I've been lookin' around online, and just out of curiousity I was wondering if this engine would fit in a 1st gen Protegé? Engine I figured the Jap. MX-6 2.5L would fit so I figured this would too. I know you'd be giving up a lot of horsepower not going with the KL-ZE, but for a guy with a DX, 164hp and 160lb/ft still sounds like heaven.

Also, I was wondering about the swappability of a 626 4-banger. The horsepower gain would be practically nothing, and you LX guys would actually lose power, but is it possible? Also, maybe some of you guys can tell me why the 94-97? 626 4 cylinders only made 118hp? Isn't that kinda low for a 2.0L engine? Just doin' some abstract thinkin' here in Indiana..... anyone else have any thing to add? any suggestions, answers or ideas???

 

alright, thanks for the info. That's pretty much what I figured about the ebay engine. I'm thinking that it could be way cheaper to go that route if someone just wanted a decent horsepower gain, but isn't necessarily looking for all out performance. Does anyone know if these american probe/626/mx-6 engines have the same potential as a KL-ZE? What kind of mods could be done to raise this U.S. Spec engine to KL-ZE levels?

 

Hehe...glad you can see the wheels turning. I've discovered that it's always cheaper to go up North for those universal parts. Anyone know what the exchange rate is at right now? It's been a while since I've been to Canada. Actually about 4 or 5 years...

 

What are the differences between the KL03 and the KLZE?
BTW I just bid on that engine, reserve still not met though

 

To my understanding the KL-03 is a U.S. Spec version of the J.Spec KL-ZE. The KL-03 only has 160-165hp compared to the ZE's 200hp. Also, the ZE obviously makes higher torque numbers, I'm just not sure how much higher.... you could easily find out with a little research...

 

I know these differences I'm just wondering how the KLZE achieves its better numbers.

 

I saw this swap on the A-Spec page awhile back, and was all for getting it...until I noticed that its was for 1st gens. Anyway, just curious if this swap will work with a 2000 LX sedan or is it a completly different setup?

 

The KLZE is also improved by head port sizing and a higher flowing intake manifold I believe. It essentially is 1.8L K08 bored out to 2.5L with performance cams, pistons, etc, etc... Lots of Probe/MX6 owners have swapped in this engine with much success. Check out www.probetalk.com and www.mx3.com forums for swap info, tuning and suppliers. Since the Protege shares almost the same basic structure as the MX3, Probe, MX6 and 626 swaps are possible. The pains are in putting the V6 in an engine bay for a 4 cyl. Search for Vaughn's website on his MX3, he's got lots of valuable information on the topic. I think Dave Coleman has website going in-depth of the KL engines. Some probetalk members are making close to 200 WHP on a tuned KL03 engine, not even the KLZE. Its a monster of an engine if done well, it has lots of torque and makes a smooth sound with a Brullen muffler.