MS CAI install...major headache

[dparm1984]

God, installing the Mazdaspeed CAI was a major PITA:

1. Stock accordion tube...really had to yank hard to get it off
2. Lower airbox...again, had to pull really hard to get it off
3. Air diverter piece (behind fog lamp)...bolts in the absolute worst place ever, took us almost an hour to get that b*tch out
4. Splash shield...again, very difficult to reach up and see what you're doing, I opted not to install it


It actually doesn't sound much different, but you definitely hear the BOV and turbo spooling...which is cool. Butt dyno isn't really feeling much.

Worth $300 and almost 3 hours of my time? I dunno.

 

[Munnugles]

i took my bumper off to install it, tried to do it with the bumper on but that air diverter piece was extremly hard to get to, i also decided not to use the splash shield... i test fitted it on and kept hitting the fender well... im going to get a prefilter though, took me about 1 1/2 hours..

 

[bykeryder4life]

yeah haha the air diverter sucks to remove I just ripped it off after removing like 1 or 2 of the 3 bolts or whatever. the splash shield isnt that hard after what you go through to remove the stocker, I would recommend that you install the splash shield if you have time to go back under and do it. many would say the same i bet

 

[elieleb1303]

Worth $300 and almost 3 hours of my time? I dunno.

might i ask where you got it for $300?

 

[LV_MS3]

ya installing my MS CAI was such a headache..... we first didnt try to take the front bumper off to do it but after no success without doing it we finally took off the front bumper .... took 3 of us 5 hours to put it in ..... worth it? would i do it again? ............................................ yes and yes ...... worth the money ..... sounds amazing ....... DOESNT VOID WARRENTY (2thumbs) ...... when i got it in i worked that day from 4 pm - 11 pm .... got home installed it ..... was up till 5 am .... had to work another job at 6 am - 6pm ........ i was rediculously dead tired but i would do it again in a heartbeat

 

[Sierra117]

It actually doesn't sound much different, but you definitely hear the BOV and turbo spooling...which is cool. Butt dyno isn't really feeling much.

Give the ECU time to adjust, or go ahead and reset it again, and your butt dyno will feel a whole lot more.

 

[dparm1984]

might i ask where you got it for $300?

Our sponsor Protege Garage had it on sale for $309 shipped last week.

I was very tempted to just get the Dremel and cut the plastic air diverter out. I'm sure that with the bumper off it takes all of 30 seconds to remove.

 

[GoFast]

wow sorry you all had so much trouble!! For some reason mine was a breeze to install. I didnt even take that bottom tray out all the way like it said. Took me 45 minutes from start to finish

 

[dparm1984]

Yeah I don't know if you technically have to, especially if you don't run the splash shield like me (which looks to be totally worthless anyways).

 

[GoFast]

got that on too. i will agree that removing the air diverter was the most difficult part of the entire installation but that just took an extension and bending. still a pretty easy install on my part

 

[dparm1984]

 

[SwampAss]

I'm probably way to the right on the skeptic sale for aftermarket (or factory backed aftermarket) mods producing power. The CAI was a very pleasant surprise for me. I'd double check and make sure you don't have any leaks or areas where the hoses are being pinched. Mine took about 1.5-2 hours to install.

 

[07speed3]

God, installing the Mazdaspeed CAI was a major PITA:

1. Stock accordion tube...really had to yank hard to get it off
2. Lower airbox...again, had to pull really hard to get it off
3. Air diverter piece (behind fog lamp)...bolts in the absolute worst place ever, took us almost an hour to get that b*tch out
4. Splash shield...again, very difficult to reach up and see what you're doing, I opted not to install it


It actually doesn't sound much different, but you definitely hear the BOV and turbo spooling...which is cool. Butt dyno isn't really feeling much.

Worth $300 and almost 3 hours of my time? I dunno.

Dam did you read the instructions? it took me like 45min. to install mine.

I was very tempted to just get the Dremel and cut the plastic air diverter out. I'm sure that with the bumper off it takes all of 30 seconds to remove.

I think i broke mine when i was tryin to take it out haha