Cold air intake. what is best vs easiest to install?

[Hotsky]

I was looking at cold air intakes K&N, INJEN, AEM, Weapon R, Takeda and noticed they don't look the same. So I was wondering which one offers the most hp increase?

Also, since they are different which one is easiest to install?

thx!

[Kiyomi]

get a corksport sri and call it a day. one of the top, and super easy to install. takes a total of 2mins.

edit: ooo, not to mention i guess you can choose colours for the parts now.

http://www.corksport.com/corksport-2004-2009-mazda-3-short-ram-intake-en.html

[Hotsky]

Never heard of them before, kinda like the short ram idea tho. I couldn't find any info on the actual hp increase it offers. IIRC K&N is 5.7hp, would SRI be about the same? Btw what effect does short ram has? Why wouldn't other manufacturers keep theirs short like that and keep the installation easier?

[silverstarmazda]

whats your budget?? intakes dont really increase power.... it may reduce restriction and in turn free up 1-2 hp. when you get everything else, high flow manifolds, cat, exhausts. thats when you get real gains.

i personally have an hps short ram intake that came with a K&N filter. i actually think i lost fuel milage with the intake.... but it sounds nice with my exhaust and there seems to be less "lag"

[Kiyomi]

Never heard of them before, kinda like the short ram idea tho. I couldn't find any info on the actual hp increase it offers. IIRC K&N is 5.7hp, would SRI be about the same? Btw what effect does short ram has? Why wouldn't other manufacturers keep theirs short like that and keep the installation easier?

the theory behind it is that if you have your intake sucking in colder air, its supposed to be denser with oxygen, thus allowing for more hp. those hp claims are just that, claims. if your just gettiing an intake, it is 80% for sound, 10% for power, and 10% for throttle response, imo.

[mikey32235]

injen cai is the best.

[silverstarmazda]

just make sure you get a good intake, something that wont cause an engine code.

[Jsquared]

Don't expect hp gains as mentioned above until you complete the whole system. My two cents outside of that, is to go with a cold air intake. This way it will at least make a cool sound as you accelerate. I went AEM and I couldn't be happier. I also through a bypass valve on my because of my hydrolock paranoia ha

Good luck with the purchase and install!

[6strings]

Does the OP drive a speed3? or N/A 3.
Because putting on an intake on a N/A 3 for Hp gains is useless. It just makes the car sound good.
I have a gen1 and went with cosmo racing. It was $100. No codes, and no issue for 2 years now.
HP gains?? pfft right..In my head its like 20hp gains, but reality its more like 1 or 2.

EDIT: the intake also comes in a very gangster pink.

[Hotsky]

I drive a gen1 sedan. Thanks for the reply guys.


just make sure you get a good intake, something that wont cause an engine code. I though it was more on case by case basis rather than because of one specific intake. no?

[6strings]

I drive a gen1 sedan. Thanks for the reply guys.

I though it was more on case by case basis rather than because of one specific intake. no?

Aem, Injen, K&N, PRM and Simota are pretty popular from what I've heard.

[Hotsky]

As for my budget, right now it's low :( ...Around Christmas I spent $500 to replace the rear brakes/rotors, brake fluid flush and winter tire swap. With in the last month $200 to have the motor mount replaced, $80 on spark plugs, ordered new rims and tires ($1300) that I'm still waiting for, and going to spend $450 next week to have some rust cleaned up and $40 on headlights. Also getting the ATF flushed next week ($150+)...That's over $2700 this year !!! :S That's a lot of cash for an 8 year old car. If I do the air intake it'll probably be the last thing I do unless I keep spending time here lol

[peterm15]

Plain and simple.

It's money better spent elsewhere. When you have the cash burning a hole on your pocket go a head and spend it on an intake. Otherwise. Don't bother.

[Jackal]

As for my budget, right now it's low :( ...Around Christmas I spent $500 to replace the rear brakes/rotors, brake fluid flush and winter tire swap. With in the last month $200 to have the motor mount replaced, $80 on spark plugs, ordered new rims and tires ($1300) that I'm still waiting for, and going to spend $450 next week to have some rust cleaned up and $40 on headlights. Also getting the ATF flushed next week ($150+)...That's over $2700 this year !!! :S That's a lot of cash for an 8 year old car. If I do the air intake it'll probably be the last thing I do unless I keep spending time here lol

No joke. That's the truth.
First you get an intake. Then tints. Then you start a member's ride thread. Then members tell you to lower. Leads to a new suspension. Leads to a rolling of fenders. Then new wheels. You'll probably do some audio upgrades. Dynamat it. New lip. Plastidip something and do some vinyl work. That's just one summer.
Don't forget the new exhaust.

Run!

[6strings]

Yeah, I would not worry about getting an intake then.
Take care of the car itself. I think someone mentioned in another thread that most people don't hesitate to spend money on useless mods, but when it comes down to the essentials it suddenly become "too expensive"

[Rob23]

you wont get any gain from just an intake. And one intake isn't necessarily better than the other. personally i just run a SRI (Short ram intake) it is shorter and easier to install plus no chance of sucking up puddles.
Even if you put in an exhaust highflow cat and headers you will only be making noise, no power gains till you tune.

[Jackal]

you wont get any gain from just an intake. And one intake isn't necessarily better than the other. personally i just run a SRI (Short ram intake) it is shorter and easier to install plus no chance of sucking up puddles.
Even if you put in an exhaust highflow cat and headers you will only be making noise, no power gains till you tune.
Maybe less chance of sucking up puddles. That is one advantage of the SRI over a CAI. If you do end up getting one get a used one from a member that's made for your model year so no CELs. I have a Corksport SRI which I got used.

[peterm15]

No joke. That's the truth.
First you get an intake. Then tints. Then you start a member's ride thread. Then members tell you to lower. Leads to a new suspension. Leads to a rolling of fenders. Then new wheels. You'll probably do some audio upgrades. Dynamat it. New lip. Plastidip something and do some vinyl work. That's just one summer.
Don't forget the new exhaust.

Run!

Your almost right on point there.

[6strings]

I should have saved my money on my wagon.

[Jackal]

Your almost right on point there.

True. Plastidip was a bit much. Replace with dashcam.

[peterm15]

True. Plastidip was a bit much. Replace with dashcam.

Well mine went.
Intake
Visors
Suspension
Dip
Lids
Rims
Tints
ICE
Cam
And many plans for more. I really should have never joined this site.

[Punkrockjohn]

I'm running a tekeda SRI its a great intake no issues whatsoever.

[6strings]

I'm running a tekeda SRI its a great intake no issues whatsoever.

Yes that is a good intake. I had one a while back.

[Fuyuzora]

If you do decide to go with an intake in the end, I think Kiyomi hit the nail on the head:


get a corksport sri and call it a day. one of the top, and super easy to install. takes a total of 2mins.

I have one too - fairly cheap, sounds great, looks great, incredibly easy to install, easy to clean the filter, and no risk of hydrolock.

Short Ram Intakes are no worse than Cold Air Intakes once the car is moving; while I can see a bit of heatsoak while stopped, as soon as I hit 40km/h, the difference between intake and ambient temperature falls to 1~2°C, which is basically nothing.

Food for thought.

[silverstarmazda]

you can actually remove the lower part of the oem intake. suddenly you got racecar.

intake was one of my first mods..... too much money and too excited about a new car. BAM! 1 week after i got the car, $200 for intake. i actually dont regret it lol

[SomeGuy]

Another vote for corksport...they have excellent customer service and their products are pretty good. Even if it is a couple hundred bucks, buying a good one designed for the car makes all the difference.

[leungalv]

I too have the Corksport SRI ... it also makes the cool hissing sound like the CAI. I personally like the AEM CAI. Dunno much about the power gains I got from it though since I installed a Corksport exhaust at the same time. If there's so much maintenance to be done on the car, I'd agree, just hold out on the mods till the car is in better shape. :)

[Hotsky]

That's the thing nothing really HAS to be done. Rust clean up is optional, but I want to get it fixed up, ATF is due but I could let it slide... Brakes, motor mount and spark plugs are already done like I said. But yeah I'll probably wait a few months and look for one used first.

[silverstarmazda]

That's the thing nothing really HAS to be done. Rust clean up is optional, but I want to get it fixed up, ATF is due but I could let it slide... Brakes, motor mount and spark plugs are already done like I said. But yeah I'll probably wait a few months and look for one used first.

someone was selling a simota intake

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?69755-FS-Simota-Carbon-Fibre-Intake

[Rob23]

PRM!

[shu5892001]

injen cai is the best.

this

[ssolidd]

if you put a cold air intake would the sound coming from the muffler would really be noticeable? just curious.

[Kiyomi]

if you put a cold air intake would the sound coming from the muffler would really be noticeable? just curious.

not really at all. just in the cabin.

[silverstarmazda]

if you put a cold air intake would the sound coming from the muffler would really be noticeable? just curious.

really depends on what kind of exhaust you have. some quiet the engine down, some let the beast out. theres also "insulations" in the engine bay u can take out if u want the noise a bit more noticeable. im removing mine soon

[Rob23]

The PRM Bellows from under the hood. If you don't have an exhaust you will notice the sound 100%

BTW ppl saying one brand is better than the rest is complete BS, most companies being discussed are good quality intakes and all produce the same thing.

[kilo4321]

whats your budget?? intakes dont really increase power.... it may reduce restriction and in turn free up 1-2 hp. when you get everything else, high flow manifolds, cat, exhausts. thats when you get real gains.

i personally have an hps short ram intake that came with a K&N filter. i actually think i lost fuel milage with the intake.... but it sounds nice with my exhaust and there seems to be less "lag"

Intakes don't really make power? Did I just hear that correctly? Lol. I mean sure they don't make much power, but hey, 7whp is 7whp (Corksport)

[Rob23]

Intakes don't really make power? Did I just hear that correctly? Lol. I mean sure they don't make much power, but hey, 7whp is 7whp (Corksport)

lol you don't get 7whp from your intake.

[standsideways]

Intakes don't really make power? Did I just hear that correctly? Lol. I mean sure they don't make much power, but hey, 7whp is 7whp (Corksport)

You should google the modified mag(i think) intake tests.

They always do tests of like 6 different intakes on one car, usually no more power is made, sometimes power is lost.

[kilo4321]

Import tuner.
Time to put your foot in your mouth lol :)
http://www.importtuner.com/powerpages/impp_1112_2010_mazda_3_atx/


Phone screenshot. Will not let me save pic for some reason


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/26/5eby8u9u.jpg

[silverstarmazda]

Import tuner.
Time to put your foot in your mouth lol :)
http://www.importtuner.com/powerpages/impp_1112_2010_mazda_3_atx/


Phone screenshot. Will not let me save pic for some reason


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/26/5eby8u9u.jpg

lol suuuure. what else is on that car though

[Rob23]

lol go get a dyno. Dont believe everything you read.

[kilo4321]

Nada. Read the info on the import tuner link I posted.

[6strings]

Nada. Read the info on the import tuner link I posted.

Acually you're right. Some companies claim to get 10-12hp just from the intake alone!

[Rob23]

Nada. Read the info on the import tuner link I posted.

Lol

[silverstarmazda]

hell, i can claim farting in the intake yields increased torque. anyone can say anything to promote a product. how much people will buy an intake if they said " this $200 intake will make your car sound nice. and thats about it"

now, im not saying ALL intakes dont make power. most of them will make very small gains. but claiming something will do something doesnt mean its guaranteed power for everyone. every car is different and performs slightly differently than everyone elses.

also, have you noted that for both runs, theres a temperature difference? temperature differences effect the power output (which is what intakes are sually based upon) and can have surprising effects on power output. colder doesnt always mean more power.

[$lickology]

I gotta recomend the corksport sri, I've got it and its reliable, its easy to install and maintain, and you do get a noticeable gain in power and a little more fuel economy.

[silverstarmazda]

dont just look into the intake. look into the filter itself. i got the K&N oiled filter and its a pain to maintain. wish i could get the dryflow instead.

i currently (as of 2 days ago) have a short ram intake PLUS an air duct feeding it with fresh moving cooler air. since my new bumper has a vent in the front now my intake temps are reduced as much as a cold air intake without the long tube (which evidently heats up with the engine heat) so now i got best of both worlds.

[kilo4321]

Aren't oiled filters horrible for the MAF? ..

[silverstarmazda]

Aren't oiled filters horrible for the MAF? ..

lol everyone says that. but its only when you over oil it to the extreme. i have never had any oiling issues. no oil on the maf, inner walls, throttle body. nothing at all. i would prefer a dryflow filter because its easier and faster to clean without oiling.

[cobra]

I just installed a Spintech Super ProStreet 9000 muffler and CorkSport short RAM intake. The car sounds great (deep sound) and the power is up. I'm having lots of fun driving around town ;) These these two vids on my YouTube channel. SPINTECH MUFFLER MAZDA 3 2.0 L (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTVsVBZHdAM) and CORKSPORT INTAKE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6eboDTScWs). The intake was US$179 plus around 30 bucks for shipping to Michigan where I picked up (went on a little road trip). The Spintech was sent to Cambridge for the cost of 80 bucks for the muffler, 40 bucks shipping and 45 bucks 'processing/brokerage fees'.

[ryanmackk]

No joke. That's the truth.
First you get an intake. Then tints. Then you start a member's ride thread. Then members tell you to lower. Leads to a new suspension. Leads to a rolling of fenders. Then new wheels. You'll probably do some audio upgrades. Dynamat it. New lip. Plastidip something and do some vinyl work. That's just one summer.
Don't forget the new exhaust.

Run!

This...is eerily accurate.

But on intakes, one word of advice to OP, it's pretty fun to drive around with that thing for a while but then it gets really annoying, it's a sound that never stops, and you hear it even more if you have a standard. The other problem is trying to be quite, you will never get away with a downshift because once you blip your throttle, the CAI sounds like a jet.... not to mention your passengers constantly saying "you car sounds like a jet". My .02. I had a CAI on a Rsx type s, and I couldn't take more than one summer with it.

[SomeGuy]

This...is eerily accurate.

But on intakes, one word of advice to OP, it's pretty fun to drive around with that thing for a while but then it gets really annoying, it's a sound that never stops, and you hear it even more if you have a standard. The other problem is trying to be quite, you will never get away with a downshift because once you blip your throttle, the CAI sounds like a jet.... not to mention your passengers constantly saying "you car sounds like a jet". My .02. I had a CAI on a Rsx type s, and I couldn't take more than one summer with it.

Weak...intake's are so mild in sound.

[mathew.poulos]

Weak...intake's are so mild in sound.

hmm not sure I agree with you, tho it doesnt stand out to the average person, when you've listen to the noise of your car for a couple years it really does stand out to the driver. I am still getting used to mine. May go back to stock not sure yet.

[greyseason]

hmm not sure I agree with you, tho it doesnt stand out to the average person, when you've listen to the noise of your car for a couple years it really does stand out to the driver. I am still getting used to mine. May go back to stock not sure yet.


This...is eerily accurate.

But on intakes, one word of advice to OP, it's pretty fun to drive around with that thing for a while but then it gets really annoying, it's a sound that never stops, and you hear it even more if you have a standard. The other problem is trying to be quite, you will never get away with a downshift because once you blip your throttle, the CAI sounds like a jet.... not to mention your passengers constantly saying "you car sounds like a jet". My .02. I had a CAI on a Rsx type s, and I couldn't take more than one summer with it.

do not buy a RMM.

but my exhaust is 100x louder than my intake. I only hear it above 4k where my exhaust is loudest below 4k

[ryanmackk]

hmm not sure I agree with you, tho it doesnt stand out to the average person, when you've listen to the noise of your car for a couple years it really does stand out to the driver. I am still getting used to mine. May go back to stock not sure yet.

Exactly, it's just the repetitive noise, amplified engine sound. More annoying in the summer when windows are down and people are trying to talk inside the car. I drove my mom to the hospital and that was the last time she asked for me to drive her, said she got a headache from the noise.

So if SomeGuy thinks cais are mild, his eardrums must be shot. Sure they are mild compared to aftermarket exhausts and jack offs on Harleys revving past the legal sound limit, but there sure aren't quite.

I can't imagine driving with a BOV. I'd go mad by the end of the hour.

[SomeGuy]

Eardrums shot? Seriously they're quiet...yes they make noise when you accelerate, but just driving along they don't make any sound. I had one on my old 3 and it was no big deal. Hell my speed is noisier in the cabin at idle on a cold start than a CAI on a regular 3 at WOT.

BPV's and BOV's only go off when you build boost, I can (try to) drive for hours without it ever making a peep, but lets be honest, they're fun.

[greyseason]

Eardrums shot? Seriously they're quiet...yes they make noise when you accelerate, but just driving along they don't make any sound. I had one on my old 3 and it was no big deal. Hell my speed is noisier in the cabin at idle on a cold start than a CAI on a regular 3 at WOT.

BPV's and BOV's only go off when you build boost, I can (try to) drive for hours without it ever making a peep, but lets be honest, they're fun.
my car is LOUD on cold start. I think ryan's ears are a little soft. Ive never had a problem hearing people in the car, nor people getting headaches, nor does it sound like a jet. If you want quiet, buy quieter tires, and dynamat your car.

[ryanmackk]

Eardrums shot? Seriously they're quiet...yes they make noise when you accelerate, but just driving along they don't make any sound. I had one on my old 3 and it was no big deal. Hell my speed is noisier in the cabin at idle on a cold start than a CAI on a regular 3 at WOT.

BPV's and BOV's only go off when you build boost, I can (try to) drive for hours without it ever making a peep, but lets be honest, they're fun.

I agree, they are fun, definitely. I'd like to drive a proper sports car with a BOV or some sort of waste gate

[ryanmackk]

my car is LOUD on cold start. I think ryan's ears are a little soft. Ive never had a problem hearing people in the car, nor people getting headaches, nor does it sound like a jet. If you want quiet, buy quieter tires, and dynamat your car.

I dunno, maybe, I do have sensitive hearing, and I have received complaints about my car sounding like a jet from my passengers, so my claims aren't exactly fabricated. Plus, remember, that I am talking about having a CAI inside an RSX type s, that's 60 more horsepower.

I've never had a CAI inside a Mazda 3, so I can't attest to noise levels. However, judging by the fact that Mazda 3s are poorly insulated, I'd say the noise in a 3 with a CAI is just as bad (or at the very least approaching) as the noise in a Type S that is well insulated.

Either way, it's all preference isn't it? So I don't understand why we are arguing. Some people are driving around in Civics with catbacks doing 98 decibels and screaming it's too quite for them. How about sport bikes that rev to 14 000? Those guys sure don't mind the noise. Personally, I got sick of hearing a CAI every time my revs built up and hearing that distinct noise every time I downshifted. Man I was at a freaking funeral and had to downshift due to the gravel roads and I swear, one little tiny blip, and everyone turns around. Lol. I blipped to 2000 rpm. That's not even drastic!

ANYWAYS, like I said, preference. That's my .02 (again). So obviously other people will have other opinions

[SomeGuy]

60 horsepower out of a CAI? LMFAO rrrrright.

And, a little blip out of a car with CAI is not significant noise...seriously. Nobody turns around unless you go WOT and are up at like 4-5 grand. I'm not under playing it at all, it's not significant noise unless you plant your foot.

[greyseason]

60 horsepower out of a CAI? LMFAO rrrrright.

And, a little blip out of a car with CAI is not significant noise...seriously. Nobody turns around unless you go WOT and are up at like 4-5 grand. I'm not under playing it at all, it's not significant noise unless you plant your foot.

60 more hp over a MZ3 lol, WHEW

and you are right, its all preference.
Since were talking hondas, my buddy just bought a 07 Si, with only an intake. And when he hits VTEC it scream!

[Kiyomi]

:facepalm

go for a ride in my car ryanmackk and ull never complain about road noise or intake sound again, guaranteed.

[standsideways]

I agree, they are fun, definitely. I'd like to drive a proper sports car with a BOV or some sort of waste gate

Oh god :0

Stop now lol

[SomeGuy]

Oh god :0

Stop now lol

LMAO
because a BOV is a wastegate now? Oh the noobiness.

[ryanmackk]

wow. Someguy and Standsideways, do you guys even read...
SomeGuy. I think you just straight up hate me dude. I really don't know why. But when the hell did I say I got 60 hp out of a CAI, and when the hell did I say a BOV = Wastegate. What is up your ass man?

[ryanmackk]

:facepalm

go for a ride in my car ryanmackk and ull never complain about road noise or intake sound again, guaranteed.

Lol, okay cool, let me get all the people that complained in my car and I will come over right away..... You can take them for test drives and explain to them how it's not so bad.

[ryanmackk]

60 more hp over a MZ3 lol, WHEW



OMG I said 60 instead of 50! Kill me now!

http://i.imgur.com/VSw3dV6.png

[SomeGuy]

ryanmackk;


wow. Someguy and Standsideways, do you guys even read...
SomeGuy. I think you just straight up hate me dude. I really don't know why. But when the hell did I say I got 60 hp out of a CAI, and when the hell did I say a BOV = Wastegate. What is up your ass man?


I agree, they are fun, definitely. I'd like to drive a proper sports car with a BOV or some sort of waste gate

Right there...you made an equivalency between a BOV and a Wastegate, which are two totally different things. BOV's are venting pressurized intake air out to atmosphere when the throttle closes but the turbo is still spinning and building pressure. Wastegate's regulate the amount of exhaust gas that is fed through the hot side of the turbo to control turbine speed and resulting boost.


As for the 60hp comment, if you could actually write coherent sentences it would have been clear what you were trying to say.


Plus, remember, that I am talking about having a CAI inside an RSX type s, that's 60 more horsepower

That statement says CAI inside an RSX Type S is 60 more horsepower (indicating the 60 horsepower is as a result of the CAI). If you wanted to say that an RSX with a CAI has 60 more horsepower than a Mazda 3, then you should have said as much.


And sure, if you'd like I can straight up hate you :)

[greyseason]

OMG I said 60 instead of 50! Kill me now!

that is exactly what i said

[fywdyl]

http://i.imgur.com/VSw3dV6.png

Lol at the torque.

[Hyperion]

http://i.imgur.com/2rgQf.gif

[cwp_sedan]

How the hell did we even get here? :facepalm

Alright I want all parties to contribute to this thread with accurate and appropriate information reguarding the topic. Otherwise no one cares about the bitching, especially me who was just thinking how nice it's been with how quiet the board has been lately and I have to come across this mess.


ryanmackk Learn what the hell you are talking about before you go on a rant. You will just and have already embarrassed yourself.

SomeGuy Let's leave it at that. 'nough said.

[SomeGuy]

No problem :) lol I wasn't being too serious.

[Hotsky]

**Thread update**

I'm going to go with a short ram intake (kinda put off the idea for a while there). Still deciding on the brand... Cosmo Racing looks tempting but cheap price also has me weary...Ideally I'd like something that would let me keep the battery air tunnel. I most pics I've seen it was removed, I'm guessing because it wouldn't fit anymore?

[yearoftherat]

Don't cheap out with a Cosmo, get a Simota instead.

[Hotsky]

^ Simota Carbon Charger?

[yearoftherat]

IIRC, there are a few TM3 members that have that CAI and have been really happy with it.

[Hotsky]

Still deciding on the intake...Looking for something under $200 range (with shipping hopefully). Can you guys recommend Canadian retailers with good prices? or US sites with reasonable shipping costs?

[greyseason]

PM Nextmod and Rick@garage16 asking for a list of intakes with prices. Both are sponsors and both are in the GTA

[Hotsky]

Getting closer to getting the SRI....narrowed down to 2 choices; CorkSport SRI and Simota Carbon Charger Intake:) $180 and $160 USD respectively. +$40 shipping.

So far here's where I am.

Cork sport PROS:
-more traditional design
-easy to install and leaves the option to use the battery air tunnel.

Cork sport CONS:
- price is $20 more.
- aster watching some videos I don't think it sounds as good as Simota. True?? Feedback please!

Simota PROS:
-sounds great!
-more affordable

Simota CONS:
- I think it has the breather filter that I read isn't actually 'legal' but I saw a video on youtube with the hose modded back into the traditional spot. How easy would that be to do?
- Looks like filter head requires to be secured by clamps. Is that actually nessesary??

[Hotsky]

btw what does the vacuum line do and what are the effects of it going into a breather filter vs into the intake?

[Hotsky]

Decided to go a different way and ordered am HPS short ram intake in wrinkle black. Hopefully I will get it by next weekend for my birthday.