believe the oil supply issues are due to the \"supposed\" angle of the engine in it's stock location so when installed vertical in an MX5 there is problems with oil drainage etc.

Yeh I wasn't sure how difficult they would be to find. The Oz verison would be cheap and easy to find but they are only 120kw or so (CR, cams, manifold, ecu differences)

I believe the suzuki vitara engine has some similarities but it is a long way from being a K series engine mounted N-W...plus on paper it doesn't sound nearly as exciting an engine.

Hmmm...I guess it goes in the basket of things I would love to do but never will

Mooro wrote:
Hmmm...I guess it goes in the basket of things I would love to do but never will

No don't give up yet, How easy is it? Have you done much research?

I ask coz i have a KL-ZE in the Garage , and no longer have the telstar it was for( got sick of FWD cars and bought the Mx)

I saw that vid and what a sound, :8)
KL engines are very torquey from 1500rpm and rev to 8000rpm easy.

And when the guy said he used an rx7 bellhousing my eyes lit up.
bloody hell i have 1 of those too, a whole Ser4 rx7 box .

So if your after measurments of the engine for fitting i can get them.

I'm willing to try it if it looks easy enough( can do all the work myself)
Have to read up on those links

I was going to turbo or Renesis, but the KL is a damn good engine, and super torquey in my old 1260kg Tx5, imagine in the mx5.

Still think it will be too hard(costwise and time taken), but havn't done the research to confirm it.

Just Remembered a Certain Law

Which states the engine must be from a same or newer year model to the car its entering.

In my case 99, so not sure if mazda used that engine in any car from 99 onwards

mr_rotary wrote:

Rotary wrote:Just Remembered a Certain Law

Which states the engine must be from a same or newer year model to the car its entering.

In my case 99, so not sure if mazda used that engine in any car from 99 onwards

Applications:

KL-DE/KL03
1993-1997 Mazda MX-6 LS
1993-1997 Ford Probe GT
1993-2002 Mazda 626 ES
1995-2002 Mazda Millenia L
KL-ZE
1997 Mazda Capella Wagon
1993+ Mazda MX-6 Mystere (Japan)
1993+ Mazda MS-8 (Japan)
1993+ Mazda Eunos 600/800 (Japan)

Cheers!!!

I Found one too, KL-ZE in the 2001 capella Wagon VR-X Sport

http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/mazda/capella_wagon/2001_12/14407/

and Millenia 2002

http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/mazda/millenia/2002_10/

I wonder if thats all they need for the year model problem, or do they have other checks?

From memory its a Production based requirement, as long as its fitted in same or latter year model car, it qualifies

I seriously considered the KLZE and the 350Z motor for my conversion but both where cost prohibitive. The issue of being too tall for the engine bay was also a major consideration given my need to have the car road registered.
Jake

damn it! i would have thought they would be less tall being on an angle. sucks to that. What about a porsche flat six conversion. now there is something that would be interesting!

16bit,
The KLZE is too tall, never bothered measuring up the Nissan donk as I wasn't prepared to pay ~$10k for a front cut.
I am guessing the 350z front cuts are getting cheaper so I may try fitting one of those in the future. My brother reckons he is going to buy my MX5 once the SR20det is in and sorted, even though I keep telling him it is not for sale.
He says he will just make me an offer I can't refuse.
Jake

sounds good! I think a good conversion for the mx5 would be a cosworth 300hp 2.3 duratech - slightly de compressed and supercharged! either way I will be sticking with the bp. would rather spend 6k getting that built to be honest.

I would have stuck with the BP but the EPA made it clear it was not an easy option at the power levels I want. At $3k per test to prove adr compliance the BP went pretty quickly with the SR as an obvious replacement.
I can now have the power i want with more torque and a stronger gearbox as a bonus. All in an EPA/ADR friendly package whilst still making ~200rwkw.
Jake

not really a problem in qld!