I have my weekend planned, will be getting caught up on my Top Gear episodes. I can’t believe they are in their 21st season and on the 4th episode already. I love the epic worldwide adventures they embark on and the time trials competing against the Stig.
If you are wondering who the hell is Jeremy Clarkson and what is Top Gear, grab some nachos, your favorite drink, sit back and watch these clips and join the cult following.
The Smallest Car in the World
Jeremy Clarkson jammed in tight, driving around the office and escaping near death on the streets in this contraption. Trying to get around in this bucket on wheels with no reverse gears is hilarious and clearly worth the time.
Holidays in the Middle East
Jeremy Clarkson jammed in tight, driving around the office and escaping near death on the streets in this contraption. Trying to get around in this bucket on wheels with no reverse gears is hilarious and clearly worth the time.
3 Guys trying to find the Birthplace of the Baby jesus. What could you want other than 3 roadsters including a Mazda, an Alfa, and a BMW? How about desert driving, 6 wheeled miatas, landmines, and bullet proof vests? This episode just gets better and better as you watch.
The Boys Buy Lorries
If you aren’t familiar with the term lorry , is a british way of saying large truck. a term commonly used on Top Gear. In this episode the boys each have £5000 to find and buy a lorry, modifyand haul their specific cargo through the challenges and through the final part of the course in one piece. This one is one of the best that you will find.
To catch up on lost seasons of Top Gear you can take advantage of the interweb, and a Netflix subscription and you can learn from some of the best. You will see a lot of great car comparisons, test drives on the track and of course the Stig.
Have an awesome weekend –
– RichG
The Three Best Top Gear Episodes September 13th, 2018CorkSport
New Product Release – Mazdaspeed 3 Silicone Intake Elbow
The Mazdaspeed 3 Silicone Intake Elbowis a great upgrade to dress up your engine bay, replacing the accordion style plastic oem tube. For those people with a 2007-2013 Mazdaspeed that want that fine look to clean up their engine.
– Mazdaspeed 3 Silicone Intake Elbow –
This is a simple and direct replacement of the OEM accordion style tube allowing for smoother airflow and easy fitment.
Custom formed for perfect fitment: The CorkSport Mazdaspeed 3 Silicone Intake Elbow has been designed to be a clamp-in replacement for the stock non-reinforced rubber hose.
Air Flow: Protects the cooler intake air from the engine bay and allowing for smoother air flow.
Six Layer Silicone Part: Contains five layers of reinforcement for a strong yet flexible connection that will not deteriorate over time and crack like the conventional stock rubber hose.
Available in three color options: Complete the look of your engine bay by matching the hose color to your other CorkSport silicone connectors and boost tubes.
CorkSport Service and Support: Receive full color installation instructions, all of the needed installation hardware, and knowledgeable telephone support.
We have so many people ask for bigger intakes and MAFs that we set out to make a better one. Traditionally most MAFs are constructed from a welded pipe with various fittings for the MAF sensor to sit on or they are machined tubes with various fittings welded or bolted on.
What are the limitations to the current way of doing things? Most companies call a 76mm (3”) MAF, 3” because the outside diameter (OD) is 3” or 76mm. That really doesn’t tell you the amount of air the intake can flow. It tells you that you are using 3” connectors but the inner diameter (ID) could be anything.
For reference, the stock MAF is 68mm ID. Once you are in the low 300whp range your MAF sensor will read 5volts. This means that your MAF is “topped out” and does not have the ability to adjust fuel trims and timing properly. To get the headroom of tuning you must upgrade to a larger MAF diameter.
The Power Series 3″ Intake System is fabricated with a high polished 3-inch turbo inlet pipe and a true 3″ inside diameter MAF housing. The velocity stack design smooths air flow for maximum performance.
CorkSport Intake System
In order to increase the ability for a large MAF to flow as much as possible and still not top out we decided we wanted to “bell” the MAF entrance. This effectively increases the air velocity, flowing more air. This is almost a 10% increase in velocity over the non “bell” version of the same MAF. This is something that is not done on a welded MAF. You can also make the MAF any size you want so making a true 76mm MAF is possible. This added head room allows your mods to go further and gives you the ability to tune for more power.
“Other” Intake System
Name – CorkSport
Unit
Value
Maximum Velocity
m/s
61.214
Name – Other
Unit
Value
Maximum Velocity
m/s
56.198
To help with proper idle and cruise resolution we also added a splitter to straighten the air in front of the MAF giving a better signal to the ECU.
If you plan on upgrading or have already upgraded your turbo this upgrade is a must to keep your MAF sensor functioning within its calibrated range.
Designed Specifically for Mazda: All CorkSport parts have been designed and tested specifically for Mazdas.
True 3″ MAF: Machined with a True 3″ inside diameter MAF.
Turbo Inlet Pipe: A precision high polished 3″ aluminum turbo inlet pipe..
Durable Dry Flow Air Filter: Reusable and water resistant, this unique non-woven filter media does not require oil to filter and trap dirt and actually sheds dirt under engine vibration, unlike cotton gauze which holds contaminates until you clean the filter.
Custom Reinforced Silicone Connectors: Constructed from multi-layer nylon braid to provide more strength and power and a smooth internal transition for less turbulence and optimal flow.
Upgraded Turbos: Highly recommended for Mazdaspeeds with upgraded turbos.
CorkSport Service and Support: Receive a 2 year warranty, full color installation instructions, all of the needed installation hardware, and knowledgeable telephone installation support.
Todays the day, CorkSport is releasing the High Pressure Fuel Pump system to the public. The demand is high, people have been asking us for weeks when these are coming. To get yours, click here and order yours today. They will be shipped first in first out so get in line soon to get yours.
In case you missed our 5 part blog series here are some great points.
“… Most aftermarket fuel pump upgrades consist of changing the internal parts of the factory pump with an enlarged piston and sleeve. By enlarging the piston, you increase the volume of the pump; thus creating more flow and the ability to maintain pressure at higher power levels.
When you first start taking the fuel pump apart, the first thing you are met with is the sight of a strange black deposit in the cap of the pump. Shown above are the deposits common to most caps. The bottom is a machined surface that should be clear of debris. In order for us to more clearly understand the situation we sent the cap out to undergo chemical analysis.”
“Does size matter? When looking at the stock piston on the factory fuel pump you can sure say that it does matter. If you increase the piston diameter you increase the flow of the pump. We have decided to compare the similar internals first and then compare the APR pump afterwards.”
“Now that we have a good understanding of the basics for these high pressure fuel pumps we can start to really dig deeper into the specifications. One of the items we were really curious about were the materials used in the construction of these pumps. We decided to have the hardness tested and ascertain the materials used. The factory pump internals do not use any coating, the hardness test showed us that the internals went through a hardening process as the core was significantly softer than the surface. Because of these hardness requirements, many other aftermarket internals use a coating of some sort to decrease friction between the piston and the sleeve. As for what the stock internals are made from, we answered that. Except for the hardening procedure, according to their chemical breakdown, they match a common die steel, so nothing too fancy.”
“ … We then built all the internals available in SolidWorks and tested the efficiency of them all for flow design and volume. This was merely the beginning of our design phase but helped us realize many great ideas (as well as a few not so great ones). We ended up with a design unlike any other on the market that, according to the data, would be more efficient than anything on the market.”
“After choosing a very strong alloy for our internals, we then machine their tolerances to an incredible 6 microns! To make sure the tolerances are paired for life, we serialize the parts to prevent any issues and to track the life of the pumps. We then surface treat the pumps to achieve the alloys maximum strength; only after the maximum hardness is achieved do we apply our surface treatments to bring the overall durability to an even higher level”
As a car enthusiast, I always want to make sure that my car maintenance is up to date. In general Mazda’s are very reliable but, whether modified or stock, the life of your car depends on maintenance. Taking good care of your car today can help you avoid paying out more in the future on repairs. Here are the top tips I’ve collected over the years and have applied to keep my Mazda in tip-top shape. Hopefully, they’re as helpful to you as they’ve been to me.
Gasoline – Find What Works for You
To find out what octane your engine needs, first check your owner’s manual. The recommended level is often 87octane. Some models have high compression engines that are designed to utilize the octane levels of 89, 91 or higher. Ordinarily, your vehicle will not benefit from using a higher octane than is recommended in the owner’s manual. If your engine knocks or pings at the recommended octane level though, you may need higher octane gasoline.
Knocking may occur under certain conditions. A small percentage of vehicles may knock because of variations in engines of the same model due to manufacturing tolerances, or because of an unusual build-up of engine deposits. Other factors such as extremely hot weather, changes in altitude or hard driving conditions may also cause knocking.
Are you planning on running alternative fuel for your modified car? More often than not gas alternatives for modified vehicles require tuning. Every owner/tuner has its preference, but keep the following information in mind when choosing between E85 or race gas:
· E85 will generate significantly more power than your typical recommended octane gas, given the same amount of fuel. The burn rate with E85 is faster than standard 87 to 95 octane, plus you get lower temperatures and more power. The downside is that you will get worse fuel economy, and your Fuel Pump will need more regular cleaning.
· The best thing about any race fuel is its consistency. You can count on the performance of the fuel and then tune accordingly. It makes things like elevation changes, ambient temps, etc, easier to incorporate into different maps.
Oil – Change it Religiously
Change the oil in your Mazda every 3,000 – 5,000 miles depending on the type of (regular, synthetic) oil you use. If most of your miles come from highway driving (driving at a set speed for long intervals of time), you may be able to change the oil every 5,000 miles, but if you do most of you’re driving in a city or suburban area, check your oil every 2,500 miles just to be safe. If the oil appears completely black, this is a sign that you need to have your oil changed.
If you change the oil yourself, remember to change the oil filter as well. If you take the car to a mechanic to have the oil changed, he should change the filter when he changes the oil. I always recommend the OEM oil Filter and Full Synthetic oil of your preference.
Tire Maintenance – Keep ‘em Rotated
Rotate your tires every 10,000 miles to prevent uneven wear (this means the back tires should be moved to the front wheels and vice versa). Also, keep a very close eye on your tire pressure. Mazdas use tires with a very soft tread, which means your car grips the road better, but its tires are more prone to leaks and breakage.
Look in your manual to see what the tire pressure of your front and back tires should be, and check all four tires’ pressure once a month to make sure no leaks have appeared.
Air Filter – It May be Cleaner than You Think
Mechanics will often try to convince you to change your air filter every time you change your oil. However, you shouldn’t have to change your air filter more than once every 20,000 miles unless it’s excessively dirty.
To learn about high-performance air filter’s go to:
To protect your transmission and keep your car running for as long as possible, have the transmission fluid checked every 40,000 miles. In general, you don’t need to replace it until you hit 100,000 miles, but if you don’t check it and the fluid does burn out, it can ruin your transmission, a job that can cost more than a couple thousand to repair on a Mazda.
As long as you are careful not to leave the light or any other battery-operated extras such as the stereo turned on when your engine is not running, your Mazda’s battery should last approximately three to four years. When approaching the five- to six-year mark, be sure to have it inspected. It is better to be prepared than to have your battery die unexpectedly when you need to be somewhere.
As a longtime Mazda enthusiast, I’ve seen the company evolve in many innovative ways. Most recently, Mazda has focused its attention on improving the current Skyactive Technology lineup, including the SKY-G 2.0-liter gas and SKY-D 2.2-liter diesel engines.
This technology is great for those looking for good fuel economy and better engine output. But what about the enthusiast who, instead of seeking MPG, is drawn to a fun, high-performance vehicle they can enjoy driving 24/7?
Here’s what I’m thinking.
Sure, the 2.3 MZR engine had its ups and downs and can be improved by the enthusiasts who own them. But, I imagine something beyond what we have now. Consider this. What if the next lineup of Mazdaspeed 3’s had a 2.5L MZR engine with an upgraded turbo and a High-Performance Fuel Pump (HPFP) to help with the volume and pressure to produce an ideal 320 HP beast that will scare your competition away?
But let’s not stop there. Let’s address the torque steer under acceleration with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. An AWD Mazdaspeed3 was shelved years ago; the automaker said the high price point wouldn’t be saleable and the hatchback style wouldn’t be attractive to consumers. But now, hatchbacks are growing in popularity and perfectly positioned to rival any competitor. This creates a great opportunity for Mazda to introduce this next generation vehicle. With that in mind, I ask that today we raise our fists in solidarity for this type of Mazdaspeed innovation.
To find out what octane your engine needs, first check your owner’s manual. The recommended level is often 87octane. Some models have high compression engines that are designed to utilize the octane levels of 89, 91 or higher. Ordinarily, your vehicle will not benefit from using a higher octane than is recommended in the owner’s manual. If your engine knocks or pings at the recommended octane level though, you may need higher octane gasoline.
Change the oil in your Mazda every 3,000 – 5,000 miles depending on the type of (regular, synthetic) oil you use. If most of your miles come from highway driving (driving at a set speed for long intervals of time), you may be able to change the oil every 5,000 miles, but if you do most of you’re driving in a city or suburban area, check your oil every 2,500 miles just to be safe. If the oil appears completely black, this is a sign that you need to have your oil changed.
As a longtime Mazda enthusiast, I’ve seen the company evolve in many innovative ways. Most recently, Mazda has focused its attention on improving the current Skyactive Technology lineup, including the SKY-G 2.0-liter gas and SKY-D 2.2-liter diesel engines.