What does it all mean? The above picture gave us some great views into what the car is going to be like from a performance standpoint.
The obvious thing is the motor,a 2.0 Skyactiv engine with a decent looking header(ala the rest of the skyactiv models which have the cool looking scavenging headers). There are more subtle details like how compact Mazda made the alternator/A/C compressor and throttle body location. Mazda really hugged the block with them which makes me wonder how tight the engine bay will be in the production car.
You can see that Mazda is going with electric power steering which is built into the rack which is great, it keeps the weight low in the chassis and there is no power steering pump or lines to mess with. If Mazda has the feedback setup like they do in the Mazda 2 which also uses electric assist this will be an incredible car with feedback through the steering.
If you look at the current MX5 chassis below you can see one of the similarities from the one above.
2014 MX5 Chassis
The rear suspension looks similar to the current MX5 but there are several subtle changes to make things better. #1 look how the rear shock mounts to the new upper arm compared to the lower location on the older model. This makes for a smaller/lighter shock and a stronger control arm. The 4 bolt hubs and brake rotors are a move obvious difference which is saving weight too. The last piece that come across as different is the PPF (power plant frame), the current generation is pretty narrow and the new version is much wider, much like the older FD Rx7s where is wraps around the transmission and differential more. I’m sure Mazda spent the equivalent of months testing out the design difference in that piece alone to meet the requirements of the Skyactiv chassis.
I am still excited for the new chassis but I am bummed there is no turbocharger sitting on the motor but if Mazda can get us 200 wheel HP I will be happy! We shall see.
If you could get any part that you have ever wanted what would you ask for? There is a good chance that your dream accessories or features haven’t been developed yet and you are just waiting for that moment when someone releases it. So, if you could ask engineers to make anything for your car, what would it be?
Bigger turbos for the Mazdaspeed? Turbo Kits for the Mazda 3?
Let your mind wander and think of some wild creative ideas. With the latest technologies available, its not too hard to try and stretch past our current capabilities.
So what would you want? Heads Up Display (HUD), upgraded fuel injectors, new style front bumper kit or maybe something in carbon fiber?
Nothing is too far fetched. Want to turn you Mazdaspeed 3 into an RV so you can go camping? How about a bolt on submarine car conversion? Or maybe just a new Intake Manifold.
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.
You know you want to make your redesigned and refined 2014 Mazda 3 stand out in the crowd, and one of the easiest bang for your buck modifications is the new CorkSport Axle Back Exhaust.
Get added power and upgrade the look of your 2014+ Mazda 3 with the CorkSport Power Series Axle-Back Exhaust. As a completely new vehicle, the engineers at CorkSport were given free rein to design an axle back exhaust in the best way fitting to the graceful design of the Mazda 3.
The CorkSport Advantage:
Stainless Steel T304 construction with 100mm stainless tips for corrosion resistance and a clean stylish look.
Mandrel bent, true 65 mm piping for increased flow and more power from your engine
CorkSport Service and Support: Receive a 2-year warranty, full-color installation instructions, all of the needed installation hardware and knowledgeable telephone support
Remove the tendency to overpower the front tires under hard cornering and minimize traction-robbing body lean with the CorkSport Mazda 3 Rear Sway Bar. The CorkSport Adjustable Sway Bar will compress the inside suspension, this effectively increases the spring rate on the side of the suspension which is compressed most which will give better cornering. With the Rear Swaybar installed you will increase cornering ability, minimize body roll, and gain noticeable handling improvements.
The CorkSport Advantage:
One piece design: CNC bent for precise fit and made from 28.5mm 4130 Steel
Polyurethane sway bar bushings: that include brackets fitted with grease fittings for easy servicing
Durable blue powder coated finish: can survive winter driving in areas where roads are salted for snow and ice.
CorkSport Service and Support: Receive a two-year limited warranty, full-color installation instructions, all of the needed installation hardware, and knowledgeable telephone support
I get as excited as anyone when I have car parts on the way. I check the tracking number 10 times a day, watch the front door like a hound dog, and sprint to the door faster than a K04 can spool when I hear a doorbell.
“Here! Finally here!” I triumphantly yell as the UPS, USPS, Fedex or other friendly mail courier hands me my package.
I don’t care if it’s a new turbo, a FMIC, or simply some new windshield wipers for safety, I can hardly contain my excitement. When that delivery man knocks on my door, if any friends are around, I practically bowl them over as they dive for cover.
“What is wrong with you man? It’s just car parts! You are WAY to excited.” They say.
I have become known as the “excited!” one, around my friends.
Then I found this.
No way. If you thought I was excited before, just wait till this bad boy pulls up to my driveway. What car parts do you have for me today delivery man? ……. maybe just…… AN ENTIRE CAR….. or every single CorkSport Part known to man, maybe it’s a new built engine, 4 sets of wheels and tires, a twin turbo setup, a front mount intercooler, coilovers, swaybars, and a small pet elephant.
That box is HUGE.
Honestly I have no idea what is inside, or even if it’s car parts, but I can tell you one thing. I want it, and if that box showed up outside my house, I might have a heart attack from excitement.
The Most Exciting Car Parts Order Ever? October 16th, 2017CorkSport
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.
