Pictures of installed Mazdaspeed CAI

[Kosh]

I had my CAI installed for about 2 weeks now. My biggest concern before installing the CAI was driving in heavy rainfall. It just happened that driving back from the dealership after heaving the CAI installed it was raining sooo bad I could hardly see anything. When I got home, I popped the hood and surprise! the plastic cover under the engine was dry. Considering I drove briefly over 100 mph in that rain I think the CAI is safe in not sucking up any water.

You can see in this pic how far off the bottom of the bumper the filter sits. You would have to go through a creek to get water up in there. Just be careful of flash floods and you should be safe This pic is taken while the car is still lifted so can't tell how far off the ground it sits.

 

[BSTD3]

had my CAI installed today. All I can say is SHIITE the car really moves now. Love the sound of the blow off valve and growl of the intake when under throttle. It's da SEX!!! (hump)

 

[03promaz]

Looks good!!!

 

[BSTD3]

A few pics of my install

 

[justa4banger]

I love all this craziness about water, CAI and blowing up motors.
Look short of COMPLETELY submerging the CAI theres no way you could suck enough water in to cause any damage. Think about it people, to get enough suction force the turbo would have to be damn near full spool, now how many of us plan on driving through floods at 3500rpm or higher ?????

As far as splashing water, well that won't affect anything either.
Stop worry about hydrolocking your motor, drive with common sense and have fun. I had a CAI on my VW for 5yrs it was about 4.5 inches from the ground i drove in all kinds of s*** and never once blew my motor up( NOS did it for me ).

Back to the topic , nice pics i can't wait to get mine.

Also according to the info i read from mazda that MY dealer gave me, the CAI can be instlled by the user and theres no warranty on the LABOR. all other warranties are still valid. Besides if you can't handle a CAI intake upgrade, maybe you should consider a slower car.

 

[chuci]

Fair enough... esp considering how many years ATVs and such have had "open" filters.
My only thought... would there be any negative to shortening the down-tube other than clearance in that part of the engine bay? (boom02)

 

[Rotus8]

Fair enough... esp considering how many years ATVs and such have had "open" filters.
My only thought... would there be any negative to shortening the down-tube other than clearance in that part of the engine bay? (boom02)

Um, nothing except then it won't fit any more. It has to go that low to clear the bottom of the frame.

 

[Pirana]

Thats an incredibel weld!!! Do they use an AEM dryflow filter?

 

[M3_Zoom]

Thats an incredibel weld!!! Do they use an AEM dryflow filter?

Yes, it's a AEM dryflow filter. The Mazdaspeed CAI comes with it. Also, it's nice to see companies addressing the oiled filter issue. Nothing like oil on the air flow meter and triggering a CEL.

 

[sierra248]

I am planning the purchase of a Speed3 next week and was wondering something. I have been driiving around in a sr20 powered nissan for last 7 years with a CAI and it made my car wayyy wayyy louder under WOT. I've seen some videos and sound clips of the Mazdaspeed CAI and it doesn't seem to be very loud....which is good as I am very tired of loud engines. That was a main concern of mine in getting the speed3, its a pretty quiet car for what it is. For any of you who have experience comparing a CAI on this car vs other cars let me know what you think. Just a long way of asking, does the CAI on the Mazdaspeed3 make it much louder?

 

[speedi3]

I am planning the purchase of a Speed3 next week and was wondering something. I have been driiving around in a sr20 powered nissan for last 7 years with a CAI and it made my car wayyy wayyy louder under WOT. I've seen some videos and sound clips of the Mazdaspeed CAI and it doesn't seem to be very loud....which is good as I am very tired of loud engines. That was a main concern of mine in getting the speed3, its a pretty quiet car for what it is. For any of you who have experience comparing a CAI on this car vs other cars let me know what you think. Just a long way of asking, does the CAI on the Mazdaspeed3 make it much louder?

You only hear a slight vaccuum noise under accleration. (dance). I have had mine for about 13k miles have no problems. You will be pleased with the purchase.

 

[M3_Zoom]

So, I'm excited because my Mazdaspeed dealer calls me this morning telling me they just got a shipment of CAI's in bla bla bla. I swing by there on my way home from taking my son to the doctor and that will be $399 plus tax please!! I said are you joking? Suddenly his serious face was on and he said, um no why? Most are selling them from $300 - $325 including shipping. I was willing to pay even $325 just for no wait but $399 + Tax = (wow) No thanks. The sad thing is they would not budge. Then I ask about the Mazdaspeed3 exhaust and he gives me some $720 + tax quote. I kindly told him you might want to invest in a bottle of endust at those prices. That's crazy.

 

[Kosh]

So, I'm excited because my Mazdaspeed dealer calls me this morning telling me they just got a shipment of CAI's in bla bla bla. I swing by there on my way home from taking my son to the doctor and that will be $399 plus tax please!! I said are you joking? Suddenly his serious face was on and he said, um no why? Most are selling them from $300 - $325 including shipping. I was willing to pay even $325 just for no wait but $399 + Tax = (wow) No thanks. The sad thing is they would not budge. Then I ask about the Mazdaspeed3 exhaust and he gives me some $720 + tax quote. I kindly told him you might want to invest in a bottle of endust at those prices. That's crazy.

Dealers must think people have never heard of the internet when it comes to buying parts. Was $399 plus tax including installation? That would be more reasonable but $399 and then $150 for install...they call that murder

 

[M3_Zoom]

Dealers must think people have never heard of the internet when it comes to buying parts. Was $399 plus tax including installation? That would be more reasonable but $399 and then $150 for install...they call that murder

Kosh, I agree and unfortunately it did not include installation. I told him the same thing but "no installation is an additional fee." Also in reference to the internet, that is what I told him as well. Most people who own these car do allot of research on who has what part and at what price. I'll just order it and to install a CAI is very easy anyhow.

 

[chuci]

Um, nothing except then it won't fit any more. It has to go that low to clear the bottom of the frame.

aaaaahhhhhhh... any true advantage over a high-flow mounted in place of the airbox then?

 

[M3_Zoom]

aaaaahhhhhhh... any true advantage over a high-flow mounted in place of the airbox then?

chuci, I know BEGI Engineering/BELL Engineering is planning on a Cold Air Box but as far as installing a Dry Flow Cone Filter inside the factory box hmmmm. I'm going to take my airbox out tomorrow to check my side transmission mount and I will tell you if one can fit in there. There will need to be some portion of the intake tube that goes into the airbox to grab onto in order for it to be possible. I did it on my SRT-4 until they came out with a CAI and it did help some.

Anyone else want to chime in?

 

[gsrtype1]

how can you tell by looking?

I think I see a loose motor mount bolt in last picture

how can you tell by looking at the bolt if its loose?(headshake (dunno) (piss)

 

[M3_Zoom]

chuci, I know BEGI Engineering/BELL Engineering is planning on a Cold Air Box but as far as installing a Dry Flow Cone Filter inside the factory box hmmmm. I'm going to take my airbox out tomorrow to check my side transmission mount and I will tell you if one can fit in there. There will need to be some portion of the intake tube that goes into the airbox to grab onto in order for it to be possible. I did it on my SRT-4 until they came out with a CAI and it did help some.

Anyone else want to chime in?

Update! Sorry for the delay but you cannot install a Cone Style filter in the OEM box. However, you can use a K&N drop-in filter. The design of the intake tube running into the box will not allow it. Also, I never realized how small the factory airbox is inside.

 

[chuci]

Update! Sorry for the delay but you cannot install a Cone Style filter in the OEM box. However, you can use a K&N drop-in filter. The design of the intake tube running into the box will not allow it. Also, I never realized how small the factory airbox is inside.

hahaha... I meant replacing the airbox with an intake tube and cone filter (e.g. K&N setup). I'm now torn on the CAI though. I think there's a tuner just south of me that has gotten an MS3 to 280bhp/310Ftlbs at the wheels with just the CAI and some re-mapping (cabpatch)

 

[M3_Zoom]

hahaha... I meant replacing the airbox with an intake tube and cone filter (e.g. K&N setup). I'm now torn on the CAI though. I think there's a tuner just south of me that has gotten an MS3 to 280bhp/310Ftlbs at the wheels with just the CAI and some re-mapping (cabpatch)

Oh oh oh, now if you want a short-ram style intake, I don't think that would fare to well with our car. There is allot of heat in that general area of the intake so my guess would be, yes you would make a gain but definitely not as much as the CAI.

CAI and Re-map with 280bhp and 310ftlbs is not impossible. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a CAI and the XEDE PCM mod.