Mazda 2.3L DISI Turbo (L3-VDT) Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability. The Mazda 2.3 L DISI Turbo engine or the L3-VDT is a turbocharged variation of the 2.3 MZR/L3-VE. It was first introduced in 2005 as the high-performance engine for the Mazdaspeed6 (Mazda6 MPS). The L3-VDT was consequently set up in Mazda CX-7 and Mazdaspeed3 (Mazda3 MPS). Mazda stopped producing this engine in 2012.
The 2.3 DISI engine has the exact same cylinder block as the naturally aspirated version. It is made of aluminum alloy, has cast-iron sleeves and a cassette type balancer unit. The turbo variation was equipped with a forged steel crankshaft with eight counterweights, sinter-forged linking rods, and pistons with the brand-new shape adjusted for the direct injection. There are oil jets in the block for lubricating and cooling the pistons.
The L3-VDT has an aluminum cylinder head, the chain-driven double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder. The engine was equipped with a more long lasting roller chain instead of a pinned link timing chain in the naturally aspirated version. The consumption camshaft also drives the high-pressure pump for the direct injection system. The camshafts position is controlled by the Mazda’s ‘Sequential Valve Timing’ (S-VT) system (variable valve timing). The valvetrain of the L3-VDT is similar to the L3-VE. There are 2 consumption valves and two exhaust valves per cylinder which have valve angle of 39 degrees. Strong tappets actuate the valves. Consumption valve lift is 9.1 mm, and exhaust valve lift is 7.7 mm.
The turbo engine has a direct fuel injection system. Mazda called it as ‘Direct Injection Glow Ignition’ (DISI) system. The high-pressure pump provides the pressure of 28.3 bar to 130 bar (410-1885 psi) and provided fuel to the injectors for direct injection into the cylinders. The 2.3 L DISI Turbo engine has a fixed geometry turbine (FGT), a single-scroll turbocharger (Borg Warner KKK K0422-882). The turbocharger supplies peak boost pressure of 1.076 bar (15.6 psi) offered at 2500 rpm. The intake manifold of the engine is aluminum (not plastic) due to high consumption atmospheric pressure inside. There is also an air-to-air intercooler installed on top of the engine to cool compressed air.
The L3-VDT engine shares a cylinder block with 2.0/ 2.3 Ford EcoBoost engines. These engines are not the very same. EcoBoost engines have different turbochargers, cylinder head developed by Ford, and Ford’s Ti-VCT variable valve timing system.
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2.3 l DISI Turbo/ L3-VDT Engine Problems and Reliability
Much of these engines had actually damaged turbochargers. There is the common problem with turbo seals. The lousy turbo seals concern was repaired by mid 08. Some cars had concerns with the timing chain and over-revving due to incorrect S-VT system operation.
Like mostly all turbocharged engines, the 2.3 l DISI Turbo engine does disappoint itself as the most reputable and resilient power unit. It requires additional care, regular quality maintenance, premium oil and premium fuel. The cars with 2.3 l DISI engine have a poor mileage and were developed for a various function – go fast and make some fan. In this case, the engine life normally is not more than 120,000 miles (200,000 km).
you must see more engine detail in here: Engine – US Cars News or you can see on wiki here
Mazda 2.3L DISI Turbo (L3-VDT) Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Production years | 2005-2012 |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminum |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Fuel system | Direct fuel injection |
| Configuration | Inline |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Valvetrain layout | DOHC |
| Bore, mm | 87.5 mm (3.44 in) |
| Stroke, mm | 94.0 mm (3.70 in) |
| Displacement, cc | 2,260 cc (138 cu in) |
| Type of internal combustion engine | Four-stroke, turbocharged |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
| Power, hp | 263 hp (196 kW)/5,500 |
| Torque, lb ft | 280 lb-ft (380 Nm)/3,000 |
| Engine weight | ~415 lbs (190 kg) |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Engine oil weight | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.7 (6.0 US qts) |
| Oil change interval, mile | 10,000 (15,000 km) /12 month |
| Applications | Mazdaspeed6/ Mazda6 MPS/Atenza MPS, Mazda CX-7, Mazdaspeed3/ Mazda3 MPS/Axela MPS, Mazda MPV (JDM only) |
