I took some measurements of my engine compartment with the idea in mind of tossing the K-family V6 in my '99 Pro.

In my building a couple have a MX-3 with the 1.8L V6 and I was poking around under the hood looking at how it fits in. The front engine mount (by the fan belts) mount the same way in both cars and the lower mount also (under the rad). I have yet to measure the distance between the bolts to see if the mounts could be interchanged. The engine mounts look to be the same. I haven't checked the rear mount (hard to see from above because of the was the v6 is mounted).

Also, the MX-3 uses the G25M-r transmission...Does Mazda use that transmission in the Gen3? If not I will check to see if the transmissions would interchange. I believe the transmission in the newer Gen3s might work aswell.

Other than that, the wiring and engine management should only be a bit of splicing to hook up, most cars the engine harness is mostly stand alone from the body's running harness (lights, wipers etc.)

Please check a thread in the susp/brake section about the rear discs for all you Gen3 4-bolt rear drum people!

 

I drove the MX-3 V6...it's silky smooth, and revs out nicely...even with 140 000kms on it. Plus the aftermarket supports the car with some perf.parts. The actual dream is to slide a 2.5L engine in, the two engine are dimentionally the same from what I understand. Maybe even a KL-ZE!!!
I know a few people have asked the whole V6 question before and I think if we all worked together maybe we could forge the path! I'm not a rich man or I'd have bought a 626 V6 so maybe I can't quite afford this but I'd like to help anyone else do it too!

 

Anything is possible with money of course but, given that we are talking two totally different chassis makes, it may be hard. But I would think it to be no harder than an H22A into a Civic. Of course, expect allot of welding and downtime to be on the safe side but, it can be done.

 

I'd rather wait for a turbo to be available than spend time and money on a motor conversion...I know that someday soon,we'll be able to install turbos on our pro's ,and I'm sure it will be more valuable than putting whatever v6 in the pro.
It would be very cool though!!

 

I was gonna say, I thought the MX-3 was crappy...

When I say crappy, I mean slow and under powered.

 

I've talked to a couple places that think the 2.5 would fit. Yeah, you might need to change some mounts, and it definately would be a job for someone who could fabricate, but think of a turbo 2.5! Hey, I've seen streetable versions over 400 HP! No replacement for displacement...

 

Why would anyone spend their money on a current model 626 (especially over 20k of it)? All that for a 170HP V6? Even the Taurus gets higher horsepower.

 

Not with the new Mazda 6 coming soon.

 

Ok...