Trying to brainstorm the differences between a 99 short block and an 01. Mainly concerned with the sensor side of things, but everything is relevant. I'd like to get some confirmation on these few things:

-higher compression, 9.5 vs 10
-''stronger'' crank, balanced better, lighter, or different casting I'm not sure. Mostly a rumor I've read on forums, lol.
-different head gasket design, I believe it was mainly a coolant flow redesign. I think the oil passage is unchanged.
-oil pressure sensor is the same AFAIK.
-crank position sensor and trigger wheel are the same AFAIK.

That's about all I can think of right now....

 

-higher comp
-01+ has MBSP
-01+ has thicker VVT oil pump

That's it AFAIK.

 

Yup, that's it. As for the sensors, everything bolts up just fine, no issues.

 

Awesome, thanks guys.

 

Coils are different, and coil pig tails.

 

coils as in ignition? those don't mount on the block lol

 

MBSP will mean there are differences in the oil pan, windage tray, main caps and pump pickup, or am I way off on this?

 

Hmmm. Difference in oil pick up? Never heard that. In for answer.

 

Yeah, don't quote me on that. In for answer as well.

 

No idea on that either. I just bolted the whole bottom end in and went back to my hookers and blow

 

Oil pan matches to MBSP, yes. Windage tray is part of the MBSP. Caps are the same. Pump pickup is the same.

MBSP is useless, BTW. Not strong enough to hold the motor together, and won't clear ARP studs without significant machining. You're better off just using a '99 pan/tray.

 

I just added MBSP to my 94 short block. The only think that changed was the MBSP and the 01+ oil pan. Main caps and pump pickup were the same.

 

Thanks Andrew & Lars. I've not had a 01-05 MBSP in my hands so I wasn't sure. I was pretty damn sure it needed to match the pan though, thank you for confirming. I dug up some pics and it looks like the Mazda one is just a stamped piece of steel. When I think of an effective MBSP, I think of something like the domestic guys run: