The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Modding Your 2017 Mazda 6

If you just bought a 2017 Mazda 6, these are the mods you need to upgrade your ride.
Time to take this 2017 Mazda 6 to the next level.

Youโ€™re the proud owner of a new Mazda 6, so we know youโ€™re a discerning customer when it comes to cars. Off to a good start. And while modding a new vehicle might not be something youโ€™ve considered (โ€œItโ€™s brand new, what could it need?โ€œ), there are loads of benefits that your ride can achieve with some simple modification. Thatโ€™s where CorkSport comes in. Or, if youโ€™ve upgraded your ride to something that looks a bit more professional in the parking lot of your new job, but you still want to tear up the road to and from the office, well โ€ฆ thatโ€™s where CorkSport comes in, too.

In the past, weโ€™ve shown you how to take a 2014 Mazda 6 and upgrade it to your liking. Weโ€™ve even showcased some great customer success stories when it comes to modding the Mazda 6. Our commitment to our CorkSport family โ€” thatโ€™s you guys โ€” doesnโ€™t stop there. We wanted to create the ultimate starter kit for folks that may be new to our family. So hereโ€™s where to start if youโ€™re a Mazda 6 beginner looking to mod your new 2017 Mazda 6.

Mazda 6 power mods

Power mods like our 2014+ Mazda 6 SkyActiv Power Series Short Ram Intake are a great place to start.
Our 2014+ Mazda 6 SkyActiv Power Series Short Ram Intake is a great, efficient power mod for your Mazda 6.

Letโ€™s start with speed. Youโ€™re not taking your Mazda 6 out racing, but that doesnโ€™t mean you donโ€™t want to have a little fun from time to time. CorkSportโ€™s power mods for the Mazda 6 add impressive improvements in RPMs, throttle response, and other performance aspects of your new ride. That means you get speed, but youโ€™re also getting efficiency from your vehicle. Weโ€™ll get into handling next, but letโ€™s get you set up with some power that requires handling adjustments first.

  1. 2014+ Mazda 6 SkyActiv Power Series Short Ram Intake 2.5 Engine: Reduce your rideโ€™s intake restrictions for some dramatic power improvements throughout the entire RPM range. Bonus: This mod improves your gas mileage, too!
  2. 2014+ Mazda 3/6/Cx5 Short Shift Plate Kit: Reduce shifting throw by 33 percent and get more control over the weight of the knob to hone in on the perfect shifting experience.
  3. 2014+ Mazda 3 And 6 Crankshaft Pulley:  This part reduces the weight of the engine’s rotating assembly to increase throttle response, horsepower, and torque.
  4. Rear Motor Mount for 2014+ Mazda 3 and 6, 2013 Mazda CX-5: This part works with many Mazdas, but for your Mazda 6 it decreases engine movement to boost power transfer from engine to tire. In short, better throttle response, gear-shifting, and driver feedback.
  5. Mazda 6 2014+ Power Series Exhaust: If youโ€™re looking for something a bit more intense, you can give your ride some aggressive sound and power with this part that also adds some nice style.

Mazda 6 handling mods

See how CorkSport handling mods can increase your Mazda 6's drivability.
Drive quality is something that handling mods can boost on a daily basis.

Maybe you needed a more family-friendly ride than your souped-up Mazdaspeed. Maybe you just wanted some of that Mazda kick in your new daily driver. Regardless, CorkSport handling mods are going to make driving your new Mazda 6 a joy. Whether youโ€™re on the morning commute or picking up the kids from soccer practice, we know the urge to accelerate into that turn is strong. Hereโ€™s how you can get the handling you crave.

  1. Mazda 6 Adjustable Struts and Shocks: Letโ€™s kick things off with our newest part! With 15 adjustable positions, these shocks and struts reduce rebound up to 70 percent so you can achieve the smooth ride you want. Easy to install and adjust!
  2. 2014+ Mazda 6 Lowering Spring Set: Not only will this part give your car a sleeker look, but by lowering your ride you get faster turn response โ€” great for ride quality and responsive, safe driving.
  3. 2014+ Mazda 3/6/CX5 Big Brake Kit Not only does this mod reduce your vehicle weight for better handling, it adds brake power as well. Pretty nice when you can get a mod that improves drivability and boosts safety at the same time. Thatโ€™s an easy one to talk your wife into!
  4. 2014+ Mazda 6 Rear Sway Bar: Crank that handling up a notch and fine-tune to your heartโ€™s content with our sway bar. Take those corners exactly how you want, no holding back.

Mazda 6 style mods

CorkSport style mods, like our headlight level adjuster, are a great addition to your Mazda 6.
Style and safety come together in our Mazda headlight level adjuster.

If youโ€™re already set on power and handling, or maybe you just want to tweak the look of your vehicle, CorkSport style mods are the next thing on the list โ€” because you want to look at a car youโ€™re happy to drive. From interior improvements to external upgrades, adding a little style and luxury is a nice way to treat yoโ€™self. Here are a few ways to get started.

  1. Mazda Headlight Level Adjuster: A good call (especially if youโ€™ve added our lowering springs) is making sure your headlights are illuminating the road properly. Itโ€™s safe, itโ€™s functional, and it gives you the ability to make quick strut and shock adjustments.
  2. Leather Shift Knob for 2014+ Mazda3/6 and Cx5: Let people know youโ€™re part of the CorkSport family and pick up this smooth-as-butter black leather shift knob.
  3. Fog Light Kit: Powerful LEDs that look good while brightening your way, uniting function and style in one mod.

These mods should get you started, but the CorkSport fam knows that thereโ€™s always more you can add. Check out the rest of our Mazda 6 parts and, if you plan to mod on the regular, make sure to check out 7th Gear, our new exclusive membership club.

If youโ€™ve got questions as youโ€™re modding your 2017 Mazda 6, give us a call. And follow the CorkSport blog for regular news, modification advice, Mazda tips, Mazda lifestyle talk, and much more!

The CorkSport Guide To Modifying The Mazda 3

White Mazda 3 from CorkSport
Ready to mod your Mazda 3? You will be after you read this!

New to modding your Mazda 3? No worries! CorkSport has you covered. Check out this guide to the parts that can turn your Mazda 3 into something special โ€” and something more fun. Iโ€™ll be covering the main Mazda 3 performance checkpoints: power, handling, and styling. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions along the way!

Letโ€™s get started …

Power Modifications

One of the first questions I always hear when Mazda 3 owners call me on the phone is, โ€œWhat can I do to get some more horses out of this?โ€ As many of us know, the SkyActiv engine that comes in the Mazda 3 isnโ€™t exactly designed with big power in mind. It was built for fuel economy and efficiency. Even so, Mazda 3s are still very enjoyable to drive. With some bolt-ons products and a tune, you can definitely squeeze out some more ponies.

Short Ram Intake

One of the most restrictive parts of these carsโ€™ induction systems is the factory air box and paper filter. We offer a much more free-flowing solution with our short ram intakes for Mazda 3. It looks a little something like this:

Mazda 3 Short Ram Intake
Mazda 3 Short Ram Intake

Utilizing a machined billet aluminum MAF housing and a Dryflow filter, we saw gains up to 6 HP on the 2.5 L models and 2.0 L models on an untuned ECU. On top of achieving these gains, the intake also provides amazing induction sounds โ€” this probably wonโ€™t help you lighten your lead foot, though!

Exhaust

If youโ€™re considering any brand for an exhaust, be sure you keep us in mind. We spent a lot of time creating the perfect exhaust for these cars, including the sedan model and the hatch.

CorkSport Axle Back Exhaust
Axle back? Full cat back? We have exhaust options for the Mazda 3 at CorkSport.

Constructed of 65 mm piping and made from T304 stainless, CorkSport Mazda 3 exhausts will provide long lasting durability and performance! We can sell you just the axle back if you are going more for sound, or you can pick up our full Mazda 3 cat back if you want to get as much flow out as possible. (Please note: The cat back does delete the second unmonitored cat so it may be illegal based on your local emissions laws.) We saw 5 whp out of the 2.0 L and 10 whp out of the 2.5 L with our cat back on an untuned ECU!

Handling mods

One of the things that Mazda really hit out of the park with the Mazda 3s is the suspension and handling department. For a FWD econobox, these things carry momentum through turns really well. We offer some mods that cater specifically to this aspect of the car!

Springs, Shocks, and Struts

Dropping the car a bit on some adjustable damping shocks, struts, and lowering springs is a great place to start. Lowering the center of gravity while upping the spring rates will help improve your handling responsiveness. Slap a rear sway bar on there as the cherry on top and help the car rotate around corners while reducing the infamous understeer problems that FWD cars are often cursed with!

CorkSport suspension springs.
Drop that Mazda 3 with our lowering springs.

Our shocks and struts are 15 way adjustable, with 70 percent higher rebound damping. They allow you to run stiffer springs without needing to worry about the life of the strut being deteriorated.

The springs drop the car a tasteful 1.75โ€ in the front and 2.00โ€ in the rear.

Sway Bar

CorkSport rear sway bar.
Our CorkSport rear sway bar is a must.

The rear sway bar comes paired with some very nice billet aluminum brackets with Zerk fittings for servicing. The bar is a solid piece so youโ€™ll never have to worry about breaking it. Itโ€™s also two-way adjustable, allowing for stiffer or softer settings depending on how you like to drive and what youโ€™re driving.

Brakes

CorkSport's Mazda 3 big brake.
Hereโ€™s the breakdown on our brakes.

Not only do these suckers stop, but theyโ€™re also lighter, removing 7 pounds of unsprung weight. Stainless steel braided lines are also included to help improve the pedal feel.

The brakes are 4 pot calipers made from 6061-T6 aluminum, which comes anodized for a long-lasting finish. The rotors are 28mm larger than the factory rotors.

Styling mods

Although these cars already look great, we offer a few tasteful touches that you can add to your car to really help tie the whole package together.

Exterior

Every car enthusiast hates a front license plate, but we also hate getting pulled over for not having one. A good compromise is choosing not to drill into your bumper, offsetting it poorly and blocking your carโ€™s sexy curves. Our license plate kit utilizes your factory tow hook so itโ€™s easily removable if need be!

CorkSport License Plate Relocation Kit
A much more stylish way to showcase your plates.

Also, check out our fog light kit to replace those yellow factory ones. They consist of a very crisp 6000K LEDs that will definitely add to the front end and provide that high line look you want.

Interior

The average American spends approximately 17,600 minutes in the car every year. Thatโ€™s a lot of time to spend holding onto your shifter and steering wheel. So, treat yourself to an upgrade! Our leather steering wheel features a much thicker ring, flat bottom, and aggressive thumb grooves, all while maintaining OEM fitment, stereo controls, and an airbag. As most people come to find, itโ€™s your favorite mod โ€” you just donโ€™t know it yet.

CorkSport Mazda 3 steering wheel upgrade
Look at this beauty of a steering wheel!

Our leather shift knob (for those of you with manuals) is an incredibly nice touch that ties in with the steering wheel perfectly. At 325 grams, itโ€™s heavier than stock to help you smoothly change gears. The leather is also much nicer to the touch.

CorkSport leather shift knob upgrade
Shift into high gear in style.

Also, If your car didnโ€™t come from the factory with LED lights, then you donโ€™t need to miss out! We sell a full kit for the interior that features all the lights you need for the inside as well as the license plate. Youโ€™d be amazed at how much better the inside feels with that extra touch of ambiance.

CorkSport Interior LED light kit.
See the light with our LED light kit.

I hope that this helps you figure out some awesome things to start doing to your 2014+ Mazda 3. We have plenty more that I didnโ€™t even get to talk about, so check us out at www.Corksport.com!

And if you have questions, just give us a call at 360-260-2675.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and product updates from CorkSport.

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All About the 2017 Mazda3: Updates, Mods, and More

Mazda has updated the Mazda3 for 2017, so weโ€™re taking a look at the changes and what mods youโ€™ll want to add first.

The Mazda3 is, obviously, a favorite around CorkSport HQ. And now that the best handling front wheel drive car on the market has been updated and upgraded for 2017, we wanted to break down whatโ€™s new and what you can mod.

The rundown

The 2017 Mazda3 has a few styling updates, like an updated front bumper and grill thatโ€™ll look very similar to CX-9 drivers. Speaking of the CX-9, the steering wheel is comparable to the CX-9, as well. Back to the exterior, the new bumper and grill features excellent LED headlights and an LED fog light option. Thereโ€™s an option for 18-inch wheels, though you can stick with 16-inch wheels, and two new colors are available: Machine Gray Metallic and Eternal Blue Mica, which replaces the previous Blue Reflex Mica.

The interior is updated to include heated steering wheel and upholstery upgrade options. The heads up display is now in color and thereโ€™s an electric parking brake, as well.

The Mazda3 engine remains unchanged: 3 i models feature a 155-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while 3 s models have a 184-hp 2.5-liter inline-four. A six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission are available. But, the big addition is the G-Vectoring Control, which is a software-based torque-reduction system. Savage Geese has a great rundown of all the Mazda3 updates that has an excellent explanation of what GVC does and what it adds to your ride, starting at the 7:38 mark. Check out MotorTrend, Car and Driver, and Road and Track if you want a few more informative explanations of the 2017 Mazda3โ€™s updates.

All the reviews agree, this is the best Mazda3 yet. Now, letโ€™s take it up a notch.

The mods

While the Mazda3 has some nice new features (and who doesnโ€™t like new features?), what remains undeniable is that this is a damn good car. But good can be the enemy of great, and thatโ€™s where CorkSport comes in. With some performance and style mods, a 2017 Mazda3 can go from a satisfying award-winning vehicle to a high-performance, fun-to-drive dream!

2014+ Mazda3 Lowering Spring set

Our Mazda3 Lowering Springs deliver an aggressive appearance and a performance edge without sacrificing ride quality.

Our Mazda3 Lowering Springs deliver an aggressive appearance and a performance edge without sacrificing ride quality. Begin taking that 2017 Mazda3 where you want it by making your ride a little lower.

Mazda Headlight Level Adjuster

CorkSportโ€™s Headlight Level Adjuster makes sure the road stays well lit ahead of you while you roll in your lowered ride.

Your lowered 2017 Mazda3 looks dope, but the self-leveling headlights sometimes have difficulty with this suspension geometry change. CorkSportโ€™s Headlight Level Adjuster makes sure the road stays well lit ahead of you while you roll in your lowered ride.

Mazda 3 Adjustable Struts and Shocks

With 15 different positions to choose from, our Adjustable Struts and Shocks can take your 2017 Mazda3โ€™s handling to godlike levels of precision.

With 15 different positions to choose from, our Adjustable Struts and Shocks can take your 2017 Mazda3โ€™s handling to godlike levels of precision. Sure, the 2017 already has great handling, but what did we say about good and great? Make that great handling truly exceptional with this adjustable upgrade.

2014+ Mazda 3/6/CX5 Big Brake Kit

Shave weight off your ride without sacrificing stopping power thanks to our Big Brake Kit.

Shave weight off your ride without sacrificing stopping power thanks to our Big Brake Kit. Combined with the GVC, this added braking ability will lead to some next level curve handling.

2014+ Mazda 3 Leather Steering Wheel

Our leather steering wheel has a hand-wrapped and stitched racing-inspired grip โ€” and it only takes an hour and a half to install!

Not a fan of that new OEM steering wheel? We got you covered. Our leather steering wheel has a hand-wrapped and stitched racing-inspired grip โ€” and it only takes an hour and a half to install!

And thatโ€™s just the beginning. Check out the rest of our Mazda3 parts and modify your new 2017 Mazda3 to your heartโ€™s content.

If youโ€™ve got questions, drop us a line before you get started on your 2017 Mazda3 mods and weโ€™ll help you out. And keep following the CorkSport blog for more modification advice and tips, Mazda lifestyle talk, and help taking your new ride from great to outstanding!

What Mazda said that Will Have you Saying “Take my Money”

ย Real Quotes from Mazda’s Global Sales and Marketing General Manager

Mazda-Auto-Adapt-for-2020-CorkSport-Mazdaspeed-RX7-Rx8

Once again Motoring.com.au has brought some rotary rumors to surface thanks to an interview with Yasuhiro Aoyama, the General manager of Global Sales and Marketing. So what did Yasuhiro say that is so revealing?

“this is a very fantastic idea, 2017, [for] a new rotary.”

followed by

“We celebrate the anniversary of rotary in 2017; 50 years. Then 2020 is the Olympics in Tokyo and the 100th anniversary of Mazda,”ย 

When prodded for more info and whether we would see a halo car in 2020 he was quoted as saying:ย “We will defy convention”.

In order to prevent us from expanding on his words without the proper quotes let us list them all here:


“We have our own definition of sports and our own definition of how to get Jinba Ittai, the oneness between car and driver โ€“ and we do not have to necessarily compete with segments or competitors,” he said.

“We won’t follow them just for the sake of it.” [in reference to other car companies]

“We are indifferent to the successes that our rivals are making; we need to make our own success and forge our own way forward.”

And one of the quotes that I find most exciting was this:

“Lightweight is one of the core elements for our sports cars to have high performance, so all of the vehicles for the next generation will be like this,” he stated.

 

What could this all mean? Well that Mazda again has neither confirmed nor denied the idea of an RX-7 in 2017, and that it “is a very fantastic idea”, and that it it will definitely be a lightweight vehicle. We also know that he is hinting at something in 2020? Possibly a halo car? Possibly the RX-9 that they trademarked awhile back. (source)

Nonetheless, we are already stashing our pennies so that once we have official word, we can start yelling “Take my MONEY!”

 

-Spencer