It lives!

I just heard my KLZE MX-3 roar to life (over the phone, I have a great mechanic). It's been a long and frustrating experience. The knocking turned out to be a broken exhaust cam. I'd found a disassembled KLZE with the really good KL31 cams, but unfortunately one of them was cracked. Sigh. Finally tracked down a set but lining up time with the seller was an exercise in frustration. Buying new ones from a performance shop was out of the question, at $800 they were beyond what a freelancer's budget could accommodate – given what I'd already spent on this sumbitchin' car. Car has good compression and seems to be running smoothly. They're gonna make sure there are no issues with it, but should be able to pick it up tomorrow. None too soon, my beater died last week and this week's press car goes back Friday... leaving me carless.

Excellent news, Lesley! It was such a shame to hear your previous story it's good to know the lil Mazda is going to be back on the road.

Thats great to hear, nothing like hearing an old "friend" to livin up your day

So you did end up with the KL31 cams, right?

Wooooot!

PS: What intake manifold and ECU are you running again? I ask because you NEED a straight neck and a KL31/36 ecu on there. If i end up going Megasquirt or Haltech on mine this winter (high probability), i'll be selling the IM and ECU for cheap if you don't already have that setup.

That's some good news!

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: So you did end up with the KL31 cams, right? Wooooot! PS: What intake manifold and ECU are you running again? I ask because you NEED a straight neck and a KL31/36 ecu on there. If i end up going Megasquirt or Haltech on mine this winter (high probability), i'll be selling the IM and ECU for cheap if you don't already have that setup.

I have the proper ECU, and the second KLZE I bought came with the straight neck. It needs to be ground down to fit past the brake booster, right?

I thought you had lost crank bearings, based on your rather depressed post about the nasty noises. Just a broken cam is good news, right?

Lesley wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: So you did end up with the KL31 cams, right? Wooooot! PS: What intake manifold and ECU are you running again? I ask because you NEED a straight neck and a KL31/36 ecu on there. If i end up going Megasquirt or Haltech on mine this winter (high probability), i'll be selling the IM and ECU for cheap if you don't already have that setup.

I have the proper ECU, and the second KLZE I bought came with the straight neck. It needs to be ground down to fit past the brake booster, right?

Nah, don't mess with that. Just relocate the brake booster reservoir.

http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=619538&postcount=3

imachu2 said: The MX-3 hits too. If you want the straight neck a proven fix is to remote mount the reservoir. http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/sho...t=46003&page=5 Parts List: Two MR. Gasket P/N P906's Two Russel P/N 670300 36 (sold by the inch) Wilwood P/N 220-5613 remote master cyl line.

OK, that was my other question - whether it was difficult to move. Thanks so much for the link, that's the next step!

Streetwiseguy - me too, it definitely sounded like knocking. Fortunately I got it towed almost immediately after it developed, and it appears there was no damage. Engine has good compression and was running smooth last night. Going to pick it up shortly if all goes well.

Now it needs paint. Don't ever let anyone convince you that the roller-marine paint job is the way to go. The previous owner did it right, wet sanding between many coats, and still it looks like crap unless freshly waxed. It's faded in spots to almost pink, and rain leaves marks.

Congrats Lesley - sounds like it's been a long road

Thanks! I'm looking forward to actually driving it!