Why do our engines blow up?

[cost0305]

Just wanted to chime in and say I've been a lurker for years. I know its like a decade later but lets dig this guy up for a 10-year update lol.

Owned my 2008.5 Mazdaspeed3 since new.

105k miles with aftermarket Shure Motor Mount, Cobb SRI, Cobb TIH, Forge Motorsport BPV, Cobb Accessport running OTS Stage1 tune and a short shifter (factory fuel pump). Had four problems ever over 100k miles.

First, a couple of injector seals went at about 35k as I tried some higher boost AP maps. I replaced with the Shure injector seals which are a much more substantial design and zero problems since.

Second, the Gen1 Cobb SRI bracket mount broke as we all well know. It's still broken and I run a few zipties to keep it from rattling around too much. Cobb has since changed their mounting design to avoid overstressing that mount point on the car anymore.

Third, right at about 100k miles the pivot shaft seal failed and I replaced that the other day (and made a video of the replacement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdFXj7mo0cE).

Fourth, the front end is starting to get a bit noisy on bumpy roads when the car is cold. I have yet to investigate the cause but I'm guessing end links or the like.

I've got the original clutch, which I attribute to my manual blipping because it certainly isn't because I've babied it. Expecting to replace that soon just as regular maintenance.

Absolutely f*cking legendary car in my book.

Motor hasn't blown up and I agree that some of these 'kids' (I was a kid when I got mine also) were so mod happy they simply threw the motor out of balance and caused themselves all of the headaches they are blaming on the platform.

Especially true with Japanese performance cars, "STOCK IS BEST".

I did upgrade to the 18x8 rims from a 2012 MS3 and slightly larger tires than stock mounted to them just to keep the meat on the ground at WOT. Personally I love the torque steer, but I know that's an acquired taste. I'm not trying to mod to get rid of that.

All of these people who replaced suspension parts I have no understanding. This car is plenty stiff from the factory for anything. I think its mostly driven by companies trying to sell parts rather than actual drivers pointing out flaws in the platform.

The Stormtrooper has earned every mile. I have not been nice to her. LA traffic stop & go, weekend canyon runs, road trips LA to Denver and back thru the Rocky Mountains 5 times. I once drove straight to San Antonio TX and back to LA in two days.

Now that I've written this I'll be sure to update everyone when I blow my engine next week. LOL