Mexican MS3's down on power??

[El Speed3]

Hi everyone,

I came across an interesting review about how Mexican-Spec MS3's 1st gen and 2nd gen, are down on power (from the alleged 263 HP).

It all started with an article a magazine called Automovil Panamericano made, where it submitted its test car to a dyno run and got a very different read from the 263 HPs (minus 13). It states that it did a comparison run, against a SEAT Leon 1.8T (160 hp, which turned out 188 on the dyno) and it lost!! The MS3 had an 8.8 time, the SEAT did it in 8.4... Other comments from the magazine state that the MS3:

1. Has linear power delivery, no turbo "kick" was ever felt
2. Power is good, but should be quicker. 0-60 lost against a 160 HP car by 0.4 seconds
3. Dyno results showed less HP than whats stated. Its slightly lower than 250 actually

Regarding 0-100 kph (0-60 mph) times, Ive heard about them being in the 9's, nearly 10 seconds, instead of the 6.1 time Mazda claims. I myself did a couple of runs, on a closed parking lot, and got 9.1 as my best time, 9.8 the worst, out of 5 times... Im no drag racer, Ive taken a couple of sport and race driving courses but never really focused on 0-60 times but my times are very close to what the people are saying...

My MS3 has recently received (300 kms ago) its Corksport SRI, other than that, its completely stock...

Ive been investigating about it, apparently there has also been many communications between Mazda Mexico and the costumers but has never been resolved. Some say it been restricted, others claim it has a different ECU setup from the rest of the world, Ive also heard about the altitude in Mexico (2,240 metres or 7,350 ft over sea level) taking its toll on the performance, which is obvious, but perhaps not to the extent of this. The main conclusions from the whole thing are:

• In terms of the ECU, the Mex-Spec is identical to the Federal US ECU.
• The engine is identical.
• The car is not limited in any way.
• The problem does not come from a limit on the ECU, apparently (not yet confirmed), its due to the Turbo Unit.
• Mazda North America are still conducting tests to determine the cause of this.

Apparently Mazda Mexico was going to organize a test against the MS3 Main Rivals but it hasnt been done.

Anyways, just thought I should share it with you guys. Any thoughts??

Zoom-Zoom everyone!

 

[El Speed3]

Anybody?? Id appreciate some thoughts, maybe someone knows something that might be useful??

Please chime in...

 

[Cold_Boost]

it sounds like a turbo or fuel issue...possible a combination of the 2. Do you know if the turbo itself is the same and if the turbo is still pushing the same amount of boost?

 

[El Speed3]

Thanks for your reply...

Apparently the turbo itself is the same, which might be part of the problem given the altitude in Mexico City. Boost pressure is also the same. I heard somewhere though, that peak boost is maintained for a couple of seconds normally in the MS3, however, here in Mexico its only a spike, as soon as it gets to the top of the scale, it goes back down...

Fuel quality might also be somewhat responsible. Premium gas has 92 or 93 octanes which is the best you can get here...

 

[CorkSport]

My thought would be altitude, 7000 ft is up there.

-Derrick

 

[Cold_Boost]

Have you thought of turning up the boost a little but to make up for the higher altitude? Plus if the altitude is the problem they would lean the fuel out and normally they drop the boost pressure a little. However if your plan is to build the car then you "prep" the motor for a bigger turbo.