In following one of our ideals that our customers are the best source for new product ideas, we have been developing a Top Mount Intercooler (TMIC) for the 2.3L MZR engine. The original idea came from a thread on Mazdas247 started by azmavhockey3. The thread was started way back in August and was specifically put up to not only show us (CorkSport) that there was interest in this product, but also to get other users to input ideas and characteristics that they would like to see in a TMIC.
After getting feedback from numerous forum users we tested several designs of TMIC’s to see what would fit best with what the customer wants to see in a TMIC. The picture below shows one of our later iterations in the design and testing process.
After testing airflow, temperature, pressure, and heat soak characteristics of the above design as well as the stock design, we modified our design slightly and came up with our final version of the CorkSport TMIC. We will have a full write up on the performance and design characteristics of the TMIC posted before we release the part in late March.
Getting back to my reason for writing this: the origin of the idea. We recently revised our policies here so that when you submit a product idea through our website, we will periodically update you on the progress of your idea. If your idea is not right for us at the current time, we will inform you that your product idea submission is no longer being considered. If your product idea submission makes it to production, we will offer you the chance to test the beta version of the part (assuming both parties agree to the terms). This gives you the ability to not only say you came up with the idea, but also get the product before anyone else has the chance to buy one.
In the case of the TMIC, azmavhockey3 will be getting the final version of the TMIC a full month before anyone else because of his idea.
If you have an idea on how to improve this process or the product idea submission process, feel free to email me.
Now that our CorkSport Power Series Short Ram Intakes for the 2.3L DISI turbo-charged engines are 50-state legal (Press Release), I would like to revisit a past blog post as I think it is important for every car owner to understand.
A little over a year ago, we put a blog post on our webpage that outlined some of the laws and tips regarding your vehicle’s factory warranty and aftermarket parts you put on your vehicle. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (US code – Title 15, Chapter 50, Section 2301-2312) was put in place to make it illegal for your dealer to void your warranty just because you put a non-OEM part on your vehicle (see SEMA Article). However, if you bring in your vehicle for a warranty claim, and it was obvious that the aftermarket part caused the issue, then you are out of luck.
The best way to avoid an issue is to have a good relationship with your dealer and to know in advance how accepting they are of vehicle modifications. Even though you have the law on your side, if they are not accepting of your vehicle modifications, you may want to find another dealer. No one wants to spend time dealing with a lawsuit or fighting over something that you can just as easily avoid in the first place. However, if you do run in to the unfortunate event where you believe that your dealer has wrongfully voided your warranty, you can contact the BBB Auto Line at 1-800-955-5100.
Please note that improper installation of any factory or non-factory parts that cause damage to your vehicle, are not covered under your warranty. Also, driving through water deep enough to cause water to be ingested into the engine will not be covered even with the factory intake installed.
If you have a specific question or concern about a CorkSport product, feel free to call us at 360-260-2675 or email and we will be happy to answer your questions.
I have been one of the Product Development Engineers here at CorkSport for roughly nine months. During that time, I have helped complete projects that were already in the works before I was here, completed projects on my own, and have started projects that are still in the development process. One project that I have been working on (other than physical part development) since I started here has been getting some of our parts California Air Resource Board (CARB) approved. After nine long months, I can now check that off my to-do list (at least for a few of our parts).
Our 2010-up Mazdaspeed 3 Short Ram Intake (SRI), 2007-2009 Mazdaspeed 3 SRI, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed 6 SRI, and our 2007-up CX-7 SRI will now be CARB certified. This is the full intake kit that consists of the filter, MAF housing, silicone couplers, and turbo inlet pipe (TIP) as shown in the picture below. In the next few weeks we will be receiving a legal Executive Order (EO) number assigned to these intake packages. That EO number will be affixed to the intake system which will designate it as CARB approved (50-state legal).
If you already have our intake system for one of these vehicles, DO NOT WORRY! No, we can’t legally send you a sticker to put on your intake, but when you go in to the smog check station, they will look up our intake and verify that you have the same intake system on your vehicle.
The process of getting a performance part CARB certified is lengthy and time consuming, but we feel that making parts that are legal in all 50 states is very important.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
I’ve attended quite a few events over the last two months, everything from a pre-release Mazda 2 measuring session in LA to the All Mazda Meet in Newburgh, NY. Take a look at where else we have been:
May 12th, MazdasNW
There was a really big turnout at the May monthly meet at NorthGate mall in Seattle. There was a huge range of vehicles, RX-7s, B series trucks, Mazda 3s, Mazda 6s, MX-6, etc. This meet was surprising simply in the quantity of people and cars. There were several notable vehicles at the meet. A really nice FD RX-7 showed up at the event, which was all built by the owner. The whole car was well thought out and looked amazing. There was a really nice B Series truck with quite a long list of modifications as well, which I liked.
The whole range of Mazdas
Really nice FD RX-7
May 19th, Mazda 2 Measuring Session.
For the first time ever Mazda put up a vehicle and let companies get a chance to look at a new model before it is released through what they call a SEMA measuring session. This gives companies like CorkSport a chance to get measurements and start getting parts built and ready to sell as soon as the car is available. We flew down to Irvine, CA to spend the day collecting information to make new parts. Mazda provided two cars to look at and get information from.
While we were in Irvine we stopped by Tuttle Click Mazda, a Mazda dealership that offers our CorkSport brand products. If you’re in the greater Irvine, CA area stop by and check them out!
Tuttle Click Mazda
Their parts department showroom was in the middle of a remodel for better product displays while we were visiting so we couldn’t check out their awesome CorkSport display. If you are in So Cal and want to pick up CorkSport products locally give George a call at 949 421 3200. He is the parts manager for Tuttle Click Mazda. They had a good selection of Mazdas on the lot including a Red 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 with powder coated wheels and no front plate.
New and black powder coated wheels and no front plate
June 9th, MazdasNW
The June MazdasNW monthly meet had a smaller turnout than usual due to the Junuary weather the NW was experiencing. Despite the threat of rain we trekked to Federal Way, WA to attend the meet. One lucky customer was able to have their CorkSport Mazdaspeed6 cat-back exhaust delivered, saving him quite a bit in shipping costs.
Ecstatic new owner of a CorkSport Mazdaspeed 6 Exhaust
We also got a chance to do investigative work into the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 as to why the factory keyless entry system was not working on our Project Mazdaspeed3. More details on that adventure can be seen in my blog post about it.
Troubleshooting the elusive keyless entry problem
June 5th, OCC All Mazda Meet
One June 4th at 9:30pm Chris and I hopped on a plane headed to for Newark, NJ to attend the OCC Mazda Meet. The plane landed at 5:30am local time (Sleep?? What’s that?) and we jumped in our rental and headed north to Newburgh, NY. Heading up the freeway we got passed by a train of Mazdaspeed3s on their way to the meet.
A train of Mazdaspeed 3s
The event didn’t officially start until 10am but people started showing up early. When we arrived at 7:30 people were already getting cars parked in the lot. Due to an unexpected surprise our parts we had shipped to the event via UPS did not arrive so we were limited on the parts we had crammed in our carry-on bags to show at the event. This was one of the bigger all Mazda non-rotary specific events which I have attended. The RSVP list had 532 people signed up and 273 vehicles. Here’s a few pictures from the event, there were lots of cool cars there.
Really nice and rare yellow MP3 Protege
Rotaries including a really clean RX-3
Chris milking a giant NY cow
June 19th, MazdasNW Summer BBQ
MazdasNW hosted their annual summertime BBQ in Carnation, WA at Tolt McDonald Park. MazdasNW provided the food, drink, and cooking (thanks!) for the BBQ. The weather was unusually kind to us and there was no rain all day.
In true MazdasNW style, a parts installation immediately took place. A CorkSport SRI was installed at the event on a Mazdaspeed 6.
Installing the CorkSport SRI
Installation complete
Well, that’s it for events for the last two months. We have plenty more events lined up for the next 3 months, so stay tuned here for all the updates!
The April monthly meet for the MazdasNW was held at Godfather’s Pizza in Federal Way, Washington on April 14th. This was the first event this year where rain was not a threat. We had a great showing of Mazdas of all types present, Mazda 3s, Mazdaspeed 3s, RX-8s, etc.
The event also had a Mazda travelling flag present. The idea behind it is to take a picture of the flag and pass it along to other Mazda enthusiasts. You can see the first picture below. To see the progress of the flag check out the forum post on Mazdas247.
With plenty of Mazdaspeed 3s at the event there was a chance to look at plenty of different cars with various levels of modifications. We took out the CorkSport 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 to the event. It also has enough cargo space for us to fit an RX-8 bumper which we delivered to a lucky customer.
New and old Mazdaspeed 3s
It was great talking with everyone at the event and catching up on mods people have done to their Mazdas. I look forward to the next event.
