mazdaspeed CAI VS. Cobb SRI

[Trader]

It rains a lot in MD too. I have never had a problem with MS CAI. I also love the fact I never have to worry about a possible warranty issue. It really is too bad you can't get them anymore. It was a no brainer beween the MS CAI and the Cobb. Same power gains for just a little more money, and that extra money buys peace of mind.

How hard is it to clean the filter for the CAI. Can the filter be reached without having to take the panel off??

From what I understand right now that would be the only reason I would go with the SRI over the CAI. Why would you want to get hot air from the engine bay with the SRI?

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Cheese and Rice, can we have this conversation one more time? Search this and you will find the Dyno proof of CAI over SRI and Hydro lock is for people not paying attention to where they are driving. Anyone with a CAI and installed it themselves knows how hard it would be to get that much water and how high it would have to go to get in there... My filter is better than 1.5 ft. off the ground with no direct access for water to get to it. If you are worried about the Hydro lock and can wait, get the SRI. Other wise, order the Injen!

 

[Hyun]

Cheese and Rice, can we have this conversation one more time? Search this and you will find the Dyno proof of CAI over SRI and Hydro lock is for people not paying attention to where they are driving. Anyone with a CAI and installed it themselves knows how hard it would be to get that much water and how high it would have to go to get in there... My filter is better than 1.5 ft. off the ground with no direct access for water to get to it. If you are worried about the Hydro lock and can wait, get the SRI. Other wise, order the Injen!

QFT(mswerd)

 

[///M Compact]

If the MS CAI was so "dangerous" to the engine Mazda would have recalled the installed CAIs as well as the ones in dealer inventories.

 

[UHATEIT]

They have some fujita, injen, mazdaspeed, and some knock-offs on ebay for sale at some pretty decent prices. Most are around $200 or less. Thats probably the best place to get one if you are in the market for it right now.

 

[ericrapp]

Cheese and Rice, can we have this conversation one more time? Search this and you will find the Dyno proof of CAI over SRI and Hydro lock is for people not paying attention to where they are driving. Anyone with a CAI and installed it themselves knows how hard it would be to get that much water and how high it would have to go to get in there... My filter is better than 1.5 ft. off the ground with no direct access for water to get to it. If you are worried about the Hydro lock and can wait, get the SRI. Other wise, order the Injen!

yes, apparently. its ok cuz some folks now have more experience and more facts are available. and the newer members are asking for you for advice and help. Rice and beans Damnbit!

 

[phantom6294]

Well... that REALLY depends on how hot things get while idling, how fast you're moving, for long you've been moving and how you define "hot air." Here's a shameless plug for my own thread: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123716819.

 

[08speed]

just get aem cai

 

[F430TECH]

Ummm.....

If the MS CAI was so "dangerous" to the engine Mazda would have recalled the installed CAIs as well as the ones in dealer inventories.

Isnt that pretty much what they did? Its no longer available right? I heard that they told the dealers to send back anyones that they had layign around...

Or was that just sarcasm on your part?

 

[camrycev6]

Isnt that pretty much what they did? Its no longer available right? I heard that they told the dealers to send back anyones that they had layign around...

Or was that just sarcasm on your part?

I wouldn't call that a recall. Just because they are no longer for sale doesn't mean there is a serious issue. If they were causing serious problems, if you couldn't drive in the rain or through a few puddles, then they would have recalled them and notified the hundreds of customers who own them... they didn't.

 

[eg6motion]

I wouldn't call that a recall. Just because they are no longer for sale doesn't mean there is a serious issue. If they were causing serious problems, if you couldn't drive in the rain or through a few puddles, then they would have recalled them and notified the hundreds of customers who own them... they didn't.

actually they were pulled off shelves because they cause your car to run leaner due to improper MAF size, which may or may not cause a CEL since the ms3 already runs rich. I have seen this on several ms3's with the mazdaspeed intake. I have also seen surging at higher boost levels in 4th-6th gear. Its great that the mazda warranty is unaffected by their intake but in reality, its really just a 3inch pipe with a filter, not much engineering in the first design. The new AEM, which is probably going to be the new Mazdaspeed, definitely looks much more thought out and researched.

 

[camrycev6]

I had two different MS3s, both with MSCAIs.... I have ran over 20,000 miles between the two cars and never had a problem of any sort. I know another two guys locally that have also had no issues...

 

[///M Compact]

I wouldn't call that a recall. Just because they are no longer for sale doesn't mean there is a serious issue. If they were causing serious problems, if you couldn't drive in the rain or through a few puddles, then they would have recalled them and notified the hundreds of customers who own them... they didn't.

Exactly, Mazda has not taken any action with regards to the installed units. Issuing a stop sale order is not the same as a recall. Heck, Mazda hasn't even issued a TSB on the MS CAI...

 

[///M Compact]

The new AEM, which is probably going to be the new Mazdaspeed, definitely looks much more thought out and researched.

I thought that the only difference was the inclusion of an air flow straightener.

 

[photoracer]

I got my MS3 CAI well back in early 2008 or late 2007. Plus I've never taken my 07 MS3 into the dealership. That way they can't slip a reflash in my ECU and screw up the car. So far after 29K miles it runs like a watch. Except for that stupid 2-3 shift issue caused by the reverse lockout mechanism. I think I'm going to put a t-handle on as a shift knob to hopefully stop me pushing down on it when doing 2-3. Used one on my SCCA Cobra plus my drag cars in the early 70's and always liked it better than a knob.

 

[MadChillMojo]

MS CAI CEL issues

the CEL issue with the MS CAI is a minor one... there's a minor air leak that can be fixed with a replacement part Mazdaspeed has released. I took my 2009 MS3-GT to a dealer for exactly this issue and had the part installed the next day (they had to order it) - but the tech there knew exactly where to look once he got the "air leak" code... AND it was covered under my factory warranty, being a Mazda upgrade part...

 

[MSMS3]

the CEL issue with the MS CAI is a minor one... there's a minor air leak that can be fixed with a replacement part Mazdaspeed has released. I took my 2009 MS3-GT to a dealer for exactly this issue and had the part installed the next day (they had to order it) - but the tech there knew exactly where to look once he got the "air leak" code... AND it was covered under my factory warranty, being a Mazda upgrade part...

Good to know. Won't get that kind of dealer help with any other intake. I'm very happy with my second gen (with air straightner) MSCAI and have put about 15,000 miles on it with no problems. I was getting a CEL, but it was from my catless dp/rp. lol. Resolved with diode fix.

I do hate, in a way, to see this thread revived, as there is no clear answer as to whether CAI or SRI produces more power. If there is a difference it is probably too slight to accurately determine, and would probably occur in connection with any benefit the CAI has over the SRI when underhood temps climb in slow stop and go traffic. Others say it is very transitory and disappears quickly when in motion. Some say one has a bit stronger low end and the other a bit stronger up top. Strong feelings both ways on this. The debate is more academic than practical. Both are excellent mods. CAI is quieter. SRI more noticable. Matter of taste there. With either the stock BPV or any aftermarket BPV will be more audible.

What is very clear is that the stock air box is incredibly restrictive and it is easy to pick up 20-25 whp by getting rid of that box and replacing it with a good aftermarket intake of either design.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

+1 on that... I love my Injen, ZERO problems to date.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

MSCAI was nice, but the Cobb SRI is easier to clean, and made the car really feel even more alive.

It's all negligible of the gains and losses. A lot of it is just seat-of-the-pants with the overwhelmingly loud turbo noise. Feeds the ego. Just like a Civic Si sounds like you're really going fast when you're winding it up to 9k lol.

 

[MS3inDC]

I'm surprised... that for car people no one has mentioned K&N. Hands down, best intakes on the market. Not only proven on the dyno, but also proven to be the best "filter" on the aftermarket. Ask anyone who has run them, imports or muscle.

Sure allowing more air in makes more power, but allowing more dirt in with that air is slow death. Injen and AEM are two of the worst when it comes to actually "filtering" the air that they allow into the engine, HKS is bad too (Apex'i and Blitz are not far behind, not that they make intakes for MS3s anyway). Granted the cleanest filter, and most restrictive, will be the stock paper filter. All things considered, I'll be spending the extra $ on a K&N SRI, and removing whatever brand CAI the previous owner installed.