MazdaSpeed 3 - MS CAI - Install time and cost

pmeilakjr

Member
:
Mazda, Mazdaspeed3, Red
Hi All,

I was just wondering - if you installed the MS CAI yourself - how long did it take? If you had the dealer install it - how much did they charge?

I called two local dealers in So Cal and they want over $300 to install the CAI. That's 3 hours at the the dealer rate - of $99 per hour. I'm I missing something.

Thanks

Peter
 
I had a dealer do the install for $150. I think it would take about an hour to do it on your own... simple enough. I chose the dealer install since it was cheap enough and for my own peace of mind re: warranty.

3 hours sounds way too long. Sounds like they're not sure how to do the install... and you're basically paying them to learn how to do it on your car.
 
installed mine on my own and it took just under 2 hours taking my time following the instructions step by step.

No special tools or skills needed.
 
i also took my time... and did it in around 2 hours...

looking back i could have done it in half that...
 
ABOUT ONE HOUR to install the CAI. I may be harsh, but IMO any person that pays a dealer to install the CAI either has money to WASTE, or shouldn't be modding their car. the install is SOOOO easy a 5th grader could do it.

Maybe people are just scared to touch cars............. i dunno but hell i wouldn't 50.00 for an install. ITS EASY, and ytou get the satisfaction of saying you did something on your own.
 
Sometimes a person just doesn't have the time to install something and it is just easier to have someone else do it. It's not that install scares me - heck I pulled the calipers and brackets off and painted them when the car only had 400 miles on it. I'd rather spend the time with my kids for a $100 bucks. I'd even pay you a $100 bucks to install it - when you coming over - I'll even give you a beer when your done of course.

Cheers


justa4banger said:
ABOUT ONE HOUR to install the CAI. I may be harsh, but IMO any person that pays a dealer to install the CAI either has money to WASTE, or shouldn't be modding their car. the install is SOOOO easy a 5th grader could do it.

Maybe people are just scared to touch cars............. i dunno but hell i wouldn't 50.00 for an install. ITS EASY, and ytou get the satisfaction of saying you did something on your own.
 
pmeilakjr said:
Sometimes a person just doesn't have the time to install something and it is just easier to have someone else do it. It's not that install scares me - heck I pulled the calipers and brackets off and painted them when the car only had 400 miles on it. I'd rather spend the time with my kids for a $100 bucks. I'd even pay you a $100 bucks to install it - when you coming over - I'll even give you a beer when your done of course.

Cheers

i can install it for you.

i installed and uninstalled mine. then i made my own custom cai and fmic.

$100 bucks and a couple beers, and i can do it anytime !!! just let me know !
 
pmeilakjr said:
Sometimes a person just doesn't have the time to install something and it is just easier to have someone else do it. It's not that install scares me - heck I pulled the calipers and brackets off and painted them when the car only had 400 miles on it. I'd rather spend the time with my kids for a $100 bucks. I'd even pay you a $100 bucks to install it - when you coming over - I'll even give you a beer when your done of course.

Cheers
Everyone has a hour to spend on there car every few weeks.There is no reason to pay someone for such a easy job.I have 3 kids and found plenty of time to do it.If someone comes to your house and does it Im sure you are going to sit out there with them and shoot the s*** and have a beer so you should just do it yourself.

Or waste your money on someone else to do it.
 
SharkDiver said:
Everyone has a hour to spend on there car every few weeks.There is no reason to pay someone for such a easy job.I have 3 kids and found plenty of time to do it.If someone comes to your house and does it Im sure you are going to sit out there with them and shoot the s*** and have a beer so you should just do it yourself.

Or waste your money on someone else to do it.

Got such a killer deal on the car I got money to waste!
 
to each his own...

my dealer said 3 hrs too, BUT charged me $500 for cargo net, wheel locks, and the MS CAI-installed.
was worth it to me... (warranty peace of mind)
 
Last edited:
lebox97 said:
to each his own...

my dealer said 3 hrs too, BUT charged me $500 for cargo net, wheel locks, and the MS CAI-installed.
was worth it to me... (warranty peace of mind)

(hah) $500!!!!

Go to the "How to" section, I made a custom cai for $90. Works great... dyno #'s coming soon.
 
redspeed said:
(hah) $500!!!!

Go to the "How to" section, I made a custom cai for $90. Works great... dyno #'s coming soon.

i made my own custom one too.

(rockon) (rockon) (rockon) for Do It Yourselfers !!!
 
redspeed said:
Great! how it's working for you?

awesome !!! and i really appreciate you taking the time to do that how too, and forwarding me the spectre info. i had to use the plastic maf housing from spectre for mine since they didn't have the aluminum one (hand)

but overall, its working out great. the rest of the piping i made myself.

check mine out.

Unpainted
IMG_0044.jpg


Painted
IMG_0044b.jpg


then i used a spectre filter !!!
IMG_0048.jpg
 
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