Cold Air Intake Myths

[Booter22]

Ok, Just going to keep this short and simpe for those that are interested and cant find a cold air for the 2010 2.0, A 2.5 L intake will fit, for the most part it is the bracket on the bottom that needs to be longer but a custom bracket fixed that for my 2010 2.0L which has the AEM cold air for the 2.5L. HOWEVER! In Sharkbaits car i had just installed a mazda speed cold air for the 2.3L. the difference of course being the breather pipe for the valve cover. in the 2009 the breather clips onto the intake and the 2010 the breather pipe goes into the intake. so what you need to do if installing a 2.3L intake on a 2010 2.0L or other, is remove that breater pipe from the rocker cover. little push from a flat head screw driver and it comes right off. buy a small section of coolant hose from a parts supply store ( i got mine from canadian tire) and no i dont remember how big the hose was but for those interested i could tell you, and sadly the lower bracket on the 2.3L intake is of course no where near the place it should be with the 2010 it is currently held by zip ties until i fabricate something better, but zip ties being plastic and lighter then metal i didnt see a problem for the time being.

Currently both cars my 2010 3 with the 2.5L intake has not had an engine light come on to date with my intake set up, and sharkbaits 2010 was driven last night for about 200 km and has not had an engine light yet ( saying that in case for some reason it does come up)

Hope that helps for anyone looking to buy an intake for these vehicles. it makes a nice difference in how it feels when driving, pick up and sound from the engine. no it does not give you 30 horse power but it does open it up to be more responsive.

The difference between the two is the 2.3L intake is 2.5" and the aem for the 2.5L is 3" for the intake pipe if that helps anyone as well.

[Racingbees]

nice! well try it

[Odin]

This is an interesting video about intakes as well. It basically says they're useless (I don't really believe it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCi2yo4UqPI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Booter22]

ive heard even on some cars that the stock intake box is better then aftermarket. like for my friends svt focus it will dyno higher hp with stock box over cold air. but to which point. when you get to replacements of exhausts and down pipes and high flow cats better air flow in / out would make more sense to have an intake. but to each there own. i enjoy the sound and pedal response vs stock.

[Odin]

Oh I'd take an intake, regardless of if there are any performance gains. The sound is totally worth it, especially on a Speed3

[Wes08M3]

Oh I'd take an intake, regardless of if there are any performance gains. The sound is totally worth it, especially on a Speed3

On a speed3 you'll actually see decent gains in power.

On a regular 3 you'll see decent gains in noise. Maybe better throttle response but maybe it's just that people get excited about having an intake and tend to push the gas pedal harder lol.

[silverstarmazda]

regular 3 here. hps short ram intake. throttle response seems better and ofc the noise. i THINK it pulls better mid range. that or its a placebo effect on spending $200 and being so excited to have an intake lol. i said in another thread that removing the lower portion of the factory intake technically makes it into a short ram intake. i have my old air box with no lower portion. maybe ill give it a try soon one day lol. im very curious

[thegoodstink]

Throttle response is really the only benefit to a short ram/cold air intake. They remove a lot of restriction, and reduce turbulent air, allowing the engine to gulp air faster. On the mazda 3, its definatley benificial.

[Booter22]

Just a Re FYI for any 2nd gen owners looking for this info

[michaelm_]

Mhmm interesting...always wanted to get a SRI for my gen 3. Good info

[Proudfoot]

I am not sure if this will revive this topic or not, but I read that an aftermarket MAF will be better than the OEM one. Has anyone tried this?
Thanks.

I was thinking of this one:
http://www.tdotperformance.ca/2007-mazda-3-parts/performance-parts/air-intake-systems?part_type_filter_multi[0]=4767

[Booter22]

I am not sure if this will revive this topic or not, but I read that an aftermarket MAF will be better than the OEM one. Has anyone tried this?
Thanks.

I was thinking of this one:
http://www.tdotperformance.ca/2007-mazda-3-parts/performance-parts/air-intake-systems?part_type_filter_multi[0]=4767

maybe for a speed 3. but for a regular 3.. I don't see it making a big difference and they noted "engine's horsepower, low-end torque, and mileage" well.. you cant usually increase all 3 of these at the same time. hp or tq. and or fuel mileage. I would save the money and not bother.

JET Performance 69149 - Powr-Flo Mass Airflow Sensors
JET Powr-Flo Mass Airflow Sensors will increase your engine's horsepower, low-end torque, and mileage by replacing the restrictive stock MAF sensor which limits your aftermarket cold air intake system's full potential. The sensors' design is proven to increase the airflow by up to 45%! They are specially designed to work with aftermarket upgrades.

Key Features:
•Improves mileage, horsepower, and torque
•Optimizes cold air intake systems
•Quick and simple installation

[Proudfoot]

maybe for a speed 3. but for a regular 3.. I don't see it making a big difference and they noted "engine's horsepower, low-end torque, and mileage" well.. you cant usually increase all 3 of these at the same time. hp or tq. and or fuel mileage. I would save the money and not bother.

JET Performance 69149 - Powr-Flo Mass Airflow Sensors
JET Powr-Flo Mass Airflow Sensors will increase your engine's horsepower, low-end torque, and mileage by replacing the restrictive stock MAF sensor which limits your aftermarket cold air intake system's full potential. The sensors' design is proven to increase the airflow by up to 45%! They are specially designed to work with aftermarket upgrades.

Key Features:
•Improves mileage, horsepower, and torque
•Optimizes cold air intake systems
•Quick and simple installation
Thanks. I agree. A lot of reviews for this on Amazon said it was bulls--it.
Too good to be true.
You ever bought anything through T-dot before??

[Booter22]

Thanks. I agree. A lot of reviews for this on Amazon said it was bulls--it.
Too good to be true.
You ever bought anything through T-dot before??
Nope. first ive heard of them. like I know on my buddys rx7 he went from a 3 bar to 4 bar map sensor which will make a difference, but on the mass air flow I don't think it would for these n/a 3s.

[Frank the Tank]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaST3iqX7gY
thoughts?

[G ~ MINI]

maybe for a speed 3. but for a regular 3.. I don't see it making a big difference and they noted "engine's horsepower, low-end torque, and mileage" well.. you cant usually increase all 3 of these at the same time. hp or tq. and or fuel mileage. I would save the money and not bother.

JET Performance 69149 - Powr-Flo Mass Airflow Sensors
JET Powr-Flo Mass Airflow Sensors will increase your engine's horsepower, low-end torque, and mileage by replacing the restrictive stock MAF sensor which limits your aftermarket cold air intake system's full potential. The sensors' design is proven to increase the airflow by up to 45%! They are specially designed to work with aftermarket upgrades.

Key Features:
•Improves mileage, horsepower, and torque
•Optimizes cold air intake systems
•Quick and simple installation

Hey Booter ...just noticed this thread.
Do you know if adding JET mass airflow requires to remap ecu (im on a OV tune) or will the software adjust accordingly ...im assuming ?

[G ~ MINI]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaST3iqX7gY
thoughts?

(Air Box on a 2012 is different ... (cold air was drawn in from the front grill near mazda M. )

This is extactly what i am doing now.
Im using a generic airbox from K&N (i think it from there) that will fit over and cover a CAI from Corksport.
I am in the process of completing it , working on it since 2019 (dont ask Life get in the way sucking my time)
In place i already have a velocity stack from the driver side fog light (mine has no fog lights so its a panel i cut a hole in)
and have a 3in silicone flex hose attached which will feed outside cold air (well ...colder than engine bay) to the bottom of the box.
I also incorporating the OE cold intake from the front grill area (so two cold flows) to feed the front side of the box.
I have to cut holes in the box to fit. Figure out a bracket to hold it place. Box was without a top cover ( have to get aluminum 6in x 6in piece from Home depot)

[Booter22]

Hey Booter ...just noticed this thread.
Do you know if adding JET mass airflow requires to remap ecu (im on a OV tune) or will the software adjust accordingly ...im assuming ?

i have no idea. sorry, but i would assume so.

[G ~ MINI]

i have no idea. sorry, but i would assume so.

Hey Thanks !

Also found....
JET Performance 69149 - Powr-Flo Mass Airflow Sensors you mentioned in the thread. Checked it out and dug deeper.
It works with certain model years & NA engines with certain Vin engine codes. Works on the 2.0L vin engine code F on the MX5 (same engine as mine)
but not on my 2012 (same engine and VIN engine code F). If you are considering this performance air flow sensor make sure seller has a no cost return policy
in case its not compatible with your ecu software.

[G ~ MINI]

Hey Thanks !

Also found....
JET Performance 69149 - Powr-Flo Mass Airflow Sensors you mentioned in the thread. Checked it out and dug deeper.
It works with certain model years & NA engines with certain Vin engine codes. Works on the 2.0L vin engine code F on the MX5 (same engine as mine)
but not on my 2012 (same engine and VIN engine code F). If you are considering this performance air flow sensor make sure seller has a no cost return policy
in case its not compatible with your ecu software.

I forgot to mention.
Bought this on on some 30% off sale..and cant remember where.
Anyways... installed in on the 2.0L non sky ...works fine.
I do notice engine is more responsive.
Cold starts are less rough.
Is it adding HP by manipulating readings to the ECU.
Only way to know is Dyno with OEM MAF and without.

Bottom line, Im happy with it