Twin Turbo Mazda What!?!

That’s right folks, Mazda is going to release a new twin turbo model and it is going to be used in none other than: a diesel Mazda 3!

Before everyone heads out to get the ropes to hang me for luring you into this blog post with the promise of twin turbos, let me explain. Mazda has been working to lower emissions while improving the performance of their motors for both gas and diesel. One such way Mazda has found is to run a really small turbo and a larger turbo in tandem to keep the performance linear in the diesel engines.

Mazda has been down this path before back in the late 80โ€™s and early 90โ€™s with two versions of the rotary engine, the 13B โ€“RE used in the Eunos Cosmo and the 13B-REW used in the FD RX-7. Both 13B engines used a pair of turbos, a primary turbo that would spool until the RPM reached the switch-over point when the secondary turbo would come online to generate an ideal turbo response and wide enough power band for the car. This same feature will be applied with the diesel engine giving you a wider power band to drive with.

Mazda Sky-D Twin Turbos

Mazda has also lowered the compression of the diesel engine allowing the combustion to be more complete and putting less stress on the engine parts. This gives Mazda the ability to use lighter weight smaller parts to gain efficiency and provide better emissions.

The really trick feature Mazda has put on the diesel engine is variable valve timing. This allows the exhaust valves to open slightly after the initial startup to let exhaust gas into the combustion chamber on the intake stroke. The exhaust gas then warms the combustion chamber to help the engine get to operating temperature more quickly thereby reducing the chance of engine misfire.

Mazda Sky-D Twin Turbos

Mazda has stated that the engine has 20% better fuel economy over the outgoing MZR-CD diesel engines putting it at 48 MPG (the MZR-CD engine gets 40 MPG).

Now the big question is would I own a new Mazda with the new Sky-D engine? With all of the work Mazda has put into the new engine, I look forward to trying one out and will wait to pass judgment.

For more information head to the technical information Mazda has made public on their webpage

Derrick

CorkSport Officially Adds the MazdaSpeed Top Mount Intercooler to the Product Line-up

CorkSport is pleased to announce the latest addition to our product line-up, the premium-quality CorkSport Mazdaspeed Top Mount Intercooler (TMIC). The newly engineered TMIC is made from CorkSportโ€™s own custom cast end tanks which are TIG welded to a 3โ€ thick bar and plate core, providing added performance by removing the bottleneck restriction of the stock intercooler and increasing resistance to heat soak by using thicker materials. The cold pipe connection is CNC milled and drilled for a leak proof connection and all bolt holes have been capped off.

CorkSportโ€™s innovative design allows for the reuse of the Mazda OEM plastic shroud leaving your engine bay looking completely stock; however an optional aluminum ring has been made available and can be customized to compliment the finish of any engine bay.

CorkSport  Mazdaspeed Top Mount Intercooler

The CorkSport TMIC has been vigorously tested to ensure optimal characteristics. Testing completed on a SuperFlow test bench proved a 46% increase in airflow over the Mazda OEM intercooler. During the testing, the CorkSport TMIC showed an average decrease in pressure across the core by 53% and an increase in overall efficiency of 25% over the stock intercooler.

โ€œAfter many months of design, testing, and data collection, we are proud to release our highly anticipated CorkSport Top Mount Intercoolerโ€, said Rich Harris, President of CorkSport, โ€œOur TMIC provides solid power gains and is a great value add to the Mazdaspeed 3, MazdaSpeed6 and CX-7 turbo. Pre-sales of the product have shown a strong demand in the marketplace for the newest addition to the CorkSport lineโ€.

The CorkSport Top Mount Intercooler is available now for purchase at www.corksport.com or by phone at (360) 260-CORK. The CorkSport Top Mount Intercooler features full color installation instructions and comes with all the required installation hardware.

787B Race Car Coming Out Of Retirement

In celebration of becoming the first and only Japanese car manufacturer to win the worldโ€™s most demanding endurance race, the 24-Hours of Le Mans, Mazda will be demonstrating the winning Mazda 787B, on the Circuit de la Sarthe in La Mans, France on June 11, before the start of the race.

Le Mans Winning 787B

The Mazda 787B was jointly developed by Mazda and MazdaSpeed in 1990 to 1991. The 787 has a chassis designed to meet Group C racing car technical regulations and is powered by a R26B four-rotor naturally aspirated engine that produces 700 horsepower. 1991 was the last year that a rotary-engine car could participate in the 24 Hour of Le Mans.

R26B That Powers the 787B

At the 59th 24 Hours of Le Mans, Mazda was not the favorite to win, but the three 3.5 liter cars that Mazda submitted for the races were given first grid positions despite being the 12th, 17th and 24th fastest qualifiers. On the day before the race, the team manager instructed the drivers to drive as if it were a short sprint race rather than an endurance event, a decision he made based on the reliability the cars demonstrated and the carโ€™s exceptional fuel economy.

At the 22nd hour of the race, #55, an outrageously painted bright orange and green Mazda 787B, took the lead and was the first to cross the finish line, completing 362 laps and covering just over 3,064 miles.

Since 1991, the winning Mazda 787B has primarily been displayed at the Mazda Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. Mazda carefully restored the winning 787B racecar back to driving condition and has tested it using one of Mazdaโ€™s in-house top gun drivers.

Drivers and Mechanics for the 787B

Mazdaโ€™s attendance at the 79th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans also coincides with the 50th anniversary of its development of the rotary engine.

– Gwynne

PRESS RELEASE MADNESS: FOUR PRODUCTS; ONE POST!

CorkSport Banjo Bolt 1986-1995 RX-7 & 2004-2011 RX-8

CorkSport Banjo Bolt 1986-1995 RX-7 & 2004-2011 RX-8

The basis behind this part is rather simple. A rotary engine relies on the external oil coolers to keep engine temperatures down. The CorkSport Banjo Bolt is made with an 1/8″ NPT fitting on the end to enable you to install a sensor for either an oil pressure or oil temperature gauge. The idea for this part originated from a customer who didn’t like the look for function of current oil filter adapter plates. Many aftermarket oil gauge adapter plates cause interference with intercooler piping and are an unattractive mess.

Features:
We start with a solid steel 23mm hex bar stock. The ends are turned, tapped, and threaded using a CNC lathe, and the middle is finished with offset oil passages to improve oil flow. Finally, the banjo bolt is run through a deburring process, cleaned in an acid bath, and yellow zinc coated for years of hassle-free use. From us, the end is fitted with an 1/8″ NPT fitting (with plug in case you ever need to remove the gauge sender, or are waiting to buy one) that utilizes a straight-through design to ensure accurate oil readings. The banjo bolt also comes with two (2) copper crush washers to ensure a leakproof seal.

Testing:
The CorkSport Banjo Bolt was designed specifically for the Mazda Rotary engine. We have tested this part to work perfectly with the OEM oil cooler lines as well as our CorkSport brand Stainless Steel Braided Oil Cooler Lines. The bolt installs in minutes with simple hand tools (23mm wrench, socket, & torque wrench) in minutes.

Available Now:
The CorkSport Banjo Bolt is available today at a price that pales in comparison to the level of quality and time invested in the design and precision manufacturing of the product. As with all our CorkSport brand products the Banjo Bolt ships with all the hardware you need for installation, and also includes full color instructions and telephone technical support.

CorkSport Power Series Air Box for the 2010+ Mazda 3 with the CorkSport SRI

CorkSport Power Series Air Box for the 2010+ Mazda 3 with the CorkSport SRI

After the release of our popular Mazdaspeed 3 Air Box, there has been an increased demand for a 2010+ Mazda 3 Cold Air Box. As a result, Corksport is proud to announce the release of our thermally isolating air box for use with the CorkSport Short Ram Intake. The air box mounts to factory locations and limits the ingress of hot underhood air into the intake system of your Mazda 3.

Features:
The CorkSport Power Series Air Box is made from high temperature resistant fiber reinforced plastic (FRP)
that has a full gelcoat on the outside as well as an automotive grade finish on the inside. It is ready for paint
to compliment your engine compartment and styling of your vehicle (or may be left unfinished). The air box features a fully sealed lid with 4 socket head cap screws attaching the lid to the box. The box features a small slit for the MAF sensor wiring to keep it hidden from view. It also includes a mounting hole with bolt to keep your vacuum line up and out of the way for a nice, clean look.

Testing:
Our 2010+ Mazda 3 air box has gone through several design iterations to ensure that it will be an effective and cost efficient way to help decrease intake temperatures and also give your engine bay a stock look. We have observed that our CAB design will decrease temps roughly 30 degrees during highway driving and up to 60 degrees in stop-and-go traffic (decreases heat soak).

Power Series Exhaust for the 2011+ Mazda 2

Power Series Exhaust for the 2011+ Mazda 2

This system was specifically designed for the North American version of the 2 (or Demio). The exhaust will improve vehicle throttle response as well as give your 2 a slightly louder, and deeper tone.

The exhaust installs in about an hour and includes all the necessary hardware to complete the installation. It fits with all existing and future CorkSport brand parts and offers a design and sound that will set your 2 apart from the crowd.

Features:
Our CorkSport Power Series Exhaust is made from 58mm diameter fully TIG welded T304 Stainless Steel, that gives a quality and look that will outlast coated or plated mild steel systems. The kit includes a midpipe with resonator and a muffler which features a 90mm double wall tip. The system also includes a racepipe (cat delete, which is for off-road use only), which can be installed or left off the vehicle. The midpipe slip fit design utilizes a two bolt clamp that allows you to switch between the racepipe and factory catalyst pipe (does require one cut in the factory midpipe).

Testing:
Being the first purchased Mazda 2 in the US, our 2 has been through several design changes and versions of our prototype exhaust. The final product is a result of many months of testing, which delivers a non-overbearing low tone. The 58mm exhaust has been paired with one small resonator up front and a larger muffler in the rear to give it itโ€™s unique sound.

CorkSport Front Swaybar for the 2010-2011+ MazdaSpeed3

CorkSport Front Swaybar for the 2010-2011+ MazdaSpeed3

Due to the popularity of our adjustable rear sway bar, CorkSport is proud to announce the release of our Front Sway Bar for the 2010-2011+ MazdaSpeed 3. This part was specifically designed and tested for the Mazdaspeed 3. The Corksport front sway bar improves handling by stiffening the link between the front wheels. This allows the vehicle to maintain ride height and comfort, while minimizing body roll during cornering.

Features:
To start with, we engineered our bar using a 3 peice design, which allows for greater torsional strength, and smoother travel over one peice designs. The 3 peice design also allows a hollow 1 & 1/8โ€ bar design, which helps maximize stiffness, while minimizing weight. The bar ships fully powdercoated to protect it from the elements, enabling it to maintain itโ€™s torsional rigidity. It also includes Energy Suspension brand polyurethane bushings and zinc plated brackets with grease fittings so there is no need to remove the bar for re-greasing like the stock bar.

Testing:
The bar was designed with the CorkSport rear sway bar in mind. The front sway bar is not position adjustable by design. The increased bar diameter has been engineered to match the middle setting on our rear sway bar. If you prefer more under or over-steer, simply set the rear bar firmer or softer to match your driving style. The front sway bar is 45% stiffer than stock and does not require you to modify your end-links.

PRESS RELEASE: CorkSport Front Strut Bar for the 2010-2011 MazdaSpeed 3

CorkSport Front Strut Tower Bar for the 2010+ MazdaSpeed 3

CorkSport’s Front Strut Tower Bar for the 2010+ MazdaSpeed 3 is a direct bolt-on Aluminum brace that stiffens up the front-end of your vehicle. The bar is made from polished aircraft grade 6061 aluminum and utilizes stock mounting locations. The brace is optimized using an extruded and CNC bent cross member with laser cut mounting plates for a precise fit.

The bar installs in under one half hour and only requires the removal and reinstallation of six (6) 14mm hex head bolts.

Features:
The CorkSport Front Strut Tower Bar utilizes the factory strut mounting locations to maximize the effectivness of the bar. The bar features a polished aluminum design with our CorkSport Logo located on the top side of the bar (can be removed if desired). The one-piece design maximizes the stiffness of the bar and ensures easy installation. Custom anodization or powdercoating can also be done upon request to match other parts in your engine bay.

Our one-piece strut tower bar design has been proven effective to reduce slalom times when tested at a local autocross event. (https://www.corksport.com/PDFs/Shock_Tower_Brace.pdf ).

Testing:
The CorkSport Front Stut Tower Bar has gone through several iterations of design and has been tested on our own vehicle to ensure fit, form, and function. The bar increases stiffness and reduces chassis flex in the front end of the vehicle by tying load points together (strut towers).