I’m not saying you can’t run to higher power – in fact, I’m sure you can.  The key word is “safely”, and maybe one should add “long-term”.  Unless you are measuring some internal temps, how do you know when you start getting boiling around the plugs, or high thermal stresses in other areas?

That's an interesting point.  Of course I can't prove there isn't boiling at a local hot spot with the stock system.   Do you know if this was Mazda's criteria for setting a flow rate from the pump? In other words, do we need some particular flow rate to avoid localized boiling?  

Cheers,

Rusty (still hoping I don't gain noticeable power by disabling the mechanical pump)