I've read everywhere that these things are hot, but what's normal? Or maybe better, what's abnormal? My temp gauge stays right smack in the infamous Mazda 'normal' spot, but it seems unnaturally hot - like I can barely touch even the hood support rod. I keep expecting spontaneous combustion.

Can someone reassure me a little?

Yes it's hot under the hood of a 3rd gen, especially on the right side... :shocked: A downpipe will help get some of the heat out by eliminating that big lump of cast iron.

Yep...thats normal. I've only seen that hood prop glow orange when the temp is over 100F.

I've had to take my shirt off to use to open the hood. Classy huh?

I posted some additionl info at: https://www.nopistons.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/top...orum=11&topic=7...

yeah with all the cats, etc they can get VERY hot mine runs pretty cool because of dp and fan controller.

My average is about 82-84C and this is from my Commander from the Power FC. I have a fluidyne rad, downpipe, and fan mod. I don't have any problems opening up my hood. It never gets hot enough where it's too hot to open.

My engine temps usually stay aroun 88-93 C running easy around town here in FL. That's without lots of traffic. Otherwise it goes up to about 95 C from stop and go.



Have fluidyne radiator, dp, hi-flo cat, large smic.



Also did the AST elimination.



Do the fan mod...it brings down temps really good!