The European CX-5 2L makes 165HP vs 155HP with premium fuel and an increase in compression ratio from 13:1 to 14:1.
I find it hard to believe 25HP gain with same compression ratio and without ill-effects.
Also, both Mazda 3 and MX-5 have the same 155HP (at flywheel) 2L engine. The 3 gets max 150 lbft at 4000 vs 148 at 4600 in the MX-5. Not sure why there is a difference. However, all a tune could possibly do is to increase HP at the flywheel, as transmission losses will not change. Perhaps the MX-5 has less transmission losses?
I too believe that Mazda maximized efficiency of its engine by carefully engineering all components, such that tolerance margins are ever so slim, not what they used to be on older engines. If they could shave it even more to increase efficiency, without impacting reliability, they would have. That is why I think that eating more into these margins will impact reliability in long to medium term.
I could take pictures of the maps and show you where mazda Detuned certain areas. They actually ramped the VVT back up right at 6000 RPM but cut it off everywhere below except where it makes max torque. The mazda 3 2.0L does not put 150 ft lbs down on any dyno stock. You have to stop looking at the rated numbers and look at REAL WORLD numbers.
Look guys I could care less if you believe me or not, I have been tuning these engines for years, We just had our turbo skyactiv sedan at the track last night.
Believe whatever the hell you want.
Mazda has a 165 version and 120 version in the EU. Exact same engine. You think Mazda detuned one of them to 120 for safety reasons?...... I bet you don't even know what is limited in the tune that stops it from making 165...
Think about this for a moment. These engines have some of the highest compression ratios on the market, lightweight components. 14:1 compression for christ sake you and REALLY DON'T BELIEVE YOU CAN GET MORE POWER?? The Honda K20 makes over 230 WHP with bolt ons and 11:1 compression, without direct injection (which allows for more aggressive yet safe tuning).
14:1 compression ran on 87 octane. Mazda detuned the hell out of these engines. I'm really sorry to say this but you'd have to be pretty damn dumb or clueless to think they are near their potential on 87 OCTANE!!!
By the way, the difference in the tune with the US vs EU market ones aint much.
Now once again, I have tuned these engines for years, so I think I just might have a bit more understanding on these than what you can read on google. And I say that because i'm 99.99% certain none of you have put one on an engine dyno, torn it down and measured the specs, weighed the components, flowed the head, etc.
Unless some of you have? Please share.