2.3 cyl engine question cx7 & ms 6

Int3grity

Member
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07 Cx-7 Liquid Platinum
I noticed some of the parts that are available for the mazda 6 isn't the cx-7 running the same engine?

If so looking at the HP+ gain on the 6th with all these performance parts how come these arent not currently available for the 7 looks promising that the engine can displace so much more horsepower and torque.
I am actually beginning to think that this engine is severely underated but my question is why doesnt mazda push this engine higher
 
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I think we realize that the torque & Hp are generated at a much lower RPM. The lower RPM allows better acceleration with the heaver vehicle. If we would put the 6 engine in the CX& the acceleration would be much worse.
 
Int3grity said:
but i thought the car already has the 6 engine in it

My next ride 08 evo ;-)

it does, it is just retooled for the 7. U cant have your cake and eat it too so to speak. In order to compensate for the 4,000 lbs of the truck, the engine's power band really had to be moved in order for it to accelerate and provide the low end thrust that we all enjoy. In doing so, the higher speed power that we also seem to be looking for and expecting isnt quite there. I think the trade off is fine, for this truck...but thats where aftermarket comes in.
 
mikey1981 said:
it does, it is just retooled for the 7. U cant have your cake and eat it too so to speak. In order to compensate for the 4,000 lbs of the truck, the engine's power band really had to be moved in order for it to accelerate and provide the low end thrust that we all enjoy. In doing so, the higher speed power that we also seem to be looking for and expecting isnt quite there. I think the trade off is fine, for this truck...but thats where aftermarket comes in.


True. A properly sized and matched aftermarket turbo would surely accomodate for the best of both worlds...quick spooling for low end and lots of top end power to boot, such as a hybrid turbo. BTW, what size turbo is on the CX-7 now? Similiar in size to the T3's that were on the 84-86 Thunderbird turbocoupes, as they were 2.3's as well, or way different?
 
Spoolinup said:
True. A properly sized and matched aftermarket turbo would surely accomodate for the best of both worlds...quick spooling for low end and lots of top end power to boot, such as a hybrid turbo. BTW, what size turbo is on the CX-7 now? Similiar in size to the T3's that were on the 84-86 Thunderbird turbocoupes, as they were 2.3's as well, or way different?

So you think we can add a bigger turbo?
 
Int3grity said:
So you think we can add a bigger turbo?

You can always add a bigger turbo. The better question would be would you really want to?

There are all sort of things that occur when you go that route. More heat = need for more cooling. More torque/hp = tranny strain. More speed = need for better suspension and better brakes. You'll need a professional tune, etc, etc. Most likely it will shorten your motor/vehicle life and kill the value of the car due to marketability.

Seriously though and this is just my opinion, but I'm having a hard time seeing this a a vehicle to go mod crazy on. I know the potential is there with any turbo vehicle and maybe folks are encouraged by Mazda's links to modded out cx7's on the factory site. But I have to be honest, if I were to see a cx with a fart can and a BOV I'd be 1st in line to laugh at you. It's not like you can autox or do a track day with the cx7. I guess you could, but why. If you wanted a sports car, why get this vehicle? It's not like the market is limited with choices. And I'm guessing you don't want the bigger turbo to have more towing power.

Just my 2 cents.
 
frasdl said:
You can always add a bigger turbo. The better question would be would you really want to?

There are all sort of things that occur when you go that route. More heat = need for more cooling. More torque/hp = tranny strain. More speed = need for better suspension and better brakes. You'll need a professional tune, etc, etc. Most likely it will shorten your motor/vehicle life and kill the value of the car due to marketability.

Seriously though and this is just my opinion, but I'm having a hard time seeing this a a vehicle to go mod crazy on. I know the potential is there with any turbo vehicle and maybe folks are encouraged by Mazda's links to modded out cx7's on the factory site. But I have to be honest, if I were to see a cx with a fart can and a BOV I'd be 1st in line to laugh at you. It's not like you can autox or do a track day with the cx7. I guess you could, but why. If you wanted a sports car, why get this vehicle? It's not like the market is limited with choices. And I'm guessing you don't want the bigger turbo to have more towing power.

Just my 2 cents.

Bigger turbos take longer to spool up and hense less power down low which is not good.
 
Int3grity said:
but i thought the car already has the 6 engine in it

My next ride 08 evo ;-)

We have the same engine, but the turbo is completely different. Thus the power being available sooner, but getting less total power.
 
frasdl said:
You can always add a bigger turbo. The better question would be would you really want to?

There are all sort of things that occur when you go that route. More heat = need for more cooling. More torque/hp = tranny strain. More speed = need for better suspension and better brakes. You'll need a professional tune, etc, etc. Most likely it will shorten your motor/vehicle life and kill the value of the car due to marketability.

Seriously though and this is just my opinion, but I'm having a hard time seeing this a a vehicle to go mod crazy on. I know the potential is there with any turbo vehicle and maybe folks are encouraged by Mazda's links to modded out cx7's on the factory site. But I have to be honest, if I were to see a cx with a fart can and a BOV I'd be 1st in line to laugh at you. It's not like you can autox or do a track day with the cx7. I guess you could, but why. If you wanted a sports car, why get this vehicle? It's not like the market is limited with choices. And I'm guessing you don't want the bigger turbo to have more towing power.

Just my 2 cents.

Agreed that a larger turbo is not really a good option for this ride. Transmission and transfer case would probably be the weakest links if you decide to go big hp.

Also agreed that this is not the car to rice out (fart can ftl)... BUT, don't knock on people who want to mod their car. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get the most out of your ride (looks, performance or otherwise). Personally, I would have preferred to buy an Elise, but there are many reasons why that isn't an option for everyone.
 
SuperStretch18 said:
Also agreed that this is not the car to rice out (fart can ftl)... BUT, don't knock on people who want to mod their car. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get the most out of your ride (looks, performance or otherwise). Personally, I would have preferred to buy an Elise, but there are many reasons why that isn't an option for everyone.

I agree with you and don't mean to sound like I'm against modding. I guess I just consider a turbo swap to be the beginning of a lot of mods. More than I would consider for this type of vehicle. Moding is definately a fun way to get more out of your car, and everyone has a different comfort level with how far they go.
 
frasdl said:
I agree with you and don't mean to sound like I'm against modding. I guess I just consider a turbo swap to be the beginning of a lot of mods. More than I would consider for this type of vehicle. Moding is definately a fun way to get more out of your car, and everyone has a different comfort level with how far they go.

Agreed, zoom-zoom-boom is never a good thing! (drinks)
 
I was just inquiring because hell they have the ms6 doing 375whp look at the forums guy is running 21psi :-) and we have same engine so you know im curious
 
yea i was too, but after seeing posters say the transfer case cant handle 100mph+, the leaks, the tranny goofballs - id rather leave this thing as is with possibly adding a chip thats about it. Also, after seeing what the winter can do to this car (the shutter valve probs that popped up, cel lights, warm up times) i just dont trust doing some patchwork mods w/factory parts that are already in the car, if i was going to mod this itd have to be a serious pro job.
 
mikey1981 said:
yea i was too, but after seeing posters say the transfer case cant handle 100mph+, the leaks, the tranny goofballs - id rather leave this thing as is with possibly adding a chip thats about it. Also, after seeing what the winter can do to this car (the shutter valve probs that popped up, cel lights, warm up times) i just dont trust doing some patchwork mods w/factory parts that are already in the car, if i was going to mod this itd have to be a serious pro job.


Good Point maybe i will just throw the rims on it and call it a day
 
agree with you mikey1981!! So what happen to your ride?? They fixed the problem you had???
 
The tranny is good for something like 400 or 450ft-lbs of torque so no weak link there. Not sure about the transfer case or diff but I don't have to worry about that since I'm FWD. Honestly though, there is nothing wrong with the transfer case if they had good seals on them. The seals are what go bad from my understanding of the problem.

I want a nice EMS, turbo upgrade, downpipe and catback. Not shooting for anything too crazy but a comfortable 300hp would be nice.
 
spike blue said:
agree with you mikey1981!! So what happen to your ride?? They fixed the problem you had???

its running ok, BUT, now im having ignition problems. I turn the key, nothing is happening for a few seconds. my car is just cursed to be honest
 
frasdl said:
You can always add a bigger turbo. The better question would be would you really want to?

There are all sort of things that occur when you go that route. More heat = need for more cooling. More torque/hp = tranny strain. More speed = need for better suspension and better brakes. You'll need a professional tune, etc, etc. Most likely it will shorten your motor/vehicle life and kill the value of the car due to marketability.

QUOTE]

I see your point, but adding an extra 50-100 rwhp and torque is not going to cause the catastrophic outcome you speak of. I GUARANTEE the transmission, suspension, and brakes are WAY better than my 89 T70 mustang, and I have no problem with it at 500 rwhp/600 rwtq. I do, however, agree that cooling of the system would be necessary, but don't see that being a big issue, which may be because I built the T70 setup for my stang myself.

Oh, and hotrodding the CX7 would be a blast, in my opinion. How fun would it be to pull up to a light in a 4000lb grocery getter and put a beating on a newer GTO, or possibly a later model non-z06 vette? Haha, I would personally love it!(2thumbs)

But in retrospect, ANY more power you add to ANY engine lowers life expectancy of the vehicle, so all the "frowning" down on the modding of the CX-7 is totally understandable and expected.

Nick
 
Spoolinup said:
I see your point, but adding an extra 50-100 rwhp and torque is not going to cause the catastrophic outcome you speak of. I GUARANTEE the transmission, suspension, and brakes are WAY better than my 89 T70 mustang, and I have no problem with it at 500 rwhp/600 rwtq. I do, however, agree that cooling of the system would be necessary, but don't see that being a big issue, which may be because I built the T70 setup for my stang myself.

Oh, and hotrodding the CX7 would be a blast, in my opinion. How fun would it be to pull up to a light in a 4000lb grocery getter and put a beating on a newer GTO, or possibly a later model non-z06 vette? Haha, I would personally love it!(2thumbs)

But in retrospect, ANY more power you add to ANY engine lowers life expectancy of the vehicle, so all the "frowning" down on the modding of the CX-7 is totally understandable and expected.

Nick

That would be the ultimate stealth. Can't argue that. I never did speak of catastrophic outcome BTW. I was just pointing out a turbo swap is not necessaily a bolt on mod and forget it. Other addtional things would need to be considered. I'm not going to claim to know what the tranny can handle and therefore I never said it would break. We'll agree it will be stressed more, maybe it can handle it fine, maybe not as well as preferred. I also agree the brakes are pretty good. But if you mod to 300 plus, chances are your probably going to mod the breaks too, if nothing more than to see cross drilled rotors through the wheels. :)

Back to Int3grity's question though, I think the motor platform is a great place to mod, but the concerns come more with what it's bolted to. Mazdaspeed 6/3 go fast goodies will probably make the CX7 an in-between mod marketplace where a lot of those items will work, but purpose built aftermarket for the CX7 will be more limited since it is a SUV (although I don't really like to call the 7 one of those.) It will actually be interesting seeing how folks will leverage the motor.
 
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