General Question about intakes

[ichris2493]

Before I was into mazda 3's I was really interested in RSX's and I read that it was better to replace the car's stock air filter with a K&N or AEM one then to put a short ram intake or a cold air intake. I was wondering if the same would work for a mazda 3. I wouldn't want my mazda 3 sounding like a ricer either but would replacing the air filter deepen the sound of the engine or should I just go with a SRI or CAI??

 

[joshritger]

The K&N drop in filter does absolutely nothing. I had one in my car for over a year and felt no significant difference. I changed to a SRI and I could tell immediately. The corksport SRI isn't actually that loud either. If you do go with a SRI I would build yourself an intake box or at the very lease a heat shield to keep warm air out. The SRI feels like it has really good performance when it is able to suck in cool air, but it looses a little bit on really warm days. I notice a big difference between the morning when the car is cold and the air is cold versus the afternoon when the air is warm and the engine is warm. If it was getting air from directly outside I think it would be better all around.

 

[Chefsp0t]

^ Which is why a CAI will always perform better than a SRI. I have a Fujita F5 installed and it works flawlessly even if it is a noisy SOB. I like the sound though. It's not ricey just gives a little more growl and aggressive tone than stock.