Mazda 323 GTX, question on powertrain...

I know these have a 1.8 Turbo right? Can you swap in the new 2.3 turbo and 6 speed AWD tranny in there from a Mazdaspeed 6?

Torch, welder, plasma cutter, DOM tubing, and some sheet metal, SURE!!

The car we in the USA got was powered by a 1.6 B-series variant, much like what we also got in the Capri XR2.

2.3 anything will not be a bolt-in, you'd be heavily modifying the car to do what you're talking about. And since the 6 AWD system is basically FWD + slight rear wheel assist, I think it would be smarter to get the 2.3t drivertrain from a Mazdaspeed 3.

They're a B6T, not a BP. Certain markets got a BPT, but those are rare in the states. As far as I know, it's not a bolt-in swap, they're very different engines.

Hhmm. Well, are the 1.6's we get worth a crap? I love these little cars, just wondering how stout they are for modifying and playing with.

The 2.3 is an MZR, totally different engine family.

Very cool cars. Other than the transmission, they're pretty stout. It's basically the Miata engine, but with lower compression and a distributor. The hard part is finding one that isn't rusty or rallied out, but they're out there.

So the AWD transmission is the weak link. Is there an upgrade that keeps it AWD?

Best option is probably to go with a BPT engine/transmission pullout from Japan. The transmission used on the 1.8 cars was stronger.

Keep in mind that only about 1200 were imported to the US about 23 years ago. Many have rusted out. Many have been rallied and balled up. Some parts are simply no longer available. They're not a common car, but they do change hands fairly often.

I've owned a couple of these. They're fun cars but prone to rust and have a few weird quirks.

Conquest351 wrote: So the AWD transmission is the weak link. Is there an upgrade that keeps it AWD?

the transmissions are fine sub 300whp, the casing is usually the first to go. the 1.8 awd trans came with a center lsd but everything else is the same (same goes for the gtr trans). if you are shooting for above 300whp, look into the celica alltrac swap.

Has anyone ever actually done an Alltrac swap? I've heard it talked about, but never heard of it being done.

I'd put the trans limits lower, more like 225-250. And expect the 2nd gear synchro to be gone.

There's a few of them done... more common on cars like Jay's that have the 1.8 variant.

I'd expect more Familia GTX/GTRs to have it done than 323GTXs.

More common in North America to use the MR2/Solara trans in FWD application. There's at least 15 adapter plates floating around ClubProtege for said swap.

Not REAL cheap, but on the plus side, i'm convinced it's near impossible to destroy one of those transmissions. Do it once, never touch it again.

What motor/drivetrain swap would you do in order to keep it AWD? SR20DET and tranny from a Pulsar GTiR imported?

I'm doing an Alltrac gearbox/rearend swap to a (as rare as a gtx) '90 4wd Protege rallycar. I wouldn't attempt it on a gtx. I don't think there's as much engine bay room and we're having a rough go of it as it is. You'd need to get rid of the hubs on the gtx, and update them to the '90-92 BG hubs, which also means swapping uprights or modding what you have, unless you want to try to hybridize toyota and mazda halfshafts. The 1.6 in there can take a great deal of abuse, it's good for 180-200 hp day in day out and if you're careful with the gearbox it'll last. What I hate most about that car is the wheelbearings, which in my experience were even more fragile than the gearbox... I just thought of another swap to consider if you really wanna go that route, evo 4 or 5 has the trans on the same side of hte engine as the gtx does. I looked into it and folded cuz I couldn't find evo 4-5 parts aaaanywhere. Perhaps you'll have better luck. I understand the East Coast Irish Rally Mafia might be able to make you an offer you can't refuse, but you didn't hear it from me.

evo parts are rather plentiful in the Uk... then again so are evo 4-5's, lol.

Conquest351 wrote: What motor/drivetrain swap would you do in order to keep it AWD? SR20DET and tranny from a Pulsar GTiR imported?

Ideally, i'd like one with a Familia GTR BPT, with ST185 Celica drivetrain.