323F/Astina BP to FE3N Swap
 

Hi everyone,

I seriously need some information on the following:

I have purchased a Full Jap import FE3N motor FWD, including Gbox, intake and outlet manifolds, distributor, starter, wiring harness (Basically everything included)...

Now I want to swap it into a 1997 Mazda 323F/Astina Body (1800 PB stock motor)

Anyone done this before? I know this will mean custom mounting brackets on engine and Gbox and possibly new sideshafts??? I will be installing aftermarket EMS.

Any info or help will be appreciated!

nobody has done this mod to a 323F before. goodluck.

Had no idea what a FE3N was so i looked it up and found this. Just seems to say that it was complicated... but then again i'm not a mechanic or electrician

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/323578

good luck! how good is this kind of motor? (which is what i was actually looking up)

Mazda 626/capeela Jap motor - easy 400Hp stock bottom end turbo'd
will blow away any BP in terms of engine spec's Rods are strong as.

The conversion is not hard nor easy. It's just engine mounts the majoriy are gearbox mounts to worry about but you may find using the Bp g -sereis box mounts will bolt stright up and on

good luck

There was a person on MX6.com who was planning to put an FE3 into an Mx-3. His user name was wantfe3inmx3 or something like that. I ran into him earlier this year but I can't remember if we spoke about it or not.

Good luck, that's going to be pretty wild when you're done.

Well - the FE3N motor was one of Mazda's Greatest achievements! This is the main reason I'm using it - one of the only motors I've come across that can handle 1.8Bar boost with the stock internals and still run for 100K+ miles with no probs. Also a great motor for a T3/T4 hybrid turbo - If you take the VICS intake manifold into account!

Read here:

http://members.aol.com/solomiata/FE3info.html
http://members.aol.com/solomiata/FE3.html

were these things sold in aussie??
EDIT: from reading the above these engines sound very feasible...why havent i heard of these around here?

they were in in the kia sportage

Yip - these motors were only sent to AUS in the KIA Sportage 95-2000 models. The only difference is that the KIA variant was RWD and had lower compression 9.2:1 where the Jap version was 10:1.

You should be able to import one from Japan with very low mileage (They were fitted in the 626/Capella), but I don't know if that's legal in AUS - you guys are SO over-regulated with regards to mods and stuff...

KIA made several changes to the FE3. It isn't a viable swap.
I was thinking about an FE3 for the 929 until the Jeep incedent and that was a bolt in swap.

Sheesh, if you had the funds to back it up with the patience and now how then it would be a monster. Good luck Isileth, take photos and write notes =)

There is a guy on fordlaser.com who is putting a FE3 into his Mazda 323 Sedan. So far he has got everything to fit properly and now i believe he is still finishing his full rebuild (which he is looking for big figures!). He is also going to have his FE3 running a turbo setup.

Would be awesome to have in the astina, make sure you do a write up when you have it all completed!

It's a very common drop into a Mx-6 turbo - tx-5 turbo or 626 equivlant.

It's not common because it's N/A first off and only delivered into Japan and europe.
Problem is why would you buy a mx-6 drop it in turbo it etc you spend say $5k ontop of the car when it's already turbo.

But the big advanaage is the Mx-6 has the Big daddy H box which can take it but it barley takes the F2T because it's a real torque monster the
FE DOHC - it's not really a Fe3 -

it's Mazda equivlant or both FJ20 and SR20 - more FJ in the head v bucket shim but same bore stroke as SR20.

think of the BP on roids but this motor was used in Mazda motor sport in 4WD 626 rally cars.

The reason you don't see many in aus is because - is it worth it ? well if you go all out on Mx-6 or 626 yes but it's very hard tofit up you need a 626 box.
the G series fits etc but you have to remember it's a bigger heavier motor it's cast iron block etc.

overall smarter choice and due to more available parts compared with kia bits and custom - is the FS-Ze in the mx-6 and 626 GE - tha'ts 92 to 97 and of course the SP20 and GF range. the FS is the next step.

The FE DOHC can be traced back to the FE 8 valve in the GC 626 - mazda's first fwd 626 sold in 1983.

For those who don't know
you have for Aus spec delivered
FE = 2.0L SOHC 8 valve square motor carby 626-telstar
FET = 2.0L SOHC 8V turbo no intercooler TBI 626 coupe - tx-5
F2 - 2.2L SOHC 12valve - all 87-91 626
f2T - 2.2L SOHC 12 V turbo all mx-6 in aus and some 626 and tx-5

So what about a F2 with a Fe DOHC head - can't do different block and carry diferent oil deliver and return setup.


Oh and as for KIA - it's perfect if you go RWD but in FWd you need the mazda plus the Kia has few cost cutting bits but over same safe desgin.

I personally don't see the advantage myself as the torque it makes over the BP it carrys more weight.

I know person with one in clubman tpye car - everyone else uses the lighter 4AGE 20 valve from a levin

Now all the FE DOHc in his spec makes about 105Kw give or take with free exhuast the 20 valve makes around 115KW all flywheel but the torque is the difference but the added weight of the 2.0L means on the track it's nothing. They all carry same similar track times biggest difference is only felt on the road in traffic.

My Astina will be a road racer and daily drive - so weight doesn't make a big difference.

Biggest reason for the swap - BP motor is busted and has approx. 175K Km on the clock. Rebuilding BP motor will cost approx. AU$2000.00...

Got the FE3N (Called FE-DOHC by Mazda, but this model code starts with FE3N so commonly referred to as FE3 - sold in Japan with Gold rocker cover) and Matching Gearbox for under AU$1000.00.

Figured the BP motor we had in SA made 85Kw at the fly, compared to 108Kw on the FE3N motor? Big difference, plus the FE3N motor comes standard with Forged rods and can comfortably take 1.8 boost without any internal modifications - that means easily 250Kw+ and still be reliable for 100K+ Km of normal road driving.

Biggest reason??? Nobody's done it before :D

good luck with the conversion
would be first into a Astina

good lucky getting the gearbox to hold upto this "massive power"

i heard/read something on a OZ mx6 site that there is a FWD " H Series" box that is stronger than the G series, and bolts upto the FS/FE blocks

good luck finding one

HMMMM this might be a good suggestion for kazs dad to put into the E30 bmw :p hahahaha he wanted somethin turbo... ;) ive seen a few of these engines at the wreckers from memory... or is the 2.2L turbo a completely different car?

The 2.2 turbo is an F2T. It's from the FE family but it has a 12 valve head similar to the SOHC BG. Reportedly the F2 and the FE3 use same sensors and ECU so slapping a turbo onto an FE3 and bolting it inplace of the F2T is relativly straight forward.
The FE3 didn't come as a turbo engine but is more than strong enough to cope with boost. And keep away from the black topped ones there 1.8s.

Got some good news today. Heard back from a guy in SA that has done a couple of FE3 conversion that the BP motor and FE3 motor has the same mounts - Now I need to hope that the Extra stroke length will fit under the stock bonnet...

I'm taking delivery of the engine and Gbox tomorrow morning - so by Monday all my Questions will be answered. :D

Well Yes and no - you can't use F2t - turbo setup-, Fe 8 valve head and 12 valve head are are or pair exhuasts but the twin cams are equallly spaced.

plus it depends on model to which engine you use.
a **** load more upto date correct infromtation on Mx6.com

as fro the black top - in mazda's THAT's BULL****.

like in the Sr20 it means F-all

engine cam covers - irony is the best FE has unpainted and looks like a Kia Fe DOHC and has no badges that's the strongest factory FEDOHC and highest factory output engine. Only came in the last of the Capella wagons which is one of the conversion I'm upto.

mx-6 87-91 carry the H-box - along with Tx-5 turbo's and 626 turbo's. Inthe US no Tx-5 but F2T and V6 power Probe
Mazda no longer carry any parts for them. They were the biggest box mayde by mazda in FWd I've seen. Even a SP23 6 speed is about smaller slighlty then a G-series 5 speed.

the H can only bolt upto a F2 or FE motor Fs it's still not the right bolt pattern.

Everything is bigger but - it has no shift quality. Think of it's internal same size as a VL turbo box as having seen both box's apart and WRx box next to it, the WRx is like a twig.