Mazda 3 MPS Mk2

Author
Discussion

smithy3232

Original Poster:

4 posts

95 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Hi all.

been trying to find info out on this car for awhile now. i can find some but not sure if its the Mk1 or M2 so thought id ask the questions.

after browsing cars for a while now on the look for a fast car (to me this would be) i came across the Mazda 3.
i see some reports of the turbo failing.
is it a new turbo job?
can something be changed before it nakered to stop it?
i also cant find anything related to MPG?

please no " if your bothered about MPG then buy a diesel " i drive about a 10mile round trip to work and do around 250miles a month. although im willing to fill up more but the ideal is i fill up once a month. if i wanted to fill it up weekly id buy a scooby. so NO it drinking the stuff isn't a major issue im not going to waste money.

my budget it around 8-10k. and it needs to be used as everyday car.

can anyone offer practical advice on the above please?

Adam

Edited by smithy3232 on Friday 6th May 14:20

blearyeyedboy

6,284 posts

179 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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Genuine answer: Did you see the feature on these recently?

smithy3232

Original Poster:

4 posts

95 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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I didn't untill now so cheers bud.
I tried joining the MPS owners club but kept failing.
Guess il have to try for another half hour today then 😂.

steve370z

4 posts

101 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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As far as MPG goes, I think I averaged around 22mpg in mines, possibly just under. My usage was mostly urban however, and my commute was largely the same as yours. I think I got between 240-260 miles per tank of fuel.

a7x88

776 posts

148 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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The turbo is a K04 and they are known to have weak oil deals. Expect to have to change it at around 60-100k miles depending on its life. They are pretty cheap though.

VVT was an issue in the MK1's and 6's not sure on the MK2's but if so expect £300 in parts and the equivalent in labour. Again around 80k miles.

If you plan to tune it the MK2's MUST have an uprated High Pressue Fuel Pump or you will find rods exiting the block due to running too lean.

I have a 6 and I love it

smithy3232

Original Poster:

4 posts

95 months

Friday 27th May 2016
quotequote all
Ye I was looking at the Mk2 MPS.
over 20mpg is quite good for a beast tbh.
Is there any after market turbo to bolt straight on to replace the Mazda ko4? And I mean without a map.


adingley84

337 posts

162 months

Thursday 9th June 2016
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smithy3232 said:
Ye I was looking at the Mk2 MPS.
over 20mpg is quite good for a beast tbh.
Is there any after market turbo to bolt straight on to replace the Mazda ko4? And I mean without a map.
With all due respect there's no point getting a new, bigger turbo without a remap. The attributes of having a bigger turbo being slower spool and more power at the top end means you'll probably have LESS performance if you didn't get it mapped.

I'll admit these are just generic ramblings above rather than unique to the 2.3 engine although it they still hold true.

I think the MPS gives amazing bang for buck and sure you'll love it as a car

smithy3232

Original Poster:

4 posts

95 months

Thursday 9th June 2016
quotequote all
No I didn't mean a bigger turbo, basically a better built KO4. I will be planning to mod it put just want trouble free driving and upgrading when I'm ready if you get what what I mean.

a7x88

776 posts

148 months

Thursday 9th June 2016
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Plenty of options. Most go for a BNR which is drops in - basically a hybrid turbo - Garret GT internals in the K04 housing. You can also go genuine Garrett or Precision turbo. Both of these routes need either fab work or additional parts which significantly up the costs over the drop in BNR's

Anything mod wise the first thing required on a MK2 is a high pressure fuel pump or you will be predetonating. These cars have chocolate rods so use one of the known mappers or you will soon be looking at hole in the block. A good tune is everything with these.

Expect to see 400bhp with a BNRS4 (garret 3076 internals), Fuel Pump, Turbo back exhaust, 3.5" intake and intercooler. You are then at the limits of stock fueling. This will be a torque limited map lower down on a stock block though. With methanol injection and forged the recent ones dyno'd have been making 450-500. Makes for a seriously fast car.

I have a 6 and I've just received all my parts. I've gone for the BNRS4 + Forged engine route and it's going in next month for the work. Quite excited to get the finished result. I haven't gone down the methanol route yet so am only expecting to see 400ish though.

adingley84

337 posts

162 months

Friday 10th June 2016
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smithy3232 said:
No I didn't mean a bigger turbo, basically a better built KO4. I will be planning to mod it put just want trouble free driving and upgrading when I'm ready if you get what what I mean.
Aha okay, in that case a7x88 makes a good case for upgraded turbo internals above!

Probably worth spending a little time thinking how far you want to go with mods then either hold on with the KO4 for now or get upgrading straight away.

Best of luck whichever route you choose