MS CAI : After-Install Pics

[dparm1984]

Don't forget that a CAI's longer tube makes the motor work harder to get its air. In the grand scheme of things it is just an intake, and there are more important things to focus on when it comes to making power.

 

[guy_incognito]

Shoot me an IM with your e-mail address. I have the instructions I can e-mail you.

Here are the instructions for anyone else interested as well.

 

[///M Compact]

While we're on the subject, do you have to pull the wheel, undertray, and wheel well cover in order to remove the filter for cleaning?

 

[dparm1984]

I would assume you just reverse the installation directions.

 

[TurboWagon]

While we're on the subject, do you have to pull the wheel, undertray, and wheel well cover in order to remove the filter for cleaning?

I would think that you should only have to remove the under-engine cover, and maybe loosen some of the nuts around the driver-side bumper and wheel well but you shouldn't have to take off the wheel. Really, the only reason you have to remove the wheel in the first place is to help give you access to the difficult-to-remove air deflector for the stock airbox. I installed the filter all from under the car so that is how I plan on getting to it when cleaning time rolls around.

 

[dparm1984]

What's the torque spec on the wheels (for when I go to put mine back on). I would guess around 80ft-lb.

 

[///M Compact]

I would think that you should only have to remove the under-engine cover, and maybe loosen some of the nuts around the driver-side bumper and wheel well but you shouldn't have to take off the wheel. Really, the only reason you have to remove the wheel in the first place is to help give you access to the difficult-to-remove air deflector for the stock airbox. I installed the filter all from under the car so that is how I plan on getting to it when cleaning time rolls around.

Thanks! I'm trying to decide between the MS CAI and the Cobb SRI...

 

[3.slow]

I've had the MS CAI for several months. All of a sudden, I get the lean at idle code. I cleared it, but it came back twice. I put on the stocker and the code hasn't come back. WTF

 

[TurboWagon]

I've had the MS CAI for several months. All of a sudden, I get the lean at idle code. I cleared it, but it came back twice. I put on the stocker and the code hasn't come back. WTF

Interesting...a few questions:

Do you know approx. how many miles you have driven with the MS CAI?

When you first installed it did you disconnect both battery terminals and make sure the charge was out of the car?

About what rpm would your car idle at (if any different) with the code?

 

[jp4130]

Yeah, I installed this bad boy yesterday and man, why the heck did they even put that plastic piece inside the wheel well? Other then that, the install went smooth. I took my time so it was like an hour and a half. I noticed while driving, it feels like I lost so low end but it made up for more midrange and some top. The spool sure does sound nice though.

I cleaned my filter this weekend (20k service)

If you rotate your tires w/ your oil changes, getting to the filter and cleaning it is very easy. My shield rattles a little due to contacting the inner fender well. I might remove the shield. It's not really needed IMO.

That shield is your best friend.(thumb) I had a MZ3 with a cold air intake, before I got my MS3. That shield is exactly what i wanted to make myself. Those vent holes in the fender liner allow the wheels to spray obscene amounts of water on to the filter in rainy conditions; then once it gets wet enough some of that water makes its way to the maf sensor causing the maf to send the wrong info to the ecu. Then the car bucks and stutters badly, at that piont the car is barely drivable until you get the maf dry agian. That shield is a very well thought out featuer on the mazdaspeed 3 I would keep it one there if you have a cold air intake. I took mine off because I am sticking with sri. I figure that venting not being covered will help to get a bit of flow through the that area too help keep things cooler in the summer.

What's the torque spec on the wheels (for when I go to put mine back on). I would guess around 80ft-lb.

90 ft-lb.

Thanks! I'm trying to decide between the MS CAI and the Cobb SRI...

If you are considering the accessport when it finally comes out I would stick with cobb sri.

 

[RichB]

90 ft-lb.

Just looked in the book and it specs 66 ft-lb to 86 ft-lb for wheel lug torque. 90 would be too high