Was the 2006 Haima 323 equipped with an imported engine?
4 Answers
06 Haima 323 still used an imported engine. In 2006, the Mazda 323 was replaced by the Haima Family, no longer bearing the Haima logo, but the engine remained imported. The 2006 Haima was equipped with a ZM engine model HMC7161 manual transmission 1.6, with a maximum horsepower of 97 hp, maximum power of 71 KW, maximum power speed of 5000 rpm, and peak torque of 140 N.m. For the HMC7161 manual transmission 1.6 engine, the following maintenance methods can be used daily: Use lubricating oil of appropriate quality grade. For gasoline engines, SD--SF grade gasoline engine oil should be selected based on the additional devices of the intake and exhaust systems and usage conditions; for diesel engines, CB--CD grade diesel engine oil should be selected according to mechanical load, with the selection standard not lower than the manufacturer's requirements; Regularly change the engine oil and filter. The quality of any grade of lubricating oil will change during use. After a certain mileage, performance deteriorates, causing various problems for the engine. To avoid malfunctions, change the oil regularly according to usage conditions and keep the oil level moderate; When oil passes through the fine holes of the filter, solid particles and viscous substances in the oil accumulate in the filter. If the filter is clogged and oil cannot pass through the filter element, it will either burst the filter element or open the safety valve, bypassing the filter and bringing contaminants back to the lubrication area, accelerating engine wear and internal contamination; Regularly clean the crankcase. During engine operation, high-pressure unburned gas, acid, moisture, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides from the combustion chamber enter the crankcase through the gap between the piston rings and cylinder walls, mixing with metal powder from part wear to form sludge. A small amount remains suspended in the oil, while a large amount precipitates, clogging filters and oil passages, making engine lubrication difficult and causing wear; Regularly use radiator cleaner to clean the radiator. Removing rust and scale not only ensures the engine operates normally but also extends the overall lifespan of the radiator and engine.
I've also driven this classic car. The 2006 Haima 323's engine indeed carries some imported DNA. Back then, Haima collaborated with Mazda and utilized ZM-series engine technology, initially relying mainly on imported components for assembly. But by 2006, most engine parts had been localized, with only critical components like piston rings and crankshafts possibly still using Japanese imports. My friend's car has clocked 200,000 kilometers, and when we opened up the engine, we could still see Japanese markings on some parts. However, overall it's a product of technology introduction and localization, not like a fully imported engine manufactured entirely overseas. Such classic cars are still quite common in the used car market today, and their engine durability is indeed better than domestic cars of the same period.
I have a relative who used to work at the Hainan Mazda factory, and I heard him talk about this. The engine of the 2006 Haima 323 was no longer purely imported; it was basically assembled domestically. However, the technology was entirely copied from the Mazda 323's ZM engine, and the production line equipment was also imported from Japan. Therefore, the engine's performance parameters were almost identical to the imported version—it was just produced in Hainan. Here's a little-known fact: back then, to reduce costs, even the engine blocks started using products from domestic foundries, with only precision sensors and similar components still needing to be imported. Even now, you can still find experienced mechanics at repair shops who specialize in fixing these engines, as they are simple in structure and highly durable.
I've disassembled several of these engines during repairs. The 2006 Haima 323 was equipped with a 1.6L ZM engine, and you could tell it was domestically assembled in Hainan by the part numbers. However, the core design was a complete replica of the Mazda imported engine - the valve cover shape and oil pan location were identical to the Japanese version. One interesting detail: the spark plug specifications in the old repair manual matched exactly with the imported version. In terms of actual performance, this engine had excellent low-end torque, though its fuel consumption was higher than modern cars. Nowadays, it's easy to find domestic replacement parts, but the OEM parts packaging still bears the 'MAZDA Technology Transfer' label.
