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Not-So-Low Lowering Springs For The Gen4 Mazda 3 Turbo

Since releasing our original turbo springs for the Mazda 3, we have noticed that some people would like lowering springs for their Mazda 3 Turbo that offer a milder drop in ride height, but still provide the same great handling characteristics as the originals. This is the reason behind the new CS lowering springs for the turbo Mazda 3; the “Not-So-Low” springs. The drop in ride height has been reduced 0.5 inches in the front and 0.3in in the rear and offers another option for those wanting lowering springs for their Turbo Mazda 3. Keep on reading to get a look at the new CS lowering springs in action.   

Turbo Lowering springs on a 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo in gray

First let’s go over the main difference between the new CS lowering springs and the original ones. Ride height is increased 0.5 inches over the previous lowering springs in the front and 0.3 inches in the rear which brings the total drop to 1.0 inch in the front and 1.5 inches in the rear for hatchback models. The slightly heavier sedan nets a total drop of 1.0 inch front and 1.6 inches in the rear. The sedan sits just slightly lower in the rear because of the extra weight, but also sits level and looks fantastic! The milder drop in ride height still looks low enough to give your Mazda an aggressive stance, b

Mazda 3 Turbo lowering springs in black

Now onto the benefits of the CS lowering springs that you can feel. The improvement in handling that you get from the CS lowering springs really helps bring some much needed sharpness to the Mazda 3 Turbo. Lowering the height of the car also results in the center of gravity being lower, which helps reduce the amount of body roll felt while driving. Also in conjunction with this, is the increased spring rates, which also play a major part in reducing body roll while cornering. This gives you more confidence while driving at the limit. We have also adjusted the rear spring rates to help reduce understeer when pushing your car to the edge and helps give it more neutral handling characteristics.    

Red Mazda 3 with the Not So Low Lowering Springs

For the new CS lowering springs we have retained the proven spring rates from the original lowering spring kit. This results in a front spring rate of 3.4K while the rear has a spring rate of 5.9K. This gives you a great balance of still being able to enjoy daily driving while also giving you a sportier feel when hitting the backroads. The Turbo Mazda 3 also features stiffer dampers that control the extra weight added by the turbo better so the ride is smooth and not bouncy.    

Single side view of black not so low lowering springs

These springs also feature the same simple installation of the original kit and only require modification to the factory bump stops so that proper suspension travel is retained at the lower ride height. The springs are made with high tensile strength spring steel to ensure that they perform consistently and will not settle over time. The springs are then powdercoated black to provide a durable finish and protect against corrosion. They also feature spring silencers to prevent any additional noise during suspension travel. 

Back side of 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo with Lowering Springs

Well that covers the major details of the new CS lowering springs for the Mazda 3 turbo. Head over to the product listing for more pictures and give us a call if you have any questions on the lowering springs.

P.S. The car in the above images is riding on Advan GT wheels in 19×8.5 +38 size, wrapped in Kumho 235/35 R19 summer tires.

P.S. – We hope are as happy as Aaron Maves with his new springs!

CorkSport sponsored drive Aaron Maves with Mazda 3 Turbo installed Lowering springs

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Stand Out with the Wing Extension for Your 3rd Gen Mazda 3 Hatch

Already have the Mazdaspeed “MS” style spoiler for your 3rd gen Mazda 3 hatch, but looking for just a bit more unique look? CorkSport is proud to announce our Mazda 3 Gurney Flap Style Spoiler Wing Extension just for you.  Designed for the “MS” style aftermarket spoiler on the 2014-2018 Mazda 3 Hatchback.  This is an aftermarket spoiler, not the OEM spoiler.

3rd Gen Mazda 3 Hatch Gurney Flap

While the “gurney flap” style wing extension is not new to the automotive aftermarket community, we wanted to offer our interpretation of this fun, useful and stylish performance part.  We approached this design with the goal to add style, and some function, and durability. 

2018 Mazda 3 Hatch Spoiler Extension

With such a simple performance part how can we be unique and durable?  That comes down to the design and materials…more specifically the combination of those two.  The common option on the market today uses a plastic material for the “flap”.  This is cost effective, looks decent, and has decent durability.  However, over time the plastic may degrade due to use, weather and UV radiation.

The CorkSport “flap” is made from 5052 Aluminum sheet and then powder coated a satin black for a durable and long lasting finish and construction.  Mounting the “flap” are three CNC formed stainless steel brackets and four underside mounting screws…also stainless steel.  This gives you a total of seven mounting points meaning there is no need for messy and finicky double side tape. 

Mounting brackets for Mazda 3 Gurney Flap

Designed specifically for the Mazdaspeed “MS” style aftermarket spoiler for the 2014-2018 Mazda 3 hatchback.  Sadly this will not work for the OEM spoiler, but hey maybe that could happen in the future!

Mounting Brackets for Mazda 3 Gurney Flap

While we cannot make any official claims to added down force, we have found the car to feel more stable at speed and a little gurney flap never hurt anyone.  It sure looks good on the Tail of the Dragon mounted on Bradon’s 3rd GEN Hatch!

Measuring at 4” in flap depth, the CS design is a very noticeable as you walk up to the car with a pronounced flap and tumble polished stainless brackets.  All the underside hardware is black stainless so it blends into the satin black powder coat.

Performance Spoiler Extension for Mazda 3

Thanks for checking out the 3rd Gen Mazda 3 Hatchback Gurney Flap Style Wing Extension.  Send us some high res images of your 3rd gen with the gurney flap to possibly get a feature on the CorkSport social media!

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It’s Go Time with The Mazda 6 Turbo Kit

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you could have used another +100hp? As in, getting on the freeway safely or trying to beat that minivan at the red light so you don’t miss your next turn? Maybe you know a guy with a WRX with a muffler delete, and he just won’t shut up about how “fast” it is. Well, let me tell you, my 2016 Mazda6 GT will do all of that in comfort and style! I’ve been lucky to be the first person in the world to run CorkSport’s Turbo Kit on a Mazda6, which also happens to be an automatic! #ridetheunicorn

I bought the car in early May 2022, and by the 31st, the CorkSport engineers had transformed my naturally aspirated Mazda into something special with the CS Turbo Kit. Flash forward a little less than a week out, and I was on my way to @Idaho Mazda Takeover to show off the kit. It’s a 450-mile trip one-way from my house to Caldwell, ID, and does not include the +300 miles of community shenanigans I completed while I was there. 

* This is Mazda 3 Manual Dynograph, with 80mm Cat Back Exhaust

As a testament to the CorkSport Mazda 6 Turbo Kit, I made the journey without a second thought. I averaged ~75 mph and snagged over 32mpg on the way there. This included spirited driving, stretching the car’s legs, and putting it through its paces, up, over, and through those difficult passes in eastern Oregon. I need you to understand this was a 100% stock Mazda6. The only thing we did was install our turnkey kit. In less than a week, I put over 1200 miles of “FUN!” on the car and have not looked back!

The CorkSport Mazda 6 Turbo Kit

The car drives as it did right off the dealership parking lot; it’s quiet and very tame, with a stock catback. You lightly press the throttle, and the car’s cab starts to fill with all the right induction noises. Hearing that turbo spool up for the first time sent chills down my arms; I couldn’t believe it. My Big turbo Mazdaspeed3 isn’t even that seductive. But that’s only part of the fun…

When you drop the hammer, the auto transmission immediately puts in the work. I was surprised at how quickly it locked up the torque converter and rocketed the car down the road the first time I drove it. I was worried about the implications of having ~80 additional whp rifling through it. After a few deep dives into how these transmissions work, I feel more confident than ever about the Mazda 6 and Turbo Kit, and the last 10K miles of beta testing have been trouble-free.

* This is Mazda 3 Manual Dynograph

I’d never driven a boosted automatic before, let alone an aftermarket one, so I didn’t know what to expect. What I’ve experienced has been more than I could bargain for. By design (of the OTS Professional Tune), you only use the boost when needed; otherwise, the car will drive like it’s not there if you want to go that route. However, if you mash the pedal to the floor, it’s “Go time!”

Since installing the turbo kit, I’ve supplemented this turbo kit with our 2014-2017 Mazda6 Catback. The stainless T-304 has enhanced this whole experience. The 90mm tips look great with those shiny resonators behind the rear bumper. It is starting to dial back on the sleeper, sleek and numb daily, and gearing more towards a fun, fast and capable 4-door sedan. The exhaust added around another 30whp and has me sitting comfortably near 260whp to the front wheels.

Undercarriage with Cat Back Exhaust

It didn’t take long for the numbness of the stock mounts to get to me. With this big bump in power, I wanted to do everything I could to help this car out. I installed the CorkSport transmission and rear motor mount, further evolving the turbo Mazda 6. Power delivery is now immediate and linear vs. the OEM mounts allowing the engine to bounce around.

A lot of us have very similar ambitions for our cars. We tend to create this inseparable bond between ourselves and the machine we’re driving. Having an OTS turnkey turbo kit that does precisely that is nothing short of spectacular. CorkSport has done an outstanding job offering a turbo kit that includes EVERYTHING you need, including a professional tune, battery, boost gauge, and boost controller. Heck, you even get Unicorn swag too!

Mazda 6 Turbo Kit Manifold

I’ve created a new sense of ownership by taking this project on; it’s changed my view on what I wanted from a car. This kit checks all the boxes in my book and has surprised me almost daily. My whole experience with the Skyactiv-G + CorkSport Turbo Kit has been rewarding. I cannot wait to push this car to its limits and beyond to see what these engines are truly capable of. 

If you have a 2.5L naturally aspirated 3rd Generation Mazda 3 or Mazda 6 sporting a manual or automatic transmission and want to get the most out of your ride – don’t hesitate to grab one of these turbo kits – the results are unthinkable!

The CorkSport TC America Car with the Turbo Kit

Questions? Feel free to reach out to our staff at sales@corksport.com or by phone. . #ridetheunicorn

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Improve Your Braking with the All New Big Brake Kit for the Mazda CX-50

Introducing the CorkSport 13” Big Brake Kit for 2023+ Mazda CX-50 owners! This includes both the Turbo and non-Turbo models! The CS BBK improves braking performance with larger diameter rotors and 4-piston calipers. Also included in the kit are stainless steel braided brake lines and all the brackets and hardware needed for installation. It’s an all-in-one package that makes it just as fun to stomp on the brakes as it does to hit that skinny pedal! Read on for more details.

To start off, let’s look at the CorkSport brake rotors. The CS rotors are 13” (330mm) in diameter and 1.20” (28mm) thick. The OEM Mazda CX50 turbo uses 12.79” (325mm) rotors and 0.98” (25mm) thick rotors. This change provides for more braking torque to be generated from the same amount of braking force. Think like how a longer wrench makes it easier to loosen a stuck bolt. The added thickness and diameter is also simply more mass for the brake system to reject heat into. This keeps your brakes from overheating for much longer than the OEM units.

The CS rotors are not all about size however, they also have a decent amount of tech built in to further help your braking performance. Each rotor is made up of two pieces. A center “hat” is made from aluminum and an outer “ring” is made from a more typical rotor material: iron. The center hat uses aluminum for its light weight and rapid heat dissipation. The rotor ring uses iron for long lasting and reliable function. To further improve cooling efficiency the rotor has special “vanes” in between the inner and outer faces to further help with brake cooling. These vanes are directional and help to draw air through the rotor while the rotor is spinning. The rotor rings are also directionally slotted to help sweep away brake dust, gases, and any other debris that may affect your braking performance. The two piece design has the added benefit of cost savings as when it comes time to replace them. You can simply give us a call to purchase replacements of just the rotor rings instead of the entire rotor!

Moving onto the calipers, the CorkSport BBK uses 4-piston calipers made from forged aluminum. The use of forged aluminum is critical in reducing weight and maintaining rigidity.  Typically, OEM calipers are a single piston sliding design due to its compactness and low cost to produce.  This is fine until you start pushing the brakes harder.  The sliding design tends to flex and move around when in use and can reduce the confidence in your brakes.  With the more rigid and opposed piston design of the CorkSport Caliper, you can really push the brakes and hold them there with confidence.  Great for the street and trail.

Having many small pistons in the calipers also allows for maximized brake pad area that will wear evenly. Brake pad wear is also evened out by having pistons pushing from both sides of the caliper instead of just one like OEM. We even stagger the pistons within the CS calipers, making the leading edge piston slightly smaller, to really ensure even and consistent pad wear. The result is a brake pad that has 32% more surface area in contact with the rotor.

Finally, each piston in the CS calipers is made from stainless steel. Stainless was chosen for its low coefficient of heat transfer. Compared to aluminum or regular steel, stainless will transfer heat slower, meaning your brake fluid stays cooler for longer so you can stay out on track longer.

The CorkSport calipers come pre-loaded with upgraded brake pads that slot in fairly well between a street pad and a full on track pad. For the street, they offer low noise in most situations, with a squeak here and there when coming to a stop, and relatively low dust. On a backroad or track, they offer good performance when cold, and even better performance when warmed up a little. For extended track time, we do still recommend a full track pad, but for auto cross or a short hot lapping session, the default CS pads work well. Thankfully, the CS calipers use a standard brake pad shape, so you have plenty of options from the big name brake manufacturers.

Each CorkSport BBK comes with all the brackets and hardware needed for installation. We use high strength billet caliper brackets for rigidity and consistent caliper placement. All the hardware that keeps your brakes attached is grade 12.9 with a corrosion resistant coating. We even include stainless steel braided brake lines with each kit. The brake lines offer a stiffer and more consistent pedal feel. Even with all the added complexity, the CorkSport BBK ends up drastically lighter weight than the OEM turbo brakes (approximately 6 lbs lighter on each side).

To fit the CorkSport BP Mazda 3 Big Brake Kit, it is much easier with 17” or larger aftermarket wheels. Typically an aftermarket wheel will have much more brake clearance than an OEM wheel. You can use the 18” OEM wheels; however, for enough clearance for the large calipers, we found that you need a 10mm spacer. With that much spacer, we strongly encourage purchasing extended wheel studs for safety. In either case, we have a template available that you can cutout to check clearance to your wheels. Click this link to download the wheel fitment template!

Wheels & Tires Shown: 255/55R18 Falken Wildpeak AT3W with 18×8.5+35 Momo Etna Wheels

We can’t wait for you all to experience the stopping power of the CorkSport Mazda CX-50 Big Brake Kit! Check out the product listing to purchase and for even more images. We have plenty of good stuff still to come for the CX-50s so stay tuned!

Get The Mazda CX-50 Big Brake Kit!

The BBK provides peace of mind and better stopping.

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Get The Mazda CX-50 Big Brake Kit!

The BBK provides peace of mind and better stopping.

BUY NOW

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The Performance Rear Motor Mount For 4th Gen Mazda 3 is Ready For Action

If you’re looking for a performance part for your Gen 4 Mazda 3 & CX30 to elevate the driver experience then the CorkSport Rear Motor Mount. This CS RMM is designed to fit any 2019+ Mazda 3 & CX30 whether it is AWD or FWD, Turbo or NA, MT or AT. The key focal point for this RMM is to offer the driver additional feedback for what the car is doing when driving hard. The CS RMM helps eliminate the excessive engine movement, increase throttle response and provide a more solid shifter feel if you have a car with a stick.  

Mazda 3 Turbo Skyactiv Polyurethane Mount

Watch the Comparison Video For The Rear Motor Mount

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Starting with the main body of the CorkSport RMM, it is manufactured from A356-T6 aluminum to provide a robust and light weight mount that effectively replaces the quite large and heavy OEM mount. The factory mount features a large rubber center section which contributes to the excessive engine movement and additional weight. For the CS RMM we decided to add smaller bushings towards the front and back of the mount which allowed us to save material and weight.  Below you can see the two RMM’s compared against one another.    

Mazda 3 Performance Race Poly Mount

Now onto the polyurethane bushings, which play a big role in the increased driver feedback and reduction in engine movement. We tested the selected 70A bushings extensively and found that they offer a good combination of providing both a noticeable improvement in the driving experience while not introducing to much extra noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) into the mix for daily driving.

NOTE: NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) is a standard term used in the automotive industry.  NVH is a byproduct of changing some OEM components to aftermarket components in the pursuit of focused performance. Example of components that can increase NVH: engine mounts, clutch/flywheel, intake, exhaust, suspension, tires/wheels…and many more. 

During the first stage of testing we started out with only two poly bushings in the front of the RMM, but after further testing we found that adding an additional two bushing to the rear of the RMM provided much lower NVH while still reducing engine movement considerably.

turbo mazda 3 poly bushing mount

The last piece that is fundamental in the CS RMM is the bushing sleeves. The sleeves provide the ability to install hardware through the polyurethane bushing without having the bushing itself compress and possibly crack when applying torque to the bolt and instead transfer the force into the sleeve. The bushing sleeves are precision machined out of steel for strength and then zinc coated so they will not corrode over time and wear out the polyurethane bushing prematurely.

2021 Mazda 3 RMM Bushing Sleeve

Ok, so now how does the CS RMM improve the driver experience? Well, the factory RMM allows the motor to rotate a good amount which helps provide a smooth driving experience for around town, but this increase in engine movement decreases the throttle response and shifter feel.

2019 Mazda 3 RMM Bushing.JPG

This is because the motor is allowed to rotate a certain amount before the wheels do, so by decreasing the amount the motor has to rotate, allows the wheels to start rotating sooner, thus increasing the responsiveness of the car. This reduction of movement also provides a better shifter feel if you have a manual because there is less movement between the connection of the shifter and transmission.

4th gen mazda 3 Turbo Poly Rear Motor Mount

What to expect from the Rear Motor Mount:

From our testing in multiple R&D cars and beta tester cars and the thousands of miles driven…it’s awesome!  From about 2000rpm up to redline you are going to feel a smooth engine that loves to give you feedback on your throttle, shifting and engine braking.  Below 2000rpm to idle you may notice some vibration, especially when the A/C pump is in operation. 

Thanks for checking out the CorkSport Rear Motor Mount for the 4th Gen Mazda 3 & CX30! If you want to add this mod to your Mazda and get all the benefits discussed above, be sure to head over to the product page for more details.   

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Elevate the driver experience with the CorkSport Rear Motor Mount.

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