Tag: Cool Stuff

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The Time has Come – Project 2 Update

The time has come for what you say? The time has come to give our Mazda 2 Project Car a real stereo.

Instead of going with the usual tunes only deck, we decided to give the Mazda 2 a really big upgrade. We chose the Pioneer AVH P3300BT which includes DVD video, MP3 playback, iPod/iPhone direct control, and the option to listen to Pandora using the iPhone Pandora app. This top of the line system includes a 5.8” wide screen size with a 16:9 aspect ratio, touch panel operation, built in amplifier, rear view camera input and dual zone audio/video.

To install the system in our project car, we went with the Japanese made Kanatechs Mazda 2, 2 din installation kit. The Kanatechs kit uses an OEM quality, exclusive panel, designed to fit the Mazda2’s unique dash and includes pre-formed steel mounting brackets. The other kit on the market, the Metra, uses plastic brackets for a rather flimsy installation and gives car stereo thieves easy access.

The installation kit from Kanatechs is thorough and very easy to follow. After giving the instructions a once over I was ready to get to work. The interior in the Mazda 2 is surprisingly easy to take apart and came out with a Philips screw driver and an M10 headed bolt. The harnesses for the installation kit and the pioneer are all color coded so that was a snap to get connected as well. Overall I spent 2 hours installing the new deck.

The installed unit looks like it belongs in the Mazda 2. Too bad it wasn’t an option when the car was purchased.

There are a few notes from installing the unit which I would keep in mind for future installs.

1st – If your original set-up has steering wheel volume controls, get the steering wheel adapter unit from Kanatechs. It allows you to retain the volume controls on the steering wheel if your new audio unit supports IR control.

2nd – The information display selector will be disabled when the original stereo is removed. I recommend you choose your favorite setting and leave it there. With the stock unit unplugged you will have it set forever.

After a few days driving around in the Mazda 2 with the new unit, I am really enjoying the features. I can just plug in a SD card or a USB flash drive with whatever music I want and I am down the road.

-Derrick

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Product Release! CorkSport 2001-2003 Mazda/Mazdaspeed Protégé Skid Tray

CorkSport is pleased to announce the release the new CorkSport 2001-2003 Mazda/Mazdaspeed Protégé Skid Tray.

The CorkSport Mazda/Mazdaspeed Protégé Skid Tray will provide solid protection against rocks and road debris and is designed to prevent damage to key components of the 2001-2003 Protégé undercarriage.

Made from 0.090” precision machined aluminum, the CorkSport Skid Plate will provide maximum protection while adding minimal weight to the body of the vehicle. This one-piece precision bent skid plate is angled for a tight fit and structural rigidity and offers a more complete seal to handle harsh conditions and provide smoother airflow under the front side of the car.

“There are a few companies in recent years that have jumped on the bandwagon to develop products for the Mazdaspeed 3 and other newer Mazda vehicles.” said Rich Harris President of CorkSport Performance, “CorkSport is one of the few Mazda Performance Companies that is in the business of supporting the full line-up of Mazda vehicles. We are happy to deliver this top of the line product to add to our catalog for the Protégé and continue to support our Protege customers needs.”

The CorkSport 1999-2003 Mazda/Mazdaspeed Protégé Skid Plate is is available for purchase at CorkSport.com for $249.00 and and comes with a two year warranty, full color installation instructions, all of the needed installation hardware, and knowledgeable telephone installation support.

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Product Release! – CorkSport Adds Mazdaspeed 6 Rear Sway Bar to Product Line-Up

CorkSport is pleased to announce the addition of the new CorkSport Mazdaspeed 6 Rear Sway Bar to the growing list of product offerings designed to enhance and improve Mazdaspeed 6 performance.

Turning compresses the inside suspension. The CorkSport sway bar attaches both sides of the rear suspension together and resists weight transfer to the opposite side when your Mazdaspeed 6 turns. This anti-sway bar effectively increases the spring rate on the inside suspension and the effective extra spring rate helps to minimize traction robbing body roll.

The CorkSport Rear Sway Bar offers 70% more stiffness than the stock bar and will noticeably improve the cornering and traction of the vehicle without compromising ride quality. The result is an enhanced driving experience with dramatically improved cornering potential.

The CorkSport Mazdaspeed 6 Rear Sway Bar is manufactured from CNC bent 25mm 4130 steel with a black powder coated finish for exceptional strength and longevity. The install kit includes polyurethane mounting bushings to replace the stock rubber bushings and comes with a two year warranty, full color installation instructions and all of the needed installation hardware.

The CorkSport Mazdaspeed 6 Rear Sway Bar is competitively priced at $199 and is available for purchase at www.corksport.com

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CorkSport Product Release! CorkSport 2007-2009 Mazdaspeed 3 Front Mount Intercooler for SRI

CorkSport is happy to announce another addition to our Front Mount Intercooler line with the release of the Front Mount Intercooler Kit for Short Ram Intake designed for the 2007-2009 Mazdaspeed 3.

Featuring a 24x6x3.5″ intercooler core, the CorkSport front mounted kit has been developed for optimal placement in the path of the inflow ambient air, allowing for maximized heat dissipation and reduced heat soak, a common problem associated with the stock top-mounted intercooler location.

The mandrel bent and TIG welded aluminum intercooler piping keep the kit light and are attached with stainless steel T-bolt clamps to ensure an airtight seal. Custom reinforced silicone connectors made from multi-layer nylon braid provide strength and a smooth internal transition for less turbulent airflow.

Extensive testing on the Front Mount Intercooler saw 1-2 psi increase in boost over the stock intercooler and an average pressure drop of 1.5-2psi across the core resulting in 85% efficiency for greatly reduced core temperatures.

“The CorkSport Front Mount Intercooler with Short Ram Intake is no exception to the quality standards and attention to detail I have come to expect from CorkSport products,” said CorkSport customer, Kyle Reid, “The immediate boost in power speaks for itself. The free-flowing intake system increased both torque and horsepower right where I needed it and the intercooler is positioned in the perfect location to allow for greater airflow and cooler boost temps which in turn gives me colder charged air. I could not be happier with the kit.”

The kit has been designed to integrate seamlessly with our popular CorkSport Power Series Short Ram Intake and can be purchased as a standalone kit to compliment your current short ram intake or can be purchased with the CorkSport Power Series Short Ram Intake for additional savings and power gains.

For more information or to purchase, https://www.corksport.com/corksport-2007-2009-mazdaspeed-3-fmic-kit-for-short-ram-intake.html

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CorkSport Product Release – MazdaSpeed 6 Mud Flaps!

Adding to the success of our Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazda 3 Mud Flaps, CorkSport would like to announce an extension of the CorkSport Mazdaspeed Styling product line with the launch of the all new CorkSport Mazdaspeed 6 urethane mud flaps.

Designed specifically for the Mazdaspeed 6, the CorkSport Mud Flaps offer superior protection against the elements, road debris and high impact rocks that are kicked-up by your tires while also providing your vehicle a streamlined sport look.

The popular CorkSport Mud Flap line is constructed from 80A durometer 1/8” thick urethane and includes a CorkSport logo laser-etched directly into the mud-flap that will never fade or wear off in even the most extreme elements. The adjustable design allows customers to install the rears to match the height of the vehicle and includes a template giving you the option to trim them to your liking.

Unlike rally style mud flaps, these mud flaps are a sleek 10” at the widest point on the backs and 8 ½” on the fronts providing your vehicle the optimum level of protection while maintaining a sport style design.

Demonstrating CorkSport’s mission to offer unparalleled service to the Mazda enthusiasts and support every make and model of the Mazda line, this is yet another product offering CorkSport has designed with the Mazdaspeed 6 in mind. The CorkSport Mud Flaps represent just one of the many products that are set to release in the coming months to support the Mazdaspeed 6.

The CorkSport Mazdaspeed 6 Mud Flaps will be offered competitively at $119.00 and include full color installation instructions, all of the needed installation hardware, and a template for customized trimming of the rear’s to accommodate the ride height of each individual vehicle.

For more information about these products, please visit CorkSport’s online catalog at https://www.corksport.com/corksport-mazda-mud-flap-set-mazdaspeed-6.html