MazdaSpeed Intercooler (pics)
- Thread starter APEXistud
- Start date
You need to look at it from a product positioning aspect. Yes its small. But Mazda is the type of company that's very concerned with cost. Cost reduction is the big buzz these days in manufacturing.
Here is what I think they were going for:
The current protege is a car known for good reliability, good handling, and good price/value. The protege is a great car, but could use more power to compete in a very aggressive market.
So they gave it more power in the form of a turbo.
But...
The car still needs to represent a good value if its going to be successful and viable for Mazda. They can't have a 16k protege in 2002, and then a year later have a 23-25k protege and expect it to sell enough numbers to justify.
Features like the 'dainty' intercooler are an obvious cost control action.
Is it a bad thing? I don't think so. 65-75% of the buyers are going to keep the car stock for its entire usable life. 50% will probably never understand what an intercooler is, does, or even care. They just want the car to start up and go quick. The other 25% would probably replace the intercooler even if Mazda made it the size of the hood!
So what do they have? Mazda now has a Good looking, great handling, reliable, moderately powerful car that's still a great value.
The 65-75% folk will love the car in its stock trim. The remaining 25% have a car that's a great base for continued modification.
I think they preformed a good balancing act and the car will be a success.
Here is what I think they were going for:
The current protege is a car known for good reliability, good handling, and good price/value. The protege is a great car, but could use more power to compete in a very aggressive market.
So they gave it more power in the form of a turbo.
But...
The car still needs to represent a good value if its going to be successful and viable for Mazda. They can't have a 16k protege in 2002, and then a year later have a 23-25k protege and expect it to sell enough numbers to justify.
Features like the 'dainty' intercooler are an obvious cost control action.
Is it a bad thing? I don't think so. 65-75% of the buyers are going to keep the car stock for its entire usable life. 50% will probably never understand what an intercooler is, does, or even care. They just want the car to start up and go quick. The other 25% would probably replace the intercooler even if Mazda made it the size of the hood!
So what do they have? Mazda now has a Good looking, great handling, reliable, moderately powerful car that's still a great value.
The 65-75% folk will love the car in its stock trim. The remaining 25% have a car that's a great base for continued modification.
I think they preformed a good balancing act and the car will be a success.
As an addendum to the above post, you also have to look at safety. They probably did the most they could without having to do extended crash testing and stuff. Like he said to keep cost down.
I look at it as more of a way to add a selling point to the little car.
Now...they can say turbo....intercooled. On such a small turbo will a big intercooler make a huge difference in performance anyway? I've only messed with NA applications so far. I know very little beyond concepts of forced induction.
I look at it as more of a way to add a selling point to the little car.
Now...they can say turbo....intercooled. On such a small turbo will a big intercooler make a huge difference in performance anyway? I've only messed with NA applications so far. I know very little beyond concepts of forced induction.
rosendo192000
Member
- :
- protege
TURBO
DO U THINK THAT THEY WOULD SELL THIS TURBO KIT OUT IN TO THE PUBLIC BESIDES THE TRIPOINT ONE?AND IF SO WHICH ONE WOULD BE BETTER AND CHEAPER
DO U THINK THAT THEY WOULD SELL THIS TURBO KIT OUT IN TO THE PUBLIC BESIDES THE TRIPOINT ONE?AND IF SO WHICH ONE WOULD BE BETTER AND CHEAPER
Of course, remember that the EVO's intercooler is the thing that is keeping the car from coming to the US legally! Mitsu didn't even try to get the car through crash testing with the big intercooler smiling out the front grill.
I think that Mazda had to make it small to get the car done
a. within budget
b. without rearranging a lot of stuff under the hood on 1500 cars
b. without big changes in front crash protection.
Of course, as it was pointed out above, the Linuxracers will retro-fit a big-ass intercooler upon delivery.
I think that Mazda had to make it small to get the car done
a. within budget
b. without rearranging a lot of stuff under the hood on 1500 cars
b. without big changes in front crash protection.
Of course, as it was pointed out above, the Linuxracers will retro-fit a big-ass intercooler upon delivery.
Korey Chaos
Member
Are u serious?
Thats got to be the smallest intercooler i've ever seen! Mazda needs to cut out that " oh were on a budget" s*** and spend alittle. Thats why or phuckin cars are lacking power now regardless of what anyone says. That s**** annoying..
:mad:
Thats got to be the smallest intercooler i've ever seen! Mazda needs to cut out that " oh were on a budget" s*** and spend alittle. Thats why or phuckin cars are lacking power now regardless of what anyone says. That s**** annoying..
:mad:
