13B-REW to LS1 Perspective

[josh18_2k]

The 13B-REW engine has a bad reputation which I consider to be unreasonable.
The engine itself is good, but Mazda grossly un-engineered three supportive support systems.
(1) The radiator was too small considering the power of the engine.
(2) The IC was also too small considering engine power.
(3) ECU programming was negligent as the cooling fans would not work unless the engine reached 221F and emergency /high speed fan usage (thermoswitch) was at 226F.
Combined this with poor mechanic training/service, and the poor reputation was formed.

Upgrade the radiator and IC, and put in a Apexi PFC with properly adjusted fans, and the engine is reliable. Consider that this engine was producing about 225 whp from 2.6L.

The LS1 (5.7L) family of engines produce between about 305 to 350 hp in 2001. The LS6 version made 385 to 405 hp. Theses were flywheel, not whp.

If the Chevy 5.7L engine had produced the same hp per liter as the stock 13B-REW, it would have produced 493whp. My friend's LS1 with reworked heads, headers, mild cam upgrade, FAST intake manifold and TB, with 4" cold intake; produces 444whp. Still 49hp short of equivalency.

Now consider the above upgraded 13B at about 15psi boost produces 350whp and was still reliable. To match power per liter, the LS1 would need to make 761whp.

Mine and many single turbo 13B-REW are easily making about 400 whp with stock or close to stock ports. Again the LS1 would have to make 877 whp to match power per liter.

Given this perception, our little engine is amazing! If the Chevys had produced equivalent power during the same time frame, I wonder how reliable they would have been.

[cewrx7r1]

The 13B-REW engine has a bad reputation which I consider to be unreasonable.
The engine itself is good, but Mazda grossly un-engineered three supportive support systems.
(1) The radiator was too small considering the power of the engine.
(2) The IC was also too small considering engine power.
(3) ECU programming was negligent as the cooling fans would not work unless the engine reached 221F and emergency /high speed fan usage (thermoswitch) was at 226F.
Combined this with poor mechanic training/service, and the poor reputation was formed.

Upgrade the radiator and IC, and put in a Apexi PFC with properly adjusted fans, and the engine is reliable. Consider that this engine was producing about 225 whp from 2.6L.

The LS1 (5.7L) family of engines produce between about 305 to 350 hp in 2001. The LS6 version made 385 to 405 hp. Theses were flywheel, not whp.

If the Chevy 5.7L engine had produced the same hp per liter as the stock 13B-REW, it would have produced 493whp. My friend's LS1 with reworked heads, headers, mild cam upgrade, FAST intake manifold and TB, with 4" cold intake; produces 444whp. Still 49hp short of equivalency.

Now consider the above upgraded 13B at about 15psi boost produces 350whp and was still reliable. To match power per liter, the LS1 would need to make 761whp.

Mine and many single turbo 13B-REW are easily making about 400 whp with stock or close to stock ports. Again the LS1 would have to make 877 whp to match power per liter.

Given this perception, our little engine is amazing! If the Chevys had produced equivalent power during the same time frame, I wonder how reliable they would have been.