junkyard gems/oem upgrades

[tireboy]

some interesting stuff...

This guide covers the various suspension parts that interchange between the following models:

* 1991-present Ford Escort
* 1997-present Ford ZX2
* 1991-present Mercury Tracer
* 1990-1994 Mazda Protege
* 1990-1994 Mazda 323
* 1992-1996 Mazda MX3

First of all....the 1990-1994 Protege and 323 are basically the same car, using the same chassis and unibody. The 1991-1996 Escorts and the 1997-present escorts and ZX2's use the SAME chassis as the Protege/323 (known as the BG chassis). Thus most every suspension part will interchange with a few minor exceptions. The Mazda MX-3 uses the same unibody as the Protege/323/ZX2/Escort/Tracer hence why so many suspension parts interchange. The MX-3, however uses a different chassis known as the "EC" chassis. The main differences between this chassis and the BG chassis is the different swaybar design that uses droplinks instead of endlinks. The control arms and trailing arms are of a different design and the rear disc brakes on GS models use different style calipers.

Strut Tower Bars-
It is easiest to find MX3 strut tower bars on ebay or online. All MX3 strut tower bars fit the 90-94 Protege, 2nd gen escort, 323, and the 3rd gen Escort and ZX2. The 3rd gens may require some re-location of various brackets as there are more systems (like ABS) and stuff. The rear bar does fit, but require trimming of your trunk interior to fit in the 97+ Escort sedan or ZX2 hatchback.

Tie Bars-
Front Tie bars will fit all models listed, with the exception of the MX3. The MX3 rear tie bar fits all models listed, with the exception of the 97+ Escort/ZX2. The rear control arm links are ~2.5" shorter on the 97+ Escort/ZX2. However, there are rear tie bars for the 97+ Escort/ZX2, so all models are covered for rear tie bars.

Swaybars-
All front swaybars interchange between the Protege/323/Escort/ZX2, as do the rear bars. The MX3's bars WILL NOT fit any of these models. This is because they utilize horizontally mounted droplinks rather than the vertically mounted endlinks found on BG chassis cars.

Bushings-
Control arm, Trailing arm, and swaybar frame/endlink kits will interchange between the Protege/323/Escort/ZX2, and possibly the MX-3 (no one has tested them). Shift stabilizer bushings are the same between all Protege's, 323's, MX3's and 2nd gen Escorts and Tracers (1991-1996). The 97+ Escort and ZX2 use larger in diameter bushings which will not fit.

Motor Mounts-
The engine mounts for the Protege, 323, 1991-1996 Escort & Tracer, and 4 cylinder MX-3 RS are the same. The 97+ Escort and ZX2 may use the same mounts, but no one has yet to test this. The #1 and #2 lower transmission mounts for the ZX2 will interchange as the Protege/323/2nd gen Escort&Tracer and MX-3 RS however. (this has been tested). Since the MX-3 GS uses a V6, none of the enigne mounts are the same and will not interchange with the exception of the #4 mount located under the battery tray (upper transmission mount).

Struts-
All MX3, Protege, 323, ZX2, and Escort struts will fit one another, but the ZX2 SR (and all 3rd gens) use a larger diameter strut shaft (20mm vs 22mm)So you will need to use ZX2 thrust bearings (also known as strut bearings) if you want to use the ZX2 SR Tokicos. These are easiy modified into the MX3, Protege, 323 or 2nd gen Escorts upper perch. Although, to avoid any modifications, get a set of any 97+ Escort/ZX2 upper perches for this mod. Please note that the ZX2 SR struts are .5" shorter in legnth.

Springs & Coilovers-
All springs will interchange but each spring is designed with the cars weight in mind. The MX3 and Zx2 are close to each other in curb weight, but are heavier than the Protege/323/EGT.

Coilovers seem to fit, but Let it be known that most won't fit the ZX2 SR Tokico struts without having to mill or bore out the top hats to fit down over the larger SR shaft (which is too fat to slip the sleeve over). All other struts will accept the coilovers fine.

Strut Mounts-
All strut mounts are identical for all of the forementioned cars (Protege, 323, Tracer, Escort, ZX2 and MX3).

Wheels-
All of the forementioned cars use the same 4x100mm bolt pattern and use similar offsets. All of their wheels will interchange. All of these models tire and rims sizes are listed below:

1990-1991 Mazda Protege 4WD: 185/65R14
1990-1994 Mazda Protege SE/DX: 175/70R13
1990-1994 Mazda Protege LX: 185/60R14
1992-1995 Mazda MX-3 RS: 185/65R14
1992-1994 Mazda MX-3 GS: 205/55R15
1991-1993 Ford Escort Pony, LX and Wagon: P175/70r13
1994-1996 Ford Escort Base, LX and Wagon: P175/65r14
1991-1993 Mercury Tracer Base and Wagon: P175/70r13
1994-1996 Mercury Tracer Base and Wagon: P175/65r14
1991-1996 Tracer LTS: P185/60r14
1991-1996 Escort GT: P185/60r15
1991-1993 Ford Escort LX-E: P185/60r15
1997-2003 Ford Escort & some ZX2's: 185/65R14
1997-2004 Ford ZX2 w/wheel option: 185/60R15
1997-1999 Ford ZX2 SR: 205/55ZR15 with a unique wheel style

Hubs, Rotors and Calipers-
here are two different diameters of drive-axles used in the BG and EC chassis cars. There is the F-series transmission and G-series transmission found in these vehicles. All of these cars have identical wheel bearings, hubs and brake calipers and rotors/drums, and use the same brakepads and shoes. I will break down the cars in terms of which use F-series transmission and which use G-series transmissions:

F-Series transmissions:

1990-1994 Mazda Protege DX and Mazda 323
1991-1996 Ford Escort Pony, LX 3 and 5 door hatchbacks and 4-door sedans and Mercury Tracer (base)
1992-1996 Mazda MX-3 RS


G-Series Transmissions:

1990-1994 Mazda Protege LX
1991-1996 Ford Escort GT, LX-E and Mercury Tracer LTS and Ford Escort Wagon
1992-1994 Mazda MX-3 GS
1997-2003 Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer with 2.0 SPI engine
1997-2004 Ford ZX2

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This is not my guide, i just added to it a little and made some corrections.

[Mazda_Powered]

All MX-3s have the larger 22-14 caliper. Same as the 'g-series' equipt cars.

So if you're going to the j/y to snag a used f-series axle, might as well not bother crackin the axle nut, and using the full spindle/caliper assembly to upgrade your stopping power! Calipers are the same except for the bracket that has 22-13(small brakes) and 22-14(bigger brakes) stamped on it. Careful on balljoint size too! I think all mx-3s use the bigger studded balljoint.

JACK.

This is what im doing, but with my B6 to BP swap no axle nut cracking for me

[purewhitemp5]

some stuff

How about MX-3 center console will fit with some trimming where it meets the protege dash. MX-3 lower dash plastics fit they match the center console and you get an extra factory switch hole and can move the power mirror switch so you can put a gauge where the Protege mirror switch used to be.
MX-3 steering wheel and column plastics.
MX-3 switches , relays , fuses , fuel pump , sending unit , shifter , etc.
Someone forgot to mention Glass moon/sunroof from escort to protege conversion , Rear MX-3 plastics and seat fit into a 323.

MX-3 Fuel filler neck fits the Protege however the gas tank will not.
MX-3 GS exhuast will fit the 323 you will need an extension at the muffler to fit the protege
MX-3 GS V-6 to Protege conversion of course you can upgrade the K8 with KL-DE or KL-ZE
Kia G-series tranny
mazdaspeed protege LSD
Millenia Brake booster and master cylinder.

[JSLEnterprises]

easiest way to check is to see if it has rear drums or not.

drums = b6
disks = k8

i'm gonna go out on a limb and say IT'S ALL THE SAME. Ever notice how mx3s aren't 1" wider in the front than the rear? LOL

JACK.

they are the same.
i can tell everyone this. i've done enough work on my bg 323, my ex's MX-3 I4 and my friends GS to tell you the V6 and the I4 is the same (other than the rear disc to drum which is also easily interchangeable), the rear off the mx-3 gs is a really nice upgrade if you want disc brakes in the back, also the mx-3 rear swaybar is the thickest @ 22mm diamater (same swaybar in either V6 or I4)

its an exact bolt in, no real modifications needed except replacing old bushings with new ones.

[JSLEnterprises]

what i've found out from basically living in the junkyard

- mx-3 center console from 92-94 pre bubbly dash with minor trimming of your pro/323's dash cowl in 3 spots so the hvac controls mount properly (change from mounting from the cowl - 323/pro, to mounting to the console - mx-3)

- mx-3 seats, carpet, rear seats (i dont believe the plastics do at all, since its a completely different body style so what plastics were mentioned earlier is a mystery to me)

- entire rear subframe and everything attatched from an mx-3

- for ppl with 323 hatches - front pro swaybar (20mm dia i believe) , rear mx-3 swaybar (22mm solid not hollow like our oem's)

- front mx-3 spindle (if you dont mind mating outer mx-3 half shafts to your inners from your 323/pro for the tiny bit better braking... there really isnt a noticeable difference.... really, there isnt... from experience)

- most of the hvac components under the dash can be pulled from an 92-94 mx-3

- all fuses under the hood and realys

- seatbelts from an mx-3, they're black, unlike pro/323's seatbelts which generally tend to be gray or blue, they're a direct replacement and bolt right on (fronts only for prot ppl all 4 for 323 hatch ppl)

- pro instrument cluster is an upgrade for 323's without tach's and even the odometers are changeable (if you dismantle the actual odometer unit, i did so i had the k's of my car rather than the pro that got the cluster out of which was at 350 something)

- the front inside spot lights in mx-3's can be fit into the 323/prot's with a little modifying of the headliner and running some wires for power (really nice upgrade actually)

- the rad overflow tank from the mx-3 is a much nicer unit then the one from the 323/prots with the long curvy neck and you can get rid of that ugly generally 'rusted to hell bracket' that holds it in place too.

- double rad fans off an mx-3, (they need some modification to mount them since the mx-3 rad isnt as 'tall')

- shorter mx-3 master cylinder (just to add some more room in the engine bay, minor bending of the lines involved) i find it to look nicer under the hood a little

- mx-3 wiper control arm on the steering column, that will give you the ability to adjust the delay of the intermitent wipers, pointless upgrade, but an upgrade none the less

- Asuna Sunfire 15" rims (15x7. 4x100 +40 offset 323/pro is +35 offset i believe), cheapest wheel upgrade ever - $40 for all 4 rims, clean em, and slap em on (5mm spacers needed for rear)

just a note: MX-3/323/Pro shifters are actually all the same, they all have the same part number at the dealership contrary to popular belief that the mx-3's is smaller

its almost 5 am, i'll probably think of a few more durring the day, i'll post them tomorrow

[Mazda_Powered]

ok guys, people posting what they believe to be an upgrade should REALLY read the full thread here, we're getting TONS of re-posts and wrong information....

[Kitty]

- all fuses under the hood and realys


I lol'd, nothing like those model specific spade fuses.

[FE3-323]

Asuna Sunfire 15" rims (15x7. 4x100 +40 offset 323/pro is +35 offset i believe), cheapest wheel upgrade ever - $40 for all 4 rims, clean em, and slap em on (5mm spacers needed for rear)

Please give a bit more information on these wheels please. vehicle name in the US??? year range??

[atomicEGT]

So the 323 and Protege are +35 offset now, huh?

[JSLEnterprises]

So the 323 and Protege are +35 offset now, huh?

pardon me, mistype. +45

ref: section Q-2 of the shop manual, page 702


(shop manual = my bible)

[JSLEnterprises]

Please give a bit more information on these wheels please. vehicle name in the US??? year range??

the year range is about 1990 to 1993, had a 1.8L I4 dohc & 2.0l I4 sohc, it was a joint venture between isuzu and chevy, another variant of it was the Geo Storm 1.6 dohc GSi from mid 92-93 in canada, also the Isuzu Impulse XS for 93, and Impulse RS 91-92


Wheels and Tires
Wheel Size
15 x 6.5 +40
Wheel Type/Material
Cast aluminum
Tire Size
205/50VR15



they're not the prettiest, but they work


(edit: better image)

[JSLEnterprises]

- all fuses under the hood and realys


I lol'd, nothing like those model specific spade fuses.

lol, its supid, i know, but heck, why not. i'd consider it an upgrade if you're replacing one's that are old, oxidized, have a buildup of lime (like most of the oem spade connectors) and look like they're about to go. its the difference between working and not working and they're in your pocket - free

[kunar]

1988-89 rx-7 alternator from a gxl 90amp. bolts up to the pro with little hassle and swap the pulley from the stock alt.. a quick upgrade from 60 to 90amps.. thats my .02$ worth..

can somebody verify this info? i went to get an alternator today and the one for an 88 rx7 was only 70 amps and for an 89 rx7 was an 80 amp.

[Mazda_Power]

I love junkyard threads. Keep it coming!

[viper_707]

no info on rear sway bar sizes anywhere. i know some are bigger than others. isnt there a 22mm from newer escort wagons. can anyone confirm this. also are all the knuckles on the 90-94 proteges the same or are they different between the larger and smaller brakes.