{"id":14208,"date":"2023-04-04T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corksport.com\/blog\/?p=14208"},"modified":"2023-10-24T08:37:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T16:37:08","slug":"how-to-get-a-900-horsepower-mazdaspeed-3-awd-swap-the-intro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corksport.com\/blog\/how-to-get-a-900-horsepower-mazdaspeed-3-awd-swap-the-intro\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get A 900 Horsepower Mazdaspeed 3 AWD Swap \u2013 The Intro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever felt like you try and try and try, but just can\u2019t get the traction to make forward progress on your Mazdaspeed 3 car build? Ya, it happens to the best of us and the 2022 season was my time\u2026both in literal traction and life.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t seen my build yet, the @halfmilespeed3<\/a>, go check it out.  It\u2019s an awesome combo of DIY, Teamwork, Innovations, and CorkSport goodies you all love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back to this traction conundrum.  Racing an 800+hp FWD Mazdaspeed 3 on small airport airstrips with no prep and plenty of dust has proven to be challenging.  There have been many successes and many challenges, but ultimately it comes down to those two tiny patches of rubber that meet the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LITERALLY NO TRACTION <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, Motec helped substantially with traction control and Justin\u2019s ramp-up in power delivery also helps, but really\u2026I just didn\u2019t have any damn traction.  Sticky tires with meaty sidewalls also help, but again traction was such an issue!  There had to be a better way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheel & Tire Setup:  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Front: Toyo TQ 255\/50 on 16×8+38<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rear: Toyo R888R 255\/40 on 17×9+45<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And there was and I had been talking about the idea for a year or so already.  Then life happened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see with the racecar; I like to go fast.  I carried that enthusiasm into my love of mountain biking one day in June 2022 and well\u2026I got a lesson in physics let me tell you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five broken ribs, a double punctured lung, level 3 AC separation, and a fractured collar bone and scapula.  Resulting in weeks of hospital stays and three surgeries; then months of recovery and physical therapy.  Let\u2019s just say the 2022 season did not go as planned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it did get me focused on solving my traction problems\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mazdaspeed
Mazdaspeed 3 with CorkSport Mazda Performance Parts Back (AKA HalfMileSpeed3)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Goal…Mazdaspeed 3 AWD Swap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So I decided it was time to stop talking about it and actually take action (well as soon as I physically could that is).  I made a plan and figured out the details and order of operations to finally get my traction back.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was time to AWD Swap the Halfmilespeed3<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I am not the first to do a Mazdaspeed AWD swap. I did have a goal to make my build unique in the sense that the AWD swap is catered to racing performance.  Meaning the strength of custom parts and the rear suspension design and the new fuel system are capable of handling the 4-digit horsepower goal <\/strong>I have and the abuse of racing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking horsepower\u2026what does the car make right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dynograph<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is at a modest 40-41psi using a Xona Rotor 9569s with the X3C compressor housing and 1.03A\/R turbine housing.  Later Justin @freektune and I turned it up a bit more to see how close we can get to the 600wtq threshold and hold it.  Clipping off an 881whp run\u2026damn!  This was supported by the many CorkSport Mazda performance parts<\/a> you can get for your Mazdaspeed<\/a> as well.  From engine mounts to manifolds, anything that isn\u2019t a one-off custom is CS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyways\u2026I have since updated the compressor wheel to a 99 lb\/min design compared to the above 95 lb\/min design and a larger compressor housing which is more efficient.  This setup has not been dyno tested yet, but talking to the engineers at Xona\u20262023 is going to be spicy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Close up because who doesn\u2019t like billet turbo shots!?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"XONA<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dare I say this is the largest turbo in the stock location ever on a Mazdaspeed?  Go ahead\u2026prove me wrong. To compare, this competes with a Precision 6870. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazda<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Start of the Mazdaspeed 3 AWD Swap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anyways, this is the introduction to my Mazdaspeed 3 AWD swap here at CorkSport HQ.  I actually started the swap in October 2022 and have been making big steps each month.  We are going to be sharing blog updates rapidly as I wrap up the swap over the next couple of months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be much more technical info and images coming up so grab a drink and enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can also find updates on my IG @halfmilespeed3, the CorkSport 7th<\/sup> Gear Membership, and on mazdaspeeds.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/mazdaspeeds.org\/index.php?threads\/awd-speed-3-project-halfmilespeed3.15154\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks for tuning in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Barett @ CS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connect with us:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n