Mini Mazda Modding (2011 Mazda 2)

[Micmac1911]

The mpg calculation is based on air flow through the MAF sensor, and a lot more air is going through. I'm sure you calculate your mpg on fill up anyway, so it really doesn't matter. Corksport stuff seems to be well thought out.

[MobilOne]

HI APC,
You do good work.
Two thoughts: How about some BB's into your tires for dynamic balancing? 2nd thought: On the vacuum gauge, you want an analog gauge so that you can see the motion of the needle as you use the accelerator. A digital gauge wouldn't give one the "feel" that an analog gauge would.

[Micmac1911]

APC,
Mobil Juan demonstrates a good point; never bring a 'bag to a gentleman's conversation. Double ought is the minimum size shot suitable for eco tires.

[apc]

Ah, ok. I figured it was based on the injectors. I fell out of the habit of tracking by hand, but am resuming.

[apc]

Summer comes and back in gear!

Seems something's wrong with my photobucket for all my earlier pics. This looks to be a common problem with them. I can't find any local copies so I can't go back and replace them. I've contacted their support so hopefully all the links will be restored soon.


So...


Giving the wheel covers another shot. Balance issues killed the pizza pans, so this time I'm going with good ol' coroplast. Actually found it in black, too.

The Mazda wheels have little center caps that I decided are perfect mounting points. They clip in very strong and have to be punched out from the back of the wheel to remove them.


Template time...








About 8.25" from center to the edge of the tire.







The little caps with mounting posts added.





Template transferred to coroplast. This stuff is a pain to cut with scissors, but it's the easiest way to make circles.





Fits! Washers glued to front and back of cover.





Added bracing to prevent folding on the weak axis.





Pressed flat and curing overnight.


Install tomorrow!

[apc]

Also, I did get a new intake. It's a CAI drawing air from behind the driver's side foglight. This left the big mass of unused airbox sitting atop the engine as the ECU is actually integrated into the airbox. I finally got around to remedying the situation this weekend.


Stock:





The ECU is the finned part with the Mazda emblem.


Mine:







Made a little bracket to tuck ECU between the engine and the battery. Note the CAI running down the bottom right. The CAI has definitely added a couple MPG.

Yes, I need to clean my engine bay.

[freebeard]

My first thought was chromed Acorn nuts; but wing-nuts would be hilarious.

[apc]

Wing nuts indeed. Gotta be easily removable for routine pressure checks. Haven't decided if I want to find some in black!

[Fingie]

this makes me want to make wheel covers

[apc]

BAH! They went on, fit great, looked really cool...

Then when testing highway speeds the front two flew off somewhere. If I stayed with this design I'd have to go back to zipties through the wheel spokes, which would be tricky to do without folding the material.

As Edison said, I've simply found another way that doesn't work.