need help
 

i want to know can i put a mx3 1.8ltr motor and man trans in my 1.5ltr auto trans
i mean is anything different i can get the whole car so wires and linkages is not a problem plz someone help me

Might as well. Hey, whats the worst that can happen! --besides...the obvious...--

Well I am not going to shoot down your idea here at all. It sounds very interesting. That would be cool to have that little smooth 6 under the hood. I think it'd fit in quite well (trans-oriented, only 3 cylinders long, in an already smaller car). As far as the linkage and all that other stuff, I say good luck because that could be a long time looking and figuring out. Have fun, though

The 1.8l V6 is WORTHLESS.
The 2.5l would be the way to go, but its not going to happen. The second gens are way different than the first gens.

How so is the 1.8V-6 worthless? I am just curious. Is it too small to get decent power out of or just a problematic engine? I am wondering what engine you're running in your 97 and if you had looked at swapping engines before, but decided against that for various reasons (it would explain your strong opinions on engine choices).

This most likely HAS been covered before and a search might help find more info.
I just woke up and it was a good night so I'm going to be a nice guy.

The 1.8l V6 (K08?)is worthless, it has shitty heads, bad cams and only 130HP. Although I personally have no experience with them, I've read alot of shit from Vaughan on Protegetech as well as some of the stuff from the MX3 boards. People have spent several thousand on those boat anchors with very little gains. Even extensive headwork, reground cams and standalones haven't helped. the 1.8l is just an oddball engine. Its the same series at the KL-DE from the Probe/ MX-6 and the "everywhere else but North America spec" KL-ZE.
I'd imagine some parts will interchange between them but why bother?? V6 MX3s aren't as common as the PGT/MX6 anyways.

Now, because of what is known, I believe, as "Cab Forward Design" the second gens kinda got shafted on room in the engine bay. The first gen pros on the other hand are a similar platform to the MX3 which is why the 2.5l swap is somewhat common for those but you will still need some parts off of a V6 powered MX3.
Many moons ago, there were infact a few factory built 1.8l V6 powered first gens, but they were test mules a few of which fell into the hands of the public.

You'r best optio would be to swap a 1.8l four cyl (BP) and then build that up.

Thanks for the explaination. And I will agree a lot with the 2nd gens getting screwed on engine bay size. The only benefit that having a small bay gives you is the short front overhang (which helps the general proportion of the car).