We All Know About Cold Weather Boost Cut, But...

Alexsered

Member
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2007 Mazdaspeed3 Gt
I know that it is common knowledge about the cold weather boost cut. My question is why??? Turbo'd engines are supposed to run more effeicent in colder weather, right? If anything, I could understand a boost cut in hotter weather as the turbo's could cook themselves if boosted too hot.

It is noticable in my car, even on the highway, I can just feel that the engine just does not feel as spirited. Why did mazda do this?

P.s. It was around 60 degrees yesterday, compared to the freezing temperatures we have been having for the last month or so, and the car felt so much different.
 
I believe it has to do how colder air is more dense, and thus has more O2 per volume of air. As a result not as much boost is required to make the same amount of HP and TQ. At least thats what happened when I had my SRT4. The ECU would drop the boost as it got colder. Not sure if this is what you are referring to or not.
 
I believe it has to do how colder air is more dense, and thus has more O2 per volume of air. As a result not as much boost is required to make the same amount of HP and TQ. At least thats what happened when I had my SRT4. The ECU would drop the boost as it got colder. Not sure if this is what you are referring to or not.

yeah, it drops boost, but it's a definate power drop to the wheels. I don't even drive the car hard at all during the winter, it's just not as fun.
 
yeah, it drops boost, but it's a definate power drop to the wheels. I don't even drive the car hard at all during the winter, it's just not as fun.

Funny I found that my MS3 really likes the cold weather. I went from +30 to now -30 and have noticed the drop in boost but not a drop in performance. Are you running stock or winter tires?
 
Boost builds up faster with denser air. The ECU can't keep up and regulate it fast enough. That's my understanding anyway.
 
Funny I found that my MS3 really likes the cold weather. I went from +30 to now -30 and have noticed the drop in boost but not a drop in performance. Are you running stock or winter tires?

I'm running some sumitomos, but on the highway, that really shouldn't matter.

You feel like your car likes the cold weather? Man, my speed3 just feels sluggish, even down shifting from 5-4 around 4000 rpms is usually the sweet spot for the highway, but when it's really cold, it feels sluggish with the boost cut. Yesterday my car felt totally different.

I also remember hearing somewhere on one of these threads that people were getting the best times at the track around 70-75 degrees outside.
 
anything colder I would think it would be hard to get decent traction, unless the sun was out
 
I'm running some sumitomos, but on the highway, that really shouldn't matter.

You feel like your car likes the cold weather? Man, my speed3 just feels sluggish, even down shifting from 5-4 around 4000 rpms is usually the sweet spot for the highway, but when it's really cold, it feels sluggish with the boost cut. Yesterday my car felt totally different.

I also remember hearing somewhere on one of these threads that people were getting the best times at the track around 70-75 degrees outside.

I know my car likes the cold weather. Even my girlfriend notices it. Well tires will definately make a big difference. I am running studded tires and they are awesome on the ice. I can safely say that my car hasnt felt sluggish at all in this cold. The only problem I have is with suspension noise.
 
It may have to do with the fact that in cold weather with more dense air the fuel system is trying to keep up and the duty cycle is getting high the ecu thinks you're running out of fuel so it pulls timing to keep the engine safe???

I tripped a cel this morning at 33 degrees due to maf high input voltage which is typically triggered from what i mentioned...fuel can't quite keep up.
 
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I know that it is common knowledge about the cold weather boost cut. My question is why??? Turbo'd engines are supposed to run more effeicent in colder weather, right? If anything, I could understand a boost cut in hotter weather as the turbo's could cook themselves if boosted too hot.

It is noticable in my car, even on the highway, I can just feel that the engine just does not feel as spirited. Why did mazda do this?

P.s. It was around 60 degrees yesterday, compared to the freezing temperatures we have been having for the last month or so, and the car felt so much different.
Just a science Lesson for you.. Cold Air is LESS DENSE then HOT AIR... and your gettting boost cut cause like said earlier boost is building faster then in the warmer air and your hitting boost cut sooner.
 
Just a science Lesson for you.. Cold Air is LESS DENSE then HOT AIR... and your gettting boost cut cause like said earlier boost is building faster then in the warmer air and your hitting boost cut sooner.

wrong. completely.

the colder the air, the more dense the air.

Effect of temperature
C - kg/m (DENSITY)
−10 - 1.342
−5 - 1.317
0 - 1.292
+5 - 1.269
+10 - 1.247
+15 - 1.225
+20 - 1.204
+25 - 1.184
+30 - 1.165

theres a science lesson,

and heres another..

heat rises.
(less dense).
 
Just a science Lesson for you.. Cold Air is LESS DENSE then HOT AIR... and your gettting boost cut cause like said earlier boost is building faster then in the warmer air and your hitting boost cut sooner.

I call BS. How do you think hot air balloons work? You have your science lesson backwards.(homework)
 
one thing that everyone is forgetting is that the outside air is cold, but the engine air is warm. the cold air expands as it heats and produces more psi.
 
yes, cold air is more dense, but why would mazda mess with the boost. Let the turbo run better in the cold weather, don't mess with my boost!!!
 
if you spray to much the screws on the metal floorboard on ur passenger side might explode out and you might lose the metal piece.

so watch out.

oh and its not how you stand by your car, its how you drive it.

oh also, it doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winnings winning.
 
Cold Air is LESS DENSE then HOT AIR

Fail statement of the year.

And are you people talking about BOOST CUT or BOOST REDUCTION? Boost cut is from boosting more than you're supposed to (stock ECU is set around 18psi) and causes a fairly violent bucking of the car.
 
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I was going to say go easy on the guy but soooo many threads these days with people throwing insults and calling names it really is rediculous.

Probably from a 17yo kid that just got an MS3 with a bow on it from mommy and daddy and don't even know how to change their damn oil!! Not saying anyone here is one of those people maybe 90% of the insults should be held back!
 
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