At the same time I installed the ill fitting Thermal R&D catback on my 2003 Protege 5 (See my reply under the "Thermal catback review" thread), I installed an Injen CAI. The CAI, unlike the Thermal R&D catback, was a perfect fit and an easy installation. I feel like I gave up a little bottom end with the two mod's but there is a noticeable horsepower increase across the RPM range. Intially, I was constantly standing on the throttle just enjoying the power increase and the sound. But, since the Thermal keeps breaking the muffler hanger off the frame, I have been compelled to drive very conservatively. If and when I can get the bucks together, I'll buy a Racing Beat catback system. Then I'll be able to really drive my MP5 again. In any event, the Injen CAI gets high praise from me. It looks really good, it sounds wicked at full throttle, my fuel economy has improved, and my throttle response is better.
Injen CAI review
- Thread starter chestes
- Start date
Just installed my Injen CAI at work tonight. Loving it! Getting the filter on was a bit of a pain (kept popping off) but other than that, fairly straightforward. Sounds great (along with the RB cat-back I installed Wed.), throttle is definitely smoother, and the car seems slightly quicker. However, I also broke the lower fitting on the purge vavle!! Am I going to go up in a ball of flames? Doesn't really seem to have any effect on drivability, other than a bit of a rough idle, but no problems while driving......
I would replace the broken connection, if I were you. If you are referring to the connection that comes off the fuel rail, then there is a potencial for a fire. On another note, I put the Injen decals that came with my CAI on my car just under the front side marker lights. The red decals contrast nicely with my yellow MP5 and it looks really good. I figure that if I put them on my CAI they would hardly ever be seen. Are you happy with your RC catback?
I went and looked under my hood to determine which fitting you have broken. It has to be the one that required relocation for the CAI install. Based on that, I would definately relace the broken componet. It is making you to run lean at an idle (due to vacuum leak) and could possibly dump fuel or fuel vapor under the hood which could lend itself to a fire. I can assure you that Mazda would not make any fire damage repairs under warrantly if they found that broken fitting was the result of your aftermarket componet install.
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- Black tinted '02 P5
sidpro5 said:
i did that too on my buddy's car! it's a b****! i love the Racing Beat exhaust. Its not rice like loud and no restrictions. definate power gain i will say. and the intake stays nice and ice cold even on the hottest day in summer.
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- Black tinted '02 P5
we replaced it that day. $80 later! we didnt run the car when we broke it!
he gave me his when he went turbo, and i installed mine in the dead of october, 2am with one flash light, bare feet and MacGuyvered tools!
he gave me his when he went turbo, and i installed mine in the dead of october, 2am with one flash light, bare feet and MacGuyvered tools!
Cool. I've been running mine since Friday night. Threw a CEL Saturday night, but it went out tonight. Odd. I'm actually going to try to fix mine before I spend the money on a new one. The way it broke, I think it will be possible.......
