MX-West

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Annual MX-3 Meet in Kelowna, BC

MX-West is a Western Canadian & US based car organization, specializing in the Mazda MX-3 (or Presso / AZ-3 / Precidia / Eunos 30X). "The club was started to share the experiences enthusiasts have had with the Mazda MX-3 through fixing it, modifying it and most of all driving it"^[1]. Members of MX-West benefit from the wealth of information within the Club and MX-3 community. The club also participates in many events throughout the year such as trips, various car shows, race days at the track, meets, and annual cruises^[2] One popular event which draws a lot of attention is the Western Annual Mazda MX-3 meet which takes place in Kelowna, British Columbia.^[3] This event draws owners and enthusiasts from all across western Canada and the USA. MX-West has also hosted many other Mazda specific events throughout Western Canada.

1 History
2 Regional Administration
3 MX-3 Modifications
4 Future of MX-West
5 References
6 See also

[edit] History

MX-West was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in the summer of 1999. The club founders at that time were Kevin Gee & Quinn Maddox later changing to President - Kevin Gee and Vice-President - Taras Taranuhka. It's members ranged from British Columbia to Washington State. By 2002, MX-West expanded to Calgary, Alberta where a second division of the club was started by James Gosteli - President of the Alberta MX-West region. The new Calgary chapter was off to a slow start but grew in great numbers after 2005. MX-West briefly expanded to the province of Saskatchewan. After a year of failed participation from local MX-3 owners, Saskatchewan Region President - Justin Ollerich of Saskatoon chose to disband operations. A new MX-West sector in Washington State, run by Josh Forrest and Dan Sharpe has just officially opened as of Jan 2007.^[4]

[edit] Regional Administration

1993 Mazda MX-3 in Vancouver, B.C.

British Columbia Division
^[5] President - Kevin Gee
Vice President - Taras Taranuhka

Alberta Division
President - James Gosteli
VP Calgary Region - Mark Klassen
VP Edmonton Region -

Washington Division
President - Josh Forrest
Vice President - Dan Sharpe

[edit] MX-3 Modifications

1992 Mazda MX3 with 2.5L KLZE V6

Comparison chart of typical MX-3 engine swaps

The Mazda MX-3 is becoming a rare car, so modifications for it can be difficult to find unless you know where to look since it has not been manufactured in North America since 1996. Since the MX-3 has two engine classes (I4 and V6) many of the engine performance modifications are dependent upon what platform is installed.

MX-3 RS with the 4-cylinder engine can upgrade to the BP 98kW (132hp), B6-T 110kW (147HP), BP-T 134kW (179hp) and BPD-T 154kW (206hp) engines. This can bring it's low power up to a very healthy rating and transform into stiff competition for many modern performance vehicles on the road today.

The most common engine swap for MX-3 GS owners with the V6 engine is a 2.5 L V6 (either a North American-spec KL-DE 125kW (168hp) or the Japanese-spec KL-ZE 149kW (199hp), found in such vehicles as the Efini MS-8, Xedos 9, & Eunos 800). A 2.0L V6 known as the KF-ZE is also available, but this swap can proved to be quite difficult due to the unavailability of required components. For this reason, this particular engine swap is not often attempted.^[6]

Swapping of the 4cyl RS engines can be slightly more complicated than the V6 GS mainly due to ECU, wiring harness, and MAF combinations as well as motor mounts. V6 swaps require specific ECU, intake manifold, and VAF sensor combinations, but there are far less variables to deal with. Many improvements can be made after the engine swap & during the engine tuning process to find the best combination of engine peripherals.

There is now a growing range of Body modifications for the MX-3 along with performance brakes and suspension.[9] Most extensive modification must be entirely custom fabricated due to limited availability. This is mainly where the vast knowledge and support of MX-West is beneficial to the MX-3 enthusiasts. The experience of other owners in the MX-3 community along with hands on advice from club members quickly becomes a valuable asset. The MX-3.com forum also contains a wealth of information.^[7]

[edit] Future of MX-West

Mazda Kabura Concept showing retracted "spoiler" solar cell hatch and glass roof panel

As time goes on, the Mazda MX-3 becomes an older vehicle. Many club members have already spent vast amounts of money to restore their MX-3 and keep it in top condition. As newer Mazda models are released it is possible that MX-West will adopt another vehicle model into its organization, such as the upcoming Mazda MX-4 Kabura. Others feel that the club should expand to welcome all Mazda vehicles of the Mazda-"X"-Class such as the Mazda CX-5, CX-7, CX-9, MX-5 Miata, Mazda MX-6, etc. The future is uncertain, but many options remain. To this day it is an ongoing debate amongst MX-West members.

[edit] References

^ Kevin Gee - MX-West founder[1] [2]
^ Henry Chow: "Clans of the West Coast", page 35. Import Tuner Magazine, September 2004.
^ 2006 Western Annual MX-3 Meet in Kelowna BC. Past Events - MX-West Official Site [3]
^ Kevin Gee, The History of MX-West - Official MX-West web site [4][5]
^ MX-West Official web site - FAQ Page [6]
^ KLZE and KLDE Engine Comparison - [7]
^ MX-3.com Official Website - Engine swap and body modification page [8]