Cold Air Intake

[mazda3zoom]

so ive seen a couple different brands comin out with CAI systems for the 3 but has anyone actually put one on their car?? if so post pics

 

[Jpasta]

so ive seen a couple different brands comin out with CAI systems for the 3 but has anyone actually put one on their car?? if so post pics

could you give me the links

i would like to buy one

but do they have them for the 2.0L?

thanks

 

[mazda3zoom]

try......
mazda3online.com
corksport.com (dunno)

 

[bluntman]

They won't be available until the end of April to mid-May (according to AEM and Injen).

 

[yac2727]

They won't be available until the end of April to mid-May (according to AEM and Injen).

Again I have to ask the question, dosen't the Mazda 3 already have a cold air intake because the intake is actually outside of the engine compartment already. So aren't you just spending money for something you already have. Keep in mind that you are going to have to make a BIG hole in your engine compartment in order to put in the cold air intake from AEM. Is this really worth it?

 

[The Other Tom]

Again I have to ask the question, dosen't the Mazda 3 already have a cold air intake because the intake is actually outside of the engine compartment already. So aren't you just spending money for something you already have. Keep in mind that you are going to have to make a BIG hole in your engine compartment in order to put in the cold air intake from AEM. Is this really worth it?

Cold air intake is somewhat of a misnomer. The real value is that they provide a less restrictive air intake, so that you get more air into your engine. More air=more gas=more power. A lot of people fabricate their own, using a pipe and K&N filter. You have to be careful about air flow, though. If the air sensor reads a turblent flow, then it will adjust the gas flow differently, sometimes with undesirable results. Just some things to think about if you're going to make your own.

 

[yac2727]

Cold air intake is somewhat of a misnomer. The real value is that they provide a less restrictive air intake, so that you get more air into your engine. More air=more gas=more power. A lot of people fabricate their own, using a pipe and K&N filter. You have to be careful about air flow, though. If the air sensor reads a turblent flow, then it will adjust the gas flow differently, sometimes with undesirable results. Just some things to think about if you're going to make your own.

So honestly how much power can you really hope to gain by using (headshake this AEM cold air intake system? 4 - 5 HP? 10? How much. will it make a difference in acceleration at all? As it is I can't take off too fast because of the terrible noises that my engine makes when I accelerate to hard. It makes huge knocks, I'm scared I'm going to break something in the car.

 

[goldwing2000]

So honestly how much power can you really hope to gain by using (headshake this AEM cold air intake system? 4 - 5 HP? 10? How much. will it make a difference in acceleration at all? As it is I can't take off too fast because of the terrible noises that my engine makes when I accelerate to hard. It makes huge knocks, I'm scared I'm going to break something in the car.

Hell... break it, dude. Then we'll know what the hell the noise is and we can b**** to Mazda to have it fixed!

 

[Nathan G]

I'm just waiting for the K&N panel filter to be released. (sad2)

 

[newblu3]

So honestly how much power can you really hope to gain by using this AEM cold air intake system? 4 - 5 HP? 10? How much. will it make a difference in acceleration at all? As it is I can't take off too fast because of the terrible noises that my engine makes when I accelerate to hard. It makes huge knocks, I'm scared I'm going to break something in the car.

First off, hello, this is my first post on this board. I ventured over here from another Mazda 3 board. I have owned the car since the end of January.

The AEM has been dynod to give an average of 4-5 whp and a peak of 7 whp, but fuel trims are close to perfect and you will not get a CEL. I have not seen the actual dyno sheets yet but so I dont know if there is much torque gain. That terrible noise you are hearing is wheel hop (the suspension) not the engine. Better tires have close to elimanted that problem for many people. A stiffer suspension will also do the job.

 

[goldwing2000]

That terrible noise you are hearing is wheel hop (the suspension) not the engine. Better tires have close to elimanted that problem for many people. A stiffer suspension will also do the job.

Hello to you, too! Welcome to the forum.

The noise can't be JUST wheel hop because it's happened to me twice while driving slowly and hitting a big pothole. It has to be something bottoming out or topping out that either shouldn't be doing so or should have a bumper in place so the hard parts don't whang together.

I think the wheel hop just makes it more noticable. There's a deeper issue that needs to be resolved, ie. what exactly is making the noise. What parts are smacking together? Only time will tell.

 

[yac2727]

Hello to you, too! Welcome to the forum.

The noise can't be JUST wheel hop because it's happened to me twice while driving slowly and hitting a big pothole. It has to be something bottoming out or topping out that either shouldn't be doing so or should have a bumper in place so the hard parts don't whang together.

I think the wheel hop just makes it more noticable. There's a deeper issue that needs to be resolved, ie. what exactly is making the noise. What parts are smacking together? Only time will tell.

I did notice that wheel hop played a big role. I've mentioned in other threads (specifically LSD and stock tire threads) the Goodyear Eagle RSA's are bargain brand junk. But I have to agree with Goldwing on this one, it's not only wheel hop. I mean wheel hop can happen on any car with good power and bad tires. Dosen't mean it's gonna sound like the transmission is going to go through the firewall!! (boom04) . I talked to the dealer and they gave me the same crap about the mounts being soft to make the ride smooth. They are (monkey2) 's. I think we should write Mazda and find out what the hell is going on. Just my 2 cents....

 

[newblu3]

I totally agree that it is more than wheel hop. I was just referring to when you slam on the gas. I have experienced the great pounding on many occasions when going over a pothole or even just going up a steeper driveway if I am doing over 5 mph. It sounds like the shock it hitting the top of the tower or something. Who knows, but I definitely think it is a problem too. Hopefully Mazda will realize it and try to fix it. Dealers just dont give a crap and arent about to try to find a problem. Until they get a TSB they are going to tell you its normal. (dunno)

 

[The Other Tom]

So honestly how much power can you really hope to gain by using (headshake this AEM cold air intake system? 4 - 5 HP? 10? How much. will it make a difference in acceleration at all? As it is I can't take off too fast because of the terrible noises that my engine makes when I accelerate to hard. It makes huge knocks, I'm scared I'm going to break something in the car.

Not much hp gain from a CAI. It should sound better, though. As we all know, the sound will add 5 hp just by itself (rofl)

 

[Da 6]

Actually if you want a free sample of what a difrence the cold air intake does....drop your splash guard and remove the resonator *and replace splash guard...that is how you gain some of the hp cause the resonator takes hp and the airbox takes hp....as for the 6i the airbox is only 30% efficent when not in VVT.
If you don't beleve me sit down and see if you can tell if the 6 is a i4 or a v6(Withought looking at V6 badge) next time you see and hear one....air box+resonator in fender makes it that difficult to tell. Cold air or short ram (What I got) is waaaaay better than stock and you WILL KNOTICE THIS(smoke) and I don't mean a dent in your wallet but your car damn near stand up (My Short Ram Intake Dynoed 12 HP VIA AEM). The 2.3 wakes up when you do intake header and exhaust. If your cars 3s is anything like our i4 and V6 cold air might(not 100% cause it is a select # of sixes with injen intakes) throw CELS cause it detects a big difrence from stock and freaks out the 1st 100 miles. After that most never recieve a 2nd cel. The intake for the 6i is the same for the 3s...only difrence is the mounts cause the 6 has V6 option.

 

[mazda3zoom]

hmm definately gave me sumthin ta think about before i buy a CAI. i dont wanna have to cut any holes in my fenders or whatever just for a gain of 5hp. and as far as the wheel hop....ive noticed that too, this is my first FWD car and when i first did it i thought i broke my ride. i also noticed a REALLY loud bang when i went over a big pot hole once or twice. definately not right.
Da 6.....i have no idea what ur talkin about.lol.what should i take off? and should i just get the short ram intake??thanks

 

[goldwing2000]

I have experienced the great pounding on many occasions when going over a pothole...

WooHoo!! I think we just found a name for our little problem!
MSP has The Clunk
Mazda 3 has The Great Pounding

I like it! (The name, not the noise)

It is hereby decreed, the heinous WHAM in the front of the Mazda 3 will henceforth be know as

The Great Pounding

Or TGP for short.

(smash) (pow) (spank) (bike) (chair) (dark) (hand) (bang)

(bow) (usa)

 

[sndsgood]

well with any engine mode you generally don't gain allot from just one part. but to gain power your car needs to breathe better and get rid of the air better. although the stock intake is somewhat of a cold air type. it won't have as good of flow as an aftermarket unit. if u want power u can't slap on any intake and expect miracles. u have to change the throttle body the intake manifold the header the exhaust and then all those small 3-5 hp changes start to add up.

 

[newblu3]

Glad I could be of some help.....lol Really didnt know what to refer to it as. I have heard wheel hop on my friends old Mustang before but the noise that the 3 makes is terrible. The forst time it happened I thought my shock came through to the engine comartment.

I agree that if you are going to let the car breathe better you have to let it exahaust better, and feed it better as well. You should notice better throttle response with the CAI though. If the CAI is the only mod you plan on doing you will probably feel like you are wasting your money for 5 whp, unless you love the way it sounds. If you plan on modding beyond that I think it is an important piece of the puzzle.....as long as you are going to stay NA.

By the way, Goldwing and Mazda3zoom where in Michigan are you? I have only seen a few on the road around me. PM me if you dont want to post o/t.

 

[Da 6]

1. There altready is a hole in your fender from the engine bay....there is a box that is attached to your air box called a resonator....it serves a purpose....quiets down the engine but at the cost of a few HP.....the cai uses that same hole. Only thing is to make shure you cover the wiring if it runs the same way as the 6...right next to where the intake goes.

2. the clunk you hear is the engine shifting around cause once again the car is built for everyone. the motor mounts in cars now a days are soft as s***. thats why when you add cai, headers and exhaust the engine moves more causing wheel hop....eventully if enough people get together then people can make the stiffer mounts. stiffer mounts don't add hp but helps you use the power that "stock stole from you". less movement of the engine means quicker 1/4 times. I never said it will shave 2 seconds...but the reason the mounts are that damn soft is they wanted the car to idle smooth cause stiffer mounts cause vibration of the engine at idle to the steering wheel and depending on the stiffness may have the cabin vibrate as well. I got use to it in a week in my old car.

3.yep 1 part doesn't bring 50-90hp....except Forced Induction Systems. when you do alot of things then you will seriously notice....only thing is if you don't want to have a super loud car then get a catback with resonator option cause if you go header or delete the cat(check local laws before doing this!!!) you will have a more free flowing exhaust but slightly louder than what you are use to. make shure you don't go toooo large with piping cause when you go too large the gases cool down and are harder to push out the system cause colder air is heavier than hot air and puts a strain on the engine. before you say something about why is a cai any good....colder air burns better than hot but you don't need colder air in the exhaust cause it's leaving. only reason you have super large exhaust is cause the turbo is a big restriction...reason why some cars like SRT-4 for example don't have a muffler from the factory.