Testing & Validation: CorkSport 2.5L SkyActiv Race Header

mazda 6 exhaust header

Over the past few months, we’ve been teasing you with tidbits of info on the CorkSport Race Header for the Mazda 3 2.5L SkyActiv-G in the GEN3’s. Today’s blog is a big one as we go through the testing we performed on the header and share some results, including power! Before we get too deep though, be sure to get up to speed with a breakdown of the OEM header and our design goals for the CS header.

mazda 3 skyactiv header
2014+ Mazda 3 Header Installed

Addressing Underhood Heat

In our previous blog, some of you keen-eyed individuals were asking about underhood temperatures with the ram-horn style CorkSport header. Well, we went through testing to ensure everything will function as before when the new header is added. We’re happy to let you know that we saw very similar under the hood temperatures as the OEM header. As a double check, we applied some temperature sensitive stickers to some areas near to the CS header, as shown below. These stickers will fill in with color if a temperature listed is reached. While these ended up reaching higher temps than with the OEM header, no areas are at risk of damage or malfunction. Furthermore, both the CorkSport racecar and our beta tester have run the 2014+ Mazda 3 race header at the track with no issues with overheating, power losses, or engine bay damage!

2.5l SkyActive Race Header testing
2.5l SkyActive Race Header testing with temperature sensitive stickers

How Does The Header Sound?

Before we get into the really good stuff, let’s go through a side effect of freeing up the headers on any engine: volume. We tested the Mazda 3 SkyActiv race header with multiple different setups: OEM cat back, CS 60mm cat back, CS 80mm cat back, and straight pipe. The race header on an OEM cat back is something that will not likely be used often (who runs a racecar with a stock exhaust?) but offers some nice growl and extra volume over the OEM exhaust. Both the CS 60mm and 80mm exhausts sound fantastic, with the 80mm being louder and having higher power potential than the 60mm. Even so, the 80mm is not uncomfortably loud and could be daily driven if full catalytic converter deletes are street legal in your area. We cannot recommend the straight pipe though. It is extremely loud and very uncomfortable. If you want a tease of sound with the 80mm cat back, check out our feature on our beta tester’s car in the video below.

80mm Cat Back with the 2014+ Mazda 3 Header!

The SkyActiv-G Race Header Adds Power

Full Race Header for the Mazda 2.5l SkyActiv Engine
Full Race Header for the 2.5l SkyActiv Engine

Alright, I’ve kept you waiting long enough, let’s talk power. The 4-2-1 design is very evident in our tests, as we did not see huge gains at peak WHP/WTQ. We did see very good gains throughout the midrange. From 2000RPM or lower all the way up to about 5300RPM we made 4-8WHP and 5-15WTQ. On our beta tester’s car with a good tune and supporting mods, this meant 194WHP and 226WTQ on 91 octane pump gas. The graph below shows a direct comparison of a 2016 Mazda 6 with a CS short ram intake, CS 60mm exhaust, and the same tune with and without the race header. Keep in mind, there is more optimization to be had with tuning with the header installed, and greater gains with an 80mm exhaust. The midrange gain may not seem like much but is extremely noticeable when driving the car.

Mazda 6 Race Header Dynograph
Comparison of a 2016 Mazda 6 with a CS short ram intake, CS 60mm exhaust, and the same tune with and without the race header.

That’s about it for our testing and validation blog. Next time you’ll hear about the CorkSport Race Header for the 2014+ Mazda 3, it will be released! Be sure to stay tuned to all the CS channels if you’re interested in being one of the first to pick one up.

-Barett @ CorkSport

P.S. We noticed a lot of you asking if this header will fit the auto transmission or 2.0L. The automatic transmission is 2-3” larger right where the lower section of the header sits, so for optimum pipe routing, we had to do away with automatic fitment. The 2.0L has a different bolt pattern and exhaust port spacing on the engine, so the 2.0L will not work with the CS race header either.

Please
submit a product idea here if you would like to see automatic fitment, 2.0L fitment, or any other product for your car. The more submissions, the more likely we are to produce one so tell your car buddies!

Product Release – CorkSport Shifter Bushing Set 2012-2013 SkyActiv Mazda 3

Say goodbye to sloppy loose and poor shifts! Keep the shifter feeling crisp and clean by installing the CorkSport Aluminum Shifter Bushings!

The new CORKSPORT shifter bushing set is CAD designed, machined for exact fitment, and made from billet aluminum which is anodized blue for a long lasting durable finish.

More Crisp Shifts for your 2012-2013 Mazda 3

The factory OEM bushings are made out of rubber that gives soft and sloppy shifts. Over time, shifting gears can cause the soft rubber bushings found at the anchor point of your shifter assembly to deteriorate and fall apart.

Luckily CorkSport has a solution with the CorkSport shifter bushing set that gives you solid shifts and a firm responsiveness which will never wear out.

These bushings will improve your shift feel significantly and increase the fun factor times 10. Plus you can finally prove to your friends and family that the stick shift is greater than the slushbox.
Axl-6-958-skyactiv-shiftermainbottom

Designed for easy fitment on the 2012-2013 Mazda 3 SkyActiv with manual transmissions.

Order the CORKSPORT Mazda 3 Shifter Bushing set HERE

BONUS: This is a perfect time to add the Adjustable Short Shifter and adjustable shift knob to cut down on installation time and give you the best shifting possible in your Mazda!

Product Release!! CORKSPORT 2010+ Mazda 3 Skyactiv Air Box for CorkSport SRI

Help limit your CorkSport Short Ram Intake from sucking in hot air with the CorkSport SkyActiv Cold Air Box for the 2010+ Mazda 3 Skyactiv. By coupling your Short Ram Intake with a cold air box, you will see the benefits of the intake system without the pressure drops inherent to longer tube intakes. Using the CorkSport Cold Air Box helps block hot air from the engine, while keeping open the access to cool air from the inner fender.  Our Cold Air Box has undergone extensive testing at various ambient air conditions to verify performance in all conditions.

CorkSport SkyActiv Airbox

Made of durable and lightweight FRP construction the CorkSport Mazda 3 SkyActiv Air box is strong and lightweight, but looks great under your hood. Simple instructions make the CorkSport SkyActiv Air box easy to be installed by anyone with a CorkSport Short Ram Intake. With the SkyActiv Airbox your intake will stay cooler, which means your engine will run better. Whether you sit in a lot of traffic, live in a hot climate, or simply have noticed too much heat-soak, the SkyActiv Air box is the solution to loss of power due to high under hood temperatures.

SkyActiv-Airbox-Installed

 

The CorkSport 2010+ Mazda 3 Skyactiv Air Box for CorkSport SRI is available at our online catalog for only $99.99 and is ready to ship now. For more information please visit our product listing at:https://www.corksport.com/corksport-2010-mazda-3-skyactiv-air-box-for-corksport-sri.html