300zx's ELX work log

[FE3-323]

please tell me they don't use that open space in the pan to stuff the AC compressor.....

[KAinjection]

Yes it does, see post #390 at this link:

http://www.specialstage.com/forums/showthread.php?30459-Mazda3-G2-build/page39

[FE3-323]

good god... even more reason i'll never use a MZR

[KAinjection]

Well dont condem it yet because it depends on the car it comes in on where the accessories are placed and all the blocks are identical on the outside. In the thread I linked he changed the oil pan, moved the A/C to the intake side and the alternator on the exhaust side. This is how the Fusion engine that I will be getting is setup so it wont be a problem.

[atomicEGT]

maybe a dumb question, but do you think one of these would fit reasonably well in an MX3? (I can't remember how much difference there is between them in hood clearance)

[KAinjection]

I just did a rough measurement of a complete KLDE I have on the engine stand and the MZR. At the top of the intake manifold on the KL its actually taller than the MZR, but on the front valve cover it slightly shorter to about the same height as the intake manifold on the MZR, so it looks like it wouldnt be a problem to fit one. At least you wouldnt have to worry about the radiator and fan on the MX3 like I do.

[atomicEGT]

cool, thanks- I'm toying with the idea of building one for a daily

[KAinjection]

After doing some checking and comparing different engine mounts I have, I would use the BP driver side trans mount and bracket since it appears that the KL version would actually move the engine forward about 1" and then you may possibly have hood clearance issues, plus it's better to have the weight farther back to help the weight distribution anyway if you care about those kinds of nerdy details.

[atomicEGT]

interesting. I'd likely start with a B6 car, depending on what's cleanest.

I miss my MX3, having something that approaches the fuel economy of the B6 while having enough power to get out of its own way is appealing.

[KAinjection]

The B6 car should have all the correct mounts you would need then. After doing some more checking, I find it funny that both the 2.0L in the miata and the 2.5 Fusion engine have nearly the same HP rating but a 30lb torque difference. That makes me wonder what a 2.5 would do if it had the same compression as the Miata version???

My goal for this car is to have it match the speed of a new V6 mustang (2012-present) and for those of you that may think a V6 Mustang is slow need to drive the new ones with a 300+HP V6 that is as fast or faster than the old V8 cars. With the nearly 1K lb weight difference between a Mustang and this Escort I figure 200 crank HP should do the trick and get me better MPG than my BP could which averaged about 26MPG

[atomicEGT]

Well, they're still slow... but definitely a big change from the SN95s

26-28 sounds about right. I had one BP that averaged 33 probably due to witchcraft. For all of its faults, I do like that the Zetec can get 31-33 while still making more power than the BP.

[FE3-323]

whats the suggested MPG for the MZR?

[atomicEGT]

I would imagine it depends on the version and what it's put in, but my friend's 2L/5MT 3 averages 33-34, even after 170K

[crazycanadian]

quite low on the pan. hrmm

I'll have to take a second look but I don't think my KL pan sits much higher then that.. maybe an inch.

[KAinjection]

I'll have to take a second look but I don't think my KL pan sits much higher then that.. maybe an inch.

After measuring both engines I was kinda wondering about that in the back of my head....

So I did a lot of staring, measuring, and thinking last night and I "think" I have a solid idea of what I will do for a few various items......

1: Radiator>> I found an all aluminum Civic 3 row that comes with an aluminum shroud and fan, but I have to cut the shroud to fit the fan which is fine since I will try and place it away from the drive by wire throttle as far as I can to keep the hot air from blowing on it, and I may need the have the upper water outlet moved but I will have to test it out when I get it, and then for the A/C I will just add a second fan directly to the condenser and some ducting so both fans will help with the A/C when its on.
2: Intake>> Same formula as I had on the BP here. I will most likely use a stock 1.9L escort airbox with some aluminum piping, and silicone couplers. This a far cheaper and in some ways better solution then a $200 intake.
3: Oil pan>> I found out the that the NC Miata oil pan has baffling inside to help with oil starvation on sustained cornering and from all the pictures I could find appears to be about 1" shorter, giving me some more ground clearance. The problem is that if I run this pan, The A/C compressor will have to be moved to the intake side of the block and the alternator will move to the exhaust side of the block. No problem right? Actually it is since the ram horn K20 Honda header I wanted to use will interfere with the alternator, but If I ran a more conventional style header there would be no problem. Realistically this car will never see a track so the benefit of the Miata oil pan is not necessary and so I will be sticking with the standard oil pan, A/C compressor on the bottom tucked in the oil pan nicely and the alternator on the front and possible have the oil pan modified to shorten it up a little.
4: Front torque mount>> Considering the MZR was never designed to run a mount on the front and the stock mount will most likely not fit anyway due to the clutch slave cylinder being in the way, I am going to scrap the idea of running one and just use the 3 mounts. The rear mount does have ES inserts so that should eliminate most of the flexing anyway.