3i CAI / catback question

[dirtymafia]

I just got a 3i (2.0L - 4 speed) and was just have a couple of questions.

Is the "mazda" CAI any good? I like the idea of having the warranty and that they won't complain about having it on there if I ever have to take it in. I wouldn't have a problem installing my own CAI (do you get warranty with self installed? -- does shop not like it?). I see they are priced around $230ish. Is it worth it?

Also, on the cat-back exhaust that mazda has, does this fit/work on a mazda3i? And for the around $450 I see online is it worth it?

I am not looking for a lot of power I am just looking @ matching and beating a 3s stock. I just found out that I saved a whole lot on my insurance (NOT geico, lol) and I could have gotten the sport (and stayed in my price range for car/insurance,etc) so now I'm thinking of just putting some more cash right into the car to help it out.

 

[racer x 3]

I just got a 3i (2.0L - 4 speed) and was just have a couple of questions.

Is the "mazda" CAI any good? I like the idea of having the warranty and that they won't complain about having it on there if I ever have to take it in. I wouldn't have a problem installing my own CAI (do you get warranty with self installed? -- does shop not like it?). I see they are priced around $230ish. Is it worth it?

Also, on the cat-back exhaust that mazda has, does this fit/work on a mazda3i? And for the around $450 I see online is it worth it?

I am not looking for a lot of power I am just looking @ matching and beating a 3s stock. I just found out that I saved a whole lot on my insurance (NOT geico, lol) and I could have gotten the sport (and stayed in my price range for car/insurance,etc) so now I'm thinking of just putting some more cash right into the car to help it out.

hey man,
nice choice of car. i have the "s" myself and i am very confident that with the right parts and tuning you can easily meet or beat the stock s trim.

the mazdaspeed cai is a really nice part... but the reason for that is the same reason why you will catch a lot of flak from some people here. the mazdaspeed cai is a rebadged AEM cai. literally the same thing. many people will say "why shoud you pay a whole assload more for the same part?" and they will say that with good reason. if you ask me however, i say go with the mazda one which is what i have done... simply because of warranty issues, plain and simple, and for me, keeping it "mazda". if you dont mind the warranty issues and you wanna save a buck on an IDENTICAL product than go AEM... in truth, that does seem to be quite the popular opinion. to my knowledge, yes, it should fit the 2.0 just as nicely (ditto the exhaust but not entirely sure), and you will definatly experience some nice gains, if not just on the "butt dyno." ... in which case, more power is always worth it to an extent, no? BTW, where the hell are you gettin mazda parts that cheap?!?

again, great coice in car! in time you will certainly pick up the power to match an s model... all you really need is around 20 hp... easily obtainable when upgrading the 2.0

but by then you'll have the bug and you'll just want more anyway, trust me. have fun man, hope i could help

 

[racer x 3]

by the way... an at home install of the cai will NOT void the warranty on the part or your motor if done properly.... any probelms will be covered in parts.... labor is another story unfortunatly.

i would get it in writing though. (email mazdausa with your warranty question and you'll have your mother mazda blessing)

PS-having a "factory" brand part does help you pull strings if you do have issues... just my two cents man... be aware of the fact that there WILL be differing opinions

 

[dirtymafia]

Looks like I was a bit off on the price (I was just going off ballpark that I had in my head) but I am getting prices off of ocmazdaspeed.com. They have the CAI for 260 and exhaust for 444.

I'm not seeing much price difference between AEM and mazda...Is there a difference other than that?

Also I came across a bypass filter something or other that goes on/in the CAI to block the possibility of water lock - made by AEM for AEM. Does this work as it says? Are there any drawbacks to it? Since it is AEM would it work with mazda part?

 

[racer x 3]

Looks like I was a bit off on the price (I was just going off ballpark that I had in my head) but I am getting prices off of ocmazdaspeed.com. They have the CAI for 260 and exhaust for 444.

I'm not seeing much price difference between AEM and mazda...Is there a difference other than that?

Also I came across a bypass filter something or other that goes on/in the CAI to block the possibility of water lock - made by AEM for AEM. Does this work as it says? Are there any drawbacks to it? Since it is AEM would it work with mazda part?

yeah the prices you quote are/would be VERY good...

with aem versus mazda, no there really is not any real difference at all.... just the warranty items i mentioned. as far as the bypass valve is concerned, i am not sure of compatibility between the two brand intakes. basically it provides an alternative draw point for air if the "main" filter is submerged. i for one will not be getting the bypass.... beansoldier, a respected forum member here, did a nice little write up on the topic at one point (probably in his NA power stage 2 which is stickied) and the long and the short of it is that you would need to really be driving real hard in the rain or be throttling through somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 inches of water to suck in a harmful amount of water into the throttle body and hence the motor itself. do be careful in wet conditons but i wouldn't dwell on the hydrolock issue.... perhaps a prefilter would ease your mind. (basically a sock/condom/little hat for the intake filter that repels water further)

 

[utopia]

MAZDASPEED - SPORT EXHAUST
MAZDA 3 4-DOOR. The Cat-Back Sport Exhaust is designed to provide an aggressive exhaust note. Stainless Steel construction with polished tip. Tip includes the Mazdaspeed logo.

is there an audio video of this? i love the sound of the borla system but haven't heard this one yet