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- Canada
@sm1ke - Any issues yet with the exhaust? Do you still like the sound (even on the highway)? Hangers or other parts etc? I'm about to pull the trigger...did you have any second thoughts about warranty etc... My wallet wants you to talk me out of it, but my heart and ears want that cold start, deep, throat clearing, higher idle growl. Is my brain correct on what I imagine the sound to be in person?
Sorry but I don't have the exhaust installed. I know @speed3chris1 had the cat-back exhaust installed, but removed the midpipe because it was too loud. @Cx-9 Guy has the axleback installed. Maybe they could chime in?
@SnowflakeS - Thanks for getting back mate. I just realised CorkSport has a heat shield. https://corksport.com/2018-mazda-6-turbo-2.5l-and-2016-cx-9-2018-cx-5-turbo-sri-heat-shield.html
Its not fully covered as the AEM intake. AEM will not accept the return since 2017 CX-9 is not listed in their compatibility list.
When you compare the prices in Australia, buying AEM one on Amazon is cheaper than the CorkSport version. Check this out;
AEM - Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
CorkSport Australian re-seller - https://wolfracingproducts.com.au/checkout/cart/configure/id/24154/product_id/12074/
If AEM one fits my 2017 CX-9 without any issue / CELs, I can save few bucks
Corksport's heat shield doesn't do anything for power, but it does keep IATs down, which means the turbo system doesn't have to work as hard on really hot days. @CorkSport does a great job of explaining everything here. They have dynoed their test vehicle with and without the heat shield, and provided a chart showing the difference in IATs. I assume that K&N and AEM's intake heat shields would have a similar effect, but I don't know for sure because they haven't provided the data to the public like Corksport has. Personally, I choose to support Corksport because they're pretty up front about a lot of their products, and they provide data that supports what they claim in their product descriptions.
The AEM intake should fit the 2017 just fine - everything under the hood (regarding the air intake system) should be the exact same from 2016-current models.
I personally have had the Corksport intake installed for just over 22000 kms (about 13600 miles) now. It's been through a couple of heavy rainstorms (see video below), some hot days (40c) and some really, really cold days (-50c). I've been lazy with cleaning the engine bay.. I have yet to clean it since taking delivery in 2018 lol. Pic posted below the video to show the current state of my engine bay..