I am new to the forum, and as such, have not yet been approved for private messages. I am trying to get in touch with Knurled and Toyman01, as I have questions regarding some project ideas they were throwing around in the past. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I'm going to be on the road today, but throw up the questions and I'll answer when I can.
I know in the past, discussions have taken place regarding converting the duratec v6 (specifically the 3.0 and 3.5) to RWD application. I know I'm probably beating a dead horse, but I was curious if this ever took place other than David Godfrey's Merkur? If any information is specifically related to making this swap in an FB RX7, that would be very helpful also.
They came in rwd form in the Lincoln LS and even with a manual transmission.
Yeah I thought about that,but it wasn't for very long, and finding those parts are kinda like a unicorn. And from what I've read, the getrag 221 isn't the best tranny. But, I definitely haven't ruled it out as an option
They also have been putting the 3.7 Duratec in F-150s for a while (as well as the twin turbo 3.5 and now the NA 3.5).
And the Mustangs. But not related to the FWD
Is the ford 3.7 (like in the Mustang) the exact same as the 3.7 that is in the Mazda CX-9? The reason I am asking has to do with Mazda contingency money. If Mazda wont accept the CX-9 engine as a swap option, then this idea goes out the window. I'm not even sure how to go about finding that information out.
In reply to Speedyk:
Not sure how much it helps, but I found this on Wikipedia: A Hiroshima, Japan assembled Mazda MZI 3.7 was installed in the 2008 Mazda CX-9 and was the first 3.7 L Cyclone V6 to see production. The first Ford application of the 3.7 L was the 2009 Lincoln MKS.
A few days before the 2009 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Ford unveiled a new version of the 3.7 L for the 2011 Mustang, making it the first Duratec-badged V6 since the Lincoln LS to be used in a production rear-wheel drive car. This version of the 3.7 L features Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT); delivers 31 mpg-US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg-imp) highway mileage in the Mustang, and was the first production engine to deliver in excess of 300 hp (224 kW) and 30 MPG
And this: Up until 2016 model, the CX-9 was built on the Ford CD3 platform shared with the Ford Edge and Ford Fusion, and used the same 3.7 L V6 engine. The 2016 model was a major redesign of CX-9 which was no longer based on the Ford lineup.
So I read that as saying that the Mazda 3.7 and the early Ford 3.7 are the same. In 2011 Ford introduced a slightly revised 3.7 for the Mustang and F-150 that had more power than the version used in the Mazda and early FWD Fords, but they should be the same basic engine platform.
In reply to STM317:
So, by saying "same basic engine platform" am I to assume the mustang manual tranny will bolt up correctly?
I have no idea. I'm just reading what I could find with a quick googling. I don't know if there is a bellhousing bolt pattern difference between FWD 3.7s and RWD 3.7s, or early 3.7s vs later 3.7s.
I assume you've read this thread already: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/rwd-duratec-shenanigans/51679/page1/
Yeah I read that thread. Thanks
I happen to have a Duratec V6 and 5 speed out of a LS if you are interested. The engine is toast, but the transmission is still good.
My original plan was to stuff that in a FB, but it never came to fruition. In another 10 days, there will probably be a GSL to go with it, unless the guy that said he wanted it shows up with the cash.
In reply to Toyman01:
Where are you located? Why did the FB never pan out?
In reply to Speedyk:
I'm just outside Charleston, SC.
The FB didn't pan out because I have a yard and shop full of projects and lost interest. I've moved on to slower things like a Samurai, Jet Boat, and a 56 bus.
South Carolina is a bit far for me to travel for it. Also, my target horsepower number is around 275hp(at the crank) which in my head, makes the decision tougher for me from a cost effective standpoint. The 3.0 will need some help (performance parts like cams, etc) to hit that number, and it will be mated to a Getrag 221 (which people claim isn't the best), or I could get a 3.5 or 3.7 and be closer to my target power in stock form, and take the money that would have gone into cams and such on the 3.0, and put it towards the custom tranny configuration using a somewhat better tranny.
Let me ask. You said contingency cash. So...mazda motor into a rwd mazda car. Any reason it has to be the 3.7? I know a lot of ways to make a lot of rwd mazda power without that engine.
Speedyk wrote: Is the ford 3.7 (like in the Mustang) the exact same as the 3.7 that is in the Mazda CX-9? The reason I am asking has to do with Mazda contingency money. If Mazda wont accept the CX-9 engine as a swap option, then this idea goes out the window. I'm not even sure how to go about finding that information out.
Unless they have changed things, Mazda doesn't care what engine is in a Mazda production car as far as contingency goes. They only want a Mazda engine if it is a formula car (not recognizable as a Mazda car).
One of the stage rally guys has a Subaru 2.2l engined RX-7 and gets contingency money just fine.
In reply to mndsm:
No reason it has to be a 3.7. I was just thinking that motor is pretty close to my target horsepower in stock form, which would keep me from having to pay for expensive upgrades just to squeak out the power I'm shooting for, and I'm thinking that the all aluminum v6 wouldn't be all that much heavier than the rotary (I could be wrong about that though)
In reply to Knurled:
On the Mazdaspeed website it says:
"1. Mazda production vehicle with modified or stock bodywork using original Mazda engine or other approved Mazda engine"
Well, that sucks.
Not that Mazdaspeed has been kind to me. They never accept my proof of competition. Any time I need to but parts from them, I need to sit on the phone for an hour for the privilege of speaking with a human being so they can confirm that, yes, I did compete in a Mazda, so I am allowed to buy some side seals or whatever.
That's generally why they haven't given me any contingency cash since 2011 despite another 3rd place at Nationals and a 1st place at a national level event. "We don't have record of you competing in a Mazda because reasons."
I like the cars but the company itself kinda sucks sometimes (most of the time). And they allegedly are supportive of people who run their cars in various motorsports.
I understand that Subaru and VW are a hell of a lot easier to work with.
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