Mazdaspeed 3 Port Injection Fuel Kit

Its 2021, you survived 2020 and finally got those last goodies installed on your Mazdaspeed 3…you’re finally fully bolted.  It’s been about 6 months and now you want more, but your Tuner keeps telling you you are out of fuel. What the Hell does that mean!?

Let me tell what that means and let me show you the solution via the BEST Port Injection Fuel Kit for your Mazdaspeed 3 or MPS 3.  If you know this is the kit for you don’t wait any longer (Link to ALL THE FUEL), but I do invite you to check out the great information below. 

Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

Say no to “out of fuel” and say yes to enough fuel to support 750+WHP!  But first let’s take a step back to understand the basics. 

Why is your Mazdaspeed 3 “out of fuel”?

The Mazdaspeed 3 and 6 use early technology for direct injection injectors which sadly do not have an aftermarket replacement and reach their flow capacity limit quickly.  This basically puts a limit on the OEM fuel systems horsepower capacity.  From what we have seen firsthand and in the community; the limit is around 360-390whp depending on the performance parts on the engine and the fuel used.  The only current solution is to add a port injection system with either 2 extra or 4 extra injectors.  We’ll talk more about that. 

Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

What is an auxiliary port injection fuel system? – This is a kit that adds (does not replace) port style fuel injectors to the intake manifold so that you can increase the total fueling capacity of your Mazdaspeed or MPS.  There are a few ways this can be done and all have been done in the Mazdaspeed Community. 

Stay Up-to-date with CorkSport   


2 extra or 4 extra injectors (aka 6th Port or 8th Port Injection)

While the CorkSport Port Injection Fuel Kit is designed for 4 extra injectors (8th Port Kit); there are options in the community that only use 2 extra injectors (6th Port Kit).   CorkSport believes the 8th Port Injection kit is the superior setup because it has higher capacity, is more reliable and safer for the engine.

With an 8th Port Kit there is an extra injector on each runner of the intake manifold spraying directly into that one and only runner.  With a 6th Port Kit there are two extra injectors spraying directly ahead of the throttle body and then depending on the flow distribution of the intake manifold to disperse the fuel to each runner and thus cylinder.

Return vs Returnless Setups

This is another option for Port Injection Fuel Kits in the community.  While both have their place, the CorkSport 8th Port Fuel Kit uses a “return” style setup because again it has higher capacity, is more reliable and safer for the engine because it is easier to tune for.

In a “return” style setup the fuel pressure for the extra injectors increase as boost pressure increases keeping a consistent fuel flow rate per injector duty cycle which provides the higher capacity and much more consistent tuning.  While the “returnless” style setup just plumbs the extra injectors into the OEM fuel feed to the HPFP.  The fuel pressure does not increase with boost pressure and therefore the capacity is lower, around 500-550WHP.

Integrated vs Standalone Fuel System

Lastly is the consideration of how the Port Injection Injectors are fueled.  This can come from the OEM fuel tank or from a completely separate fuel tank in the vehicle.  Unlike the bullets points above, this is not really a “one is better than the other”, but more of “what suits the needs of your vehicle and uses”. 

Integrated Setup

As the name implies this means the Port Injection Fuel Kit sources its fuel from the OEM tank and in-tank pump.  This can actually be done a couple ways 1) via the “returnless” setup as mentioned above but that has its issues or 2) via a surge tank that is mounted in the engine bay or cabin…which has some concerns.

The surge tank setup is a very common “racecar” setup and for good reason.  It handles high G load corning, acceleration, and braking great and also fuels the entire car, not just the port injection system.  However the cost is usually much higher and requires relocation of other engine bay components so you can mount the surge tank. Along with that you can only use one fuel for the entire system so if your car needs a special high octane fuel then you have to use it at all times during operation, whether cruising or full power.

Standalone Setup

In contrary this is a completely separate fuel source via a separate tank.  This can be a really great option for the enthusiast that does some spirited driving, maybe some events here and there, but also daily drives their Mazdaspeed 3.  How is this the case?

With a completely separate fuel cell for the port injection system you can run the exotic race gas/ethanol in the port injection tank and run normal cheap pump gas in the OEM tank.  When you daily drive/cruise you only use the pump gas in the OEM tank and when you want power the port injection kicks in with the high octane fuel.  It’s a win/win, especially if you do not have ethanol close by and have to special order the exotic fuel like we do here in the PNW.  However this does mean you need a 2nd fuel tank for the port injection which can be a pain, BUT CorkSport has that covered in this complete kit

Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

Ok let’s recap on where the CorkSport Port Injection Kit for Mazdaspeed 3 fits in:

  • 4 Extra Injectors aka 8th Port Fuel Injection Kit – one injector per runner for more precise fueling
  • Return Style Setup – Fuel pressure rising with boost pressure for more capacity and precision
  • Standalone Tank – Cheap pump gas for daily driving and high octane fuel for port injection power in the secondary fuel cell

I don’t know about you, but this sounds like you can have your cake and eat it to!

CORKSPORT MAZDA PERFORMANCE BLOG

Image Credit: Shift Sector Coalinga 2020

Let’s look at the components that make up the CorkSport Port Injection Fuel Kit.  What’s in the Box:

CorkSport Fender Mounted Fuel Cell

This is a huge element of what makes the CorkSport Port Injection Fuel Kit great.  This fuel cell is custom CAD designed specifically for your GEN1 and GEN2 Mazdaspeed 3 to fit hidden under the headlight behind the bumper cover.  At 2.6 gallons capacity you don’t need to refill the fuel cell often and there is an integrated level sensor to remind you when you are at 0.8 gallons.  No in-cab tanks and smells. 

Mazdaspeed 3 Fender Mounted Auxiliary Fuel Cell

Quantum Fuel Pump

  • A 380LPH inline fuel pump is used.  This is a Bosch 044 style pump that has the flow capacity needed and is e85 safe.
Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

DeatschWerks Fuel Filters

  • Two fuel filters are used in the system for complete filtration.  A pre-pump 100 micron filter filters the fuel flowing from the tank to the pump, therefore protection the pump from debris.  A post-pump 10 micron filter filters the fuel even more before entering the fuel injectors, therefore protecting the fuel injectors from very small particulates.  Both filters use a dual stage filtration design that incorporates a magnet and a stainless steel mesh media.
Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

Spec’d Length 6AN Fuel Lines

  • No headaches and ready to go! Like our Mazdaspeed high pressure fuel line, the included fuel lines are the CorkSport Fuel Lines are spec’d to length and fully assembled ready to use.  The lines are PTFE lined with stainless steel braiding and a hytrel coating for a sleek finish and protection against abrasion.  All fittings minus on 150deg fitting are permanently crimped and sealed.
Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

Fuel Pressure Regulator

  • An AEM fuel pressure regulator is used for this return style setup.  This provides easy adjustment and setup of the fuel rail pressure with the included Fuel Lab Analog Pressure Gauge
Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

Electronics

  • Too further simplify, a 30amp relay kit is provided.  Relays are a critical component in setting up a port injection fuel system.  This allows you to safely and reliably provide power and control to the fuel pump. With that a Hobbs Switch is also provided, this acts as a trigger for the relay to apply power to the fuel pump when a set boost pressure is met.  Example: when you reach 4psi the Hobbs Switch will signal the relay to apply power to the fuel pump.  This is a great setup for daily driven cars because you only turn on the pump when needed vs running at all times.  It greatly helps the life of your pump.
Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

Misc Hardware

  • Lastly is all the misc hardware and brackets to get this into your speed.  We’ve got this handled and clearly show the install process with the online color step-by-step instructions.
Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

Alright that’s what’s in the box for the CorkSport Port Injection Kit; now let’s talk about the other required items.  There are 2-3 critical items needed to get your port injection kit up and running.  

Port Injection Controller

  • The OEM ECU and Cobb/Versatuner tuning options cannot control the extra 4x injectors in the kit so you will need a separate controller and software for this.  There is a simple and proven option with the Split Second Additional Injector Controller AIC1.  It comes with a ready to run harness for EV6 injectors and the harness integration for power, signal and control are very simple.  Check it out here and add it to your CorkSport Port Injection Kit for a one stop shop.
Split Second Injector Controller AIC1-V4H EV6 for Auxiliary Fuel System

Injectors

  • You will need 4x injectors for the CorkSport 8th Port Fuel Kit.  The injectors need to have 14mm o-rings top and bottom and the length of 34mm or 48mm (if using the CorkSport intake manifold).  To use with the Split Second Additional Injector Controller AIC1; you will want the EV6 connection style. For capacity we recommend at least 1000cc/mm.  To cover all these requirements just use the Injector Dynamics ID1050x.  They are proven and reliable, you can grab a set right here with the CorkSport Port Injection Kit.
Injector Dynamics 1050x Port Injectors for Auxiliary Fuel System

Bonus!

  • While this is not required for operation, it is highly recommended.  The N2MB Racing WOT Box allows you to change the type of Redline and Launch Control cut to a safer method.  OEM will deactivate the injectors for this vs the WOT Box deactivates the spark plugs.  This is much safer for your engine, especially with running a port injection fuel kit.  With this you can also Flat Foot Shift which is faster and way too much fun. (Insert Fireball Emoji Here)

Why doesn’t the CorkSport Port Injection Fuel Kit include these items? 

That’s a good question and we have a good reason.  Originally the kit was going to, but we asked the community how they would want the kit and the answers surprised us.  A lot of people wanted the kit minus the Controller and the Injectors because they already had those items.  So we pulled those out of the kit as solo items you can choose to add if needed.   

Installing this kit into your Mazdaspeed 3 is a day project with some buddies.  Bank on 6+ hours due to the wiring (its always tedious, but important to do right). Read the installation instructions before starting the install so you are ready with all the needed tools and supplies for wiring. 

Mazdaspeed 3 8th Port Auxiliary Fuel Kit

I do want to note that like any project that involves wiring, there will be some wiring required for the install and the extra wiring and connection you decide you need are not included in the CorkSport kit.  Every car is different and how each person wants to get things wired up is different.  There is also some very minimal drilling required to install the tank mounting brackets. 

CORKSPORT MAZDA PERFORMANCE BLOG

I hope you found this blog helpful and informative not just to learn about the CorkSport Port Injection Fuel Kit, but to also learn about the other setups and options you can choose from.  I hope this helps you decide what is best for your car and goals.  Give us a call if you have any questions, we’d be happy to help. 

Barett @ CS

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

* indicates required

Vinyl Wrap With a Split Personality

Stickers are worth 5hp right?…So it was only logical to wrap the whole car in a GIANT sticker!  Anyways, on a real note we knew that the @Halfmilespeed3 couldn’t just be fast, it had to look good and what Car Guy or Gal doesn’t want their car to look good?

We have a plan at CorkSport to wrap all of our R&D Shop Cars with an awesome blue that aligns with our “CorkSport Blue”, but we want each car to have a little unique character to it.  Thinking about the halfmilespeed3 build and goal we had the brilliant idea of a split wrap…seems fitting right? Half and Half…

So what did the car look like before the wrap?

2007-2009 Mazdaspeed 3
2007-2009 Mazdaspeed 3

Metro Grey Mica is the color name and its pretty bland in my opinion.   I added the white roof and hood accents along with white wheels to help brighten up the car, which it did, but it was time for change.  Oh yeah; white wheels and track spec brake pads don’t mix, just an FYI. 

So what is like to get your car wrapped?  What’s the process?  I can’t personally give you details as I did not do the wrap myself, but I was close to the action and watched it all come together.  Respect to those that take this on themselves and to the professionals out there.  It is a tedious process that requires attention to detail to get a great final result.  

Mazdaspeed Vinyl Wrap

A local friend is a professional and was open to doing the work in the CS shop since the Speed was not in a running and driving state at the time.  

Mazdaspeed Vinyl Wrap

Saul S. (@saulywood) did the work over a few weeks’ time in evenings and weekends.  He kicked a** on a project that turned out to be a bit more difficult than expected.  

Installing a wrap is a process of pulling, stretching, heating, cutting…lots of different skills and abilities to get the job done.  All this has to happen without damaging the vehicle you are wrapping.  It’s quite a feat.  

Mazdaspeed Vinyl Wrap

Going through the process the build kind of evolved if you will.  Luckily Saul was very open-minded to it and even a bit eager to try some new things. 

Probably my favorite aspect of the wrap is the unique and new wrap from 3M.  Called “Shadow Black” this wrap has a slight texture to it that depicts patterns sort of like camouflage.  

Mazdaspeed Vinyl Wrap

We used this on the roof and in a narrow strip over the seam between Satin Black and Blue Gloss; it really added a unique aspect to the look and style and brought the two colors together.  Pictures just do not give it justice nor can you feel the texture.  

Halfmilespeed3 build
Halfmilespeed3 build

So let’s wrap this up (see what I did there?) with some finished images.  

Halfmilespeed3 build
Halfmilespeed3 build
Halfmilespeed3 build

I have to admit I’ve fallen in love with my car again.  The exterior of my car was pretty beat up and neglected with rock chips, scuffs, and just generally not well taken care of paint.  With the new wrap there is a whole new rush of pride and enthusiasm to keep it looking amazing. 

Lastly, and this is bit cheesy, I requested Saul to match my helmet to the car…

Halfmilespeed3 build

Why not right?  It’s not just another black helmet and I love it.  

With that I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into wrapping a Mazdaspeed.  Stay connected as we share more and more about the @halfmilespeed3 build…engine, seats, roll-cage, and power!  At some point this season an event will open and we can actually race!

-Barett @ CS

Connect with us:

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

* indicates required

Mazdaspeed Roll Cage Painting, a Necessary Evil

Safety first right?  As much as I want to survive an unfortunate incident while racing my 650+whp Mazdaspeed3…I have a bone to pick with safety.  Sometimes it’s a real pain in the A**.  

Let me explain…and hopefully help you learn from my experience. 

Mazdaspeed3 Drag Racing

Today we are talking about how to paint a roll cage, specifically one that has been custom built to fit tightly inside the cab of a GEN1 Mazdaspeed 3.  How does this relate to safety?  Well…a cage is made from raw steel in “mild” or “chromoly” materials.  Both of these metals will corrode/rust over time. Not only will this result in a very ugly cage inside your car, but it could eventually affect the structural integrity of the roll cage, and that would defeat the whole purpose of it.  

With that I decided to paint the roll cage in my Mazdaspeed 3.  I daily drive and race the car AND I live in the PNW which has lots of rain and moisture.  In fact, in the couple weeks that I did drive the car with the raw cage, I was already getting surface rust build up…gross. 

Mazdaspeed Roll Cage Prep

To add to the difficulty, the cage in my Mazdaspeed was custom built from scratch vs a kit so it was very tight fitting and I have extra “X-bracing” added for increased roll over protection.  This just added to the amount of surface area to paint and the number of locations with bars very close to each other.   

The roll cage/hoop in my #halfmilespeed3 is technically a 8-point cage with an added X-brace in the main hoop and between the rear strut braces.  The X-bracing is what helps with high speed roll over protection, but with a weight penalty.  Go look at any modern rally car and you’ll see X-bracing plus lots more. 

Mazdaspeed Roll Cage Prep

Ok, time to get our hands dirty.  Here are the major items you will need to paint your cage:

  1. Paint – I used a rust-oleum paint & Primer Combo.  Make sure it works with a metal surface.  2-3 cans will be needed to complete the job and I’d suggest a high gloss enamel finish.  It will be much easier to clean.
  2. Safety Equipment – Goggles, Face Mask (a real one with a rating for fine dust), Bunny Suit (because you will get paint ALL over you), Gloves
  3. Scotch Brite Pads – You will need this so you can remove any rust build up (assuming it is minor, if you have a heavily rusting and rough cage then you will need to get far more aggressive)
  4. Cleaner and Rags – Gotta clean the cage after the scotch brite process
  5. Plastic Wrap – This is like industrial size cling wrap.  Easily found at Home Depot or other hardware shops in the painting isle.
     
  6. Blue Tape – A few rolls of the 1.5” will do. 

Step 1: Remove everything you can from the interior (which may not actually be much if you have a cage.  Take your seats out, carpet (what’s left), center console, …etc

When I had the cage installed I decided I wanted to keep the front two seats as factory as possible.  With that I have kept my carpet, center console, dash, door cards, roof upholstery…other than the door bars from the cage, you would have no idea the car has a cage when sitting in the front seats. 

Step 2: Scotch Brite Time!  Grab a pad and start giving your cage a nice rub down. You need to go over all surfaces of the cage if you want good adhesion of the paint to the metal surface.  Once done, do a quick check and I bet you find some missed spots.  Get those also…

Step 3: Clean up time! Grab some clean rags and a cleaner that does not leave any residue.  Clean all the cage surfaces to remove any dust and/or oil.  This is equally as important for good paint adhesion.   

Mazdaspeed Roll Cage Prep

Step 4: Time to seal up the car.  My number one advice here is avoid wind if possible.  This plastic sheet loves to blow away in the wind…it can be very frustrating.  If you have a friend that can help, that would be a great idea. 

You basically want to cover all exposed surfaces inside the car and a lot of the outside of the car.  While you are spray painting, you will be creating a lot of overspray mist floating in the air.  This will settle on all surfaces inside and out.  

I completely wrapped my doors and door edges, inside and outside of the car a bit. 

Mazdaspeed Roll Cage Prep

I completely covered my dash and shifter assembly. 

Mazdaspeed Roll Cage Prep

For the roof upholstery I did not use the plastic wrap, I actually used a piece of cardboard to act like a shield.  I held the cardboard with one hand, shielding the roof while I sprayed the upper sections of the cage.  It was effective and much easier than plastic wrap for that area.  

Step 5: Time to actually paint.  First you need to get into your bunny suit, get your gloves on, your face mask and goggles.  Be proud of how ridiculous you look!

Before you start spraying, make sure you are in a well ventilated area and do not have any other cars or items in close proximity; they will get paint on them. 

Actually Painting: I would advise starting with the hard to reach arrears first.  You are essentially painting inside a jungle gym so get to the hard to reach areas first so you don’t have to worry about touching wet paint later.  I started in the center and top of the cage because I had to be in the car to do so.  Then was able to get to the more outer parts of the cage while outside of the cage.  

Applying the paint is a bit of an art.  You want to apply smooth and consistent layers.  Your hand is always moving side to side as you spray.  Don’t point and shoot or you will get runs in the paint. 

Do a first coat that mostly covers all the surface area, then let it tach up for about an hour or reference the instructions on the can.  Then apply another coat of paint.  Trust me you will find thin or missed spots.  

Mazdaspeed Roll Cage Prep

Step 6: Get out of the bunny suit.  Hahaha ya this can be a process

Anyways, I pushed my car back into the garage and let the paint cure overnight before removing the plastic wrap.  I didn’t want to risk the plastic wrap touching/sticking to the fresh paint.  You may not have that luxury and if you don’t I would at least give the paint a couple hours to cure before removing the plastic. 

Other takeaways – this was an ALL DAY PROJECT.  I thought I could get it done in half a day, but with the concerns about keeping the still installed interior looking good, I was extra cautious with the plastic wrap which added time.  I also did not want to do this again later so I was extra detailed with the painting process.  Checking for missed spots and thin areas after each coat.  

However, the result was well worth the work and I have no regrets about painting the cage.  I can now drive my car without worry of the cage getting ugly or losing strength due to corrosion.  I highly recommend that you take the day or so to make this happen in your car.  

CorkSport Shift S3ctor

I hope you enjoyed this blog and thank you for following along with the @halfmilespeed3. Stay connected (instagram, blog & “Built With Barett” video series) as we share more and more about the @halfmilespeed3 build…engine, seats, roll-cage, and power!  Rolling into the Shift Sector 2021 season we will have more great content to share!

-Barett @ CS

Connect with us:

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

* indicates required

Mazdaspeed 3 Aux Fuel Tank

Looking to take the next step on your MS3 journey and move beyond the limits of stock fueling?

Look no further than the CorkSport Auxiliary Fuel Tank for Mazdaspeed 3. We incorporated a ton of features into an aux fuel tank that sits in front of the driver’s side front tire. By using rotomolded construction, we were able to maximize the volume and ease of use to really make a fantastic starting point for your fuel system. Be sure to read on for more info and check out the product listing for full details!

Mazdaspeed 3 Fender Mounted Auxiliary Fuel Cell

The main focus of the CS aux fuel tank is to maximize capacity without compromising usability and features. We chose rotomolded cross-link HDPE construction to do this. Manufacturing the tanks with this method removes a lot of the restriction that comes with sheet metal tanks so we could keep the tanks cheaper for you while incorporating extra features.

Stay Up-to-date with CorkSport   


Adjustable mounting brackets

We were able to maximize the tank to approximately 2.6 gallons for both the GEN1 and GEN2 while retaining great fitment. We even incorporated adjustment into all of the mounting brackets to account for manufacturing and setup variances from one car to another. 

Mazdaspeed 3 Fender Mounted Auxiliary Fuel Cell

Along with fitment comes the flexibility to make the tank work best for your fuel system. We have incorporated mounting locations for both methanol pumps and a standard 044 style mounting bracket. This means you can run a basic single nozzle meth setup while on stock block, then move to a full PI setup once you build your engine, all while using the same tank.

Mazdaspeed 3 Fender Mounted Auxiliary Fuel Cell

The CorkSport MS3 aux fuel tank also incorporates a bunch of other great features:

  • An included low level sensor and warning LED that will trigger with ~0.8 gallons remaining in the tank. This gives you plenty of warning before running your aux fuel system dry.
  • A sump is molded into the bottom of the tank for the fuel pump feed. This prevents fuel starvation from fuel slosh during hard cornering.
  • A fuel return port is present for use with full port injection setups. If running methanol, this port can be easily plugged.

Warning light, anti-leak, easy refueling, and more!

  • A billet aluminum cap keeps the tank sealed. Dual O-rings are used to keep the cap in position and prevent any leaks, even if the tank is upside-down.
  • The tank fill neck was carefully sized to fit with most gas can nozzles and funnels for easy refueling.
  • An included vent tube keeps tank pressure in check.
Mazdaspeed 3 Fender Mounted Auxiliary Fuel Cell

The CS aux tank is made from rotomolded 0.19” thick HDPE. This is the same material that most racing gas cans are made from, so you know it will be safe no matter the fuel you use. Each mounting bracket is laser cut and precision formed 304 stainless steel for strength, a great look, and corrosion resistance. 

Mazdaspeed 3 Fender Mounted Auxiliary Fuel Cell

Each cap is made from black anodized billet aluminum for reliable and easy use while being stealthy in your engine bay. Finally, each tank comes with full color installation instructions and CS customer support so you can be sure you will be in a good spot for the rest of your fuel system.

Be sure to give us a call with any questions you have on the CorkSport Auxiliary Fuel Tank!

You Might Also Like:

Continue reading “Mazdaspeed 3 Aux Fuel Tank”

Speed 3 Auxiliary Fueling Tank

Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank

Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Fuel Tank

The time has come to reveal our Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank design!

Years ago there was an option to run Port Injection or Methanol Injection without the requirement of a smelly and messy tank in your cabin.  Sadly that option disappeared and left the community with a need for another purpose-built and designed option for high power Mazdaspeed 3s.

That’s right! There is soon to be another fender mounting fuel cell for the 2007-2013 Mazdaspeed 3 and it’s packed with more capacity, durability, and functionality.  

Stay Up-to-date with CorkSport   


We approached this project with a clean slate and set a goal to maximize capacity, work with both GEN1 & GEN2 Mazdaspeed 3s, and provide the functionality needed for both methanol and E85 port injection auxiliary fueling.  

This was no easy task; we encountered many challenges that forced us to look to different methods and innovations to succeed.  However, through those challenges we developed a tank like no other available for the Mazdaspeed community.  

Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Fuel Tank

The greatest challenge we faced was the manufacturing method.  We originally approached the design with the intent to use cut, formed and welded sheet metal as the material, but this quickly proved to create many unwanted issues.  Cost, design flexibility, capacity, durability are just a few of the issue we faced with sheet metal.  With that we looked to other processes…what about a gas can?  Those are plastic and have very irregular shapes…

From there we identified that rotomolding was the ideal path to pursue.  It helped us maximize capacity, incorporate the features needed, reduced cost, and increased durability/reliability of the tank. 

Speaking of durability first…

Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Fuel Tank

Yup…we parked a truck on the tank and it took it like a champ.  As you can see there is a small amount of deformation, but that’s it!  After that we wacked the tank with a 3 pound sledge hammer on the front face (much like if you hit an object on the road) and again it took it like a champ!

Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Fuel Tank

Upon closer inspection we did not find any cracks forming due to the truck test or the impacts of the sledge hammer.  After letting the tank sit for a bit we found that the tank actually formed back to its original shape before the testing.  

Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Fuel Tank

So what makes the CorkSport Auxiliary Fuel Tank strong and durable?  Two things:

  1. The material used is Cross-Link HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) which is a very durable and resilient material by itself.  Add in the cross-link reinforcement in a 0.190” wall thickness and you now have a material that can handle a large amount of impact force and yielding (bending) without failing.  
  2. The manufacturing process is the other key aspect here.  Unlike welding, there are no seams or welded joints that can fail.  In the rotomolding process, the HDPE is poured into a mold that is heated to the plastic molten temperature.  This powder melts and creates one continuous structure with an average wall thickness of 0.190”.  Even the brass threaded inserts are embedded into the plastic with no seam or seal to leak.  
Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Fuel Tank

Speaking of those threaded inserts, those are really neat.   When the mold is assembled, there brass threaded inserts are fixture inside the mold in set locations.  These give us the flexibility to have integrated mounting points for the brackets that mount to the vehicle AND for both methanol pumps and the standard 044 style fuel pump bracket.  

Now let’s look at a cutaway of the Computer Aided Drafting Model of the tank so we can see a couple other key design features.  BTW these would not have been possible (or atleast not cost effective) with sheet metal. 

Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Fuel Tank

Probably the most critical and useful features of the fuel cell is the integrated sump for the pump feed.  This is the little area under the blue line.  This “low” zone is called the sump and the point is to create a lower spot for the pump to be fed fuel.  This reduces the chance of fuel starvation during braking and cornering as well as allows you to get the full capacity of the tank to your pump. 

Next you can see a “chamber” on the left side.  This actually sits under the frame rail a bit which allowed us to increase the capacity to ~2.6 gallons but it also serves another purpose.  If you are running a port injection auxiliary fuel kit then you most likely have a fuel return from the regulator; this is where that return line connects.   The low ceiling in this chamber helps reduce aeration of the fuel due to the return line flow.  This green line also sits just below the low level sensor so you’ll know when you are getting close to this threshold.  

Mazdaspeed 3 Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Fuel Tank

Alright let’s wrap this up.  Designed specifically for the 2007-2013 Mazdaspeed 3, you can utilize the tank for methanol or ethanol fuels and you can switch from either or if you change your setup.  Durable and chemical resistant material used can take beating and once installed the tank and black filler cap basically disappears from view.  

We are stoked to bring a new and innovative option to the Mazdapseed Community very soon.  

  • Barett @ CorkSport

P.S. – that stainless bracket in the last image is my splitter mounting system for my 2009 Mazdaspeed 3.  Check out @halfmilespeed3 for more details!

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

* indicates required