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L3VE L3DE difference?

15K views 19 replies 5 participants last post by  Awwbee 
#1 ·
My car has a thrown rod, mechanic recommend replacing the engine as opposed to rebuilding it. I drive an 05 M3 with a 2.3l L3VE engine. Most of the engines I'm coming across are L3DE. Would it be compatible? Or am I going to have to find an L3VE?
 
#2 ·
Are you sure you have a L3VE in a 2005? From what I found, the L3VE has VVT (variable valve timing) while the L3DE did not. VVT was introduced in the Mazda 3 starting in the 2006 model. Unfortunately, I don't know if they're cross compatible with each other. Though I kind of doubt it. I assume the ECU would very different for an engine with VVT vs not having VVT.
 
#3 ·
I'm not sure, but when I ran the Vin to find out engine specs it says :
Compression ratio: 9.7
Cyl: 4
Size: 2.3
Displacement: 2260
Config: inline
HP: 160
Torque: 150
Valves: 16
Manufacturer engine code: L3V
Type: gas
Code: 4INAG2.3
HP: 6500
Torque: 4500
Timing: Variable Valve Timing
Gear: Double Overhead Camshaft
Transmission: Manual
Number of speeds: 5

I'm not very good at this kind of stuff and the Mazda techs at the nearest dealership had no clue. So I figured maybe someone here could help :)
 
#4 · (Edited)
From what I can find the L3DE is an early Mazda6 engine and just from looking at pictures there are a number of big differences.
-no vvt
-ignition system uses coil packs instead of COP
-cable throttle instead of electronic
I found all forms of combinations really. Some had an electronic throttle and VVT but used a coil pack. Some have no VVT, coil pack, and cable throttle.

I wouldn't mess with it. Are you looking online or just locally?

 
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#5 ·
Mostly online. There aren't too many 2.3s at the nearest junkyards :/ I've found a few on eBay for around $800. Also do any of you know if I have to get an engine that came from a manual or if it's OK to get an AT and just swap the few parts to connect the trans?
 
#6 ·
If I were you I'd seriously consider searching this forum for the threads on swapping your engine for a 2.5 liter Ford Duratec; the engines are plentiful and inexpensive, the power is way better, fuel economy is about the same.
 
#7 ·
If you were to consider doing the swap, Do ALOT of research before actually getting into it, No pun intended, but its not just a drop out drop in swap as many people made it seem this way, but once i got hands on with it, there are many things that need to be done in order to make it work, Not that difficult, just time consuming and requires a bit of ingenuity

I am in the middle of my swap and am going to be dropping the Engine/tranmission in place this weekend, just waiting for a speed3 TB to show up, then it will be complete and ready to run

Some people are running an adapter plate and the original 2.3 intake, others like myself modified the 2.5 intake to fit with all of the 2.3 components

i sat back and thought about the expenses and chances of another 2.3 going bad, and i decided to go with the 2.5 swap after finding one for $425 with 45k about 100 miles away
 
#9 ·
Id say do the swap as well but only if you're doing the work yourself. There is a bunch of researching that goes into it and a mechanic probably wouldn't want to touch it. Dropping in another 2.3 would be a simple job for a mechanic.
 
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#10 ·
Doing the swap sounds good, only issue is I'm not mechanically inclined :( plus I work 2 jobs and have 2 kids (teenager and a baby) so I'm short on time. I love my car! Ive only had it a year! It started ticking in November and the mechanic told me they were sure it wasn't a rod or bearing. Being 8mo pregnant at the time I was more inclined to believe them. I had actually stopped at the shop the day my car broke to schedule an oil change.

I'll do some more research on swapping for the 2.5 and see if I can find a friend or family member who can help.
 
#14 ·
Ok, that's what I was figured :) does it matter if the engine came from an automatic or manual? I'll still have my engine and was thinking if all I really need is the core it shouldn't really matter right? Just swap the flywheel/torque converter and such from my current engine?
 
#16 ·
Ok, so I've been reading the 2.5 swap threads and it sound like a pretty damn good idea.

Any ballpark estimate on costs?

I guess for now I'll just pick up a beater to get me from here to there and give it to my son once my car is up and running.
 
#18 ·
Ok, so after reading the 90 someodd page post in which everyone was doing the swap, I've come to the conclusion that it's probably the best route to take. I'll probably do my struts at the same time as they're pretty much game-overed.

A few questions:

1) I've noticed that some people have used engines from fusions, escapes, mariners and some Mazda's. Does it matter what the engine came out of? Or just that it's a 2.5?
Also what years are most compatible?

2) the biggest issues that people have come across were retiming the engine correctly and having vacuum leaks due to the manifold not being sealed properly? And you can contact 2008Milan for an adapter of sorts?

Thanks for the info :)
 
#19 ·
My engine came from a mariner. Mechanically they should all be the same buy it'd probably be best to post on here before you buy the engine if you're not completely sure.

Timing is really easy once you tear into it and see how that parts fit and how the timing tools work. There are a bunch of ways to do the intake manifold, but it is definitely one of the things that people have had issues with. The adapter is pretty easy.
 
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