1.8L vs BP-T vs 2.5L

[firefly948]

I've seen fast MX3s with all three engines in them...and I'm starting to wonder which one is really the best.
K8ZE
should the 1.8L v6 remain in the car and just work that engine to it's full potential. This would mean forged pistons, valve springs, retainers, cam shaft, and so on and so forth, and a nice hybrid or preferably bigger turbo.

KLZE
should the KLZE be swapped in at the cost of a small turbo, and then pay even more to get that engine forged, and throw a turbo on that.

BP-T
should the already turbo'ed engine be swapped in and replace the stock turbo with a bigger one and take advantage of the larger cylinders.
PLEASE HELP ME! I am planning on buying a new engine, whether swapping it, or getting another K8. I just need to know which one!

[MXmadman]

for the price to soup up the 1.8 you might as well just make a decision...

to turbo or not to turbo?

if turbo is the way you wish to go....get the BP-T

but for me (not to turbo) i went w/the ZE and got it bored out. along w/a gob of other mods. the ze's high compression ratio isnt great for boosting. not to say it cant be done but there is just no room for error.

it all just depends on if you want to mess w/the turbo...if so, great....but if not there's an alternative that will (if you bore the engine out n' such) will put you down in the 13's. but even the stock ze w/a few simple mods will put you in the mid to low 14's

i guess it all really boils down to that and $$$ GOOD LUCK

[firefly948]

You said I shouldn't turbo the KLZE? Why not...wouldn't the V6 turbo be better than the 4 cyl BP-T? The compression isn't that high...it's 10:1 right?

[MXmadman]

i guess 10:1 is high when it comes to turbo'ing....

...thats what i've always heard...that it's a pain(maybe just a little tougher) to turbo the ZE


babyblue will know he's goin the turbo route...

[lilmx-3w]

the bp comes wth 225 hp with turbo i heard

[firefly948]

no...all the sources I've seen, and everyone I've talked to says it has 200. People just like it more because it is turbo ready...all you have to do is strengthen up your engine and you're ready to add more boost.

Babyblue, would turbo'ing the KLZE be smart? or should the BP-T be swapped in instead?

[bmwm3guy]

KLZE Turbo, as it has been said many times before, IS possible, but be prepard to fork out over 5,000$ to do it. It takes a lot of Work as well, since the Compression is so high, throwing in Forced induction could blow some new air holes in your hood, and lose some pistons at the same time lol.

It is do-able, but the KLZE is already 197hp, throw on some basic mods and you're at 220 pretty quick. I dont know why you would want more, unless you're ready to fork out big bucks.

[firefly948]

I'm looking for 250-300 hp out of this car. I'm sick and tired of getting stepped on by the mustang 5.0s, and Cobras, and the eclipse GS-t/x's. I've been made fun of for driving a Mazda, and everyone says its slow...which it kinda is. So I'm going to pull out this 250hp beast, and kick them all back to the blueprints of their cars.

I checked, and a MX3 with 250hp, will run 12 secs on the 1/4 mile. one with 300 will run about 11. That's what I want. I want to step on the Supras, and Cobras out there!

[bmwm3guy]

Having a 300hp MX3 will take a lot of Time, Effort, and mostly MONEY.

BTW, a KLZE MX-3 is able to spank 5.0's so Ive heard, Ill get back to on that one in August

And not just that, but this is still an MX-3 we're talking about.. Supras still go for like 80,000$ and Eclipse GST's arrent cheap either... How much did you pay for your MX-3 again??

[doucmehu]

Where did you get the idea that a 300 hp MX-3 will run 11's?? That WILL NOT happen. I don't care if you have sa fully stripped interior, race tires, and a majorly built engine. FWD buddy!!!! No traction. Are you going to have a LSD? without that you have no chance of breaking 12's, even. Good luck, though. Good choice in cars.

[lone_night_fox]

it's been done... read articles Superstreet had one with a custom modded I-4 and it only cranked out 197 or so and run in the 12's I if my memory serves me properly... www.mx-3.com as more articles if you want to look. also the FF as more traction than a FR the FF is like a front engine version of a MR... off the line a MR is the way to go when dealing with a 2wd car.

[doucmehu]

I disagree completely. FF cars DO NOT have more traction than FR cars. Why on earth would automakers use a front engine, rear drive detup on all of their high performance cars? Corvette, Mustang, Viper, Ferrari, Lambo, BMW, and the list goes on........ (obviously some have mid engine, or AWD). FWD is for drivability in the city, not on the track. Anything is possible with enough money, but realisticly, 11's or even 12's are not gonna happen.

[babybluemx3]

I guess I missed this thread...ok here we go

First 1.8 vs 2.5 vs bpt

don't even think about hte 1.8 for big power.this one is out of the question...
2.5 and bpt can acheive really high hp numbers. I just need time and $$ to do it..I've seen a probe klde TT 650hp engine..and i've seen bpt's run 11 flat..so everything is possible....I'd say if you have a 6cyl engine keep it a 6cyl..
yeah true I'm going ze-t...it's not a big deal..people are just scared to do it because everybody HEARD that is bad to do it..on probetalk the fastest trap speed with a second gen probe was made by Nick (my-probe_his_faster)..he hit high 12's with a 10psi ze untuned...
Yeah sure it's not all that great on the engine but it's not worst than 14psi on a klde that make the same amout of power than a 10psi ze...get a good fuel set-up, good intercooler, racing gaz, colder plugs and you'll take care of the high compression engine...

on another note...bone stock ze's are even with a 5.0L..mildly modded ze will past in front..and believe me I know

and i don't remember who said a 250 mx3 will run 12's and 300 11's that is not true at all....
Jeff Abrams's old mx3 made 300WHP and hit 13's..and this ugy knows is things...this guy in my area has a 11's mx3 and will do 10's this summer..he has a 4 cyl pusing around 25psi..don't know much about it tho..

and IMO rwd cars have better traction than fwd cars

[firefly948]

I agree, that on the drag strip i'd rather have a rwd. but when you get into racing on the streets, around corners that are 90 degrees, the point and drive of the FWD is very stable, and easier to drive.

As to the MX3 that runs 11s, you said there is a guy with a bpt in your area....is it red, with the big hoosier drag slicks?

[babybluemx3]

yeah red with slicks...how did you know...He has the just the frame of Dave Lauzier's ex car and put his engine in it