I did it you guys

"FrankenBlaster" (FrankenBlaster) 08/20/2015 at 22:07 • Filed to: None

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I (little) big turbo’d my Mazdaspeed3.

That pic is about mid way through so it’s not all hooked up in its final form. The kinked coolant line got replaced.

It took me, a mechanic from work who hasn’t worked on anything but American v8’s and Indycars, and a Mazda tech who swaps out the turbos on CX-7’s (basically the same motor as the speed3) about 10.5 hours across 2 days to do everything. While I was in there I also installed a 3.5” intake, downpipe, 3 bar map sensor, EGR valve delete, and a 3 port electronic boost control solenoid.

The turbo is made by a company called Corksport, and is basically a Mitsubishi 18g in a td05 housing modified to fit the stock exhaust flange. They make some awesome Mazdaspeed products, and most of their stuff is tailored to getting more power out of the stock motor. This turbo is still well within the limitations of the stock block, but makes up for where the stock k04 falls on its face.

This was a pretty big project for me, I’m an IT guy by trade and don’t have as much wrench time as a lot of you guys. Because of this, I rounded off a couple bolts that were super torqued by Mazda and made it a bit of a pain in the ass to get completely done, but we got there. The downpipe was what I was dreading most, as I’ve heard horror stories of it taking people hours longer to install than the whole install took me to get it off. O2 sensors were what I was most worried about, so I soaked those in PB blaster many times in the days before we started.

The turbo on these cars wedged between the firewall and the motor, so there’s not much clearance in there. Most people who put huge turbos on these cars get exhaust manifolds that sort of flip upside down and mount the turbo where it’s much easier to access with a lot more room. Getting the old one out and the new one in only took about two hours. The hard part was fitting everything back in together. I had to relocate the ECU to fit the 3.5” intake because it sits on the side of the battery box, and there’s not enough clearance to have both a big intake and the ECU in stock location.

As for power, I was previously at around 280 to the wheels with a 21 psi tune and supporting mods, plus a couple power mods. With everything the way it is now, I should be at around 340-360 to the wheels. I contacted a tuner (Freektune) and they sent me over a base map tailored to my mods. I’m currently set at wastegate spring pressure, around 18psi. Just with a base tune and no power added to it, the turbo really shines. It screams all the way up to redline, whereas the stock k04 fell on its face at 5500 rpm. I’ll update you guys on some info as I continue tuning and shaking it down.

as always, inb4 tq steerlololo

jkm7680 > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:12

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Wooooo turbo makes good noises.

AM3R shamefully returns > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:12

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Nice! I am helping a friend install downpipes on his 335i in a few days.. Not looking forward to it with all the poor fitment/clearance horror stories out there!

samssun > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:13

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From k04 to...? And are you wishing it was the AWD MS6 yet?

FrankenBlaster > samssun 08/20/2015 at 22:16

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The Corksport turbo that was just recently released. It’s basically a Mitsubishi 18g. And nope not really.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:16

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Baeromez > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:17

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Cool. Post more pics and a vid when you can.

FrankenBlaster > AM3R shamefully returns 08/20/2015 at 22:18

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Downpipes will be a blast of a power mod on that car I bet. I really thought the downpipe was going to be the worst part. Turns out it was the 7mm nut in an impossible location that I rounded off that holds on the stock MAP sensor.

AM3R shamefully returns > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:24

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I bet the Mazda is crazy fun now.. I always liked the speed3. If I needed a hatch i’d go for one.

boxrocket > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:28

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Get the Corksport big brake kit too, bring all that "zoom-zoom-WHOOSH!" under control.

FrankenBlaster > boxrocket 08/20/2015 at 22:29

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I’ve actually been thinking about swapping the rear brakes for the Mazda 5 stuff. I do like the look of those Corksport brakes though!

boxrocket > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:34

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I have an acquaintance who is looking into dropping Focus ST brakes into his ‘Speed3, as they share a platform. Whether that will actually work I don't know.

wafflesnfalafel > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:37

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point and shoot - very nice

blacktruck18 > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:43

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Nice, congrats on doing it yourself.

How many torque steers?

All the torque steers!

For Sweden > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:53

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Should have borrowed a turbo from work

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 22:54

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God I wish I had $1400 to drop on a turbo kit for the SHO. 320 hp on the basic tune at 9 psi ain’t too shabby. But there are a bunch of fuel system mods that need to be done too.

There is a turbo hiding in there. It’s under the battery, plumbed through a little intercooler into the stock airbox.

Honestly!

http://www.shosource.com/catalog/produc…

FrankenBlaster > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 08/20/2015 at 23:04

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Intercooler in the stock airbox, that’s pretty cool, didn’t know that! After all is said and done I have a lot more money in this car than I thought I would have. The last round of mods I just installed was a little over $2k, counting in everything like garage lift time and spare bolts. Fueling on these cars is weird too. Really like your car though, I love seeing those on the roads.

FrankenBlaster > For Sweden 08/20/2015 at 23:06

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Hahha, your sneaky comments crack me up. A guy I know got TWO of them and another got effing FOUR of them. So, we will see.

bhardoin > FrankenBlaster 08/20/2015 at 23:54

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Yesss. More snails.

pip bip - choose Corrour > FrankenBlaster 08/21/2015 at 04:29

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good job.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > FrankenBlaster 08/21/2015 at 07:01

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Thanks bud. I meant the intercooler is just up front. The charge tube coming out of it goes into the stock air box.

Jeff Barbian > FrankenBlaster 08/24/2015 at 15:56

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What made you go with the CorkSport over the BNR S3? Just curious to your rational. My k04 is on its last leg in my speed6, and a new turbo will jump start the modifications

FrankenBlaster > Jeff Barbian 08/24/2015 at 16:25

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I guess timing, really. I’ve been continually impressed with Corksport’s presence in the community and the quality of their products. I saw the turbo was coming out and that it was a direct drop in, and it was on from there. I also wanted to try something a little different from the norm and see what Corksport’s offering was like.