Mazdaspeed CAI Question

[bman2033]

When I bought my car about 6 months ago and yes I bought it used. I noticed that there was a Mazdaspeed CAI already installed. When I first looked at the car I thought that was what it came with stock. After reading about people upgrading to to a CAI or SRI i was confused. So the Mazdaspeed CAI that i had on my car when I bought must have been upgraded from previous owner right? And also if I wanted to get the COBB FMIC installed will the CAI get in the way of installation? thanks in advance.

 

[bman2033]

here is a pic of the CAI that i got with the car.

 

[bman2033]

other than that mod my car is completely stock. I also hear people on videos i watch with what sounds like a greddy rfl bov the one with the really high pitch scream when the air is let out. But our car needs to be recirculated like the subaru. Is there a good sounding bov that will recirculate that will also sound better than the original woosh noise?

 

[coyfish]

Yes the CAI is an upgrade. The stock airbox looks like a black plastic box in place of your silver CAI.

I know some CAI's will get in the way of FMIC's but im not sure which brands. Honestly though if your not familiar with modding you should read up. FMIC's are great but aren't necessarily the best 1st mods to do. Not to mention they take 4-5 hours to install.

 

[coyfish]

Most BPV's sound like variations of the whoosh stock sound. You "can" get a BOV (with both VTA / recirc) and run it vent to atmosphere. Your car will most likely run a little choppy though. Best bet is to look on youtube and type in the BOV your interested in. Then hear what it sounds like. I have the forge bpv which sounds very different. Sounds like mario gathering coins or swords clashing.

 

[bman2033]

LOL i like the mario or Zelda sword clash discription. Yeah I have read a lot about the FMIC vs. TMIC upgrades. It sucks cause I like the look of a FMIC and IF I was ever to upgrade anything in the future that would be a big upgrade the FMIC would already be there. I did own a 240sx with the SR20det swapped into it and i had the greddy FMIC on it and man it looks a hell of a lot better than the stock side mounted one. noticed the car had good gains on the highway and when i took it to the drag too. I am familiar with modding cars, im just new to the mazda scene.

 

[coyfish]

Mario ftw.
Yeah as long as you know what your doing. FMIC's are the best in terms of power. The only issue really is the install / warranty aspect. Just as long as you plan on doing other upgrades with it. The FMIC alone will probably slow your car down if anything.

 

[bman2033]

yeah that will be a mod WAY down the road. Soooo since i got the mazdaspeed CAI for free really, I am looking at buying a new BOV. I just need to find out which one. I dont want it to hurt the motor in any way. I want to just get the Supra High pitch BOV sound or as close to it. Cause if I could afford a Supra I would own one no doubt. Any suggestions on a BOV other than forge that wont hurt the car that I can search for on Youtube a check videos.

 

[bman2033]

I just looked at a video with the HKS SSQ BOV and it sounded real nice too but dont know which ones will hurt the car if it does not recirculate.

 

[bman2033]

oh watch this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYnd4MsyVUA&feature=related

 

[bman2033]

that is a badass sound exhaust and BOV

 

[bman2033]

and this one too i think its the same car

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wlWDU2hEQo&feature=channel

 

[bman2033]

this is what that owner mentioned he has:

SU-Test Pipe/Motor mount/Boost Tubes,
HKS-cbe/SSQV bov, CPE cai, RPMC Turbo Inlet, H&R Springs, Cobb Sways, Flex Grounding Kit...

must be the test pipe that is giving that deep exhaust noise. What is HKS-cbe mean?

 

[coyfish]

HKS is the catback exhaust. Thats whats giving the exhaust tone. Test pipe is a small part of the exhaust that replaces the 2nd catalytic converter. 3 parts to mazda exhaust. downpipe --> Test pipe --> Catback

the HKS SSQV is a nice bov. Its expensive but you can run it VTA or recirc modes. Catback exhauts is for sound only. Doesn't help performance for this car.

 

[bman2033]

yeah today I dont work so I have been looking at different mods for this vehicle. If I had money to spend I think i would get the turbo back COBB exhaust system for the most performance with the COBB FMIC and a HKS SSQV BOV. Those three Mods are like the most expensive without a lot of work like a Turbo upgrade would be. I will be looking for a way to save up money for one thing at a time. I just need to figure out what order to buy them in. also get teh COBB Acess Port for that final tune touch.

 

[coyfish]

Well if you want the most power for ur buck then stay away from the catback exhaust. Turboback is the entire exhaust system. Just get the COBB downpipe and a test pipe. Save that extra 500 bucks or so for something else.

Also if warranty matters for you, you may want to rethink your mods. Downpipes are hard to install so they are pretty much a death sentence for your warranty if you have one.

 

[bman2033]

So i guess your saying that the stock Exhaust system is just fine for the MS3 and its the downpipe that is constricting the performance.

 

[coyfish]

The downpipe is the major restriction. The test pipe (middle short part) is another. Replacing the catback wont do anything for performance.
Test pipe is cheap and easy to install so you may want to start with that. Makes your exhaust a bit deeper too which is nice. Not like a catback but enough so you can tell its not stock.

 

[bman2033]

cool cool, i will look into all my options.

 

[Trader]

don't forget to get some kind of logging device like the dashawk. The Cobb access port now logs as well