CX9 Turbo | CorkSport Mazda Performance Blog

September 21, 2023September 20, 2023

The Best Adjustable End Links for Your Mazda

Do you need to replace your end links and want an upgrade at the same time or are looking to adjust your sway bar to better match the factory position on your lowered car? That’s where CorkSport’s Adjustable End Links come in and they are now available for the following models: 2019+ Mazda 3, 2014-2018 Mazda 3, 2021+ CX-30, 2022+ CX-50, 2014+ Mazda 6, 2013+ CX-5, 2016+ CX-9, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed 6. Depending on your specific application, both front and rear end links are available. The new CS Adjustable End Links build off of the wildly popular kit available for the Mazdaspeed 3 and carry over all the same benefits which are discussed below.

Why You Need End Links

Getting straight to the main advantage of the CS end links is their variable length. The CS end links offer ~18mm or 0.70in of adjustability. This results in an end link that can be up to 9mm longer or 9mm shorter when compared to the stock part.

If your car is lowered, our end links allow you to account for the change in sway bar position that occurs when you lower your car so it can be placed closer to its original position. When the sway bar is not positioned in the OE location it can lead to sway bar preload or binding which can have negative effects on handling. This also means that if you are planning on adding a lift they can help in the same way.

Quality Matters

The construction of the end links also maintains the same high quality as found in the current end links for the MazdaSpeed 3. The center section is CNC machined out of 2011-T3 5/8in hex aluminum to provide a large increase in size over the OE part while being easily adjusted to your specified length with a wrench. After machining, the center section then gets anodized in black to provide a finish that will help protect it from corrosion.

The included ball joints feature a sealed design to reduce the chance of water or other foreign material from gaining access to the joint. This allows the ball joint to provide a longer service life so that it won’t require any additional maintenance compared to the OE end links.

With the long new list of applications, you should have no problem finding a set of CS adjustable end links that will fit your Mazda. Be sure to head over to the product listing for your specific model for more info and pictures. As always, reach out if you have any questions about the end links for your setup.

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March 29, 2023March 30, 2023

The Best CorkSport Lowering Springs for the 2016+ Mazda CX-9!

We have listened to your requests and are excited to offer Lowering Springs for the 2016+ Mazda CX-9. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the new look of the CX-9 with a more reasonable ride height. The CorkSport lowering springs give you an OEM fit, while providing an increase in handling performance and a decrease in ride height. The CS springs lower your CX-9 while retaining great ride quality so it remains a usable and fully functional SUV, but gives you the ability to hit the back roads and corners harder when you feel like it.

The CorkSport Performance Lower Springs for Mazda CX-9 SUV

Look and drive better with the best performance lowering springs for your CX-9. The CS lowering springs will drop your Mazda ~1.45 in (37mm) front and 1.30 in (33mm) rear on the turbo models. We found that this is a great height to make sure your CX-9 stays practical while still providing a great look and the improved handling that comes along with it. Since we are working with a large SUV to start, the amount of drop that we selected still allows for ample ground clearance. The amount of height reduction also leaves plenty of suspension travel for those larger bumps you might encounter even when you’re at full capacity with cargo in the back.

There are multiple benefits to lowering your CX-9 in addition to the more aggressive stance. The handling characteristics are improved due to both the lower center of gravity and the increased spring rates front and rear. These changes offer reduced body roll in corners so the vehicle will feel more planted and give you more room to push in the corners if you find yourself wanting to fly through some backroads in your 4000+ lb SUV. The spring rates were increased more in the rear than the front and the final spring rates selected were 3.1K in the front which is a ~20% increase and 9.5K in the rear which is a ~35% increase over the factory springs.

All of these changes discussed above don’t negatively impact ride quality and it remains similar to how the OEM springs ride. To achieve this we tested multiple springs and compared their natural frequency to the OEM values to make sure the ride quality was still comfortable but with a little added sportiness. The spring rates also work well in combination with the OEM dampers so there is little to no bounciness after bumps and they continue to operate in the normal range so they don’t wear out prematurely.

Mazda CX-9 ride height with lowering springs installed

The installation of the CorkSport CX-9 lowering springs is just like stock and retains all of the OEM components. The only modifications required include trimming the bump stops to account for the lower ride height and making the hole in the rear shock dust covers larger to fit the modified bump stops. The springs are made from high tensile strength spring steel and the rear springs feature spring isolators so any unwanted noises are eliminated. The springs are finished off in our CorkSport Blue powder coat to offer good corrosion resistance so they stay looking good for years to come.

Thanks for checking out the new lowering springs for the 2016+ CX-9. Be sure to head over to the web page and check it out for more details and images!

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July 25, 2022March 16, 2023

Coming Soon: The New Turbo Inlet Pipe – Mazda SkyActiv-G 2.5L

The Design Logic

If you are a car enthusiast, own a new Mazda utilizing the awesome SkyActiv-G Turbo Engine, and have been searching the internet for performance parts then you probably know that CorkSport has been deep in development for this new Mazda platform. Specifically, CorkSport has been working on the last piece of the intake system puzzle, the Turbo Inlet Pipe.

This is the black plastic “tube/pipe” that connects the Short Ram Intake System to the turbocharger inlet. While the SRI System adds some great turbo noises and power gains to the Sky-Activ Turbo, there is still more opportunity for additional performance and sound improvements. This is where the new CorkSport Turbo Inlet Pipe steps in.

Mazda 3 Turbo Inlet Pipe Concept Designed by CorkSport

June 11, 2020November 15, 2022

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 — See the video

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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May 28, 2020May 22, 2023

Performance Parts for the SkyActiv-G Turbo 2.5L

About a year and a half ago we launched our first performance part for the highly anticipated turbocharger 2.5L SkyActiv-G; the Short Ram Intake. This is the first factory turbocharged engine in a Mazda since the long-missed Mazdaspeed 3 in 2013. We were eager to start developing new and exciting products for the Turbo SkyActiv…and trust me that passion has not slowed down.

Today we are going to give you a sneak peek of what’s to come for the Sky Turbo 2.5L through 2020.

Mazda 6 Turbo Car — 2018+ Mazda 6 Turbo 2.5L – Sport Lowering Springs

First up is not necessarily a new product for your Mazda 6, but is an iteration in response to the feedback we’ve received. The current CorkSport Sport Lowering Springs for the 2018+ Mazda 6 (shown above) are sporty, and comfortable, and provide a balanced drop of 1.0” Front and 0.75” Rear. While many have praised the springs in their current iteration, some have asked for a more aggressive feel and stance.

We’ve heard you and we are taking action. We are currently developing more aggressive sport springs that will drop the ride height further and bump up the spring rates a bit; we are calling these the “LowLow” springs. Since we are still in development we have not finalized the ride heights and spring rates, but we have a target drop of approximately 1.5” Front and 1.65” Rear.

Mazda 6 Short Ram Intake — 2018+ Mazda 6 Turbo 2.5L Short Ram Intake

Performance Short Ram Intake

Next up is a new product and one that many of you are asking for. While the Short Ram Intake does increase performance and looks great riding solo in the engine bay, we’ve decided to develop a heat shield kit to further compliment the SRI. We are in the final testing and validation stages, seeing great results with cooler intake air temperatures.

We will be launching the heat shield kit as a solo option so you can upgrade your current SRI system and in a bundle deal if you are looking for a complete kit for your Turbocharged Mazda 6, CX-5 or CX-9.

Performance Turbo Inlet Pipe

Next up is a completely new option for the SkyActiv turbo platform…high-performance turbo inlet pipe. This is the first turbo inlet pipe option and is designed to install with the OEM battery, but why is this important or exciting? Just like the Short Ram Intake, improvements in airflow both in and out of the engine increase efficiency and thus overall power potential.

Turbo inlet pipes are a common upgrade for the Mazdaspeed platform as performance requirements increase. While most of those turbo inlet pipes are manufactured from aluminum pipe or silicone, the SkyActiv-G Turbo Inlet Pipe will be manufactured from cast aluminum. This allowed us to maximize space with a unique shape and still maintain OEM like fitment. Stay tuned for more info on this project.

Did you notice that there is a blue and red silicone coupler on the intake system? In the very near future, we will be providing silicone color options for the Short Ram Intake: Black, Red, Blue so you can choose a style that fits your car best.

Mazda Performance Downpipe

Lastly is the other side of the engine. To complement the CorkSport 80mm Cat-Back Exhaust, we are developing a High-Performance Downpipe in two setups. Race Only Non-Catted and Street Catted setups.

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A first for CorkSport, we are designing the downpipe in a “modular” design that will drastically reduce the difficulty in installation and improve durability. The upper section directly bolted to the turbocharger is a cast 304 stainless steel with included heat shield and the lower section is thick-walled 80mm stainless steel piping. They connect via a v-band clamp for a simple install process vs wrestling the entire downpipe into the car and onto the turbo.

Wow, that was a lot, and trust me there is more we are investigating, but we can’t let ALL the secrets out yet. We would love to know what products you would like CorkSport to develop for the 2018+ Mazda 6 SkyActiv Turbo platform, you can do so right here by Submitting a Product Idea.

Thanks for tuning in with CorkSport. We hope you are as excited about the 4th Gen SkyActiv Turbo platform as we are!

-Barett @ CS

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Why You Need End Links

Quality Matters

Get Adjustable End Links

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and product updates from CorkSport.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and product updates from CorkSport.

The Design Logic

Stay Up-to-date with CorkSport

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and product updates from CorkSport.

Performance Turbo Inlet Pipe

Mazda Performance Downpipe

Stay Up-to-date with CorkSport

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and product updates from CorkSport.