How does the CorkSport Big Brake Kit hold up to the track? Has the kit been tested at the limit? What do the brakes look like after a weekend of taking a beating?
CorkSport’s Big Brake Kit at the Track
The Ultimate Car Guy Gift Guide
Dear Car Guy,
I recently had a birthday and was thinking about all of the awesome things I could spoil myself with. Then a thought occurred to me: We’ve never made it clear to your loved ones what to get you as gifts. I mean, wouldn’t it be nice to hand the wife a list or shoot her a quick link to let her know what’s awesome to get you?!
So here it is: THE LIST!
2006-2007 Mazdaspeed 6
CorkSport Rear Motor Mounts: Get rid of that nasty engine movement with our upgraded rear engine mount. This component is one of the weak points when trying to make big power.
Your Ride Needs Our Carpet Floor Mats
Freshen up your ride with the new CorkSport Carpet Floor Mats designed for the 2010-2013 Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazda 3. With OEM fitment and show car quality, these floor mats are sure to add that extra level of detail to your Mazda.
The CorkSport Carpet Floor Mats use high quality carpeting with sealed edges for a durable fit and finish. Unlike auto parts store floor mats, the CorkSport floor mats retain the OEM metal eyelets to keep the mat under your feet instead of under your pedals. Let’s not have another unstoppable Prius incident. (Never thought I would write “unstoppable” and “Prius” in the same sentence…)
The CorkSport Carpet Floor Mats include both the front and rear for a complete package. Order yours today at CorkSport.com!
Ask the Expert: CS Engineer Drops Knowledge
We asked the CorkSport community for their ultimate Mazda performance questions for our new series, Ask the Expert. From the good to the bad to the weird, here are the top four questions straight from CS fans and our engineer’s answers.
Q: What is the maximum horsepower you can get from a MazdaSpeed 3 with just bolt-on’s?
A: With the typical bolt-on performance modifications from air filter to exhaust tip, you should be in the 320-330wHp and 340-360wTq range. You may be able to up those numbers a small amount with an E85 mixture, but for some locations that is not readily available. This is not including an exhaust manifold, intake manifold, or larger turbocharger. Now, if you were to add the exhaust manifold, intake manifold, and larger turbo (this being the largest power gain) then you will quickly find the limit of the fuel system at the 380-390whp range depending on the fuel grade/type.
Q: Will a supercharger/turbocharger kit become available for the SkyActiv platform?
A: This question has been stirring around since the release of the SkyActiv platform. With the release of the MX-5 with the 2.0L in the U.S. and the 1.5L in foreign markets I would not be surprised to see a supercharger and/or turbocharger kits being released in the next 1-2 years.
Q: What’s the boost threshold on the CorkSport Performance Drop-In Turbocharger?
A: We don’t have a compressor map to quote from, but I believe I can answer this fairly accurately from my knowledge and experience. The CorkSport turbo will be the most efficient in the 1.75 – 2.25 pressure ratio range. This equates to approximately 11 – 18psi, but this doesn’t mean the CS turbo will fall on its face in the higher boost levels. Due to the more efficient design of the forged billet compressor wheel, the CS turbo should stay above 75% efficiency until around pressure ratio 3 (30psi), and then begin to fall off a bit. At around pressure ratio 3.5 (36-37psi) you will be very close to the maximum shaft RPM for safe operation, so I wouldn’t push it past that. Either way, if you are running the CS turbo above 30psi, then bravo sir. I’m sure you have a very fun car.
Q: Here’s a hard one. If I have a manifold, which calipers should I buy to get a better exhaust sound?
A: Well the issue is you weren’t clear enough with your collection of parts. First off, what kind of manifold are we talking? Is it the manifold forged from Unobtanium with the blood, sweat, and tears of Santa’s Elves or is it the one and only manifold hand fabricated of carbon nano-tubes in the R&D lab at Koenigsegg designed by the alien race called…The Stig? And then you have the caliper… Do you mean the kind that grip locks the ferrous circular structure utilizing kinetic friction to cause conductive and convective heat transfer ultimately converting mechanical energy into thermal energy until it comes to a squealing stop or the kind that measures to the 0.001” and was used to design aforementioned caliper? See how I’m a little confused? Now we have four combinations to pick from and I could explain each and every one of them in great detail, but I don’t want to bore you. So the one I would pick goes as follows: Your cold start announces your presence like the trumpet of the Greek God Zeus riding his chariot into battle followed by your WOT pull roaring like a thousand lions chasing down a heard of Zebras.
via GIPHY
Cheers,
CorkSport
Limited Slip Blog Reminds Us: The Gen 2 MS3 Is Incredible
As we eagerly await more news about the 2017 Mazdaspeed 3, it’s easy to become distracted by a wish list of features, making us forget about the Gen 1 and 2 marvels sitting in our garages.
We’ve hoped there would be a new Mazdaspeed 3 sooner than now, but the compensation of waiting is owning and driving Gen 2 (or Genjuan) Mazdaspeeds every day. Sure, we’re a little biased, but there’s a reason our lives are centered around Mazda performance enhancement. Maybe we’re just feeling nostalgic because it’s #ThrowbackThursday, but whatever the case, the Limited Slip Blog’s 2013 review of the last Mazdaspeed 3 reminds us: Even a few years old, these cars remain incredible.
We stumbled across this blog entry after finding that killer shot above, taken by cofounder Christopher Little. If it wasn’t clear from the entries that cover just about every car under the sun, it’s obvious just glancing at their photography that these guys have a passion for vehicles, something any self-respecting Mazdahead shares.
Chris had some issues with the interior—but noted the Gen 2 Mazdaspeed 3 had the best visibility of any hot hatch he’d driven. His description of the first time he actually drove the car probably sounds like what a lot of us experienced when we first got behind the wheel of a ‘speed. The word “intoxicating” stands out, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who understands Mazda power. The Mazdaspeed 3 makes it just about impossible to drive without experiencing some raw joy, which Chris did. We get it; that’s why we devote our lives to Mazda performance, to bring even more power out of these beauties.
The Mazdaspeed 3 has always been a stunning and, yeah, intoxicating ride. It’s been great for almost a decade, and with the new generation coming out soon, we don’t expect that legacy to change.
Check out more of Limited Slip Blog’s awesome reviews and news, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Cheers,
CorkSport