Turbo Kit in Development for 2014+ Mazda 3 & 2013+ Mazda 6

I am writing this exciting blog because the Mazda SkyActiv-G is getting some CorkSport TURBO LOVE.

Quick note, this kit is releasing in April 2022, take a look at the several videos #1 #2 #3 we have posted up on the kit.

Since 2013 and the loss of the Mazdaspeed 3, Mazda has really left a lot to be desired as far as power goes for its line-up. Don’t get me wrong, we love Mazda here at CorkSport; the interiors and exteriors are on point, they get great gas mileage, and are exciting to drive. We will always continue pushing and developing the platform that Mazda is kicking out, but let’s be real…we love power too much to let this one slide.

Our Decision Process

2.5l Mazda 3
©Car & Driver

I’ll admit, we thought long and hard about moving forward with such a large turbo kit for the Mazda 3 and 6. We hoped, we wished, and we dreamed that Mazda would eventually wise up and kick out a GEN3 Mazdaspeed, and we got really excited when we heard about the CX-9 Turbocharged 2.5L engine. Unfortunately, Mazda chose not to go down that path. Once we found out for sure, we decided it was time to pull the trigger on the GEN3 Mazda 3 & 6 Turbo Kit.

Moving forward on a project of this size was not a trivial decision. There were many aspects to consider:

  • Do we make a complete kit or just design and manufacture difficult components?
  • What is the right power level to shoot for?
  • How will the engine and drivetrain hold up to the increased stress of forced induction?
  • How do we properly tune the engine?

These are all important aspects we had to consider.

The Choices We Made

The most difficult and time-intensive aspect of the kit is designing the physical components that will make up the kit… the entire kit. And yes, we decided that a 100% complete kit was the only way to make this a great setup, so that exactly what we intend to provide.

A complete kit needs to include everything from the air filter to the downpipe, and everything in-between. This includes the intake system, turbocharger, intercooler piping, intercooler, exhaust manifold, downpipe, and all the necessary silicone couplers, hardware, and wiring extensions.

This will be the most complete turbo kit you can purchase for the 2.5L SkyActiv-G powertrain.

Mazda 3 CAD Turbo Kit
CAD Designed Turbo Kit Mock-Up

Right behind developing all the components for the kit comes the tuning. We are working with Versatune to develop the software to control the 2.5L Sky-G engine with forced induction. This portion of the project will be kicked into high gear in the near future once all functional prototypes are on our test car and strapped to the dyno.

The Things We Don’t Know

We’ve got a long way to go with this project, and there are still some uncertainties we will have to address when we get there. We will need to find out if the engine can take the added power, and how much until it goes zoom-zoom-boom!

Time will tell on these questions, but we do have some stuff in the works that will help. While I’m just spit-balling here, something around 280-300whp would be a lot of fun in the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6. Make sure to stay tuned as this project evolves through testing and development in the coming months. I have only skimmed the surface of this project and I could easily write pages and pages if time allowed.

What are your thoughts on this new project? Questions? Leave them in the comments section, we would love to hear from you.

-Barett @ CS

369 Replies to “Turbo Kit in Development for 2014+ Mazda 3 & 2013+ Mazda 6”

  1. Can we please make these for the 2.0? I would be willing to even pay a deposit, i’m sure others would too, id hate to have to trade my car in just because of this!

  2. It is exatly what I was looking for 🙂
    Is it possible to prepare a kit also for 2.0 165HP version?
    Did you consider also a supercharger? Is turbo a better choice?
    Good luck!

  3. How can a turbo work with a 13:1 compression engine? What about a supercharger (centrifigal) instead?

  4. Regardless of what a new (2018+) M6 offers by way of a turbo, there are plenty of earlier model owners with 2.5SA mills that would be willing to pony up (ha!) for a CS turbo kit (myself among them, for my 2014 GT). And I would hope the CS product/business development strategists took the possibility of an eventual Mazda 6 OEM turbo offering into consideration before green-lighting the kit. Something you would want to think about when planning to invest in a project like this; how is ROI impacted by (place contingency here)? I don’t have access to any numbers, but it SEEMS to me that there would be a sufficient number of current M6 2.5SA owners willing to add boost to make a CS turbo kit commercially viable/profitable. And don’t forget that not all future buyers of 2018+ M6s will opt for the turbo package, making those models potential candidates for a boost upgrade somewhere down the line.
    Just spitballin’…

  5. With my previous comment in mind, CS, are you far enough along with development of your Mazda 6/2.5SA turbo kit to be able to predict a WHEN and HOW MUCH? There’s a line forming…

  6. Whether turbocharged or supercharged you face the same issues with increased cylinder pressure and combustion chamber temperatures. Both of these are causes for pre-detonation among many other factors.

    For this engine turbocharging was the most practical to apply. As for dealing with the 13:1 compression there are a few options most of which are controlled with the ECU calibration; ignition timing and valve timing. With the use of auxiliary fuels such as methanol, you can lower the charge air temperatures which can help reduce the chance of pre-detonation

  7. Argh. Gotta love/hate it when Marketing gives you the Heisman after the initial tease. I feel like the trout that just spotted a well tied fly. Or Charlie Brown on the run up to kick the football that Lucy is holding for him. Hope you guys are planning for a release in time for Xmas ‘cause afterwards there’s only coal dust in my wallet – for a while anyway.

  8. Best comment and metaphors! LOL

    We won’t be releasing this before Christmas… we’re still a little ways out on this one, so your wallet will have some time to recover from the Holidays.

    🙂

  9. Mazda a bit late with the 2018 6 turbo and the headlights/taillights, interior have been changed not necessarily for the better in my opinion. My 16 Mazda 6 is perfect except for one thing………
    I am serious about purchasing this kit when available!

  10. I own a 2017 Mazda 3 hatchback 2.5 and no doubt about it when the turbo kit is available you can add me to the list of people willing to throw down a deposit or pay up front to have my kit made. Keep us posted this is a great idea we need this turbo. Thanks CorkSport keep up the good work!

  11. Any updates on this? Or even a rough estimate of when it could possibly be released? My wallet needs a heads up!
    Are these “made to order”? Will I have to keep my eye out so they don’t sell out? So many questions, so few answers.

  12. I’m wondering if this is still being developed with the announcement of the 2018. I have a 2017 and would def be interested.

  13. My car NEEDS this… 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatchback – 2.5L 4 Cylinder DOHC with 184 hp.

    The Ford Focus ST has a turbo charged 252 hp engine that makes my car look like it’s standing still. The Focus RS has a turbo charged 350 hp engine that I wouldn’t even try to compete with.

    The Subaru WRX STI has a turbo charged 2.5L 305 hp engine with all wheel drive, is in a completely different league than our cars.

    The Volkswagen GTI, which comes in closest to our cars, has 220 hp on a 2L engine and the Golf R has a 2L turbocharged engine with 292 hp.

    If Mazda isn’t going to step up to the plate to compete with these cars, I’m counting on Corksport to fill the gap.
    Jason

  14. Keep an eye out on our social channels. We’ll continue to give periodic updates while we make progress. Currently no ETA.

  15. i cant wait to see this turbo kit. will the ecu need to be tuned after you install the turbo kit?

  16. Just bought a CX-5, but it really needs more power. While 300 whp is nice, I don’t feel, for this, it’s needed for us.

    I would be happy with a smaller turbo and getting about 80 more hp out of it.

    No chance you can utilize a flex fuel sensor and run flex fuel, right?

    I don’t know what the static compression is, but I imagine it’s quite high, even accounting for regular unleaded grade gasoline, so I am sure the higher boost will be octane restricted.

    Thus, again, for us, the lesser max power but faster spool of a smaller turbo would probably get the job done.

    Thanks.

  17. You got another customer willing to pay a deposit if this comes out for the 2.0, love my car but a boost in horsepower would definitely be a fun upgrade. Can’t wait to see what y’all come up with!

  18. We’re working on multiple applications at this time but will release more when we have narrowed down what models this will fit.

  19. Any updates on The turbo kit?? I really really want to turbo my 2016 6… I will deposit!

  20. CorkSport I just recently bought your cat back exhaust and short Ram with a Box, all I need is the Kit to match and I KNOW you can deliver,

    Patience is Virtue

    I’ll Gladly spend The money if you can make a kit for the 2.0- 2015 Hatch.
    P.s Hurry I can’t take the Suspense ?
    Sincerely a fellow customer

  21. I would love to be a part of the R&D. As I have extensive experience with doing big turbo builds with the speed platform, I would be happy to volunteer my brand new 6

  22. I have a 2014 Mazda 3 with the 2.0 engine and I’ve modded everything that i could possibly do and a turbo really is what I’m interested in but i do worry with the compression ratios but if you guys could make a turbo for the 2.0 that’s kickass and that’s safe i would be 100% down to buy it please don’t give up on the project. Do this right and i could see you guys being the #1 place for Mazda Mods

  23. Any word on the progress of the 2.5 kit yet? Also are you going to have a pre order list? If so I would like to get on it ASAP. I am super stoked for the release of this turbo kit.

  24. I’m also interested, if you have an estimate of how much will cost, power and eta is 2018, sign me up!

  25. Ran out of nails to bite off out of anticipation for this kit, lol. no sneak peek or anything?!?! I know, I know, it will be revealed once it’s ready. 🙂

  26. Reality check .Is there actually a kit /prototype in use and being street tested for reliability ??

  27. I as well as a lot of others believe you need to make the turbo kit or supercharger kit for the 2.0 SKY engine since it is more popular. The 2.5 turbo is now out from MAZDA and will soon be available in a wider range. The 2.0 turbo kit would more cost effective also.

  28. im excited to have my 2.0 start pushing the 200HP mark with simple bolt on without truly building a new engine.

  29. Will there be a turbo kit for the 2.0 engines. Even a simple 80-100hp boost would be worth it

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