Mazda 3
Posted on by CorkSport

Turbo Kit in Development for 2014+ Mazda 3 & 2013+ Mazda 6

I am writing this exciting blog because the Mazda SkyActiv-G is getting some CorkSport TURBO LOVE.

Quick note, this kit is releasing in April 2022, take a look at the several videos #1 #2 #3 we have posted up on the kit.

Since 2013 and the loss of the Mazdaspeed 3, Mazda has really left a lot to be desired as far as power goes for its line-up. Don’t get me wrong, we love Mazda here at CorkSport; the interiors and exteriors are on point, they get great gas mileage, and are exciting to drive. We will always continue pushing and developing the platform that Mazda is kicking out, but let’s be real…we love power too much to let this one slide.

Our Decision Process

2.5l Mazda 3
©Car & Driver

I’ll admit, we thought long and hard about moving forward with such a large turbo kit for the Mazda 3 and 6. We hoped, we wished, and we dreamed that Mazda would eventually wise up and kick out a GEN3 Mazdaspeed, and we got really excited when we heard about the CX-9 Turbocharged 2.5L engine. Unfortunately, Mazda chose not to go down that path. Once we found out for sure, we decided it was time to pull the trigger on the GEN3 Mazda 3 & 6 Turbo Kit.

Moving forward on a project of this size was not a trivial decision. There were many aspects to consider:

  • Do we make a complete kit or just design and manufacture difficult components?
  • What is the right power level to shoot for?
  • How will the engine and drivetrain hold up to the increased stress of forced induction?
  • How do we properly tune the engine?

These are all important aspects we had to consider.

The Choices We Made

The most difficult and time-intensive aspect of the kit is designing the physical components that will make up the kit… the entire kit. And yes, we decided that a 100% complete kit was the only way to make this a great setup, so that exactly what we intend to provide.

A complete kit needs to include everything from the air filter to the downpipe, and everything in-between. This includes the intake system, turbocharger, intercooler piping, intercooler, exhaust manifold, downpipe, and all the necessary silicone couplers, hardware, and wiring extensions.

This will be the most complete turbo kit you can purchase for the 2.5L SkyActiv-G powertrain.

Mazda 3 CAD Turbo Kit
CAD Designed Turbo Kit Mock-Up

Right behind developing all the components for the kit comes the tuning. We are working with Versatune to develop the software to control the 2.5L Sky-G engine with forced induction. This portion of the project will be kicked into high gear in the near future once all functional prototypes are on our test car and strapped to the dyno.

The Things We Don’t Know

We’ve got a long way to go with this project, and there are still some uncertainties we will have to address when we get there. We will need to find out if the engine can take the added power, and how much until it goes zoom-zoom-boom!

Time will tell on these questions, but we do have some stuff in the works that will help. While I’m just spit-balling here, something around 280-300whp would be a lot of fun in the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6. Make sure to stay tuned as this project evolves through testing and development in the coming months. I have only skimmed the surface of this project and I could easily write pages and pages if time allowed.

What are your thoughts on this new project? Questions? Leave them in the comments section, we would love to hear from you.

-Barett @ CS

369 Replies to “Turbo Kit in Development for 2014+ Mazda 3 & 2013+ Mazda 6”

  2. Take a look at the turbos from both of those engines and you will see why they won’t work. The engines use a MAF and a MAP already.

  4. Is there a reasonable project deadline for this kit? I sold my Mazdaspeed Protege a while back and it’s been killing me since. I picked up a 2.5 Touring 6MT hoping to bring back some of that soul, but missing boost has been a huge part of that. I’m also curious, at this high compression level what boost pressure is reasonable without modifying internals? Would the kit utilize an internal or external wastegate? Would the aim be for power or for drive-ability? Is there a place I can put my input for what I’d like to see out of this kit? To sum up what’d I’d expect out of this : Something to fill in that lack of torque at mid-range RPM. Having to downshift to 2nd gear below 60mph for any sort of performance is one of my main complaints about this car, I feel like it struggles below 4500rpm. I wouldn’t mind if we could at least get stock bugeye WRX numbers.

  5. So freaking awesome… I imagined when I purchased my 16 3sgt that there would be a great aftermarket following as often there is with Mazda cars. This helped me make the decision to buy over a factory boosted compact. It has been some time since then and honestly, I was feeling a bit scared that I spent what for me is quite a lot of money on mazdas first non-zoom zoom econo cruiser. Thank you!

  6. Why not also make an available kit for 2010-2013 2.5 liters. How much of a difference can there really be? Most likely will be able to use the same mechanical components (with exception of mounting hardware) just have different software. If even that.

  7. Everything is different between the years. The 2010-2013 uses the older non Skyactiv engine that has a completely different flange. The ECU system is different, the front crash structure and body means all of the piping from this kit would not fit.

  8. Wow. Just wow. I’d been planning on replacing my 2010 3s with a BMW 2 series, but this news made me go build a 2018 3s on the mazdausa site. Can’t wait to hear more!

  9. Two questions: how much money and when the hell can I have this! Really hope this comes out sooner than later. Love it

  10. This states a kit for the 2.5… but what about the 2.0? I’m sure not much changes between them both, perhaps the exhaust manifold a bit bigger, but still?

  11. 3-4 questions though I suspect I may already know the answers.

    1) Since there will be no CARB # will it not be able to be sold in Ca?
    2)How much torque steer will it generate and will your tune be torque limiting boost as Mazda did w our MS3″s
    3) Traction issues. Without a limited slip diff will an extra 100-120 HP really be useable?

    I really like the idea of a complete kit. Especially owning a couple vehicles that this would apply to and watching my 2013 MS3 hit 60 K mikes this week

  12. I just recently purchased the Mazda3 2014+ 2.5L Short Ram Intake for my 2017 Mazda3. Will I need another intake or just purchase an additional piping for the air bypass?

  15. I’ve been sitting here contemplating what it would be like to have 300 HP at the wheels and big torque at my beck and call like my muscle cars in the 60’s ! Come on CORKSPORT !! Mazda has kind of disappointed us in the performance car segment for too long. We no longer have reason to brag about our cars as the zoom zoom has gone. If the money is right and the performance is rewarding , this could make a whole bunch of Mazda lovers very happy. Keep all in the loop , but don’t TEASE and crap out on us.

  16. Please work on getting this to work with the CX-5 as well. That would make my g/f’s ride (my ride in a couple years) a hell of a fun one.

  18. Definitely interested. Been waiting for a 2.5 SkyActive turbo followed by an upgrade from you. Is there a reason why you are not including the CX 5 in this mod? Mine is 2015. I have sent you a bio of the mods I have made to mine so far and you kindly photo shopped it into a car show photo for me. A turbo on my AWD Great White North beast would be awesome.

  19. Would really love to see a turbo kit for the non sky 2.5 for the 2010-2013 cars. Our cars are peepy but not strong enough, some boost would be awesome. And develop the kit so it can be ran on the automatic cars as well.

  20. Love that someone is stepping up with some power for our beloved Mazda platform. But I own an ND Rf roadster that as we all know NEEEEEDDDS some more GO! Will CS make an adaptation for the 2.0 ND?

  21. Such a good news there, however is this kit compatible for skyactiv 2.0 too? Pls make it work for this trim too. Tq

  22. I love my 2014 Mazda3. It’s fun to drive. It handles well through the twisties and “looks” fast doing it but I’m tired of getting spanked off the line.
    I was excited to hear about the turbo’d CX-9, thinking I could take my 3 to the dealer and get the same turbo installed. Not so much. Evidently the bottom end on that 2.5 is engineered differently and as such installing it on our 2.5’s could do serious damage.
    If Corksports engineers can develop a turbo that won’t scatter the bottom end all over the asphalt than sign me up. Let’s put the ZOOM ZOOM in our new gen 3’s and 6’s since Mazda won’t. Remember “Sleepers”?

  25. Hi everyone, I’m very excited by those good news.

    IS THE TIME FOR DO IT! JUST. … DO IT!

    I would like to be the first costumer for it. The Mazda 6 is the most great serie ever made it, the only thing that it has not yet is a bit more of powerfull.

    God bless you Barett and your crew.

  28. The setup for the NDs is different as is the bolt pattern for the manifold. There are a few ND kits being developed currently.

  32. The kit will include everything you need for the installation. You will not be able to re-use the SRI.

  33. #1 We can sell it in california but CARB may take issue with it.
    #2 TBA
    #3 This is a complex question. trying to put down the power while the chassis in cornering will most likely result in tire smoke. We will have more details to follow.

  37. I hope this make it out, because I was going to buy an Audi s5 for the power. I love my 2017 Mazda 6 and if you come out with that kit, put me on the list and I will not buy Audi. Please keep me posted.

  38. Hey do you guys have any update on an estimated release date, or price! Would love try and mentally save up for the big cost haha

  41. Mazda introduced the skyactiv engine in 2010 you are wrong about the no Skyactiv in 2010-2013. Because I drive a 2013 Mazda 3 Skyactiv the manifold is completely different from other mazdas otherwise modification parts would have been much easier to find.

  43. Great news, I have a ’14 6 GT and just got the wife a ’16 CX-9 GT. I can’t believe how much power that 2.5 turbo has for a big fat 3-row SUV. I gave up my beloved C5 corvette and recently upgraded the 6 with SRI/Exhaust/OVT and still find it underwhelming. Sign me up….

  46. Sorry guys I meant the 2.0 and the simple answer to boosting these cars safely is get a tune from Orangevirus.com to be able to put 3-7 lbs of boost. I just don’t wont to spend the extra money for everything to be custom . That’s why I’m wondering if the turbo manifold from BBR will fit the skyactiv 2.0 ? because the miata RF is a 2.0 Skyactiv. So if the manifold dose fit? Then all is needed is a turbo kit from BBR and a tune from orangevirus.com . Also as far as I know you can reuse the SRI and CAI Intake filters to mount to the turbo via longer piping, because you will need an Intake anyway to attach to the turbo.

  49. Make an entire turbo kit for the 2014+ Mazda 3 2.5 engines (the internal components can and will withstand the boost). I’ll buy the whole kit; I’ll even pre-order it. I’ll be waiting.

  50. Are there any updates for the turbo kit? Is the project still going on even though the new 2018 6 will have a turbo?

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