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CorkSport Top Mount Intercooler and Beyond

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.

Prototype TMIC

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.

Production TMIC

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.

– Jake

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Mazda Goes With the Batteries

There were some rumors and news flying around in March of last year that Mazda was in talks with Toyota to get their hands on the hybrid technology they had developed. The system people had mentioned was the Toyota Synergy Hybrid Tech and was to be combined with the Mazda Sky engines. The vehicles were slated to be available in 2013.

Mazda SKY Engine

This week Mazda announced that they will be offering electric vehicles starting on 2012. The vehicle will be the Mazda 2/Demio and will be offered to fleet accounts, like government and larger corporations, instead of individuals.

Mazda makes no mention of the hybrid technology that they were working on getting from Toyota. This leads me to speculate that with the news of the all-electric car and the gasoline technology advances that Mazda has been working on we might not see a hybrid from Mazda. I personally don’t think it would be worth it for Mazda to continue pursuing 3 different paths for better fuel economy. Given the size of Mazda it doesn’t make much sense from a cost standpoint. The Sky drivetrains will make Mazda competitive with most of the hybrids on the market without having to run heavy batteries and hybrid drivetrain systems. The all-electric vehicles are going to be strictly fleet vehicles, which means there is no need for the infrastructure of charging stations.

Mazda did have one hybrid vehicle in the past, the Tribute, but it was based on the Ford Escape. With Ford only owning about 3% in Mazda these days, the technology sharing looks to have changed between the two companies to a minimal amount.

I do look forward to seeing what Mazda can innovate for the electric vehicle. Mazda has always been willing to go a different direction from other car manufacturers to solve problems. I think we will see an example of that in 2012, much like what we have seen with the Sky engine systems.

What do you guys think?

– Derrick

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Incoming!

We have had our 2010 MazdaSpeed 3 for a little over a year now. During that time, we were able to come out with some very popular performance products to increase horsepower such as our downpipe, racepipe, cat-back exhaust, and 50 state legal Short Ram Intake System. We have also came out with several products for the suspension and exterior of the car including a one-piece aluminum skidplate, a 3-way adjustable rear sway bar, a quick-release rear chassis brace, and eyelids.

Moving forward with product development, we have several parts that are ready to be released, or are nearing their release date. For starters, our popular Ram-Air style Front Mount Intercooler Kit has been redesigned and optimized for the 2010 MS3. The kit utilizes the stock hood scoop as the location for the air intake, which also uses the stock shroud. The kit is able to decrease pressure drop, while also increasing efficiency over the stock top mount intercooler.

CorkSport Front Mount Intercooler Kit

The next part nearing completion is our Lightweight Crank Pulley. It shaves two pounds off of the stock pulley’s massive 4.40 pounds of rotating mass. Eliminating rotating mass does not add horsepower, but simply frees up existing power. The blue anodized aluminum pulley has a steel trigger wheel and comes balanced. The kit also includes all the necessary timing tools for the installation.

CorkSport DISI Lightweight Crank Pulley

Available within the next 2-3 weeks will be our CorkSport Mudflaps. They will feature thick, durable die-cut polyurethane and come with all the necessary mounting hardware and installation instructions.

CorkSport Mudflaps

Another product we have in the works is a 2-way adjustable front sway bar. It will be a welded one piece design with laser cut arms and a hollow cross tube. This part was designed to match the rear sway bar we already sell, with the adjustability to match your specific driving style.

The final product we have ready to release is a 4 bar rear chassis brace. This chassis brace kit will include our quick release rear chassis brace and three other braces to tie the entire rear end together to resist chassis flex in every direction.

Look for these products and more in our New Products section on our webpage.

– Jake

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PRESS RELEASE: CorkSport Power Series Front Mount Intercooler Kit For the 2010-2013 MazdaSpeed 3

Mazdaspeed-3-FMIC

Due to the popularity of our Front Mount Intercooler (FMIC) Kit for the MazdaSpeed 6 and first generation MazdaSpeed 3, we are proud to release the kit for the 2010+ MazdaSpeed 3. This kit will bolt on with no bumper modifications needed and increase boost levels while decreasing intake temperature. The kit also takes advantage of the hood scoop by mounting the intake under the stock intercooler shroud, leaving a stock look and maximizing airflow.

Features:
The CorkSport FMIC Kit features an aluminum core intercooler (24 x 6 x 3.5 in) with custom cast end tanks. Flowing into and out of the intercooler is 2.25” aluminum mandrel bent piping with bead rolled ends. These are connected via silicone couplers (your choice of black, red, or blue) and stainless steel T-bolt clamps. The kit includes everything needed for installation including our uniquely designed ram-air box. The ram-air box counts to the factory intercooler location to utilize the stock plastic cover and hood scoop to maximize airflow to the engine.

The CorkSport FMIC Kit can be ordered for use with the stock, HKS, or Greddy Blow-off Valve flanges. The kit can also be custom powdercoated to match your engine bay, or give it a totally custom look.

Testing:
Our FMIC Kit has been developed and tested specifically for the 2010+ MazdaSpeed 3. It has been tested in all types of conditions including hot and cold, rain and snow, freeway driving, and stop and go traffic. The kit decreases pressure drop by about 2.5 psi over the stock intercooler (down to 3 from 5.5 psi). The FMIC kit also offers an icrease in thermal efficiency of roughly 20% over the stock intercooler (up to 86% from 66%)*. On top of all of this, the core flows 30% more air than the stock intercooler. All of these features add up to a kit that was designed and optimized for the 2010-2011 Mazdaspeed 3.

Available Now:
The CorkSport Front Mount Intercooler Kit for the 2010+ MazdaSpeed 3 ships with all the hardware needed for installation and is available now via our website or CorkSport Customer Service (360-260-2675). Full color step by step installation instructions and telephone support are also included with your purchase.

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PRESS RELEASE: CorkSport Rear Chassis Brace Set 2004 – 2011 MazdaSpeed3 & Mazda 3

CorkSport Rear Chassis Brace Set 2004 - 2011 MazdaSpeed3 & Mazda 3

CorkSport’s Rear Chassis Brace Set for the 2004-2011 MazdaSpeed 3 & Mazda 3 is a direct direct bolt-on one inch diameter four bar kit that stiffens up the rear-end of your vehicle’s chassis. The bar set requires you to trim a small amount of carpet out of your cargo area and utilizes stock mounting locations.

The four bar kit installs in about an hour and a half and includes all the necessary hardware to complete the installation. It fits with all existing (three bar set available if you already have our Quick-Release Rear Chassis Brace) and future CorkSport brand parts and offers a design that will set your 3 apart from the crowd.

Features:
The CorkSport Rear Chassis Brace Set utilizes powdercoated 0.25” steel brackets that mount to factory locations on the side of your cargo area and are completely hidden behind the trunk carpet except for the bar mounting holes. The bottom mounts are small and stay close to the corner of your hatch to minimize taking up precious cargo space. The bars feature a black anodized aluminum design with our CorkSport Logo etched into the bars (the two shorter bars do not have the logo). The top bar is attached to the brackets by aircraft grade quick-release pins that allow the bar to be removed quickly and effortlessly in an event that you need to fold down your rear seats and haul a large object in your 3. The end links are threaded for full stiffness adjustablility. Turn the bar one way to stiffen the rear end, turn the bar the other way to lessen the stiffness.

Testing:
The CorkSport Rear Chassis Brace Set has been tested on our own vehicles to ensure fit, form and function. The bar set increases stiffness in the rear end by tying load points together. This results in reduced chassis flex that is a common issue with the hatch-back’s open cargo area design. We have tested the design and with the bars installed, you can expect to see a 12% decrease in rear end deflection.

Available Now:
As with all our CorkSport Brand Mazda Products, the Rear Chassis Brace Set ships with all the hardware you need for installation. Full color step by step installation instructions and telephone technical support are also included with your purchase.