BBR Mazda 3 2.2 185 PS Diesel

BBR Mazda 3 2.2 185 PS diesel

Long established performance enhancement specialist BBR is pleased to announce a range of exciting additions to its successful portfolio of upgrades for the Mazda marque, this time targeting the firm’s increasingly popular and sporty turbodiesel models. Customers had already approached the Brackley based tuner regarding performance upgrades and following on from the company’s hugely successful MX-5 and MPS conversions BBR’s management decided to respond to the needs of the Mazda diesel driving enthusiast.

BBR has leveraged its expertise to develop its own range of StarChip ECU remaps and mechanical enhancements for the Mazda diesel range of vehicles using its brand new, state of the art 4WD chassis dynomometer which ensures an even higher level of reliable, repeatable, economy friendly performance.

As of today, BBR conversions are currently available for the following Mazda diesel models:

Model Year Engine Capacity (litre) Power (PS)
3 2006- 2.0 / 2.2 121/143/150/185
5 2006- 2.0 / 2.2 121/143/150/185
6 2007- 2.0 / 2.2 121/143/150/185
CX7 2008- 2.0 / 2.2 143/185

NOTE: Upgrades for the latest 175PS Mazda 6 are currently under development.

Details on the BBR Mazda turbo diesel upgrades are as follows:-

BBR Phase One – Mazda 2.0 / 2.2-litre Diesel Upgrades

Dyno proven to gain:

  • 38 bhp / 68 lb.ft torque on 2.2-litre 185 PS Mazda turbodiesel models
  • 41 bhp / 60 lb.ft torque on 2.2-litre 150 PS Mazda turbodiesel models

The entry-level BBR upgrade transforms the performance and driveability of the 2.0 / 2.2-litre Mazda turbo diesel engine via an ECU remap, delivering ‘MPS style’ performance whilst retaining turbodiesel fuel economy. With reprogramming of the standard Mazda ECU, fuel, airflow and boost requirements are carefully re-mapped for all conditions. BBR’s StarChip ECU remap software has been calibrated to deliver an extremely linear throttle pedal / turbo boost map, resulting in a considerably smoother driving experience compared to the factory ECU settings. As a result BBR is confident that this ECU remap represents the finest blend of drivable performance, delivering sufficient excitement for the enthusiast driver whilst retaining all the factory Mazda electronic failsafe systems.

Allied to a huge improvement in throttle response, the BBR upgrade extends the power range, while peak horsepower is substantially enhanced by 38 bhp (to a total of 219 bhp.) Similarly, the Mazda’s torque output is transformed with a 68 lb.ft gain (to a maximum of 378 lb.ft) which delivers sensational in-gear and overtaking thrust.

Impressively, careful analysis by BBR’s technicians of fuel consumption patterns on these Mazda models has enabled the Starchip ECU remap to deliver significant economy gains while cruising, making the upgrade ideally suited for higher mileage drivers.

It is worth noting that BBR achieves similar gains on the lower powered Mazda 121/143 PS 2.0-litre turbodiesel variants, while customers with 150 PS 2.2-litre Mazda models can exceed the factory 185 PS power output using the BBR Phase One conversion. Dyno testing has proven impressive peak figures of 192 bhp and 330 lb.ft of torque on this lower powered variant.

Retail prices for the BBR Phase One Mazda upgrade are as follows:-

£499.00 – Fitted and custom mapped on BBR’s in-house chassis dynomometer

£599.00 – DIY Including EcuTek ProEcu programming kit (a £150 option when installed at BBR)

NOTE: BBR offers the option of tailoring the Mazda Diesel Starchip ECU remap to suit a client’s driving requirements allowing the firm to optimise the calibration to either prioritise low fuel consumption or high performance if required.

BBR Phase Two – Mazda 2.0 / 2.2-litre Diesel Upgrades

  • Dyno proven to gain 62 bhp / 82 lb.ft torque

For serious enthusiasts seeking even higher levels of performance, BBR’s Phase Two package provides a sensational power upgrade for Mazda diesel owners that delivers real MPS style performance at an affordable price. BBR’s Phase Two adds a direct replacement ‘hybrid’ turbocharger with modified internals for additional gasflow potential, plus includes a high flowing panel air filter with additional ECU remapping to suit.

The power gains that BBR achieves are substantial with this conversion. Peak power is raised to 243 bhp on the 180 PS 2.2-litre models, allied to a mighty 392 lb.ft of torque (the latter being restricted by the torque capacity of the stock clutch). By comparison the petrol turbo flagship Mazda 3 MPS variant produces 256 bhp and a ‘mere’ 280 lb.ft.

Extensively tested by BBR both on road and track, this is the ultimate Mazda diesel conversion that offers high performance at a readily affordable price. It is worth nothing that a similar upgrade can be installed on the lower power Mazda diesel variants, courtesy of BBR’s catalogue of additional turbo and injector options, but the power increases would vary according to base model specification.

Retail prices for the BBR Phase Two Mazda upgrade are as follows:-

£1499.00 – Fitted and custom mapped on BBR’s in-house chassis dynomometer

£1199.00 – DIY Including EcuTek ProEcu programming kit (a £150 option when installed at BBR)

BBR and EcuTek

All BBR developed Mazda diesel StarChip ECU software is installed using EcuTek’s ProEcu interface platform. DIY customers and customers opting for the BBR installation service can also elect to buy the EcuTek ProEcu programming kit, which includes numerous additional features such as:

  • High speed CAN data logging, including Diesel Particular Filter (DPF) related parameters
  • DPF Tool, including ‘Force DPF Regeneration’ feature
  • Injector Coding Tool
  • Oil Service Counter Reset tool
  • Mazda fault code diagnostics / reset tool

The additional functions offered by the EcuTek ProEcu package can greatly reduce the overheads of maintaining any one of the 2.0 and 2.2-litre Mazda turbodiesel models, extending DPF life and allowing owners to disable fault codes.

BBR Mazda Chassis upgrades

1) BBR Mk2 Mazda 3 MPS Performance Spring set

To compliment BBR’s range of engine upgrades for the Mazda diesel car range, the firm has developed its own suspension upgrades to improve the chassis dynamics of the popular Mazda 3 model both on road and track. Extensive testing by BBR has resulted in a set of performance springs designed to compliment the characteristics of the Mazda 3’s standard dampers whilst sharpening the car’s responses as well as moderately lowering the ride height.

Priced at £185.00, the BBR Mazda springs are available now, with an installation charge of £300.00 which includes a full four wheel geometry alignment session.

2) BBR Mazda Koni top adjustable dampers

BBR has found that many of its Mazda clients have reported the uncomfortable ride on the Mazda 3 is far from enjoyable for longer touring journeys and compromises handling in many fast road situations for UK drivers.

The solution is to install a set of BBR specification Koni top adjustable dampers that are compatible with either the standard Mazda springs or BBR’s own performance spring set.

The BBR Mazda 3 Koni top adjustable dampers are available now priced at £580.00. Installation at BBR’s workshops costs £300.00, including a full four wheel geometry alignment session.