OooooK, here's a big question. I'm just getting the engine broken in on my M3i (2.0L 4dr) and would like the benefit of other drivers' experience here. I've been careful not to abuse the clutch and throttle till everything gets settled in, but eventually I want to explore the higher rpm ranges and enjoy the car a little. I can already tell that the engine has some decent low-end torque and it pulls well at highway speeds... but I'm still being gentle and holding the tach under 3500 for a while. Maybe till after the first oil change. BTW, I intentionally avoided the Speed3 because the temptation would probably be too much, and gas mileage is more important to me than the extra power. I'm perfectly happy with the compromise, but I can tell the 2.0 is still a quick and nimble performer. That's why I bought it instead of the competitors.

Anyway, how does the 2.0 respond to high revs? Anyone know what the torque curve looks like? I know there's a limiter on the engine, but is it pointless to ever take it above 5000? 6000? Please share your experiences.

 

Ideally,the maximum usable rpm should be right about where the torque and hp curves overlap. In the Mazda3 2.3L it's right around 5200 rpm.
The 2.0has a shorter stroke/same boreso is probably a little higher (I'm guessing,) but not much.I've seen a power curve for the 2.0, but don't remember it well enough to be more specific.
I believe redline is @ 6.5K for both engines and the rev limiter is set around 7300, but why bother, right?

 

Just my thought, yes. I can't find a torque curve either, but it's widely quoted to be pretty flat and broad. Hoping someone can share their experience with running the 2.0 at high revs to confirm... I suspect it'll be a few weeks before I get enough mileage on the car and have a clear, dry day to take one of our back roads to try it myself.

 

I think the 2.0 hits it's highest power at about 5300 rpm iirc. Even still it makes a good amount of power below that so you can still have fun and not waste gas.

 

So far I'm on my third tank of gas. #1 - 29.7 mpg. #2 - 30.7. #3 - 31.5. It's coming on nicely.

 

Only your third tank full and you think the engine is near break-in?
Mine didn't really get going until ~8K. But you don't have to take it easy on it that long. The recommended break-in is that you don't maintain a constant speed for a long period of time. Vary your speed a lot and you should be fine.

 

Drive it the way you plan on driving it for the rest of the time you own it. Mine was 2 weeks old and driving around a race track at 110 mph [8D]

 

Oh heck no, I've owned enough cars that I'm not ready to declare it broken in yet. I'm just pleased that the mileage is increasing even though I'm not yet using all the economy tricks. I've avoided using the cruise control, and my daily drive includes a 5 MPH jaunt up the parking garage ramp as well as a 70-mph dash into town. The only thing I'm doing right now is keeping the rpm below 3500 and avoiding clutch slip till I feel I am comfortable with the power curve. I've goosed it a few times to gauge the acceleration, just not applying WOT yet.

 

[sm=lildevil.gif] Unfortunately, I probably am already. It's a great-handling car that I can brag about the gas mileage to my wife; though I'm not against taking the occasional deserted country road at speed when I'm sure it's safe. I'm saving the Steve McQueen stuff for my sim racing cockpit in the rec room.

 

how about this (blue curve it is). No overlay power output on this, but the max power is at 6,200 rpm. so I guess you can play around 4000-5000 rpm.




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