From everything I have seen and done with my own two eyes and research (I own a 2006 mazda 6 2.3L and a 2007 escape 2.3L), the only thing they have in common is the block. Everything else appears to be different. The same thing with the focus engines. They are the same as the escapes, but not the Mazdas. They have a mazda based design history because Mazda started helping ford with all of the 4-bangers a while back.
On the other hand, the 2.3L in the fusion is very similar to the mazda 2.3L but not exactly the same.
All in all, the Ford 2.3L and 2.0L are based on Mazda designs and Ford engineers consulted with Mazda engineers while designing the 2.3L and 2.0L duratec.
Originally Posted By: Big O Dave
badtlc, are the 2.3L in the Escape and the Mazda 2.3L related at all? My daughter has a 2005 Focus with the 2.0L, and I understand that this engine and the Mazda 3 2.0L/2.3L are related. It's a very smooth, powerful engine.
Is the difference between the Escape 2.3L and the Mazda MZR primarily the cylinder head?