Protege5 engine blew. What engines can be dropped in as a replacement?

[BRG99]

Title pretty much says it all, and I joined to make this post. I put a 2003 Protege 5 about 5 months ago with 109k on it. The car now has 121k miles on it (I commute far). I was driving home from work earlier this week when the car began to stutter and then I got very vicious rod knock. Oil level was fine at the time. I had a 60k/timing belt done about a month ago. My mechanic said he had to replace a gasket around the spark plugs, as it was blown and letting oil leak into the cylinders. I had noticed that the car was burning a lot of oil before the 60k. It seemed to have not burned any oil 1 week after, but I hadn't checked the level since then.

At this point, I'm going to put in a used engine of some sort. Are there any other engines that will drop right in? My first and only criteria is reliability. I ask about other engines only so that I can get an engine quickly and at a good price.

Thanks!

[goldstar]

Welcome to CP.

Any normally aspirated FS-DE 2.0 L engine from 2001 to 2003 (trim levels DX, LX and ES is a drop-in replacement for the P5 engine as they are identical. The 2001 MP3 engine is also a drop-in as long as the PCM for that model is used.

Happy Motoring!

[Iantboyd]

I am interested in this as well. I have seen GTR builds and KL builds but I'd like to know if custom mounts were used or if stock stuff works?

[MD323]

I am interested in this as well. I have seen GTR builds and KL builds but I'd like to know if custom mounts were used or if stock stuff works?

custom mounts are needed for thr BP, the KL however can use the OEM sourced mounts

[Iantboyd]

custom mounts are needed for thr BP, the KL however can use the OEM sourced mounts

Doh! figured as much. Does anyone make the mounts for the BP? anyways, thanks for the response.

[MD323]

not that im aware of, the mounts are close, if your handy with a welder it shouldnt be a big headache. I looked at the P5 and my MX3 side by side this weekend wondering the same thing..

[Iantboyd]

I'm looking into picking up a welder and learning but as of now I wouldn't trust myself to do that kind of work. I have to much invested in my escort/bp drivetrain to just give it away but I'd like a newer looking car and a wagon.