Would it be a waste to transplant speed3 essentials into a 3 sedan?

[Stretch]

I'm a realistic guy. I have a 2007 speed 3 that's getting rusty; the doors are rusting out the bottoms, the hatch has some spots, undercarriage is rusty etc. Stereo is crapping out at times now, and the engine burns oil at almost 290k km.

My question is: would is be silly to, in the future, remove the speed essentials (engine, computer, harness, etc.) and transplant into a 2009 3 gt sedan after an engine refresh while it's out? I love working on cars, and I only ask you guys this because this would be fun, however it could be a waste and better off that I just get a different car at the time.

What would you do?

[Mr Wilson]

There's a guy currently doing that on msf, but a hatch (his son passed away and had Mz3). Be a fun project.

[-RJ3-]

If you are willing to spend around 20,000 then go for it. I had worked with my buddy Andrew and it was costing a lot to do.
I ended up buying a condo using 20,000 down with that lol

[Stretch]

You're telling me it will cost $20k if I already have a speed 3 and just want to transplant the hardware from it into a mazda 3 sedan? I'm not buying the speed 3 parts here.

[Jackal]

I'd sell the speed and buy a 2009 GT with no rust on it. There should be enough "fun" work needed to it.

Also why a 2009 GT? Why not a GS or GX? Why a sedan this time?

[Mazzzda]

There's a guy currently doing that on msf, but a hatch (his son passed away and had Mz3). Be a fun project.

I was just about to mention this. The guy has skill and it's looking very promising. It's a very complete swap.

Link: http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f541/2005-mazda-3-hatchback-gets-disi-198731/

[Stretch]

I said 2009 so it's the newest of the first body style and GT so it has the aerokit and other gt options but realistically it could be a GS or GX sure. It this hypothetical situation I would mostly be concerned about the condition of the car. I've had a 2008 GS back in 2008, and although it was nice to bop around, it's not really as fun to drive as the speed and I don't blame it because they are designed for different experiences. The only reason I said sedan was to try something different instead of just using a hatchback donor car as it wouldn't stand out much.

[ryan2.3]

you're better off just adding turbo to your existing engine.

It's been asked before
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?80513-Putting-a-Mazdaspeed3-engine-in-the-mazds3&highlight=speed+3+sedan

and here's a build thread of someone trying it and all the hurdles that came up along the way
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?70588-2008-speed3-sedan

Read through it and you'll see how involved it gets

[Cjcoolen]

I spent a half hour reading his posts. Damn i felt the excitement and frustration. The stress as well. He is a dedicated man.

[Mr Wilson]

Since he's already got a speed the swap should be much easier.

[Stretch]

Since he's already got a speed the swap should be much easier.

That seems to be the key element people are overlooking here. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Yeah all this 20k not worth it etc goes out the window when you have a donor already being your current car.

[FLIPDADY]

If these guys did it in a Mazda 5 a straight swap into a sedan should be painless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuelu1mc47U

Go for it, you have a parts car already. I would do it in a heartbeat!