Hi all,
I thought I would update you on the latest work done to my Gen 2.
Back in December I was at a track day doing 6 lap stints when the OEM turbo let go. It was quite the sight. Oil smoke everywhere followed by Red Flags.
After a quick inspection it was a simple diagnoses. The turbo had blown a seal and turned into a second sump.
After getting the car towed back to Sydney and missing most of the day, I went without for 4 weeks while parts were sourced and fitted. The timing of Christmas and New Years didn’t help to be fair. MRT have done everything to this point so it was a simple decision to get them to do the turbo. They even gave me a loan car for the duration.
I had a couple of options. Mazda wanted something ridiculous for their turbo but given what had just happened it wasn’t really an option. I ended up going with a BNR stage 2. I was very clear with the guys at MRT that I wasn’t after any more power or torque. I just wanted a reliable car. The last thing I wanted was to start bending pistons and rods.
Along with the damaged turbo, I also ruined the Air Fuel Ratio Sensor and Oxygen Sensor. Aren’t these two a nasty side expense! The battery was also replaced and it spent a few house on the Dyno getting retuned using the EcuTek software. That, along with the hours of labour pulling it all apart, cleaning the exhaust and putting it all back together, made for an expensive exercise.
The result was what I expected. Despite not asking for more power, at 5200 rpm I gained an extra 6kw to 212kw. The noticeable difference is further up in the top end. At 6000 rpm power increased from 187kw to 210kw, so the overall result is a more consistent power band with no drop off at the top end. Torque has dropped off slightly at the bottom end but at revs over 4200 rpm I gain up to 15% more.
To drive the car I don’t notice a massive difference. The first time I got in it after a month off, I thought it was going to take off to the moon, but I think that’s more a reflection of what I had been driving.
The big difference I have noticed is the fuel economy. Around the city I’m getting 11.5L/100km and on the highway 8.9L/100km. I worked out its a combined 9.9L/100km which is bang on Mazda recommends and everyone know how inaccurate manufactures millage claims are. I’m getting 20% more power and torque with better millage than when I bought it off the showroom! Suitably impressed.
Once again I must say how happy I am with the job MRT did. They took their time and got it right. I was updated the whole time and even had the opportunity to walk through the garage with Brett one night after knock off to show me how they were getting on.
I have attached a Dynograph comparing the before and after turbo power and torque gains as well as some pics from the track day. Feel free to ask questions. And as I’ve always said, if anyone wants to take the car for a run one day, feel free to hit me up.
TK
P.S. Before anyone asks how much it all costs. One word. “Heaps”! But anyone who has been through what I’ve just done would know that and appreciate that it’s money well spent.