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K Engines


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The Mazda K family is a 60° V6 automobile engine, ranging from a tiny 1.8 L for the Mazda MX-3 to 2.0, 2.3 (in the Mazda Millenia) to 2.5 (for the Mazda MX-6, Mazda 626, Mazda Millenia, and early Mazda MPV). All are short stroke DOHC engines and were designed to be as compact as possible for short-hood front-wheel drive applications.

 

A Variable Resonance Induction System (VRIS) was used on the K8, KF, and KL, optimizing torque production over the entire rev band. The K8, KF, and KL engines all had a 7,000 rpm redline. The KJ-ZEM Miller cycle engine had a 6,000 rpm redline, but was only available mated with an automatic transmission.

 

The Mazda K series was co-developed with Suzuki, with Mazda reportedly handling the bulk of the design. The early 2.0 L Suzuki H20A and Mazda KF are similar in design, but the two engine families diverged after this. Suzuki focused on building ever-larger torque-producing engines for their SUV lineup, while Mazda focused on high technology and power output. The later Suzuki and Mazda engines do not share many components at all.

 

 

 

K8

The 1.8 L (1845 cc) K8 is among the smallest production V6 engines ever; and also the first K-series engine to be used in a Mazda car. (in the Mazda MX-3 It was a DOHC 4-valve design with VRIS and a 75 mm bore and 69.6 mm stroke. It produced 130 hp in US trim (sometimes referred to as "K8-DE"), and 135 hp in Japanese trim (the "K8-ZE") on introduction in 1991 and 144 hp (108 kW) and 115 ft.lbf (157 Nm) at its best.

 

Applications:

  • Mazda MX-3
  • Eunos 500
  • Autozam AZ3
KF
  • 2.0 L KF - 1995 cc (78x69.6 mm) - The 2.0 L KF-ZE engine produced 160 hp (119 kW) and 132 ft.lbf (180 Nm). The Lantis variant produced 170 hp and 140 ft·lbf.
Applications:
  • 1992-1993 Eunos 500, 160 hp 180 Nm
  • 1993-2002 Eunos 800
  • 1993-1999 Xedos 6
  • 1993-2002 Xedos 9
  • 1993-1996 Mazda Lantis
KJ-ZEM

The 2.3 L KJ-ZEM is one of Mazda's most technologically advanced engines. It employs the "Miller cycle" which uses a supercharger to decrease compression losses and increase power. It was used in the T-platform cars. The supercharger used is the twin-screw type with electronic boost control. Power output was 217 hp (162 kW) and 210 ft.lbf. The KJ-ZEM was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 1995 through 1998.

 

Applications:

  • Mazda Millenia
  • Eunos 800
  • Mazda Xedos 9
KL

The 2.5 L (2497 cc) KL family uses an 84.5 mm bore and 74.2 mm stroke. It includes the Japan-only KL-ZE, which produced 196 hp (149 kW) and 165 ft.lbf (224 Nm). Another variant, the KL-DE (often incorrectly called the KL03) was the worldwide version, with 164-170 hp in various applications.

 

Mazda introduced a key technology with these engines, known as the Variable Resonance Induction System (VRIS). A series of two butterfly valves coupled with electronically controlled actuators varied the volume and length of a resonant chamber attached to the intake manifold, producing 4 resonant frequencies. The valves actuate at particular engine frequencies (i.e. RPMs) to produce optimal torque/horsepower output at any given engine speed.

 

Applications:

  • KL-DE/KL03
    • 1993-1997 Mazda MX-6 LS
    • 1993-1997 Ford Probe GT
    • 1993-2002 Mazda 626 ES
    • 1995-2002 Mazda Millenia L
  • KL-ZE
    • 1997 Mazda Capella Wagon
    • 1993+ Mazda MX-6 Mystere (Japan)
    • 1993+ Mazda MS-8 (Japan)
    • 1993+ Mazda Eunos 600/800 (Japan)
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