Advice please: considering CAI/PG Manifold

[08 Max]

My 08 is stock at the moment and will certainly be getting the CP-E motor mount, my wheel hop is pretty bad. Otherwise I'm considering the PG exhaust manifold(once the fitment issues are resolved) and a CAI to go with it. My priority is on keeping the car sounding basically stock but getting some more power, I don't want any overly aggressive sounds coming from the car.

First question, there are a number of opinions about the Mazdaspeed CAI vs the Cobb SRI. Soundwise what is everyone's experience, from what I've read the Mazdaspeed seems the quieter of the two and they both seem to provide about the same gains based on the dyno's I've seen. Am I on the right track here?

Second, if I do the PG Manifold am I crazy not to do the downpipe? If so, does sound necessarily equal power? Again, if there's a downpipe I can use that retains stock sound I'll do it, otherwise I'll just avoid doing the downpipe. Any recommendations welcome.

 

[08 Max]

Nobody?

 

[SharkDiver]

Im guessing you would want to change the DP if you are doing the manifold.What does your dealer think about mods?That manifold will not be easy to change out for every dealer visit.A new intake is a must with this car.The DP and mani will be my next mod as soon as my warranty is over,I may do the DP before its up tho since its not that hard to switch out.

 

[wisniaPl]

you can get rp and it will sound stock pretty easy to take out before dealer visit same as upgraded tmic....

 

[Captain KRM P5]

My 08 is stock at the moment and will certainly be getting the CP-E motor mount, my wheel hop is pretty bad. Otherwise I'm considering the PG exhaust manifold(once the fitment issues are resolved) and a CAI to go with it. My priority is on keeping the car sounding basically stock but getting some more power, I don't want any overly aggressive sounds coming from the car.

First question, there are a number of opinions about the Mazdaspeed CAI vs the Cobb SRI. Soundwise what is everyone's experience, from what I've read the Mazdaspeed seems the quieter of the two and they both seem to provide about the same gains based on the dyno's I've seen. Am I on the right track here?

Second, if I do the PG Manifold am I crazy not to do the downpipe? If so, does sound necessarily equal power? Again, if there's a downpipe I can use that retains stock sound I'll do it, otherwise I'll just avoid doing the downpipe. Any recommendations welcome.

the manifold and downpipe alone will not change to overall sound dramatically. keep the factory catback and you should be ok in the sound department.

side note - the NEW turbo manifolds will be here end of this month. no more contact or fitment issues whatsoever.

 

[thanotosq]

the manifold and downpipe alone will not change to overall sound dramatically. keep the factory catback and you should be ok in the sound department.

side note - the NEW turbo manifolds will be here end of this month. no more contact or fitment issues whatsoever.

I have to say that my experiences this week with the PG manifold and the CS downpipe has been really great (and I stress great).

A VERY noticeable hp/torque gain with minimal sound changes…but… it’s seems, and I’m very new to car modification, that most mods that have any significant gain will be at least a little louder.

The one thing that I did notice from the side of the road when a friend drove my car past me was that the exhaust note is noticeably deeper…not really louder, but definitely deeper… Also, the sound inside of the car is not any louder really…but then again…I listen to my music pretty loud…

Also, if the MS CAI is anything like the Injen CAI…it will be louder. I don’t know about the COBB SRI (not that you will ever be able to find it in stock), but the HKS SRI that I have in right now is relatively quite when compared to the Injen…so I’m guessing CAI is louder than SRI in my limited experience…

Hope that helps!!

PS—Have fun installing the mani & dp if that is the route you take…I know that I did!

 

[ericrapp]

Nice

the manifold and downpipe alone will not change to overall sound dramatically. keep the factory catback and you should be ok in the sound department.

side note - the NEW turbo manifolds will be here end of this month. no more contact or fitment issues whatsoever.

Please, how does the ex. mani. effect the top mount Intercooler? I would love the manifold but I reelly want to keep top mount. Are there any fitment issues with the aftermarket TMICs or is the front mount the only way to do this right?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Please, how does the ex. mani. effect the top mount Intercooler? I would love the manifold but I reelly want to keep top mount. Are there any fitment issues with the aftermarket TMICs or is the front mount the only way to do this right?

there will be no fitment issues with any intercooler of any kind when this shipment arrives.

 

[08 Max]

Thanks a lot everyone, I hadn't seen the HKS SRI, will have to have a look at it. Indeed a warranty will be a bit of a problem with a different manifold and dp, but, what the hell, I'm in Canada with an American car anyway. I'll just look at it as a way to reinvest the $6,000 I saved when I imported the car from the US!

I'm also not very excited at all about the install, but I've read every post on PG's mani thread and it doesn't look like its too awful. Also, Kudo's to PG, there was trouble with a few(definitely not all) of their manifolds but they've supported all of their early purchasers with the parts to make the originals work and I know they've updated the design to avoid any ongoing issues.

 

[BluMicaR]

Thanks a lot everyone, I hadn't seen the HKS SRI, will have to have a look at it. Indeed a warranty will be a bit of a problem with a different manifold and dp, but, what the hell, I'm in Canada with an American car anyway. I'll just look at it as a way to reinvest the $6,000 I saved when I imported the car from the US!

I'm also not very excited at all about the install, but I've read every post on PG's mani thread and it doesn't look like its too awful. Also, Kudo's to PG, there was trouble with a few(definitely not all) of their manifolds but they've supported all of their early purchasers with the parts to make the originals work and I know they've updated the design to avoid any ongoing issues.

I woudl pull the trigger immediately without reservation again and again on my Cobb SRI, CS DP, and PG Mani. Deeper, not dronery, 100% pleased and it's is so much harder pulling it's crazy. You cannot possibly go wrong to imitate my sig.

Never a CEL or issue; NEVER. Not a single problem since day one with this car or the list you read below.

Oh, except the stock manifold? Yeah, may as well hire someone or let a buddy do it; that thing is harder to get off than a 90 year-old insensate man with ED.

 

[MM BOOST]

Anyone have any video clips of a MS3 with turbo back and the PG manifold? I am wondering what kind of sound differences it made??

 

[08 Max]

Yeah, may as well hire someone or let a buddy do it; that thing is harder to get off than a 90 year-old insensate man with ED.

Woh...I want no part of that!

 

[thanotosq]

Woh...I want no part of that!

Wait, wait... I'm telling you, i have zero car moding history... This is the first car that i have done everything myself and i installed the PG mani and CS DP myself. Yes, it was a total wh^*re, but after about 20 hours (mostly because of my inexperience) it is in and it rocks(headbang)... no CEL's, no rattling, nothing...

However, do watch out for that 2nd o2 sensor...that one bit me in the ass... but it's not an expensive part.

 

[08 Max]

I've done a lot of wrenching, more of it on combines and tractors than imported Japanese cars so with some of the right tools it couldn't be too bad...still don't want to get the old guy off mentioned in the earlier thread though!

 

[ericrapp]

Thanks

there will be no fitment issues with any intercooler of any kind when this shipment arrives.

That is good news, i am sure this piece will be in my future. Thanks, Captain. And removing the stock downpipe will be much easier with manifold removed. I wish i had purchased both parts ( exhaust man. / dp) and installed same time. There are folks who can walk you through this install, and look at How To. Good luck. You will see some nice performance gains.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

That is good news, i am sure this piece will be in my future. Thanks, Captain..

no problem sir, let me know if there is anything else we can put in your future

 

[BluMicaR]

I've done a lot of wrenching, more of it on combines and tractors than imported Japanese cars so with some of the right tools it couldn't be too bad...still don't want to get the old guy off mentioned in the earlier thread though!

Hehe. Still, telling ya, the stock manifold is such a worthless b**** to get off it is SO bad. You'll be pulling back on your engine trying to get it to rock, you'll be praying to Allah putting a Jihad on Mazda, you'll be tossing holy water on it; you can't even sell your SOUL to get it off quickly/without hassle. It is just HORRIBLE and takes longer to wrench out of there than it took
(mj)
to go from black to white.

(eek2)

 

[ericrapp]

Blu that is just depressing

 

[BluMicaR]

Blu that is just depressing

Hehe, just want everyone to make certain they are prepared for the suck when they start this job on their own, should they elect to do the mani-mod.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

it is a lot easier on the mazdaspeed6. god bless bigger engine bays.