INSTALL: Simota Carbon Charger for a 2010 Mazda 3 (2.5L engine)

[WingZero_]

Simota Carbon Charger for a 2010 Mazda 3 (2.5L engine)
How to install:

Prep Work.
The great thing about the 2010 Mazda 3 is there is a lot of open space in the engine bay. So you can completely assemble the intake inside before even thinking about taking apart the stock intake and airbox. This will save some fumble time and protect you from dropping valuable parts. You'll need a Phillips head screwdriver and a flat head.

Start by standing the filter on end:
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0199.jpg

Place the gasket in the groove:
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0200.jpg

Line the piping up with the gasket, the Simota Logo on the filter should be point straight up, and the air flow sensor location should also be pointing straight up. Use the 4 supplied bolts:
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0201.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0202.jpg

Now you put on the rubber elbow, the Simota logo should be face up and the text will be going in the same direction as the Simota logo on the filter:
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0203.jpg

So at this point you have something that looks like this:
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0204.jpg

Off to the car.
For this phase you will need a Phillips head screwdriver, socket wrench, and a set of needle nose pliers (if your hands are cold and can't pinch a plastic clip together).

Just like any intake installation, you will need to disconnect the battery. The negative terminal is all that needs to be removed. For the 2010 there are two plastic clips that need to be snapped off. Then the top of the box slides right off (towards the front of the car). Then you simply use your socket wrench and loosen the bolt hold the negative battery terminal on.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0206.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0207.jpg

Now let's unhook some stuff. I started with the airflow sensor harness. Simply push down not the butt of it and wiggle it out.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0208a.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0208b.jpg

Next we unhook the vacuum line. All you have to do is pull and twist.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0209.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0211a.jpg

Now the tranny clip screw is completely exposed, this holds the stock intake ducting to the throttle of the car. Unscrew this completely, but keep your eye and finger on the little square washer so it doesn't fall down into the engine bay, as you will need this if you ever revert back to stock.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0211a.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0211b.jpg

Next just get your fingers between the rubber ducting and the throttle body and it will easily pull off. Follow this up by unhooking your air box lid. Only a couple reverse tension clips hold this on:
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0213.jpg

As you are lifting the air box lid and ducting off there is a small clip holding the wiring for the airflow sensor to the box cover. ***This plastic clip is really lightweight and will break; mine did as it was 0 degrees Celsius today and plastic get pretty weak. Try and use your fingers or needle nose pliers to pinch it together and it will pop out.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0215.jpg

Throw that ugly pink filter, with the rest of the removed parts (junk pile). Surprisingly it makes a really good seal in the stock airbox. For those that have never changed one, it just lifts out.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0216.jpg

Let's get that bottom piece of the airbox out.
So there is 1 bolt holding down the bottom of the airbox. It is a bitch to get out, I actually cracked a socket on it (it is the one with the red X through it). So instead I unbolted the circled one (but you will need to separate these two brackets as you need to have the one that is circled installed to brace your intake on).
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0217.jpg

This next part is scary for someone that has never installed an intake before. The bottom of the airbox sits in, what are referred to as plunger clips. The 2010 uses two of these. All you have to do is get a hold of each side of the airbox and lift straight up (this is sturdy, so you can't break this). Plunger clip locations:
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0218.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0219.jpg

The only other thing to watch out for is the fresh air duct. This simply pulls apart, I highlight this with the green square.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0217b.jpg
Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of the emptiness, but trust me there is a lot.

On to the fun part.
First there are a couple small maintenance things you could do to save a few minutes. Here you will only need a Phillips head screwdriver.

The first is remove the air flow sensor from the stock intake. To do this you need to remove two screws. Then you install it in the Simota intake, the reverse way, you screw it in using two screws. *Please use the screws supplied by Simota.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0220.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0221.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0222.jpg

Second, do the breather filter. As funny as it is, this was the hardest part for me. Why? Because rubber and cold does not work to well. Remember the vacuum line we removed?
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0209.jpg

Well we left it attached to the car, but now it is time to remove that as well. Trace it back to the back of the engine, it hooks to the valve cover. You will need to pull this off.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0225.jpg

So now you have that vacuum hose off. You need to remove the hard plastic piece from the rubber elbow, as you need this to reinstall on the car. This was the hard part as it was completely stuck together. After warming it up though, it came right apart.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0226.jpg

Now install your breather filter in the rubber elbow, and attach it to the original rubber elbow location.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0227.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0228.jpg

Because I had you assemble the intake early, this step is easy. Install the intake onto the throttle body, using the second supplied tranny clip and you might as well plug back in the air flow sensor wiring harness.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0223.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0224.jpg

Guaranteed this has taken you around 20-30 minutes, you might as well hook the battery back up, and put the cover back on. This will help you get parts out of your way.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0229.jpg

Let's support it.
Remember that bolt that I broke my cheap socket on. Go find that. During this step you will need a wrench. Once you find that bolt, it slides right out of the side of the lower stock airbox, but it is still attached to that black bracket I said we would need. So just unbolt that silver bolt with the rubber grommet on it from the black support.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0231.jpg

Reattach the black support to the car, using the stock bolt.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0234.jpg

Now carefully wrap the Simota supplied support bracket and rubber cushion around your Carbon Fiber filter cover, so that the bolt hole is near the support we just reinstalled. Use the supplied Simota bolt, I choose to go threads up and nut on top, just as it was a tight fit and would have been hard to put the threads down and the nut on the bottom (if your hand would have slipped it would have shot the nut down into the engine bay).
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0237.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0238.jpg

There you are done. Enjoy. It looks pretty good in my opinion, I apparently did scratch it though, so that is why I said carefully wrap the support around it
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0240.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0241.jpg

[Thrizzl3]

shouldn't this be in the how-to section?

[S.F.W.]

moved.

[WingZero_]

Thanks.

[WingZero_]

Sound clip added: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zmqHcTBrKE

Like I said it just makes the car's sound deeper, and under heavy throttle it makes the VVT way more pronounced.

[mazdilla]

Thanks for the tips.

Installed mine today, however, I removed the entire OEM air intake system. Way cleaner look.

Works great, sounds even better, no CEL's !

Awesome!

Thanks, NextMod!

[WingZero_]

Congrats on the intake. Saw no reason to remove the fresh air intake tube, and still don't as it is just one less thing to have to put back in.

[mazdilla]

Congrats on the intake. Saw no reason to remove the fresh air intake tube, and still don't as it is just one less thing to have to put back in.

Ya, but I'm anal.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?42971-Simota-CBII-651-install&p=592848#post592848

I have no intentions of putting anything back - ever!

Cheers!

[WingZero_]

My dealer is anal. What year is your car?

[mazdilla]

My dealer is anal. What year is your car?

It's in the sig!

2006 Mazda 3 GT Hatch - 68,000 kms - warranty still good to May 2011 or 'til it's miled out.

[WingZero_]

Oops. I knew it wasn't a 2010 as I could see the battery box vent tube opening.

What's it sounds like WOT on the 2.3?

[mazdilla]

Oops. I knew it wasn't a 2010 as I could see the battery box vent tube opening.

What's it sounds like WOT on the 2.3?

It has a real throaty sound. I have no idea what a 2.0 sounds like.

The closest I'll ever be to being part and parcel of a 2.0 is if it hits me.

[fu5ion]

Zero,

Thanks so much for posting this. I picked this up today from Peter. Still no codes and everything running good?

What was your RPMS at in the video?

[fu5ion]

Also Zero can I see a pic of your engine bay. I think I want to remove the entires system like mazdilla did.

Thanks.

Mark

[WingZero_]

No codes, everything works great. At most 5000 at 50%ish throttle, it is louder under a heavier load. Yeah i will get you a pic of the engine bay, everything is removed except for one pipe coming from the front of the car (no real reason to remove it). Keep in mind Mazdilla has a 1st gen and the equivalent pipe might be in the way on the previous gen.

[WingZero_]

The tube in the front with the flex piece in the middle is the only part I didn't remove as it is a PITA when you need to install the stock one again.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0389.jpg

Doesn't affect the looks of the intake.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0390.jpg

Engine bay pic, you don't see it. Also note, I have changed the location of the breather filter since the install, I just attached it to the end of the stock PCV tube, works better this way.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0391.jpg

[kod30]

I just installed this same intake thanks to your guide.

Very easy step by step instructions. I'm not the most mechanically knowledgeable person out there, but i've done some work on cars before (my own brakes, alternator) with the help of others. But this was the first time ive done something completely on my own. Ya know what, it was very easy... except for putting that support bracket on at the end, what a bitch :)

anyways, thanks for the awesome guide and pics. Car sounds nicer.

[WingZero_]

Yeah the support bracket can be a pain, there are two different versions of the bracket. One like the one I have, and one that hooks to a bolt underneath where the stock airbox was. Glad you found this useful. Feel free to post up any pics or any parts of the install you liked/disliked.

[makindue]

shouldn't this be in the how-to section?

I think yes. But it was already posted. It depends on moderator if it will remove it or not. But I think it is already here and I gain more information and idea of how to install mine either. :D:thumbsup

[Roconne]

Thanks for the writeup WingZero. I got my Simota CBII SRI today and this guide helped out a lot in installing it.
The instructions that come with it pretty much say 'Remove old air box. Install new SRI'.

Did a quick test-drive and wow, this thing has a nice growl when you get going. Wasn't expecting it to be so loud, so that was a pleasant surprise.

[notoriousb]

The tube in the front with the flex piece in the middle is the only part I didn't remove as it is a PITA when you need to install the stock one again.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0389.jpg

Doesn't affect the looks of the intake.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0390.jpg

Engine bay pic, you don't see it. Also note, I have changed the location of the breather filter since the install, I just attached it to the end of the stock PCV tube, works better this way.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu1/wingzero_/PIC_0391.jpg



I don't understand why you put a breather on? The positive crankcase valve is supposed to take its air from the intake which applies a vaccum to the crankcase. The M3 crankcase is supposed to be sealed.

[WingZero_]

I put the breather on because there is no PCV vacuum hookup on the intake. A few intakes for the Mz3 (not M3) come with a breather filter.

[Hyperion]

Awesome write up, Used it for installing my Ractive.

Took a picture of my "emptiness" if you want to use it :P
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6463/imag0079t.jpg

[hyper7boy]

Hey are some pictures of when I had the Simota in my car. I HATED the intake bracket it came with so I went and made a new one at work in the summer. It worked really well! Looked clean, provide good support, etc. Recently I switched over to the AEM CAI which doesn't have as much of a growl when you step on it but it is definitely more effective that the Simota SRI.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii65/hyper7boy/DSCN0013.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii65/hyper7boy/DSCN0014.jpg

[royo]

It's that time of the year. I gotta clean out my filter. I was wondering if you guys have any idea how to clean the filter for these? Would a regular K&N filter cleaner and oil do?
thanks

[WingZero_]

Vacuum the dirt and sand out of it. Rinse it with water, don't bother with a K&N kit

[royo]

Do i need to put any oil or any solution on it after?

[WingZero_]

No