Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

2012 Mazda2: Some Technical Impressions

Collapse
This is a sticky topic.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    2012 Mazda2: Some Technical Impressions

    Well folks, I visited my local, friendly Mazda dealer recently to pick up a wiper blade for my wife's 3 and while there I checked out a Mazda2. It looks like it could easily be converted into a neat-o boy racer without too much trouble for those looking for an economical subcompact to play around with. A quick perusal of the aftermarket goodies available confirms this view. Whether or not you like the looks of this 5-Door is strictly a personal consideration but the 2s angular, edge-like shape was designed to minimize wind resistance according to Mazda - an important consideration in a vehicle with a small displacement engine. Available in two levels of trim, the basic Sport or the slightly upscale Touring, the latter model comes with a rear liftgate spoiler which further enhances its aerodynamic properties by reducing turbulence (and consequently drag) at the rear of the vehicle. Let's look at some of the performance-related specs:

    Engine - MZR 1.5 L
    Type: 1.5 L DOHC, 16-valve, 4-cyl with VVT; aluminum alloy block and head; chain-driven DOHC; direct COP electronic ignition with platinum-tipped spark plugs.
    Bore x Stroke: 78 mm x 78.4 mm (just slightly undersquare)
    CR: 10:1
    Redline: 6,300 rpm
    100 BHP @ 6,000 rpm, SAE net (75 kw); BMEP (calculated) 144 psi
    98 lbs/ft Torque @ 4,000 rpm, SAE net (133 N-m); BMEP (calculated) 162 psi
    Power Steering: Electronic, resulting in a reduced component count, less weight and less friction HP

    Available Transmissions
    5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic

    Suspension
    Front: MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
    Rear: Torsion beam with coil springs
    Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS), federally mandated, are both standard.

    Brakes
    Front disc/rear drum: 10.2" vented disc; 7.9" drum. These are the exact same dimensions as those used on the 2002 DX and LX Proteges, substantially heavier cars.
    Equipped with ABS, electronic brake force distribution, and brake assist.
    I don't think brakes will become a limiting factor no matter how one chooses to use this car.

    Wheels and Tires
    Sport: 15 x 6" steel
    Touring: 15 x 6" alloy
    Tires: 185/55-15 V-rated all-season
    Possible upgrades: (1) Replace with summer-only type. (2) Replace with wider tread, lower profile 195/50-15. According to the Tire Calc this results in only a 1.504% too fast speedo error (60 mph actual reads 60.9 gauge). (3) Replace with 16" alloy wheels and 205/45-16s. Tire Calc yields a speedo error of 1.084% too slow (60 mph actual reads 59.3 gauge) - negligible. Caution, to stay within the recommended guidelines of the Tire and Rim Association, a 205/45 tire requires a wheel width of 7" minimum so clearance may become an issue here.

    Curb Weight
    M/T: 2,306 lbs
    A/T: 2,359 lbs
    Comparison: 2002 Protege - M/T = 2,634 lbs; A/T = 2,687 lbs. 2012 3, 2.0 L - M/T = 2,866 lbs; A/T = 2,929 lbs.

    Fuel Consumption
    Better than the 3 or the Protege but worse than the SkyActiv so order your priorities.

    In the next post we'll look at some of the available aftermarket goodies that will enable you to rule the twisties with your 2. They may laugh when you sit down in your 2 but they'll cheer and applaud (or curse) you when you show them the way home.

    Happy Motoring!
    02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
    MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
    MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
    Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
    MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
    Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
    Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
    Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
    Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
    Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
    Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
    Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
    Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

    #2
    Okay boys and girls, lets see how we can convert the 2 into a genuine little racer. Since we're interested in performance here we'll focus only on suspension and engine mods available from Racing Beat and Corksport. Keep in mind that I haven't driven a 2 yet, stock or modified, so I'm unable to evaluate the benefits or shortcomings of the following components.

    Suspension
    Racing Beat
    Spring set: Can be used with either the stock Mazda shocks or aftermarket types and interchange exactly with the stock springs. They have a rate increase of ~ 20% with a drop of 22 mm (front) and 16 mm (rear).

    Front Stabilizer Bar: The RB bar is 1" o.d. (25.5 mm) and 3.19 times stiffer compared to the stock .748" o.d. (19 mm) stock bar. It includes OEM style "stoppers" to prevent the bar from sliding sideways in the bushings during heavy cornering. Also included are replacement urethane bushings, bar clamps, Prothane grease and installation instructions. Should only be used in conjunction with the RB rear bar to preserve correct under/oversteer balance.

    Rear Stabilizer Bar: Because of its torsion beam suspension, the 2 is not factory-fitted with a rear stabilizer bar. The RB bar is a tubular steel device that attaches to the axle with four SS mounting clamps which serves to add to the stiffness of the torsion beam axle. According to RB, the ease of access to the rear axle makes installation extremely simple.


    Corksport
    H&R Sport Lowering Springs: Made in Germany, these springs lower the car 1.5" (front) and 1.3" (rear).

    Bilstein PSS Coilover Suspension: Allows 10 vehicle adjustment settings with ride height adjustable from 1" to 1.75", front and rear.

    H&R Springs Coilover Suspension: Precise dial-in of height adjustment from 40 to 70 mm (front), and 30 to 60 mm (rear).

    Corksport Front Stabilizer Bar: Made from 4130 steel tube, it is 7/8" (.875") o.d. and is said to be 85% stiffer than the stock bar. Includes polyurethane mounting bushings to replace the stock rubber ones, all mounting hardware and installation instructions. Meant to be used in conjunction with Corksport's Rear Torsion Bar to maintain proper front/rear suspension balance.

    Corksport RearTorsion Bar: Attaches to the rear torsion beam to create a more rigid assembly.

    Corksport Front Strut Tower Brace

    Corksport Rear Chassis Brace: This 1" o.d. extruded aluminum bar mounts in the trunk behind the rear seat and using push button quick release pins allows for easy installation and removal should more trunk space be needed.
    Mazda and Mazdaspeed performance parts since 1998. Precision-engineered at an unbeatable value. 1-360-260-2675 - CorkSport Mazda Performance


    Engine
    As is the case with most Mazda engines, very few add-ons are available that will appreciably increase the power output of the normally aspirated engine. This is certainly the case with the 2 whose aftermarket offerings are not only paltry but rather unexciting, at least for now. Here, for better or worse, are some products that may, or may not, provide a noticeable performance boost.

    Racing Beat
    Power Pulse Exhaust: All the emphasis here is on the delightful sound, and exhaust tone, this SS muffler produces while no claims are made for any performance increase whatsoever. This unit is an "axle back" type and simply replaces the OEM muffler. As RB points out, their preference would have been to design a cat back system such as the one engineered for the 2.0 L Protege but the stock exhaust system configuration precludes this type of arrangement. With the 2, the catalytic converter is permanently attached to the mid-pipe tubing section which runs the length of the vehicle from the exhaust manifold outlet to the muffler. Since there is no flanged connection after the cat, installation of a cat-back system would require the mid-pipe section to be cut and the new exhaust system "slipped" into place over the cut tubing. As a consequence, RB has decided to offer an axle-back muffler only. At least it's easy to install!

    Corksport
    Short Ram Intake: According to CS, their SRI demonstrated a gain of 5 HP and 7 lbs/ft Torque at the wheels compared with the stock intake. The testing conditions weren't specified but keep in mind that during normal operation SRIs constantly ingest hot, underhood air. My understanding is that CS is working on a cold air box that will enclose the filter which should significantly improve its operation. One good feature is that the filter element is a DryFlow type eliminating the possibility of oil being drawn into the MAF sensor when an oil-wetted cotton gauze type filter is used. CS provides excellent installation instructions on its website.

    Exhaust System: Consists of a 54 mm mid-pipe and a straight through muffler. CS states that the system provides a noticible power gain but doesn't quantify the increase. Since the system eliminates the second cat it is illegal for road use and CS states that it should be used for off-road purposes only.

    Autoexe Ram Air Intake: Forward-facing ram air duct that feeds ambient temperature air to the filter. No performance specs given. At a cost of US $878, it might give one pause when considering a purchase.

    Lightweight Crankshaft Pulley: Aluminum alloy unit that is 43% lighter than the stock cast steel pulley (1.55 lbs lighter than the stock 3.55 lbs). Due to the reduced rotational inertia, CS claims a faster throttle response and faster revving throughout the rpm band. Uses the OEM drive belt.

    Good luck to anyone planning to build your Mazda2 racer. You should have enough material here to make a good start. We're all waiting to hear of your results.

    Happy Motoring!
    Last edited by goldstar; 12-16-2011, 03:44 PM.
    02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
    MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
    MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
    Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
    MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
    Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
    Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
    Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
    Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
    Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
    Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
    Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
    Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

    Comment


      #3
      motor. swap a 2.3 in. even the n/a 2.3 is a 70HP increase.
      ~PaTricK~


      -Current car's-
      ~ 92 Probe GT Turbo, 90 FE3 Turbo 626GT hatch, 97 KL mtx 626, 05 Mazda6, 09 Kia Sportage V6~
      What are you driving?

      Comment


        #4
        Screw it. LS7.
        '90 AWD Protege, full GTR drivetrain swap, ~320 whp daily driver, RIP, and
        '90 AWD Protege, yet another GTR swap, Open class rallycar with a Toyota GT4 gearbox swap, thus crossing the line between hobby and mental illness. And a Brabus E55 K8, removing all doubt.
        http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/vbpi...?do=view&g=110
        http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2599486

        Comment


          #5
          Oh come on guys. Think big, expand your horizons, think outside the box.

          Allison V-1710 SOHC V12

          Happy Motoring!
          02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
          MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
          MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
          Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
          MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
          Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
          Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
          Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
          Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
          Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
          Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
          Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
          Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

          Comment


            #6
            Hahaha, goldstar you're hilarious.

            Mazda has toyed with putting the 'speed3's turbo MZR engine under the hood of the 2. A Mazdaspeed2 could be in dealers within the next year or two if there's a good enough business case for it.

            Sent from my HTC Incredible using Tapatalk.

            Comment


              #7
              it'd be the shelby glh all over again, I love it...
              '90 AWD Protege, full GTR drivetrain swap, ~320 whp daily driver, RIP, and
              '90 AWD Protege, yet another GTR swap, Open class rallycar with a Toyota GT4 gearbox swap, thus crossing the line between hobby and mental illness. And a Brabus E55 K8, removing all doubt.
              http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/vbpi...?do=view&g=110
              http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2599486

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by irishkev90 View Post
                Hahaha, goldstar you're hilarious.

                Mazda has toyed with putting the 'speed3's turbo MZR engine under the hood of the 2. A Mazdaspeed2 could be in dealers within the next year or two if there's a good enough business case for it.

                Sent from my HTC Incredible using Tapatalk.



                there is one that exists with the speed 3 drivetrain in it. built by a dealer in the us
                91 protege gt. dropzone mx3 springs, mx3 crossmember, ractive front and rear strut braces, rear lower mx3 brace, 4 wheel disc brakes, corksport ss brake and clutch lines,kvr front pads, ractive cai,ram air hood scoop, modified front bumper, shaved ant and rear trunk lock, fubu ant, short shifter, corksport bronzeoil shifter bushings,92 glass sunroof and tail lights, mx3 center console, autometer gauges (volt and oil pressure) cluster needles painted to match, sound system, 17 inch eagle alloy 193 with 205 40 17 rubber. klze is ALIVE BABY!! . http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2394656http://www.toprotege.com/forums/show...hlight=project[url]

                Comment


                  #9
                  I get to drive the equivalent of this car at work the Ford Fiesta, and I would say that anyone in the market for one better stay away from the auto tranny, they honestly feel like they are slipping all the time and its electronic throttle has terrible feel, always delayed. Hopefully the mazda is better.
                  92 Mazda MX3 GS> For sale, $1750 OBO
                  94 Escort wagon--BP swap coming, VF10 Turbo, COP, EVO ECU, 03 ZX2 front end conversion
                  "Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable"
                  EV14 330cc@3Bar injector kits available.
                  EV14 GT500 injector kits available for the BP. 610cc@3Bar.
                  EV14 925cc@3Bar injector kits available
                  BP Forged H beam rods available now
                  KL Forged H beam rods available now
                  K8/KF Forged H beam rods awaiting test fit
                  FS Forged H beam rods
                  awaiting test fit
                  F2 Forged H beam rods awaiting test fit
                  FE3 Forged H beam rods coming soon
                  Mitsubishi 3.8 MIVEC rods coming soon
                  Aluminum CAS/Distributor caps
                  BP oil jet eliminators
                  EV14 fuel rail spacers
                  More stuff coming soon.......

                  Comment


                    #10
                    A dealer built it? I thought Mazda did. I'll have to dig up that article again.

                    And the Fiesta is built more for fuel efficiency, I think. Which might explain the throttle response and transmission tuning.

                    Sent from my HTC Incredible using Tapatalk.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      the speed2 was built by autobarn. its a local mazda dealer to me. they also built the speed5 wagon thats been all over the place destoying super cars on the road courses across america the last few years.
                      ~PaTricK~


                      -Current car's-
                      ~ 92 Probe GT Turbo, 90 FE3 Turbo 626GT hatch, 97 KL mtx 626, 05 Mazda6, 09 Kia Sportage V6~
                      What are you driving?

                      Comment


                        #12
                        theres a speed5 wagon? wth ive been telling my manager that mazda should build one for the owner who wants performance but need room for a family. someone beat me to it dammit
                        91 protege gt. dropzone mx3 springs, mx3 crossmember, ractive front and rear strut braces, rear lower mx3 brace, 4 wheel disc brakes, corksport ss brake and clutch lines,kvr front pads, ractive cai,ram air hood scoop, modified front bumper, shaved ant and rear trunk lock, fubu ant, short shifter, corksport bronzeoil shifter bushings,92 glass sunroof and tail lights, mx3 center console, autometer gauges (volt and oil pressure) cluster needles painted to match, sound system, 17 inch eagle alloy 193 with 205 40 17 rubber. klze is ALIVE BABY!! . http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2394656http://www.toprotege.com/forums/show...hlight=project[url]

                        Comment


                          #13
                          I refuse to buy any vehicle with a solid rear axle. let alone a light weight FWD short wheelbase car. thats just purely asking for a deathtrap in any adverse conditions
                          ---Has ClubProtege helped you in someway? show your support by Contributing--- Click Here---

                          1992- project FE3..... 313 WHP @ 9.3psi




                          I pet my dash when I get into the car..."good car"
                          he actually has a mazda tree, parts grow on it

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by FE3-323 View Post
                            I refuse to buy any vehicle with a solid rear axle. let alone a light weight FWD short wheelbase car. thats just purely asking for a deathtrap in any adverse conditions
                            Nevertheless, the torsion beam (TB) suspension system is ideal for subcompact cars because compared with double wishbone, multi-link, and trailing arm suspensions it takes up less of the car width enabling greater rear seat room. Additionally, compared with the MacPherson strut, its shock absorber is shorter and can be more steeply inclined from the vertical thus allowing more trunk space. For these reasons, along with economy of design and manufacture, it has been widely used in a variety of European and Japanese FWD small cars.

                            Technically, the TB suspension is not a solid (rigid) rear axle design but rather similar to a trailing arm suspension where the arms are connected by a beam. The beam allows independent up and down movement of the wheels, within limits, making this a semi-independent suspension (as suspension engineers put it, the beam allows a limited degree of freedom when forced). While it may not provide the same level of ride and handling as double wishbone or multi-link suspensions, in most driving situations the TB suspension will be indistinguishable from the more advanced designs. Keep in mind that it was used in the sporty Volkswagen GTI for many years.

                            The main shortcoming of the TB suspension system is that because the wheels are physically linked to each other by the beam, the amount of toe control the suspension has over the tires is limited - in fact toe cannot be adjusted in this type of suspension. During extreme handling situations such as sudden high speed lane changes or high speed turns where tires reach their limit of adhesion, the lack of accurate toe control over the wheels and the tires' contact patch with the road can lead to instability and terminal oversteer. Undoubtedly, this is why both RB and CS sell beam-stiffening bars to help alleviate this problem.

                            So I guess the lesson to be learned is to avoid a shock while cornering, spring for a torsion beam stiffener.

                            Happy Motoring!
                            02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
                            MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
                            MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
                            Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
                            MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
                            Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
                            Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
                            Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
                            Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
                            Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
                            Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
                            Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
                            Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Awesome info Goldstar! i always enjoy reading your posts.

                              for the sake of my own education tho:
                              1.If the flaw in the TB design is that there isnt enough independant travel in each wheel's movement wouldnt stiffening the beam be counter productive?

                              2. pending response


                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X