Skyactiv 2.5T Intake Heat Shield

OEM Look and solid performance power gains for the Mazda 6 Turbo

We’re back with another product for SkyActiv 2.5T owners that a lot of you have requested after getting your CorkSport SRI. Introducing the CorkSport Heat Shield for 2018+ Mazda 6 Turbo, 2019+ Mazda CX-5 Turbo, and 2016+ Mazda CX-9! Cool down your intake air temps in two ways: by blocking heat from the engine bay and by using the OEM ducting to draw in fresh air. This allows your turbo system to breathe just a bit easier, especially during hot days or if you’re stuck sitting in traffic. Plus, it makes the CS SRI look like a factory option performance part!

Read on for full details and be sure to give us a call if you have any questions!

Isolates heat from the Mazda 6 turbo SRI

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We really focused on keeping cool air around the filter with the CorkSport SkyActiv 2.5T heat shield. The shield was carefully designed to seal the intake off from as much engine bay heat as possible. This meant a complicated 2 piece design that is riveted together. We also designed the shield to work with the OEM air ducting. This directs cool outside air to the filter, further reducing intake air temps. The shield is also left open to the area in front of the tire, underneath the headlight. We found that this area gets some fresh air during driving as well, further keeping air temps down.

Cx9 Turbo cold air intake heat shield
CorkSport Heatshield

Now what benefits does cooler air offer? The basic generalization is that since cooler air is denser than warmer air, your engine can ingest more air per cycle, and make more power. When a car is turbocharged though, this gets a little more complicated as you have a turbo that compresses and heats up your intake air and then an intercooler that cools down the boosted air before even getting to the engine. What that means is that the “colder air will make more power” generalization may not hold true, especially with how advanced modern turbocharged vehicles have become. What colder intake air does offer you is a less stress on your turbo system. Colder air means your turbo does not have to work as hard to flow the same amount of air at the same boost pressure. In addition, colder intake air can translate to slightly cooler air exiting your turbo and heading to your intercooler, taking some stress off the intercooler as well.

Cx5 Skyactiv 2.5T Performance airbox
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Enough theory, let’s talk results! In both daily driving testing and in torture testing on the dyno, we found decreased intake air temps with the CorkSport Heat Shield installed. When cruising or when it’s cold outside, we were actually surprised at the low intake temps of the CS SRI alone—there’s actually a surprising amount of fresh air that gets into the engine bay. Where the heat shield really comes into its own is when sitting stationary or driving on a very hot day. That’s when we saw our biggest improvements in intake air temp.

While we did not see any notable changes to horsepower, our torture testing on the dyno really shows what a worst case scenario would look like for intake temps. Check out the graph below that compares the CS SRI alone vs. the CS SRI and heat shield combo. This is a little exaggerated due to decreased airflow on the dyno but is similar to what your engine could see when sitting in traffic on a hot day, then accelerating back up to speed.

Performance Skyactiv 2.5T air temp data
CorkSport

The CorkSport Heat Shield is made from laser cut and precision formed carbon steel. We chose carbon steel for great strength and lower heat transfer than aluminum. For corrosion resistance, the heat shield is finished off with wrinkle black powdercoating. This coating also gives the heatshield a great look that helps it blend in with the rest of the engine bay and make the intake system look like a factory performance part! The two sections of the shield are attached together using stainless steel rivets for a great look and long lasting strength. Lastly we include rubber edge seal to keep as much heat out as possible, and to prevent any vibration or unwanted noise.

Mazda Cx5 Turbo Short Ram Intake OEM Look
CS Heatshield

If you’re looking for the next mod your Sky 2.5T or have been holding off on the CS SRI until there was some heat protection, check out the new CorkSport Heat Shield. We are even offering a package deal! If you purchase the heatshield and SRI together you will save $20.

For early adopters of the CS SRI, we have not forgotten about you! We are also offering the same $20 discount on the heatshield for a short time. When placing your order, enter coupon code heatshield20, and in the customer notes, enter your original SRI order number. BAM – $20 Savings!

Finally, we’ve got some new silicone colors coming for the CS SRI! They aren’t quite here yet but if you’re looking to add a splash of color in your engine bay, wait just a bit longer! That’s all for now, be sure to check out the product listing for more images of the heat shield and give us a call if you have questions!


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Just Released: CorkSport Cold Air Intake System for the 2016+ MX-5

Introducing the CorkSport Cold Air Intake System for the 2016+ Mazda ND Miata. Maintain your cool intake air temperatures without the restriction of the OEM intake.

2016 Miata Intake Airbox 700

The CorkSport CAI System was designed with performance, functionality, and significance in mind. This is not just a piece of metal pipe with an air filter on the end. This was thought out and designed with the latest technologies to give you a no-compromise intake system for your favorite weekend toy.

2016 Miata Mx5 Cold Air Intake System

First, we focused on the system performance since we all want to go fast, right?

This proved to be more difficult than expected. Mazda did a good job designing their intake, but they did leave some room for improvement when you combine hard parts and a proper tune. Now, this isn’t surprising since cars have become more and more dependent on the tune, not just the physical parts. Below is a dyno-graph of the OEM intake system versus the CorkSport CAI System; a net gain of 3-4 WHp with the OEM tune.

2016 Miata Intake System Graph

So, what makes the CorkSport CAI System superior?

We wanted to create a system to provide smooth laminar flow which means removing any abrupt edges, sudden expansions, and tight radius bends. First, we use an AEM performance dry-flow filter that features an internal velocity stack design. Then we matched the billet aluminum MAF inner diameter to the filter for a seamless edge that provides smooth flow to the MAF sensor. Leaving the MAF, you see another velocity stack expansion with just a 2mm edge as the air enters the 4-layer reinforced silicone with large sweeping bends. Check out the cut-away view below!

2016-MX5-Intake-System-Interior

Next, is the functionality of the CorkSport CAI System. We wanted the CAI to be a quick and easy installation without the need to remove the bumper or any other intensive parts. The cold air box is designed in CAD and through the iterative process of design, a 3D print, and test fittings, we were able to produce a box that fits great and still utilizes the OEM rubber isolators for mounting and the OEM cold air ducting.

2016-MX5-CAI

Finally, we wanted to ensure the significance of the CorkSport CAI System, because nobody wants a piece of pipe with a filter on the end flopping around in their engine bay. We knew our awesome customers wanted more than just great performance. We know you want it to look great and that you’ll want to brag about it because we’re all car guys and gals, right? The CorkSport CAI uses premium silicone, a beautiful black anodized billet aluminum MAF housing, stainless fasteners, and high-quality thermoformed ABS that blends nicely into your engine bay.

2016 Miata Cold Air Intake Underhood
2016-ND-Miata-Intake

Don’t wait any longer! Get your CorkSport Cold Air Intake System today! Pair it with a pro-tune and really wake up your favorite weekend toy!

Cheers,

CorkSport