is it worth it?

Ok I am thinking about getting one of these cars. So I would like to get some info on these.

1. which modle(s) had the turbo?
2. Which one is the one to do up for performance mods?(year, modle? Also i prefer the 93 up body style is a motor swap worth it from the prefered car if the car is the older generation?)
3. Do these cars have alot of problems? (i heard that they do- mainly tranny problems)
4. What problems are typical?
5. What do i need to look for? (price, rust spots, mechanical, problems)
6. Are there any performance probe websites/ forums?
7. The goal here is a 12.89 1/4 mi. how much will i spend on that recomended modle?

Thanks guys for any info you can provide.

Here are the questions I can answer for ya:

2. Which one is the one to do up for performance mods?(year, modle? Also i prefer the 93 up body style is a motor swap worth it from the prefered car if the car is the older generation?)

Engine swapage is easy and not that bad... You can get a KLZE JDM 2.5L DOHC 24V 210HP engine for just under 3,000 (including installation). I hear you can get the job done even cheaper if you look hard enough. Another option is the 260 HP FE3.... Rare, but nice engine... They both fit perfectly into the Second Generation (1993-1999) Ford Probes... Only thing is, I'm not sure exactly what transmission would go for the engines.. So someone else might be able to help you on that...

3. Do these cars have alot of problems? (i heard that they do- mainly tranny problems)

Not really... I bought mine used (1993 SE) Over 133 miles... It drives fine... Never had any problems with it, still don't...

4. What problems are typical?

Well depends on the year and model... I hear that are much more transmission problems with the automatic version of the Probes (any year and model) So if you can drive a stick, you are much better off my friend... Engine check light seems to be quite a problem for many people (never had that problem personally), but i hear its a quick fix with the replacement of the O2 sensor... All in all, as long as you don't purposefully abuse the car, its a solid ride with preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance can be quite a hassel and expensive though, so be willing to pay when the time comes...

5. What do i need to look for? (price, rust spots, mechanical, problems)

On 93 probes and up, i would say don't spend more than 3 grand on it if is in close to perfect mechanical condition. If you plan on switchin out the engine/trans, then i wouldn't care so much about that stuff... I bought my 1993 SE for 2 grand. I'd say just check the typical problems with this car as you would any other... And if you can, get a lift for it to check the undercarrage.... I saw a probe that had a rebuilt rear axle because the prev. owner couldn't parallel park... The stock rear suspension is VERY weak... easy to bend/torque it if not careful...
I personally don't like any ford transmission... They all are horrible in my opinion... But its part of the risk you take with the car.... (higher risk with automatic transmisisons..)

6. Are there any performance probe websites/ forums?
quite a few.. google it... Here are a few:

http://www.fordprobe.iwarp.com/
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dorothy.bradbury/probemx/
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2040
http://forums.probetalk.com/

7. The goal here is a 12.89 1/4 mi. how much will i spend on that recomended modle?
Dunno... I imagine if you get the KLZE JDM engine and you trick it up right.. you can get that done... I personally plan on getting a new tranny, J-spec ECU (i'll need luck on that...), and hopefully a twin turbo.... That'll put me around 500 hp I estimate.... And I'm sure that much power in a probe is enough to make it under 13 seconds.. Total cost for that job? Prolly around 15 grand.... But hey... how many sports cars with 500+hp can you get for just 15 grand? A Porsche 996 Twin Turbo has about 614 hp and has a 1/4 mile run of under 11 seconds... and all for $126,000.....

KLZE JDM - what car is that out of over there? I never heard of that motor at all i assume it is front wheel drive....

KLZE JDM - what car is that out of over there? I never heard of that motor at all i assume it is front wheel drive....

Japanese: MS8 (aka MX6) I believe.... You can find details about it online... google search for "KLZE" or "KLZE JDM"

http://www.japanstarmotor.com/klze.html

That's a nice website if interested in purchasing one within the US.

What is the difference between that motor and the motor they have in the mazda mx-6 in the usa? And does that motor bolt right in to the probe 93 up? Also what are the capabilties for turboing that motor? I know how to make my own turbo kit for an acura integra is this the same process?

Thanks for the great link by the way. ;)

From what I hear often, vehicles in Japan/Europe often have different (generally more powerful engines) than the import American versions, because of US regulations and standards for emission controls, etc
ie: Japanese version of the Nissan 240SX is a 2,300 lb 210 hp vehicle... but the American version is about 400 lbs heavier and has only 156 hp... Similar concept, but still different cars...

The KLZE engine falls right into second generation (1993-1997) Probe engine bays.... I've been told you can twin turbo the motor up to 600 hp.... As for the process in turboing an engine? I dunno.... I know sorta how a turbo works, but I'm still a noobie at boost and forced induction... Should fit right in I assume? I was advised that getting forged internals is a must though for this engine so you don't blow heads....

No problem for the link. I've been talking to the guy for a while at japan motor imports.. Says he's got two KLZE engines in stock... and for 1 grand, not a bad price...

OH.. and the difference between the KLZE Japanese engine in their MX-6 and the US engine in our MX-6?

Take a look:

Engine Code: KLZE (Japanese)
Horsepower: 200hp @6000rpm
Torque(lb/ft): 165 @5500 RPM
Compression: 10.0 : 1
Ports: Square
Intake Man.: Long Neck
Stock RPM Limit: 7500 rpm
Pistons: Flat Top

Engine Code: KLDE (American)
Horsepower: 164hp @6000rpm
Torque(lb/ft): 156 @4000 RPM
Compression: 9.2 : 1
Ports: D-Shaped
Intake Man.: Short Neck
Stock RPM Limit: 7000 rpm
Pistons: Dished


Those are some of the differences I could find between the two engine makes...

The KLDE is not much better than the V6 engine in PGT's.... Plus I'm not sure if KLDE's line up correctly... KLZE's are the way to go (actually FE3's are... but its more realistic to say you want an KLZE)

so after the klze motor in the probe or mx6 (manual tranny) how much power more does it need (without nos or slicks) to run a 12.89 or so?

are these spendy motors to build up?

also i found out that it is a direct bolt in motor to these cars. no problems whatso ever.

and if it has 10.0: 1 compression ratio i guess it is not worth throwing a turbo at the motor is it... or is it? Or is there a way to lower the compression so i can throw a turbo or two on the motor? Or is it just bolt on stuff and exhaust? Where does one buy these perfomance parts anyhow?

And if i decide to not go with that motor what about the bpt motor? is there alot of performane stuff i can do to it? And does anyone know the compression ratio on that motor?

one last thing - which models mx-6 had the v6? and which modles probe had the v6?

The mx-6 with the klze v-6 don't exist in america... You need to goto a foreign (preferably a Japanese motor) import shop/warehouse. Any Probe GT has a 160 hp V6. I do believe the engine is still turbo-able, even at such a high compression.... From what I'm told, the KLZE is a great engine for modding... I'm new to some of this, so if I am providing you with false information, someone please correct me. But I am more than certain that this is a good engine to boost your probe...

Check out the other forum thread "how high could a Probe go..." Some jiffy info there too.

I'm not exactly sure how much power you'd really need to do a 12.89 sec. 1/4 mile... Keep in mind its not just about power... Your gearing also plays a role in how fast you accelerate and how fast you can do your 1/4 mile....

The mx-6 with the klze v-6 don't exist in america... You need to goto a foreign (preferably a Japanese motor) import shop/warehouse. Any Probe GT has a 160 hp V6. I do believe the engine is still turbo-able, even at such a high compression.... From what I'm told, the KLZE is a great engine for modding... I'm new to some of this, so if I am providing you with false information, someone please correct me. But I am more than certain that this is a good engine to boost your probe...

Check out the other forum thread "how high could a Probe go..." Some jiffy info there too.

I'm not exactly sure how much power you'd really need to do a 12.89 sec. 1/4 mile... Keep in mind its not just about power... Your gearing also plays a role in how fast you accelerate and how fast you can do your 1/4 mile....

well i know the gearing does- that is a dumb anwser that applies to all cars- but i am talking about this car. with the stock manual tranny, and the klze

remember, it's still a fwd car, and a fairly heavy car too. a single turbo would probily be better then a twin, the klze is a 200 hp stock engine, and unless you want to spend upwards of 6k on the engine, you shouldn't run turbo's on it. the best generation to modify is the first gen's. and fe3's are not a derect drop in, they take a lot of modifying to put in. the questions you are asking, how are we supposed to know? lol, like exactly what do i have to do to a probe to get it to run a 12.89 1/4 mile. i mean come on. lol, of coarse it is possible to do, but it just depends on how much $$$ you have. for going in a strait line, the 1st gen's are better, but the 2nd gen's have better handling, so you can decide on which ever one. im not sure what version of the 1st gen's are the best, but i would guess they would be the lx's. stock 3.0l. anyway, good luck, i think all in all if you went the 2nd gen route, you will end up spending around 15k with the car... and probes are infamous for problems not only related to the engine and tranny. expecially if you are getting an older car, there are going to be alot of sensors that are gonna go bad on you, just be prepared. the good think is that you can diagnos the car's with out bringing them to a shop, so that will save you 70 dollars every Check engine light. go on probetalk.com if you really are thinking about doing this project, they have alot more help on there then AF does, mainly cause it's a site dedicated to probes. lol. any way good luck, if you ever finish the project you should post some pics and maybe even some video of you running ur 1/4 mile, should be pretty cool. 12.89, shouldn't be to hard to beat, the probes run around a high 16 stock, so... make sure you end up upgrading your fuel system and cooling system. this could get kinda pricey, but if youve got the money go for it!
-tom

remember, it's still a fwd car, and a fairly heavy car too. a single turbo would probily be better then a twin, the klze is a 200 hp stock engine, and unless you want to spend upwards of 6k on the engine, you shouldn't run turbo's on it.

I've read a few articles and talked to a few people about forced induction/turbos/twin turbos/etc... How much hp would you predict realistically that I could get if I turbo'd a KLZE? Also... Do i NEED the J-spec ECU to get the KLZE up to 200+ hp? Can i just use the ECU on the stock I4 engine (I'm assuming the I4 has an ECU, I'm learning here....) If so... how limiting would my hp be on the KLZE? Thanks!

if u want to get the most out if the ze u are going to need the j-spec ecu the motors have different vris points the ecu is hard to find though corksport makes them for obdI probes (93-95) just so you know if ur going to put the ze in a se ur going to need a wiring harness,suspension,motor/trannymounts and gauge cluster oh and tranny and im sure some other things im forgeting

just curious why are set on a 12.89 1/4 mile why not faster?

just so you know if ur going to put the ze in a se ur going to need a wiring harness,suspension,motor/trannymounts and gauge cluster oh and tranny and im sure some other things im forgeting

ewww...... that's alot of stuff..... I was told the SE tranny would be alright for the KLZE though? People at Japan Imports told me that the tranny would mount right up fine.... Gahhhhrrrrgggggg... *kicks car* WHY COULDN'T YOU BE A GT :disappoin

Looks like i'm just gonna have to keep my SE until I find/save up enough for a GT without an engine.... If i got the GT, would it be reasonable to say that the KLZE, tranny, and Engine/tranny installations would be under 7 grand?

hey, yea 7k will def get it all for you. 2k=gt. 1k=motor 1k=tranny+ecu 2k=instalation. these are just estamites here, and definatly high prices, there is one site out there, where engine+tranny=1600, ill try and find it for you, and an ecu is going to be 200. you should have no prob getting a gt into a ze with 7k. then if you have 7k to spend, more you save on the motor, more money you can put into exterrior/other mod's. good luck
tom

dude i got a 96 gt for 800 i got my ze for 900 and had a mechanic install it for 300

hey well good job, hey, i hope you diddn't forget the j-spec ECU. and i can get an engine for 600 :P, lol, just kidding around dude, but seriously i can get a ze for 600... but my mechanic estamated 1200 for engine, ecu, and tranny... should i look into another mechanic? im thinking of not getting a mr2... ahh i don't know. maybe i should wait till im out of college to do all of this.
tom

i cant find the ze ecu but right know i have the a-spec manifold on the car the company sent me a 626 ze with the curved neck manifold on it so i couldnt use it,i would like to find the mx-6 manifold the only one i can find is on corksport for 900 dollars more than i paid for the motor although i might order the cyborgzero manifold and throttle body

??? i thought you said you got the ze engine. it should have came with the intake manifold. to find some ecu's there are some for sale on ebay, just be careful when using ebay.
tom

i do have the ze it just came out of a mazda 626 not the mx-6 so the manifolds are shaped differently the 626 has a curved tb neck and the mx-6 has a staight tb neck the curved neck wouldnt of fit right so i just threw my stock manifold on there for now

ohh ok, cool. thanks for clearing that up, i was kinda confused, why diddn't the curved neck fit? was it just a problem with your intake? or was there an actual clearance issue, let me know, cause im kinda concerned for when im going to get my klze
-tom

some probe sites

www.probeaddiction.com
www.probesport.com
www.probeperformance.com

if u get the ze out of a mx-6 it will be fine it has the manifold its just that the 626 ze has the curved neck where the tb sits and my tb would not fit on that manifold

guys guys look you cant use anything from the four cyllinders on the v6
and the motor swapfrom the 4 to the 6 is hard the 4 cyllinder flze 6 cyllinder swap klze

um?? duh

PROBEPERFORMANCE.COM tells you absolutely everything a new probe owner or a looker needs to know!!!! OR you can check out PROBEADDICTION.COM for parts