Turbo Inlet

[Mazda3X2]

Well I'm looking at my next mod. A turbo inlet. Problem is that everyone I see seems to look....different. :loco

Corksport - http://www.corksport.com/corksport-power-series-turbo-inlet-pipe.html

RPMC - http://www.rpmcmotor.com/product.sc?productId=1

Cobb - http://www.cobbtuning.com/products/?id=4354

Not worried so much about material but fitment. Can anyone help me figure out why the differences. The Cobb and RPMC look somewhat similar, but the corksport looks way different.

[Fobio]

IMO, other than price, they're all the same...of course, minor differences in terms of bend and heat transfer, etc...but at the end, at speed, they all do the same...

[JamesDL]

I thought i heard that the CS adds some vibs too?

[CanadaGTO]

I haven't heard of any vibes with the CS, but I've seen both the Cobb and RPMC and they are both great build quality. BTW, I have both in stock if you're interested.

[alhope34]

I got RPMC when it first came out, sold it a couple months ago. Fitment was great, quality was great. Just make sure none of the hose clamps rub against the ECU wiring!

[CanadaGTO]

I got RPMC when it first came out, sold it a couple months ago. Fitment was great, quality was great. Just make sure none of the hose clamps rub against the ECU wiring!

Very good tip. Also watch out for Intake clamps rubbing on wiring too, I've seen that happen.

[Mazda3X2]

The price difference from the cheapest (CS) to most expensive (Cobb) is pretty large. I would love to get the Cobb (in black) because of their reputation. Just not sure it would be worth the extra $$.

Thanks for the input guys.:)

[alhope34]

Very good tip. Also watch out for Intake clamps rubbing on wiring too, I've seen that happen.

That's basically what I meant, haha.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

So, is there any real benefit derived from these after-market turbo inlets when compared to the stock set-up, or is this more of a visual mod? I understand the concept of better air-flow and breathing for the turbo, but have any of these inlets actually been shown to improve performance, or do they simply just look cool in your engine bay while also advertising for the manufacturer?

[kid_icarus]

So, is there any real benefit derived from these after-market turbo inlets when compared to the stock set-up, or is this more of a visual mod? I understand the concept of better air-flow and breathing for the turbo, but have any of these inlets actually been shown to improve performance, or do they simply just look cool in your engine bay while also advertising for the manufacturer?

you can't see the inlet =)

it's just suppose to improve airflow
and be more resistent to hot air temperature

our stock inlet is narrow VERY narrow....
vs the aftermarket turbo inlets which are more circular/free flowing
and not made of the dungy plastic

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

you can't see the inlet =)

it's just suppose to improve airflow
and be more resistent to hot air temperature

our stock inlet is narrow VERY narrow....
vs the aftermarket turbo inlets which are more circular/free flowing
and not made of the dungy plastic

Thanks. Good to know. I assumed you would be able to see the inlet at least a little.

Curious as to why the Mazda engineers would decide to restrict flow on the stock inlet to the turbo. Can't be for cost savings as the material on these inlets wouldn't amount to much more than the stock plastic inlets, if at all.

I guess I'm sceptical that the inlet by itelf would derive much benefit to the stock turbo and set-up as a stand-alone item. Sure, maybe going to a larger turbo and also a FMIC with the inlet would derive the maximum gain.

I'm just not of the opinion that Mazda engineers are stupid and that the after-market folks really know better. At least not in terms of the specific car set-up. The Mazda engineers have a huge R&D and testing budget and tend to look at the car from an overall holistic sense and of course, they need to factor in reliability, cost etc. Most after-market manufacturers, look at specific areas/components to derive gain , but not necessarily how it will affect the car from a holistic sense. Many also don't have huge R&D budgets and they need to quickly see a return on R&D investement to be business viable. By nature, this also means that most will cut corners in build cost, quality and overall testing.

These comments aren't really specific to this inlet thread, just my feeling about a lot (not all) after-market in general. Sorry for the vent.

[kid_icarus]

it's visiible but BARELY
mainly because the intercooler cover covers it and it's at the back of the engine underneat all the wiring/tubes

take a look at this
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123732495

on step 6
you will see a cobb inlet vs a stock inlet
look at the "middle" section of the stock inlet and how it flattens out into a nearly rectantgular box.....

it's probably not a priority mod
but in terms of $$ value it's not a bad add on

[Mazda3X2]

No worries on venting, has to be done sometimes.

The stock inlet looks as though it was designed with a very narrow passage for clearance issues IMO. It has a very restrictive portion that navigates through a narrow channel.

As with the stock air intake box that is extremely inefficient. Manufacturers can't / won't always build for maximum performance / reliability or ease of maintanance. Sometimes fairly large gains can be had by replacing these "weak links" even one at a time.

Taking again for instance the stock air box. Fairly large gains can be had by replacing this with a good aftermarket piece. From what I have read even up to 20ish HP. Not bad.:)

I am not expecting so much from a turbo inlet, but have heard about better turbo spooling at a slightly lower RPM.

[spd frk]

I have the RPMC inlet and have only one problem with it. I would prefer bead rolled ends similar to the CPE, so that the clamps can get a safer seal. Otherwise I am happy with it. Easy install, and good quality.

[MPS]

if you want RPMC i got mine up for sale

[cy88]

if you want RPMC i got mine up for sale

How much? :pop

[MPS]

make offer PM

[Mazda3X2]

Well I got hold of a Cobb inlet for a good price.

Can anyone give me some advice on installation? I have read around the net but it seems no company really gives instructions on this. I think I'll get by but is there anything I should know?

Seems like:

1/ Remove battery + battery box.
2/ Unhook ECU harness? Not sure how or where to move this.
3/ Remove stock inlet.

The reverse.

[alhope34]

Most important piece of advise:

Make sure the hose clamp tightening screw is 100% clear of your wire harness and doesn't touch the harness at all. If it is touching, when you shift the engine rocks back and forth and you'll fry a lot of sensors and possibly fry the ecu its self.

[stormin84]

Most important piece of advise:

Make sure the hose clamp tightening screw is 100% clear of your wire harness and doesn't touch the harness at all. If it is touching, when you shift the engine rocks back and forth and you'll fry a lot of sensors and possibly fry the ecu its self.


+1

and don't break the ecu tabs

[Mazda3X2]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Yeah, the wiring harness sounds like a good thing to keep an eye on. Hope it all goes well. Hope I notice something.:chuckle

[flyinb22]

Well I got hold of a Cobb inlet for a good price.

Can anyone give me some advice on installation? I have read around the net but it seems no company really gives instructions on this. I think I'll get by but is there anything I should know?

Seems like:

1/ Remove battery + battery box.
2/ Unhook ECU harness? Not sure how or where to move this.
3/ Remove stock inlet.

The reverse.

Barry,
I have the install document from my RPMC inlet...I have a video file as well but the instructions are pretty straight forward.
Hopefully this link works, not sure where else to upload it. If you have troubles getting it just let me know and I can email it to you.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nfanlen4c4i/Instructions-RPMC Motor Works Turbo Inlet for the Mazdaspeed.doc

[Mazda3X2]

That is perfect Brian, thank you.

I was able to save it to my desktop. I'm sure it will come in handy.

[swales]

Also watch out for the "nipple" on the Wastegate Control Selenoid Valve when you remove the hose as some people have a hard time getting the hose off and end up breaking the "nipple" off

[spd frk]

Be careful removing the line from the stock IP also. I broke off the nipple on the stock IP because the plastic was cold.