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bluej
bluej HalfDork
10/18/10 1:15 p.m.

I'm having impure thoughts about what can be done with a kia sportage, $2010 XJ-R style.

mndsm
mndsm Dork
10/18/10 1:24 p.m.

Sounds like fun to me.

D_Howard
D_Howard New Reader
10/18/10 1:26 p.m.

I gotta a chevy tracker in good running shape, definitely less then 2k, hmmm

93celicaGT2
93celicaGT2 SuperDork
10/18/10 1:41 p.m.
bluej wrote: I'm having impure thoughts about what can be done with a kia sportage, $2010 XJ-R style.

If it has the 2.0 DOHC, BOOST IT. HARD.

That's an FE3. Very overbuilt, and originally built for boost. Designed by Mazda. Common swap into 1st gen Probe/MX6.

bluej
bluej HalfDork
10/18/10 1:55 p.m.

In reply to 93celicaGT2:

yep, was pleased (or not) to discover that plus they come RWD instead of FWD on the 2WD models.

ReverendDexter
ReverendDexter Dork
10/18/10 2:28 p.m.

Yeah, those things are surprising. I think they have a Getrag 5-speed, too, don't they?

93celicaGT2
93celicaGT2 SuperDork
10/18/10 2:33 p.m.
bluej wrote: In reply to 93celicaGT2: yep, was pleased (or not) to discover that plus they come RWD instead of FWD on the 2WD models.

Nice. I've wanted to yank one and put the drivetrain into an old B2200 and boost it to hell and back. 400whp is not unheard of on a stock unopened FE3.

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/18/10 2:44 p.m.

Crap, now you guys got me looking for a Sportage. And I just found a 2wd, 5-speed localish for $750 with an allegedly snapped timing belt. Are these interference engines or not?

I do admit, it sounds like a much better winter car than a 64 Corvair.

petegossett
petegossett GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/18/10 2:49 p.m.

Ok I gotta ask, was there another engine available in these? I hear nothing but horror stories about blown head gaskets & major engine failures.

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/18/10 2:51 p.m.

Wikipedia says it is non-interference. Looks like I might purchase it tomorrow.

93celicaGT2
93celicaGT2 SuperDork
10/18/10 2:53 p.m.
EvanB wrote: Crap, now you guys got me looking for a Sportage. And I just found a 2wd, 5-speed localish for $750 with an allegedly snapped timing belt. Are these interference engines or not? I do admit, it sounds like a much better winter car than a 64 Corvair.

If it has the FE3/FE-DOHC motor, it is NON interference. There are valve reliefs cut into the cylinders. The mazda F2, F2T, and FE motors are non interference.

I believe if it's not the 2.0 litre, though, it is interference.

Wiki on FE3 said: the FE-DOHC is already built for turbo with large forged connecting rods, large journal dimensions, oil cooler, piston oilers, web-stiffened block with main girdles (and braceplate where equipped). This robust engine design is a favourite of tuners who are aware of its capability because it already has a high-power capacity perfect for custom turbo jobs. As much as 600 whp has been seen on a stock engine. The common FE-DOHC crankshaft is cast while the forged crankshaft is fitted to the aluminum sump engines with both the main bearing braces and the main bearing girdle plate. In European 10.0:1 compression, non-catalytic trim, the FE-DOHC produces 148 ps (108 kW) at 6000 rpm and 133 lb/ft (182 Nm) at 4000 rpm. The 9.2:1 compression, catalytic converter version produces 140 ps. The Japanese domestic market variants produce anywhere between 145 ps and 170 ps, with the late manual 4WD GV Wagon having 165 ps in certain years.
93celicaGT2
93celicaGT2 SuperDork
10/18/10 2:57 p.m.
petegossett wrote: Ok I gotta ask, was there another engine available in these? I hear nothing but horror stories about blown head gaskets & major engine failures.

The early ones? (2002 or earlier) Or the later ones?

bluej
bluej HalfDork
10/18/10 3:34 p.m.
petegossett wrote: Ok I gotta ask, was there another engine available in these? I hear nothing but horror stories about blown head gaskets & major engine failures.

main reason for posting here was to see if there was anything like that the GRM collective was aware of. Can you be more specific?

WilberM3
WilberM3 Reader
10/18/10 3:51 p.m.

there's nothing wrong with you. i realized that about 3 turns into the XJ-R's first autocross run.

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/18/10 4:09 p.m.

If I get this one you may have some turbo SUV competition next year

SilverFleet
SilverFleet HalfDork
10/18/10 5:46 p.m.
WilberM3 wrote: there's nothing wrong with you. i realized that about 3 turns into the XJ-R's first autocross run.

Uh-oh... Look at what we started!

njansenv
njansenv HalfDork
10/18/10 6:48 p.m.
bluej wrote: In reply to 93celicaGT2: yep, was pleased (or not) to discover that plus they come RWD instead of FWD on the 2WD models.

Wait. Wut?!!

I did NOT know that.

Did the sportage variant keep the forged bits?

petegossett
petegossett GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/18/10 8:07 p.m.

I'm afraid I don't really know any details, but it happened to two different "friends of friends". I think they might have been 4-cyl ones, but I'm not sure.

bluej
bluej HalfDork
10/19/10 7:06 a.m.

In reply to njansenv:

forged rods in the sportage FE3 engine.

hmm.. challange ZAV class?

93celicaGT2
93celicaGT2 SuperDork
10/19/10 9:04 a.m.
njansenv wrote:
bluej wrote: In reply to 93celicaGT2: yep, was pleased (or not) to discover that plus they come RWD instead of FWD on the 2WD models.
Wait. Wut?!! I did NOT know that. Did the sportage variant keep the forged bits?

As far as i know, yes... the only thing that i don't think they kept forged was the crank, but unless you're going for huge amounts of power, i wouldn't worry about it.

The only thing that i'm not real sure about is the driveline. I'm not sure how robust it is.

Also worth noting: The Mazda high-comp FE3N cams will swap directly into the Sportage FE3.

bluej
bluej HalfDork
10/19/10 10:06 a.m.

moar FE3 info: http://www.solomiata.com/FE3.html

phaze1todd
phaze1todd Reader
10/19/10 10:14 a.m.

1st gen suspension was designed by Lotus. . .

93celicaGT2
93celicaGT2 SuperDork
10/19/10 10:18 a.m.
phaze1todd wrote: 1st gen suspension was designed by Lotus. . .

Wait.... WHAT?

Seriously?

Man, with all this, I'M starting to have bad thoughts about one.

bluej
bluej HalfDork
10/19/10 10:24 a.m.

In reply to phaze1todd:

news to me!

go onnnn...

phaze1todd
phaze1todd Reader
10/19/10 10:31 a.m.

In reply to phaze1todd:

news to me!

go onnnn...

Designed for the U.S. market, the Korean-built Sportage uses a Lotus-tuned independent front suspension and rear four-link setup with coil springs and dampers to provide a compliant, carlike ride that contradicts its truck-tough off-road image. Most sport/ute owners spend the vast majority of their time on pavement, where the Sportage is clearly in its element. However, for the occasional adventurous excursion, autolocking hubs allow the driver to conveniently shift into four-wheel drive while on the move.

Motortrend Review

bluej wrote:

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