zoom44,

It doesn't say anything in the FSM ot TH booklet. I don't have the training booklet to look over. I just know if you put 87 octane in the car, you basically get the turbo taken away, and are left with a 3500 or so lb 6i.

yz007,

Perchance did you ask the dealer what octane they put in the car?

 

Actually I'd imagine that as soon as it detects knock takes off boost above 4200 rpm (I don't think it can actually analyze fuel). However on cold winter days, lower octane fuel should work, since the intake air is cooler and the intercooler is more effective.

 

I don't know about most but if I'm not impressed with a car I wouldn't consider one if I was looking at that style car. And Todreamer is right, an 8 doesn't have much of a chance in a straight line. Understeer is the name of the game for the speed6 but it still handles quite nice for a larger car. Certainly better than a Legacy GT or Altima V6 but in no way does it feel as sharp as an 8.....but what does?

 

Took my 8 to the dealership today to get my fish bowl taken care of (water in tail light). decided to meander over an look at the ms6 in the show room. Adimittedly, the car looks good but when i sat down in it...

It feels stiff and icky. 178 hp or not, i think we chose wisely. This is just my weak attempt at making myself feel better about it. Again i asked hopefully if there were any plans for an 8 turbo and again my naive hopes were squashed like a red-headed step child's on christmas.

 

274 bhp and 280 ft/lbs are the specs.

 

Sorry Crossbow. Clearly my memory was clouded by my Grief. Please forgive my four hp mistake. I prostrate myself before your knowledge, superiority and greatness.

 

At least you didn't say prostate.

 

exactly what i was getting at - thanks globi. better cooling could allow you to run lower octane with the same power since it would help prevent knock.

 

relax dude.. he was just correcting you... I dont think he meant any ill intentions

 

heh heh, yeah, heh heh. you said prostate. heh heh, thatth cool. heh heh. (sorry, i was channelling Buthead for a moment.)

 

Wasn't trying to be rude. sometimes i forget that the spirit of levity does not really translate well in text. meant no disrespect. Sometimes i get a feeling like we are all friends and sharing experiences and i forget that you don't know me or my sarcastic personality. I meant no disrespect. apologies.

 

You typed 178, so I felt a correction was in order. I don't think I would have posted anything if you typed 270 or something .

 

Considering the difference in the actual whp of the 8 and the advertised "hp" by mazda, relatively speaking, i would have probably been closer at about 138. (chuckle) Seriously though, meant no disrespect.

I appreciate the level of knowledge and attention to detail that people who post to this forum have and I have made good use of it plenty of times. Thanks.

 

checked it out and it is knock that drops the power. as soon a sknock is detected it cuts boost by openign a valve before the wastegate. no boost = heavy car with not much power

 

Figured as much...that would probably also explain the "grandma-mode" some tech's have talked about on the track days mazda hosted.

Temps get too high, knock detector goes off, car cuts all boost. Its a good system, but only if it takes a seriously extreme situation to set it off.

Find out anything about the radiator by chance? I'm trying to calculate how much money it'll take to prep the thing for track days.

 

I got to be the first customer to testdrive one little over an hour ago, the local dealer (Bob King Mazda, great dealer btw), called me when it came in. Didn't get to test the handling, but the power is awesome, the thing just takes off at 2.5k rpms. I didn't take it above 4.5k in respect for the person that actually buys it, but it accelerates nicely. The interior and exterior is nicely done, and the fit and finish is great. Very nice car, but I love the rotary too much and will stick with my 8, just can't get enough of the 8.

One last note, driving it down a crowded road, didn't get any looks, just another 6, but alway get looks in the 8. Can't beat the 8's styling.

 

Yea that was one of my questions to the dealer, I asked him if they put 87 octane, which they may have, I told him to give me a call if they found out anything. The car felt quick but, I guess I was just expecting more, I drove a legacy gt and I felt that that car felt faster.... so maybe it was the gas.

 

yz007,

There is a rash of spreading power loss issues going around with the cars. The engineers are trying to figure out whats causing it. Normal new model bugs. Basically once the car starts cutting boost past 4k, it continues to do so until you shut it off and turn it back on.

So if your test driving an MPS 6, or own an MPS 6, and you suddenly lose power past 4,000 rpm (its around 4200 rpm specifically), please send me a pm as I'm feeding data from the forums to individuals who can do something about it.

There is a verified heat soak issue if the car is driven hard on a 80F+ day, but this other issue is unrelated to that, and has occured to some cars in as cold as -5C.

 

Dude are you on assignment from Mazda? Not a single MAzdaspeed6 thread goes by without your helpful comments getting involved... :D

and now when ever you post I'm hearing Brian's voice from Family Guy in my head when I read.......

GET OUTTA MY HEAD!!!!lol

 

hes the Mazda6tech version of me

 

TODreamer,

I'm heavily interested in the MPS 6 as a possible car for myself, so I'm standing right in the stream of info as it flies around, and just trying to share as much as possible.

As with any new model, there is a "beta testing phase", where all the new kinks get worked out. I just want to help get them worked out as quickly as possible so I can get one all fixed up purty!

Then of course I'm also debating towards the rx8...decisions decisions. Just sick and tired of an open differential FWD. I can't even drive to work without TCS going bonkers or spinning a single wheel. I won't even get into the track. If anyone is curious, the rx8 is currently winning my internal debate, just because of "K.I.S.S.". (Keep it simple stupid)

Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Front Wheel Drive!

 

Heat soak issues... the hood has got to go. Not that I mind really...never really cared for it. I would have preferred a front closer to the normal 6 with a Legacy style (NOT STi... and yes they are different) hood scoop. The other choice would be to go Evo style... vent the hood and use a FMIC... this is probably the best solution....

 

Crossbow... want to avoid open different FWD and TCS issues? The Subaru AWD system would be a better choice... meaning get a Legacy over a MS6.

 

Yup the legacy is in the list too. But then it bumps into the Sti and Evo. Everything's in the list...

But then you get to the point of getting away from commuter vehicles and towards track cars that can dual duty as consumer vehicles (vs the other way around).

At which point I start thinking it would be better to just get a dedicated track car (like a 94-95 miata) and just live with FWD on the streetz!

The legacy is definitely the mod friendly of the two vehicles...under 1k in mods and your already +30-+40 whp...

 

Looks like we are in the same boat!......