Mazda MX6 2.5 V6 manual
Discussion
MX6 said:
Hi Jaaack, always pleased to hear that folks are enjoying the read through. It's a shame that I'm not going to continue with the blue car, as you say with some minor mod's the MX6 does look like something half decent. As standard the stilt like ride height and small wheels don't do the look any favours but it's a sleek shape.
I do prefer a 16“s like the RX7 FD wheels, or a 17" on these, but need to go 18s for the brakes. The silver car was just too good to turn down, the previous owner has done some top work already as you can see, the chassis is well sorted.
I think 300 brake tops is the sensible limit on the standard engine and transmission for turbo, 280-ish will be fun in this relatively light FWD chassis. The Prelude sounds great, have you got a build thread link? I think it's another FWD 90s coupe that is somewhat similarly overlooked, if that and the MX6 were RWD I think there would be much more of an enthusiast following.
May be worth selling the blue one as a project, shame to throw away all the hours you've spent on it. Although a lot of it will benefit the silver example at least.I do prefer a 16“s like the RX7 FD wheels, or a 17" on these, but need to go 18s for the brakes. The silver car was just too good to turn down, the previous owner has done some top work already as you can see, the chassis is well sorted.
I think 300 brake tops is the sensible limit on the standard engine and transmission for turbo, 280-ish will be fun in this relatively light FWD chassis. The Prelude sounds great, have you got a build thread link? I think it's another FWD 90s coupe that is somewhat similarly overlooked, if that and the MX6 were RWD I think there would be much more of an enthusiast following.
Speaking of wheels, I don't suppose you still have the Volk GTPs? If you do, I'd be interested in purchasing them, depending on the size and offset.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The link above is to my Prelude thread. Agreed, they are massively overlooked and have spent the last 15 years being bought by people who just rip the engines out to convert Civics. It's a massive shame as they're great cars in their own right, just like I suspect the MX6 is. Just look at the prices (and the following!) that 200SXs have! The FWD coupes deserve their place in the enthusiast scene for sure.
Edited by Jaaack on Sunday 16th August 23:16
I've actually been thinking of selling the blue car as a project as you say. The large majority of the work done was on the engine and turbo conversion which will be going in the new car so most of the work It won't be lost entirely. The blue car won't sell complete though since it'll be missing some important parts like the ECU, etc. I will almost certainly make more money from breaking it and selling the parts, but too be honest I'm thinking I'd rather not do the work and just sell it as a project to get it out of the garage, so I can get the silver car in there.
When it became clear that I wasn't going to use the Volk Racing wheels I sold them on, I managed to doubled my money on them so was satisfied with that. Would have been great wheels but they needed a proper full refurb and new tyres.
Thanks for the thread link, I'll definitely be giving that a read through. A somewhat similar to the situation with Civics, some MX6's have had their engines robbed as well, to go in MX3's, MX5's, 323's, etc. Prices for the 90s Jap RWD stuff eg. 200SX have gone up loads as you say (I remember when you could buy a runner for £500). The prices of stuff like Supra's have gone wild.
When it became clear that I wasn't going to use the Volk Racing wheels I sold them on, I managed to doubled my money on them so was satisfied with that. Would have been great wheels but they needed a proper full refurb and new tyres.
Thanks for the thread link, I'll definitely be giving that a read through. A somewhat similar to the situation with Civics, some MX6's have had their engines robbed as well, to go in MX3's, MX5's, 323's, etc. Prices for the 90s Jap RWD stuff eg. 200SX have gone up loads as you say (I remember when you could buy a runner for £500). The prices of stuff like Supra's have gone wild.
MX6 said:
I've actually been thinking of selling the blue car as a project as you say. The large majority of the work done was on the engine and turbo conversion which will be going in the new car so most of the work It won't be lost entirely. The blue car won't sell complete though since it'll be missing some important parts like the ECU, etc. I will almost certainly make more money from breaking it and selling the parts, but too be honest I'm thinking I'd rather not do the work and just sell it as a project to get it out of the garage, so I can get the silver car in there.
When it became clear that I wasn't going to use the Volk Racing wheels I sold them on, I managed to doubled my money on them so was satisfied with that. Would have been great wheels but they needed a proper full refurb and new tyres.
Thanks for the thread link, I'll definitely be giving that a read through. A somewhat similar to the situation with Civics, some MX6's have had their engines robbed as well, to go in MX3's, MX5's, 323's, etc. Prices for the 90s Jap RWD stuff eg. 200SX have gone up loads as you say (I remember when you could buy a runner for £500). The prices of stuff like Supra's have gone wild.
In fact, I've still got the original (old shell) Prelude and I'm still paying for storage for it despite abandoning it for 4 years, I really should get rid and it's only really fit for scrap/breaking but I'd hate to see it crushed. At least you don't seem to mind getting rid now you've got a minter When it became clear that I wasn't going to use the Volk Racing wheels I sold them on, I managed to doubled my money on them so was satisfied with that. Would have been great wheels but they needed a proper full refurb and new tyres.
Thanks for the thread link, I'll definitely be giving that a read through. A somewhat similar to the situation with Civics, some MX6's have had their engines robbed as well, to go in MX3's, MX5's, 323's, etc. Prices for the 90s Jap RWD stuff eg. 200SX have gone up loads as you say (I remember when you could buy a runner for £500). The prices of stuff like Supra's have gone wild.
Yeah I thought you might've sold the Volks, bet they didn't take long to sell either!
Almost all of the 90s Jap stuff is now rocketing, except most of the stuff I own
I was intending on getting an R32 GTR as a genuine dream car a few years ago, they started at around £6k in Japan, maybe £8-10k for a really nice example. By the time I had the £8k to get one, they were £25k and they aren't showing many signs of dropping any time soon. It'll be interesting to see if the current situation affects the prices of the JDM Golden Age cars. In a way it's good as these rare old cars tend to be worth more as a whole so don't get broken for parts as often, and when they do, people sell the shells as projects to be rebuilt rather than crushing them, so most of the ones that are out there now will still be around in 10yrs time. I've been watching Imprezas skyrocket too, seem to be following a similar curve to R32s, just a couple of years behind. I did see an EG9 Civic VTi sell for £5500 the other week, a few years ago these were £2-3000 for a minter.Edited the link to my Prelude thread to make it actually work!
With my old car, I pretty much got straight into working on it, I've never really enjoyed driving it so didn't built up any sentimental attachment to it. It would be a shame to see it go in the bin but I can't really see anyone taking it on as a project to be honest, it'll either be broken up by me or someone else I imagine. That's quite a long while to keep your old Prelude, it can be tough to make a decision on these things.
There was quite a lot of interest in the Volk wheels despite me listing them for what I thought was a toppy price, I guess it's collectable 90's parts as well as the cars that are on the up in terms of prices.
It was an interesting one deciding what to pay for the silver MX6, they are very hard to value as there are generally none for sale in the UK such is the rarity of them now. This car is even more unusual given that it's quite highly modified, nothing to compare it to. I'm hopeful that, given 90s car prices are generally on the up, if I keep it for a while, get it fully restored, modified, etc. then it will be worth a fair bit more than it is now. It is good to see older retro classic cars at higher values as it does encourage their longer term survival.
There was quite a lot of interest in the Volk wheels despite me listing them for what I thought was a toppy price, I guess it's collectable 90's parts as well as the cars that are on the up in terms of prices.
It was an interesting one deciding what to pay for the silver MX6, they are very hard to value as there are generally none for sale in the UK such is the rarity of them now. This car is even more unusual given that it's quite highly modified, nothing to compare it to. I'm hopeful that, given 90s car prices are generally on the up, if I keep it for a while, get it fully restored, modified, etc. then it will be worth a fair bit more than it is now. It is good to see older retro classic cars at higher values as it does encourage their longer term survival.
I did a bit of work on the car this weekend. The new Borbet wheel center badges turned up in the week so I popped them on, a nice cosmetic improvement. I went for silver text on black to compliment the rim colour, the old silver centers just didn't look right.
The other new items to arrive were a pair of coilover adjusting spanners, nice and cheap from ebay, about a fiver. I had a measure up and decided that I want to lose 40mm of ride height at the rear, now that the wheels sit inside the arches, and 20mm at the front. I started with the offside rear coilover, but the lower collar ring/nut didn't want to rotate on the threaded sleeve part. I tried penetrating oil and putting a hammer to the adjustment spanner but it appears to be jammed into position. I've basically resigned myself to having to just chop it off with a grinder and replace it. I've order two new lower collar rings/nuts from BC Racing (£7 each) so I'll have another spare at least if I run into the same issue on one of the other corners.
I managed to fix the lighting issues I was having. First was a wing indicator not working, there was a dodgy contact in the bulb socket so it just needed a bit of a wiggy about. A more annoying fault was the instrument cluster back-light not working. I checked all the fuses but no issue there, thought it had to be the dimmer switch at fault so swapped on the part from the old car but that didn't work either. It couldn't be that all the bulbs in the cluster had all failed at the same time, just seemed too unlikely. After poking around for some time, I surprisingly found that the issue was actually due to the radio/CD head unit not being fitted, I had just left it out as it didn't seem much of a priority.
The '6 seems to run and drive fine now with all the electrical systems operating correctly, so I've booked an MOT for Wednesday, fingers crossed. The main unknown quantity is around the fact that the custom exhaust system isn't running a cat, so as the car is a '96 and is due to be tested for emissions, the NOx reading might be interesting, but let's see...
The other new items to arrive were a pair of coilover adjusting spanners, nice and cheap from ebay, about a fiver. I had a measure up and decided that I want to lose 40mm of ride height at the rear, now that the wheels sit inside the arches, and 20mm at the front. I started with the offside rear coilover, but the lower collar ring/nut didn't want to rotate on the threaded sleeve part. I tried penetrating oil and putting a hammer to the adjustment spanner but it appears to be jammed into position. I've basically resigned myself to having to just chop it off with a grinder and replace it. I've order two new lower collar rings/nuts from BC Racing (£7 each) so I'll have another spare at least if I run into the same issue on one of the other corners.
I managed to fix the lighting issues I was having. First was a wing indicator not working, there was a dodgy contact in the bulb socket so it just needed a bit of a wiggy about. A more annoying fault was the instrument cluster back-light not working. I checked all the fuses but no issue there, thought it had to be the dimmer switch at fault so swapped on the part from the old car but that didn't work either. It couldn't be that all the bulbs in the cluster had all failed at the same time, just seemed too unlikely. After poking around for some time, I surprisingly found that the issue was actually due to the radio/CD head unit not being fitted, I had just left it out as it didn't seem much of a priority.
The '6 seems to run and drive fine now with all the electrical systems operating correctly, so I've booked an MOT for Wednesday, fingers crossed. The main unknown quantity is around the fact that the custom exhaust system isn't running a cat, so as the car is a '96 and is due to be tested for emissions, the NOx reading might be interesting, but let's see...
The silver '6 was MOT'ed today. It was a fail but I'm seeing it as a good fail, nothing particularly unexpected.
The primary issue was emissions, the fail was on carbon monoxide levels at fast idle. Its pretty obvious that the issue is due to there not actually being a catalytic converter fitted at the moment, the lambda and hydrocarbon readings were well in spec. So I'm going to have a think on the best solution to this.
I also had a fail on a tyre, the're not the best on these wheels to be fair, nice and easy to sort at least. Had an advisory for rear brake pads, that was it. So not bad for a 24 year old car I guess.
The primary issue was emissions, the fail was on carbon monoxide levels at fast idle. Its pretty obvious that the issue is due to there not actually being a catalytic converter fitted at the moment, the lambda and hydrocarbon readings were well in spec. So I'm going to have a think on the best solution to this.
I also had a fail on a tyre, the're not the best on these wheels to be fair, nice and easy to sort at least. Had an advisory for rear brake pads, that was it. So not bad for a 24 year old car I guess.
Not much progress unfortunately, due to a two week holiday and these bloody quarantine requirements. I've received the catalytic converter that I've going to have fitted, a 2.5" diameter 200 cell jobbie with a lambda sensor bung in it. I'm planning to install a single wideband lambda sensor for monitoring the air/fuel ratios with the gauge that will be mounted where the clock currently sits.
Here's a pic of how the car sits on the new wheels. I think I'm quite satisfied with the style and fitment, I still want to lower the car somewhat more though. The tyres aren't in very good shape, I need a couple for the MOT so have decided to get a new set of four. I've done a bit of research and am thinking of going with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5's, seem to have a good balance between performance and price.
Here's a pic of how the car sits on the new wheels. I think I'm quite satisfied with the style and fitment, I still want to lower the car somewhat more though. The tyres aren't in very good shape, I need a couple for the MOT so have decided to get a new set of four. I've done a bit of research and am thinking of going with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5's, seem to have a good balance between performance and price.
I got the new cat fitted today, plus had the central silencer/resonator swapped off in place of a larger one. The exhaust is somewhat quieter, it's just loud now as opposed to very loud. Hopefully the cat does the job on the emissions, I just need it to do enough to get the carbon monoxide down under the specified limit on fast idle. I've heard that you need to get these smaller cats nice and hot. The exhaust does smell a bit better now at least so I think it's doing something. Anyhow, the new tyres and MOT are booked for Monday, so fingers crossed...
Edited by MX6 on Thursday 24th September 10:45
Thanks for the positive comments guys.
At my previous MOT, the natural idle CO volume was found to be bang on 0.5%, so that was a pass even with no cat fitted. But at fast idle it was up to 0.56%, the limit as I mention is 0.3%. So hopefully the high flow cat can do enough to get it under but let's see on Monday. It all seems a bit arbitrary but thems the rules I guess.
With regards to my planned turbo conversion, I will obviously need this to pass emission as well. Since the fast idle test is 2350 to 2650 RPM, the theory is that the engine should run as standard at this RPM since the T3/T4 turbo won't start to spool up until 3k RPM or higher, given the size of it and the exhaust diameter. With my basic initial set-up, the standard ECU will control the fuelling at natural and fast idle as normal, the FMU (fuel management unit - basically a rising rate fuel pressure regulator) won't start pushing more fuel until the turbo starts to come on boost. That's the theory anyhow, if it doesn't pan out that way I will have to go straight to an aftermarket ECU solution...
samoht said:
Hopefully with it being a 1996 car the emissions limits won't be too strict, so the sports cat should suffice.
I had a further look into the emission requirements for the car. You may know, but the emission test standards became a lot more strict from 1st August 1992 with the introduction of catalytic converters to achieve this, it's the CO (carbon monoxide) levels that are significant, my car is a '96. Before this date and back to '86, a volume of up to 3.5% CO was permitted at natural idle, post '92 this became 0.5% which applies to the MX-6. At fast idle there was previously no limit, post '92 that became 0.3%. Then in 2002 things became more strict again, the limits being 0.3% and 0.2% respectively.At my previous MOT, the natural idle CO volume was found to be bang on 0.5%, so that was a pass even with no cat fitted. But at fast idle it was up to 0.56%, the limit as I mention is 0.3%. So hopefully the high flow cat can do enough to get it under but let's see on Monday. It all seems a bit arbitrary but thems the rules I guess.
With regards to my planned turbo conversion, I will obviously need this to pass emission as well. Since the fast idle test is 2350 to 2650 RPM, the theory is that the engine should run as standard at this RPM since the T3/T4 turbo won't start to spool up until 3k RPM or higher, given the size of it and the exhaust diameter. With my basic initial set-up, the standard ECU will control the fuelling at natural and fast idle as normal, the FMU (fuel management unit - basically a rising rate fuel pressure regulator) won't start pushing more fuel until the turbo starts to come on boost. That's the theory anyhow, if it doesn't pan out that way I will have to go straight to an aftermarket ECU solution...
Edited by MX6 on Friday 25th September 11:21
So I finally got the MOT passed yesterday afternoon, no advisories. She scrapped through the emissions, the garage seemed to be sympathetic and nursed it through, the high flow cat needed to be baking hot for the CO to go under the limit. Job done though, chuffed to have the car road legal now. I'm impressed with the new Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres, the car handles noticably better now and grips really well. Obviously plenty more work to do, things to improve/fix, mod's to make...
I managed to adjust the ride height of the coilovers in the end. The locking collars on the rears weren't rotating, stuck firmly in place. I bought an ebay blow torch to whack some heat into them which did the job of loosening them off. Cleaned up the threads with a wire brush and used some penetrating oil to get things moving better. As a result I knocked about 30mm off the ride height at the rear, looks a bit more purposeful now, though I will continue fiddling around with it.
Went out for a blast last night, grabbed a couple of pic's.
I managed to adjust the ride height of the coilovers in the end. The locking collars on the rears weren't rotating, stuck firmly in place. I bought an ebay blow torch to whack some heat into them which did the job of loosening them off. Cleaned up the threads with a wire brush and used some penetrating oil to get things moving better. As a result I knocked about 30mm off the ride height at the rear, looks a bit more purposeful now, though I will continue fiddling around with it.
Went out for a blast last night, grabbed a couple of pic's.
A minor update. I've not done much work on the silver car, just been enjoying putting some miles on it. I've been slowly breaking the old car, stripped quite a bit including the large majority of the interior but still some work to do before I scrap the shell.
I've been selling some of the parts, notably the front and rear seat, good to know they'll be put to good use at least.
I acquired a new engine performance upgrade part, an intake manifold from a KL-ZE. The ZE is a higher power JDM version of the KL-DE 2.5L V6 found in the MX-6, it puts out around 200bhp compared to the 165 of the standard motor. The main upgrade parts to achieve the power increase were the better flowing intake manifold and longer duration inlet cam. I'll fit this part when I start doing the work on the turbo mod's.
I've been selling some of the parts, notably the front and rear seat, good to know they'll be put to good use at least.
I acquired a new engine performance upgrade part, an intake manifold from a KL-ZE. The ZE is a higher power JDM version of the KL-DE 2.5L V6 found in the MX-6, it puts out around 200bhp compared to the 165 of the standard motor. The main upgrade parts to achieve the power increase were the better flowing intake manifold and longer duration inlet cam. I'll fit this part when I start doing the work on the turbo mod's.
Hi, thanks! Things have been proceeding at a glacial pace here, the old blue car is mostly dismantled now, planning to pull the motor out this weekend.
I'm keeping some parts as spares and selling some parts as well, let me know if there are any specific parts you need?
I'm keeping some parts as spares and selling some parts as well, let me know if there are any specific parts you need?
Edited by MX-6 on Saturday 16th January 12:49
savvy said:
Not sure how I managed to miss this thread in 4 years.. Been a fascinating read. I've always been into MX's since new as a kid in the 90's. Have owned MX-3's since 2002, really good to see these cars still going so well. Glad I'm not alone!
Thanks for the comments, it's always good to hear from other MX enthusuiasts. I always really liked the MX3 since the 90s as well, it's a shame that the numbers of those and MX6's are really thinning out now, I think they make for fun project cars particularly for those on a budget.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff