Saturday, June 20, 2009

Cosworth Ford Duratec / Mazda MZR performance engine components.







Performance engine components for the Ford Duratec and Mazda MZR. Cosworth has been modifying Ford four cylinder engines since 1959 and the practice continues with the Ford Duratec/Mazda MZR. The Duratec/MZR was designed as a replacement for the Zetec engine and was developed as joint collaboration with Ford and Mazda. The lightweight engine features a cast aluminum reinforced block and main bearing girdle that help reduce vibration and improve overall rigidity. The Duratec is an excellent, affordable building block for high performance use and perfect for Lotus Seven inspired sports cars, rally cars and racing. It is considered the engine of choice for mid level racing because of the light weight construction and power potential. During an extensive development program, Cosworth has engineered and developed a complete range of performance engine components and engine assemblies designed to provide reliable performance for serious racers and performance enthusiasts. Ranging from forged connecting rods and pistons to complete assembled performance engines, Cosworth Engine Components are engineered for maximum reliable power.






The standard cast crankshaft is suitable for high performance applications that will not exceed 7700 rpm. An upgraded crankshaft is required for racing use or when sustained engine rpm exceed 7700 rpm. Cosworth billet steel crankshafts are machined from superior EN40B and Nitrited for maximum strength. Each billet steel crankshaft is machined to precise tolerances with a light weight profile. Additionally, a key way is machined to locate the chain sprocket and pulley.

Specifications:
  • EN40B Steel
  • Light weight profile
  • Includes machined key way
  • 29.5lbs / 13.3Kg

Cylinder Heads and Valve Train Components


9 products available



Cosworth Supercharger for NCEC













The Cosworth bolt on Supercharger system for the 2006 through 2008 Mazda MX-5 features a state of the art 4th generation Eaton MP62 rotating group housed in an integral inlet manifold. It was designed as a compact, flexible supercharger system for increased power with original equipment quietness and reliability without adversely affecting fuel economy. The MP62 has proven itself in a number of OE applications.







































The all inclusive, bolt-on system features an efficient air to water intercooler, upgraded fuel system and complete installation hardware. A high flow air box cover and a revised accessory drive arrangement complete the major components list. An included re-flashing device takes care of fuel and ignition calibration. This kit is currently available for North American specification vehicles with manual transmission and is configured for otherwise un-modified engines.





System requirements:

* -Installation time 12-14 hours depending on skill level.
* -A lap top (PC) along with basic computer skills is required for ECU re-flash.
* -Must use at least premium 91 octane (R+M)/2 fuel.

Precautions:
The Cosworth MX5 Supercharger system is currently available for vehicles sold only in North America. Using this product on vehicles sold in other regions is not recommended.

* -Not for use on vehicles with automatic transmissions
* -For off-road racing use only.
* -Not for sale or use on pollution controlled motor vehicles sold in the state of California.
* -Do not drive at sustained high speeds. Engine damage may occur.
Cosworth is not responsible for engine damage or failure.
* -Excessive boost pressure will cause engine failure.
* -Repeated activation of the RPM limited will cause engine damage.
The car should be driven by shifting the transmission below 6500 RPMs.
Cosworth is not responsible for engine damage or failure.
* -Your car must be equipped with an oil cooler. Do not install the supercharger kit unless your car has an oil cooler. Engine damage will occur. Cosworth is not responsible for engine damage or failure.
* -Cosworth Supercharger kits are designed for engines in good mechanical condition only. Installation on high mileage or damaged engines is not recommended and may result in engine failure, in which we are not responsible.
Cosworth is not responsible for the engine or consequential damages.
* -Superchargers add tremendous stress and wear to your engine and may cause engine failure or damage. Cosworth is not responsible for engine, vehicle or any other subsequent damage.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Garage Vary Front Garnish finally installed :)

Finally got the Garage Vary front garnish installed.. came back from the spray shop and had a nice wash and it looks damm good ! I will take better pics another day and post them up :)

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Mallory Ignition coils & CDI Systems.

I have been getting a couple of questions on the good aftermarket ignition coils and CDI systems for the NA & NB miata's and since both models are using the standard ignition coil systems there is still plenty of aftermarket ignition coils to be used on NA & NB Miata's.

What does a CDI system do for your car? Well read on...

A conventional induction ignition creates a spark by applying electric potential (12 volts) to the primary side of the coil. The coil steps the primary potential up to as much as 10,000 volts and delivers this high voltage to the spark plugs. However, this "step up" process is relatively slow, and as crank speed (rpm) increases, the secondary voltage declines dramatically.

This limitation was partially solved by the development of capacitive-discharge ignition (CDI) systems. Instead of applying 12 volts to the coil, a CD ignition increases the primary current by storing it in a kind of miniature battery called a capacitor. When this higher primary current is applied to the coil, the secondary voltage is dramatically increased.

The principal advantage of a CDI system is the ability to present a superior spark to the air/fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber, thus maximizing burn efficiency. The easiest way to get a bigger spark is to increase the spark plug gap size. However, increasing the gap distance also increases the voltage necessary to ionize the air/fuel mixture. And the resistance of the air/fuel mixture increases as the mixture is pressurized in the cylinder, requiring even higher voltage to spark across a plug. A CDI system provides the higher voltage required by the increased spark plug gap size, thus providing very intense spark.

A CDI ignition system can create spark potential as high as 37,000 volts. Most engines only need about 20,000 volts for reliable ignition. The stock system begins to 'droop' as the rpm goes up. At highway speeds, the spark voltage becomes more and more marginal, averaging about 18,000 volts. With a CDI system, the step up process is very fast compared to a conventional 12-volt induction. This assures a more consistent spark delivery across the plug gap, even at very high crank speeds (rpm).

Note: The consistently higher voltage will cause neoprene-type insulation to break down rather rapidly. You need sparkplug wires with better insulation, such as silicone or non-metallic.

The carbon conductor in the non-metallic leads will produce less radio interference and won't corrode like metallic leads. Electrically, if you've got 37000 volts available, the ignition system can't tell the difference between metallic & non-metallic leads.

We recommend NGK spark plugs, gapped to 0.040 inch. (See our Tune-Up Procedures for more detail regarding spark plug removal and reinstallation.

Note from Bob Hoover -- The CDI module doesn't claim to be anything special, just a good basic ignition system. If all you want is a good, reliable ride, it's the best idea since beer in cans. It will save you money, help clean up the environment and make your car run better, all at the same time.

Rob wrote regarding the CDI system - The CDI ignition kit DOES help with cold starts and produces fractionally better fuel economy. The plugs DO last longer too. The one I built many years ago worked well with the standard plug wires, but I suppose the more modern ones would need better wires for the higher voltages they generate.

~~~

A Bob Hoover Sermonette on CDI Systems

(Used with permission.)

Two types of CDI units are offered -- a points-triggered CDI module and an optically-triggered CDI module.

Most distributors are not well sealed. There is always some amount of oil vapor inside the unit. Combined with the carbon granules that wear off the central button in the distributor cap, over time this obscures the IR pickup on the optical sensor and results in misfires. It doesn't happen suddenly -- you get some warning that things aren't working right -- and a Q tip soaked in alcohol cleans it right up. But there are plenty of times, such as when you're in freeway traffic, when you just can't afford to have your engine start missing.

The points-triggered module is designed to trigger off the stock points and works equally well when triggered by an electronic switch that uses magnetic sensing, such as the Pertronix.

The basic circuit in the CDI module -- the 'singing aluminum brick' you mount on your firewall or wherever, stays the same no matter what method of triggering is used. The two modules (points-triggered and optically-triggered) are not interchangeable without going inside the unit and resoldering some wires.

The stock points work okay for triggering the unit... sorta :-) The points never wear out since the triggering signal is only about two hundred and fifty milliamps (a quarter of an amp) as compared to 10 or 11 amps in the stock system. But the rubbing block wears down and you have to regap the points every 25000 miles or so. And as the miles build up the spring on the points weakens and you start to see points bounce, even at fairly low speeds. But points are inexpensive, robust and universally available making their use practical. I started using CDI modules in the 1960's and used the stock points for triggering until something better came along.

As a final note, a lotta guys go to a CDI module because they are having ignition problems and sure enough, the problem goes away once the unit is installed. You'll hear this same story from guys who merely replace their points with a Pertronix or other brand of electronic switch. But the odds are, the problem would have gone away with a good tune-up or rebuilding the distributor, which needs its seals replaced about every 50000 to 70000 miles. If your distributor needs an overhaul, the mainshaft will be loose and that looseness will cause excessive 'hunting' -- the spark won't always occur at the proper time.

A CDI module will trigger reliably with a point gap that's too small to measure (!), meaning it will even trigger reliably (although not accurately) with a distributor that is virtually worn out. By the same token, replacing the points with some form of magnetic triggering often masks that wear. Your distributor is still worn out and should be overhauled or replaced but the 'hunting' will have vanished -- right up until the mainshaft binds or the dog gear breaks off or some other catastropic failure occurs.

There's no such thing as a free lunch :-)


Here is some info on Mallory ignition coils and also some info on my previous Honda Civic VT-i which was using the Mallory ignition coil system and CDI. Article is on TOV Asia, also know as Temple Of Vtec.

Here is some info on the Mallory web site.

Below is the Promaster Ignition Coil which delivers 55,000 volts to the spark plugs!
Here's some notes on the promaster coil:
For street-driven vehicles with breaker point ignition or OE electronic ignition. Delivers optimum performance when used with these Mallory ignition products: UNILITE (r) Distributor with a HYFIRE (r) Capacitive Discharge Ignition, Magnetic Breakerless Distributor with a HYFIRE (r) Capacitive Discharge Ignition, or Dual Point Distributor. Effective to approximately 6500 RPM when used with a point type distributor (depending on engine combination). Effective to approximately 8000 RPM when used with a Mallory HYFIRE Electronic Ignition Control (depending on engine combination).


















Coupled with the Promaster Coil, you can increase the power by installing the HyFire CDI system. Here's some notes on it:
High output multi-spark ignition system. Digital performance at analog prices. Latest microprocessor controlled circuitry. Easy to install. Lightweight aluminum housing - maximum heat transfer. More performance and lower power draw. Quicker acceleration and throttle response. Works with points, OEM or aftermarket electronic ignition, or magnetic crank triggers (exc. hall effect). Primary Output Voltage: 520, Secondary Voltage Output: 45000, Spark Energy: 135mj.












Unfortunately there is no agent for Mallory in Singapore but there is a distributor based on Jakarta, Indonesia. There are however other distributors based in USA and Australia that do export out the Mallory coils.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

2009/2010 MX-5 NC-2 Reviews

Well Mazda has done a bit of a facelift to the NC and now its called the NC2...Lets see how much better it is against the original NC :)






HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of the freshened Mazda Roadster (known as the MX-5 overseas) into the Japanese market. Mazda’s updated iconic lightweight, open-top sports car goes on sale today (December 9, 2008) at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout Japan. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (including consumption tax) range from 2,330,000 to 2,600,000 yen for the soft top models, and from 2,680,000 to 2,950,000 yen for the Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT) models that feature Mazda’s groundbreaking electric roof system.

The latest version of Mazda’s two-seat sports car carries forward the Roadster’s traditional “Jinba Ittai” (“rider and horse as one”) concept, and features detailed improvements in the exterior and interior design, quality, functionality and dynamic performance. As a result, the Roadster is now more fun-to-drive and more desirable than ever. The RHT models, which provide both the enjoyment of open-top driving and the comfort of a coupe, are now even quieter and feature new, exclusive exterior parts, offering customers even higher levels of comfort and quality.

The design of the front fascia has been updated with Mazda’s hallmark five-point grille. A stronger character line that stretches along the lower edge of the vehicle’s sides has been visually extended to the rear bumper, further enhancing the Roadster’s sporty dynamism. Newly designed alloy wheels (two sizes) now come as standard on all model grades. Three new exterior body colors have been added, including the high quality Aluminum Metallic and vivid Sunflower Yellow.

On the inside, the five gauges on the instrument panel have been newly designed and are highlighted by a dark silver decorative panel. The interior quality is enhanced by a choice of tactile brown leather seats or Recaro bucket seats upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara®*1. Comfort levels are also improved through the addition of heated seats with a temperature control with five temperature settings (for grades with leather seats only).

The rev limit on grades with a manual transmission has been increased to 7,500 rpm for improved driving performance. The height of the front roll center has been optimized, and the retuned suspension makes the vehicle’s handling even more natural. Additionally, automatic grades now offer Direct Mode*2 and Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)*3 functions for an even sportier ride. Improvements have also been made to the engine and body to enhance noise reduction levels and provide a more satisfying engine sound.

The Mazda Roadster was certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s highest production two-seat open-top sports car when production passed 500,000 units in 2000. Guinness has updated the Roadster’s record since then, which now stands at over 800,000 units built.

Main features of the refreshed Mazda Roadster

Exterior
The freshened Roadster carries forward the simple elegance and familiar styling of previous Roadsters, yet incorporates Mazda’s latest design motifs.
- The front fascia now features Mazda’s hallmark five-pointed grille. Sharper headlights and bold fog light bezels enhance the lively and refined styling. This further emphasizes the curved corners of the front bumper, which also improves the vehicle aerodynamics.
- More prominent character lines running along the bottom of the vehicle sides strengthen the appearance of the side sill garnish. The character lines have been visually extended to the rear bumper to better express speed and stability.
- The rear end has been updated with new rear combination lights that flow smoothly into the bumper. A larger black rear diffuser further emphasizes the Roadster’s sporty appearance.
- RHT models feature an exclusive mesh grille with a chrome border, chrome headlight inner bezels, silver fog light inner bezels and chrome outer door handles. A high-mounted clear brake light completes the RHT’s distinctive and high quality look.
- All models come with newly designed alloy wheels as standard equipment. The five-spoke 16-inch wheels complement the Roadster’s lightweight image (on the S, NR-A, S RHT and VS RHT model grades). The 17-inch wheels feature 10 rounded spokes for a more dynamic appearance (on the RS and RS RHT model grades). Additionally, forged 17-inch alloy wheels, customized by BBS, are available as a factory-installed option (on the RS, RS RHT and VS RHT grades).
- Eight exterior body colors are available, including three new options: deep Metropolitan Gray Mica, high quality Aluminum Metallic, and Sunflower Yellow, which expresses the Roadster’s Zoom-Zoom spirit.

Interior
The interior design of the freshened Mazda Roadster offers improved quality and functionality in every detail, while the snug cabin conveys a sense of openness.
- A sporty, dark silver decorative panel runs across the center of the dashboard. Silver rings have been added to the air conditioner dials on the center panel to raise the interior quality feel.
- The five gauges on the instrument cluster have been newly designed to make them easier to read. A red LCD screen is located in the center of the meter console. It displays data from the odometer/trip meter, as well as the average fuel consumption and ambient air temperature.
- The design of the inner door pocket has been flattened to increase space in the foot well. Soft padding has been added to the lid on the center console storage box and the door armrests to increase comfort levels.
- The newly designed seats come in four grades. Sporty black fabric seats are available for all grades except the VS RHT. The VS RHT features tactile, Havana Brown leather upholstery as standard equipment. Black leather seat covers (for the RS and the RS RHT grades) and RECARO bucket seats upholstered in a combination of black leather and Alcantara® (for the RS, RS RHT and VS RHT grades) are available as factory-installed options.
- The seats have larger side bolsters for greater support. For added comfort, heated seats with a five-setting temperature control are standard for the VS RHT and available for the RS and RS RHT grades as a factory-installed option.
- A BOSE® sound system, developed exclusively for the Roadster, features a six-channel digital amplifier and seven speakers with independent playback. The system also features AUDIOPILOTTM 2, a BOSE® noise compensation system (available as a factory-installed option on all grades except NR-A).
- An auxiliary jack that is located at the base of the center stack provides connectivity for portable audio devices (standard on the VS RHT and available as a factory-installed option on all other grades except the NR-A).

Driving performance
By reviewing and evolving the basic aspects of the vehicle’s dynamics, such as acceleration, cornering, and braking, Mazda further enhanced the “Jinba Ittai” (“rider and horse as one”) feel that the Roadster has become famous for since the original version was introduced.

Powertrains
- The 2.0-liter double overhead cam (DOHC) engine features a newly forged crankshaft for extra strength. Additionally, new full floating piston pins and revised valve springs raise the engine’s overall operational precision. Maximum output is now generated at 7,000 rpm, up from 6,700 rpm, and the rev limit has been increased from 7,000 to 7,500 rpm. These changes result in a stretched power band at higher engine speeds (for manual transmission models).
- The highly rigid forged crankshaft, together with a stiffer plastic surge tank, contributes to improved quietness when cruising. At the same time, these changes bring out a clearer sound when driving at medium to high speeds. Six-speed manual transmission models also feature a newly developed Induction Sound Enhancer. This amplifies the throbbing noise generated as air is sucked into the engine and reverberates it around the cabin for an even better driving experience.
- The updated six-speed manual transmission provides an even smoother shift feel thanks to the carbon-coated meshing surfaces on the first to fourth triple-cone synchronizers and a larger diameter third to fourth synchronizer.
- The electrically-controlled six-speed automatic (Activematic) transmission now has a “Direct mode” and Active Adoptive Shift (AAS) which enhance the sporty driving experience and provide better response to driver inputs.

Body and chassis
- By lowering the front roll center height by 26 mm, the added vertical load on the outer wheels when cornering is minimized. This results in a more natural amount of body roll when cornering and more linear response to steering inputs. With added improvements to the suspension, the updated Roadster offers improved “Jinba Ittai” handling balanced with a higher quality ride.
- The protruding design of the front bumper corners and the rear combination lights, together with wider front under-floor tire deflectors, contribute to improved aerodynamics.

Quietness
The door modules are made from a stiffer new material and feature a reinforcement rib for extra rigidity. Together with a stronger number two crossmember, these changes make sound insulation better than ever. For RHT models, road noise is further reduced due to the addition of urethane foam filling in the front suspension crossmember and extra sound insulation in the roof.

Environmental and safety features
Mazda evolved the eco-friendly and safety features of the Mazda Roadster to increase its fun-to-drive qualities.
- All models qualify as Super-Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (SU-LEV) by achieving exhaust emissions that are at least 75% lower than the levels required by the Japanese government’s 2005 exhaust emissions standard.
- A display on the instrument panel shows the average fuel consumption and ambient temperature.
- The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system supports linear and confident driving by helping to prevent loss of control when cornering (standard equipment on the RS, RS RHT, and VS RHT grades).
- The Roadster offers excellent collision safety performance thanks to a version of Mazda’s highly rigid Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System that has been specially adapted for an open-top car. Other safety equipment to mitigate potential injuries to occupants and pedestrians includes an airbag system and a bonnet with Mazda’s shock cone structure.

There you have it folks..the NC2 has been facelifted, updated, refined and now ready for you to take ownership..its still the true blue roadster you have always loved with a little extra to keep the smile on your face when you turn the key and shift gear into first..



Thursday, June 4, 2009

NOPRO SHORT STABILIZER LINK SET

Here's the NOPRO short stabilizer link set.
Its Front:50mm shorter than stock and
Rear:25mm shorter than stock.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Garage Vary Front Garnish

Just got my Garage Vary Front Garnish and sent it to Bluwell spray paint shop to have it sprayed and installed. I'm still hoping to find a used NC front bumper to cut and install the garnish on but looks like i will have to do the surgery on my original stock bumper..crossing my fingers all goes well and it will looks as per the pic below :)