Alternatives to stock MS6 gearing? I’d rather not be at 2700rpm at 70 mph.

Discussion in 'Mazdaspeed 6 Transmission/Drivetrain' started by MS6orBUST, Jan 16, 2025.

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  1. MS6orBUST

    MS6orBUST Silver Member

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    Hello everyone, just looking to see what realistic options are available if I wanted to get back a little fuel economy without destroying this cars soul.
    I’ve heard people swapping MS3 gears into the transmission but not sure how that works with the awd system.

    anything is appreciated even if it’s just information on where to start reading.
     
    MS6orBUST, via an iPhone, Jan 16, 2025
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  2. Enki

    Enki Moderator Motorhead Platinum Member

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    Genwon ms3 and ms6 have the same ratios IIRC. You can get a lot of MPG out of driving habits, as well as some minor tune changes.

    Ultimately, if you bought this car for the MPG, you chose wrong; smiles per gallon here only!
     
  3. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    The cost to change gear ratios will never pay off. A custom tune would be a better bet
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Jan 18, 2025
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  4. MS6orBUST

    MS6orBUST Silver Member

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    No didn’t buy it for mpg, I knew what it was lol. I average 27 because I do watch my foot pedal. I just don’t like that it’s at 3k at 75mph. The gearing is just too short, I mean I’ll probably never do it but I’d consider it if there were real options available that I just didn’t know about. Real options that aren’t having a machine shop design and make me a set of gears.

    I appreciate your feedback though, absolutely right that driving style is always the first step. I’m 37 with three kids under 5, I drive to work everyday at 5 am. I ain’t trying to spill my coffee because someone else wants to play race car in the morning
     
    MS6orBUST, via an iPhone, Jan 25, 2025
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  5. MS6orBUST

    MS6orBUST Silver Member

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    How is the tune going to change it if the car is manual. I just don’t understand how a fuel map is guna help. Not arguing I just really don’t know, unless you mean like throttle position or response time. Even then I’m trying to wrap my brain around it
     
    MS6orBUST, via an iPhone, Jan 25, 2025
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  6. DISIFTW

    DISIFTW Motorhead Platinum Member

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    A more conservative custom tune will help with mpg is what he’s implying
     
    DISIFTW, via an iPhone, Jan 25, 2025
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  7. Enki

    Enki Moderator Motorhead Platinum Member

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    This isn't the issue you think it is. Seriously. 3k RPM is a good spot for this engine to be in because that's where it's actually most efficient. Any higher than like 3500, and the friction losses start adding up. Any lower, and you're fighting against VE and having to use more pedal to increase the torque, which costs fuel.

    There are several tricks that can be done in tune to improve MPG. Once upon a time, I got 400 miles to the tank on a mix of 50/50 gas and E85, and was getting ~30 MPG on the freeway at 80-85 MPH with the AC on, if memory serves.

    Edit: I'm self-tuned and that 400 mile tank was a work trip from city to city and included probably 3 WOT pulls, so the MPG could have been better.
     
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  8. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    Easy change the cruise afr from say 13.0 to 13.5 and you are using 4% less fuel
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Jan 25, 2025
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  9. MS6orBUST

    MS6orBUST Silver Member

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    Ahh well the more you know I guess. Thanks again
     
    MS6orBUST, via an iPhone, Jan 25, 2025
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  10. MS6orBUST

    MS6orBUST Silver Member

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    I understand that I guess I was looking for what that looks like. Understanding the science behind it more clearly
     
    MS6orBUST, via an iPhone, Jan 25, 2025
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  11. Enki

    Enki Moderator Motorhead Platinum Member

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    If you're not self tuning, you should probably ask your tuner.
     
  12. MS6orBUST

    MS6orBUST Silver Member

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    I’d like to do it buttttt I also have tons of other responsibilities. I need to probably find a good e tuner. I doubt my area (Charleston, SC) has someone that is reliable. Might have one shop in mind but they’re euro specialists

    if I just imagine it to be tuned maybe it will be. Ork power
     
    MS6orBUST, via an iPhone, Jan 25, 2025
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  13. Enki

    Enki Moderator Motorhead Platinum Member

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    Should probably use one of the forum vendors, as they have the most experience tuning this platform. You don't tune DI like you tune PI, though that should be less of a concern when picking your tuner these days. Just sayin.
     
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  14. MS6orBUST

    MS6orBUST Silver Member

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    true. Only experience I’ve had with it was from my e30 that my brother and I dropped a 13b II in it. Was a fun car to say the least, Jesus that was 15 years ago
     
    MS6orBUST, via an iPhone, Jan 25, 2025
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