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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

December 31, 2015September 21, 2023

Five CorkSport Releases You Still Need to Buy

2015 was a good year here at CorkSport. We released a whopping 26 new products! With the New Year upon us, it’s not too late to snag some of our favorite new parts we released. Here are our top five picks for upgrades you still need in 2016.

Mazdaspeed 3 Adjustable Short Shifter

Improve your driving experience with the CorkSport double-adjustable short shifter for the 2007-2009 MS3. You can personalize the throw distance and shift knob height just how you want it. Not only is your shift time faster with our shifter, it’s more precise and controlled. Got a newer MS3? Don’t worry, there’s a short shifter for you too.

Mazdaspeed 3 Front Mount Interiorcooler Kit

Cool down your boost air temperatures without compromise with our front mount intercooler kit with either the small or large intercooler. Featuring all new piping for better fitment and performance, our FMIC comes standard with the high flow small core or the optional big core with crash bar. Our FMIC Kit features a new variable diameter piping that reduces boost lag and improves throttle response.

3.5 Bar MAP Sensor

Introducing the first Plug-N-Play 3.5 Bar MAP sensor designed for the MZR DISI. The MAP sensor provides instantaneous manifold pressure information to the engine’s ECU. The custom injection molded body features the OEM style connection for a quick and clean installation; no adapter wiring harness needed! And we made it even easier for you by putting the necessary calibration scalars directly onto the MAP sensor, making tuning calibration a breeze.

MX-5 Miata Axle Back Exhaust

Great sound, great looks, and great quality. It’s that simple when it comes to the MX-5 axle back exhaust. We’ve tested multiple designs to provide you with an exhaust that delivers top performance without the annoying drone so typically found in aftermarket exhaust systems. Our exhaust is manufactured from T304 stainless steel, CNC mandrel bent, and TIG welded for a perfect fit and long lasting durability. Only the best for your new Miata.

Mazdaspeed 3 & 6 Drop-in Turbo Upgrade

You know we’re all about that boost life. Experience a serious boost in performance with our drop-in Mazdaspeed turbocharger. It easily bolts in and replaces your undersized OEM turbo with no mechanical modifications. Yes, you read that correct. No mechanical mods. Our turbocharger comes with all the necessities you need for increased power performance so there’s no need to buy additional parts.

What’s on your mod list for 2016?

Cheers,

CorkSport

November 23, 2015December 17, 2018

Everything You Need to Know About the 2016 MX-5 Swaybars

Take control of your body roll with the CorkSport 3-Way Adjustable Front and Rear swaybars for the 2016+ MX-5. Tested on the track to ensure the best street performance, the CorkSport swaybars are a great compliment for the daily driver and the track rat.

We spent a day at Portland International Raceway pushing the swaybars and CorkSport springs to their limits; we even bent the rear swaybar prototype! A failure in testing is actually a great learning experience. It allows us to improve the final design for you. With this intense testing, you can rest assured that the product you receive can stand up to the abuse.

Both swaybars are manufactured from 4130 Chromoly Steel and CNC bent for a great fit. The FSB uses 1.125” hollow tube and ranges from 106% to 187% stiffer than OEM. The RSB uses 0.625” solid bar and ranges from 220% to 447% stiffer than OEM. Don’t let the percent increase scare you. The FSB and RSB are designed to complement each other. The RSB allows you to make big changes to the car’s under and over-steer characteristics and the FSB allows you to fine tune the big change. This is the benefit of the 3-way adjustability. So, whether you’re an experienced track day enthusiast or are buying your first sports car, the CorkSport swaybars have a setup for you.

Included with every swaybar are a pair of 6061-T6 billet aluminum brackets and 90a durometer polyurethane bushings so you never have to worry about a broken bracket!

Take your MX-5 to the next level with the CorkSport swaybars today!

November 11, 2015

New 2016 MX-5 Lowering Springs

Track tested and racer approved, the CorkSport Sport Springs are a perfect match for your daily driven 2016 MX-5. The CorkSport Sport Springs give the MX-5 an aggressive look without sacrificing functionality or ride quality.

Multiple spring rates were tested at Portland International Raceway to determine the best spring rate and front/rear combination to enhance the MX-5’s driving experience while maintaining a comfortable daily driver. Check out the track day blog!

The CorkSport Sport Springs provide a drop of 1.6” in the front and 1.1” in the rear. This provides an aggressive look without having to worry about every speedbump and parking lot entrance. You might even notice a slight forward “rake.” This was by design so that the car sits level with two occupants.

Pair the CorkSport Sport Springs with CorkSport front and rear swaybars for the ultimate corner carving MX-5. Plus, the springs are designed to work with the OEM Standard and Club model struts for an easy installation.

October 26, 2015October 23, 2015

Prototypes, R & D, and the New MX-5: A Day at the Track

I bet you know this already, but we’re very excited about the new Mazda MX-5 and really, what’s not to be excited about! The ND MX-5 is sleek, sexy, efficient, modern, and an absolute blast through the apex.

Here at the CorkSport HQ, we’ve been working on a handful of awesome products and even had our first prototypes before we even had the car to test them on. But the wait is over. With prototypes in one hand and keys in the other, there was only one thing needed….Portland International Raceway. Oh, and for good measure we brought in Kenton Koch, of Kenton Koch Racing, to put our MX-5 and prototypes through their paces. Here’s how the day went.

The morning was a cool 55 degrees, but the CS team was buzzing with excitement. First session of the day was about to start, so Kenton was sent out with OEM springs and the CS front and rear swaybars in their softest setting. A couple laps later, Kenton came to the pits with concern for the rear suspension. Too our surprise, the coins of the RSB had bent, rendering the RSB useless. This was a real bummer, but a failed part in testing is a great day for warranty. Luckily, we were able to set the RSB to the stiffest setting to continue testing. Back to the track he went.

Kenton was able to finish the session without issue and returned to the pits with more feedback than we could absorb. He loved the car, but the springs were just too soft and the FSB needed a stiffer setting. Great! This is exactly the feedback we wanted to hear! For the next session, Kenton went out in an employee’s club edition to get a baseline feel of the OEM swaybars. In the meantime, the CS team swapped the springs out with our 35% stiffer springs.

Session three: launch edition MX-5 with 35% stiffer springs and the swaybars on the stiffest settings. Kenton came into the pits around the halfway mark and requested we move the FSB back to the softest setting. The session ended and Kenton returned to the pits with even more feedback! In the first half of the session, he was fighting a lot of understeer which is what merited the FSB adjustment. In the second half of the session, the understeer was much improved, but was still the most prevalent driving characteristic. We had another set of springs that were only 20% stiffer, so we installed them in the front and sent him out for the next session.

This was the ticket! Kenton stayed on track for the whole session this time. He was very happy with the car’s balance and had complete control of understeer/oversteer with just a small amount of throttle modulation. This was great news! For the final session, we adjusted the FSB back to the stiffest setting. This would tell us if the swaybars were a good compliment to the springs. Another session went by and again Kenton was very happy. The stiffer setting on the FSB pushed the car’s balance a little more towards understeer. This is great because understeer is typically much easier and safer for a novice driver to control, but the FSB also had the adjustability to put the car at a balanced state. More experienced drivers will appreciate this.

We wrapped up the day extremely satisfied with our results. We had a failure, we had many successes, and we learned a lot about the new MX-5. We can confidently say that the CorkSport MX-5 components are track tested and designed with the customer in mind. Look for swaybars, springs, and endlinks in the near future!