dodgy looking credit card

[swansea v6]

woke up yesterday and decided my credit card was looking at me funny....so I decided to punish it.....the outcome, ive just bought a j spec 2.5 ltr v6 (195hp) to fit my max-3..engine only cost £300 from a reputable company so bring on the fun...having it fitted tomorrow. Can you believe only the induction system has to move to replace the 1.8 v6....

[wedgepilot]

That should make things more interesting....let us know how it goes!

[gofasterrosssco]

My card is still smileing at me so I will avoid abusing it for now. Is the engine not a fair bit heavier, or is it a case of the same block, just more space in it??

[swansea v6]

The 2.5 engine complete with all the fluids only weighs 20lbs more than the 1.8 so handling should remain pin sharp and relatively understeer free (for a fwd car). Still undecided whether to retain the original gerbox or use one from a mx6. The original is VERY short geared (70mph = 4000rpm in 5th) which is excellent for quick getaways but a pain on the motorway.

[gofasterrosssco]

I must admit I dont know much about Gearboxes, but I take it you cannot use the 5th gear from the MX-6 'box n the shorter MX-3 'box??? That way you have the acceleration through the lower gears but a better crusing gear. As I said, I aint up on me gearboxes

[swansea v6]

Hi, finally got the 2.5 in there. Decided to stick with the original mx 3 gearbox, but after driving the car on Wed decided it needed a bigger set of alloys to help keep it on the road (really wanted to keep it original) so on went a set of 17"s instead of the 15"s. And what can I say about the drive???? FANBLOODYTASTIC...Mazda should have sold the mx 3 with this engine, it has sow much more tourque now, you can cleanly pull away in second gear, or you can stick it in fifth at 20mph and it still accelerates.
To be honest the gearbox is a little bit to short as you constantly seem to hit the limiter in the first four gears but then listening to that v6 at 8000rpm is awesome to say the least. Having a new exhaust and manifold fitted this week (aswell as some bigger brakes hopefully) and getting it on the dyno as soon as so will hopefully be able to post some figures up here.....