SRI vs CAI on the DYNO!

[15min5k]

There are no vents directing air from the outside to under the hood; except for the one that directs outside air to the intercooler and electronic box. If the air were so cool under the hood, such a vent would not be necessary and Mazda engineers would not have designed same. The intercooler needs such cooler outside air to work at its optimum. All the air under the hood while the car is moving has first been heated by passing through radiator. Remember, the engine is water cooled, not air cooled. The air in the front fender well has not passed through the radiator and is thus cooler. Cooler air is more dense and can atomize more fuel which equals more power. Since the a CAI provides cooler/denser air to the turbo, more is compressed to flow into the intercooler and engine and thus produce more power.

Then were the hell is your proof? Apparently you're wrong so don't just go around spreading bum scoop. Even if the intake temps are a little lower with a CAI, it wouldn’t make a damn difference considering this car is turbo charged (air first goes through a hot ass turbo!) and then a intercooler. In a controlled environment I’ve tested this whole CAI vs. SRI debate and there’s no way in hell that a CAI makes a significant difference in power out put vs. a SRI. You make the big increase in power with this car because the stock air box is very restrictive. Oh and there’s no use comparing DYNO #’s unless you’ve done it in a controlled manner as the OP did. DYNO #’s very like crazy from DYNO to DYNO.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Hmm... And yet Mazdaspeed has not even considered a SRI.

 

[15min5k]

Hmm... And yet Mazdaspeed has not even considered a SRI.

That's because too many people have been brainwashed into thinking that a CAI is better. Go on and believe what you want to believe, I know the truth and will not be wasting money on a CAI. You could spend half as much on a SRI that yields the same benefits and have the ability to easily clean the filter, install /uninstall and no worries about hydrolock unless you drive into a lake.

 

[GoFast]

That's because too many people have been brainwashed into thinking that a CAI is better. Go on and believe what you want to believe, I know the truth and will not be wasting money on a CAI. You could spend half as much on a SRI that yields the same benefits and have the ability to easily clean the filter, install /uninstall and no worries about hydrolock unless you drive into a lake.

ok 15min5k. I actually sorta agree with you. I really dont think that there is much of a performance gain with either or. If there is, it's quite negligible and and mainly on the "top end" (120+). Either one will be a huge gain over stock.

Here is what i don't get though. in another thread you stated something that i agree with whole heartedly:

You don't need to Modify this car for it to be enjoyed. Infact, modifying carries with it great risk in many cases. Just leave it stock and enjoy. It's a aweome ride striaght off the lot and congrats on the purchase!

By saying you would never go with a CAI, you are basically contradicting that considering the only warranty friendly intake is in fact a CAI.

 

[15min5k]

ok 15min5k. I actually sorta agree with you. I really dont think that there is much of a performance gain with either or. If there is, it's quite negligible and and mainly on the "top end" (120+). Either one will be a huge gain over stock.

Here is what i don't get though. in another thread you stated something that i agree with whole heartedly:



By saying you would never go with a CAI, you are basically contradicting that considering the only warranty friendly intake is in fact a CAI.

Well, an SRI is so easy to take off (20 min tops) I wouldn't worry about that much. However, personally I wouldn't go much beyond that. I actually had a Cobb SRI, SU MM, and TWM SS w/bushings on my car but took it all off to make a warranty claim regarding my transmission. After my entire transmission was rebuilt I didn't bother putting my modifications back on because I forgot how good the stock ride was and I don't need anymore power at the moment. I sold all 3 modifications’ but keep the shifter bushings on the car so now my car is basically stock besides the 225/40/18 tires and I love it and it's nice having the piece of mind if something breaks. The “driver mod” is by far the best mod anyway. A good driver driving a stock MS3 will smoke an Avg driver driving the same car with a 15-25hp advantage every time.

 

[Parkeway]

Kenne Bell voids warranties on cars with SRI

http://www.kennebell.net/techinfo/general-info/HotAirWARNING.pdf

Kenne Bell (one of the world's foremost forced induction specialty shops) helped advance this industry and felt compelled to issue the article above.

I am still shopping for a solution on the MS3, but put a lot of weight in technical evaluations. Having built a SC'd Miata with an SRI, I have experience with hot air (pun intended), and the AEM underhood intake was just what the doctor ordered. However, I also experienced detonation that I chased constantly with e-Manage Ultimate, especially at the shorter road courses (less airflow). I then dropped in a more efficient intercooler solution to help remedy a problem which really began at the filter.

Anywho...I thought that is article might be a worthy addition to the ongoing debate!

 

[RC08MS3]

this thread goes wayyy back haha, but yea

in reality, a dyno isnt going to prove a performance difference over a CAI and a SRI, come on guys, on the highway when the engine is screamin for its life, do you want your intake next to a screamin hot motor, or in the weld suckin in cool air? since when is numbers the deciding factor for something? there just numbers, the deciding factor is performance

if you were to take the front vents off, and convert to a FMIC setup with no top mount, then yea, the SRI will prob [perform] just as well as a CAI, becuase its getting air from the same outside source, and technically would be a CAI

 

[15min5k]

Neat, but this isn't the case with our MS3.

 

[GoFast]

why?

 

[15min5k]

this thread goes wayyy back haha, but yea

in reality, a dyno isnt going to prove a performance difference over a CAI and a SRI, come on guys, on the highway when the engine is screamin for its life, do you want your intake next to a screamin hot motor, or in the weld suckin in cool air? since when is numbers the deciding factor for something? there just numbers, the deciding factor is performance

if you were to take the front vents off, and convert to a FMIC setup with no top mount, then yea, the SRI will prob [perform] just as well as a CAI, becuase its getting air from the same outside source, and technically would be a CAI

Again, once the car is moving the intake temps aren't much different. You guys really need to start back from the beginning of this thread because there's obviously a lack of knowledge going on here.

 

[15min5k]

why?

look below and read thread from the beginning for a better understanding on how the SRI works, etc.. I don't have time to debate this topic all day.

 

[15min5k]

Dude when your driving the engine bay is full of cool air and not to mention this is a turbo car people. No matter what the ari is going through a hot ass turbo so thats why we have an intercooler. YOu woould be wasting your time and money trying to build some form of shield. If you dont believe me go make some wot pulls and then pull over and feel your intercooler and intake tube. It will be cool to the touch I guarantee.

I agree!

Buy a CAI if you want ppl but you're just wasting your money. later.

 

[GoFast]

this has been argued before, i just couldnt find it after a few minutes of searching. While i agree that air in the engine compartment would be cooler at speeds there still has to be a difference between air temps that are injested between an sri and a cai. I know someone has measured this witha dashhawk before. If you want another argument for this look here:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123709788&highlight=cold+air+box

obviously someone other than me, cobb, saw a need for cooler air than what was being provided in the engine compartment.

just for the record i am only arguing the statement that ken bell's theory is wrong

 

[ringolake]

Do you pick up about 1 mpg under average conditions for both?

 

[15min5k]

this has been argued before, i just couldnt find it after a few minutes of searching. While i agree that air in the engine compartment would be cooler at speeds there still has to be a difference between air temps that are injested between an sri and a cai. I know someone has measured this witha dashhawk before. If you want another argument for this look here:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123709788&highlight=cold+air+box

obviously someone other than me, cobb, saw a need for cooler air than what was being provided in the engine compartment.

just for the record i am only arguing the statement that ken bell's theory is wrong

Cold air box was discussed just to give the non believers peace of mind and of course to increase sales.

 

[GoFast]

Cold air box was discussed just to give the non believers peace of mind and of course to increase sales.

opinion or fact?

 

[15min5k]

opinion or fact?

Neither, common sense.

 

[GoFast]

ahh i see. lol

 

[GoFast]

sorry kenne bell, it has been decided that your years of experience and expertise are proved wrong because of common sense and the MS3 defies physics. (freak)

 

[15min5k]

sorry kenne bell, it has been decided that your years of experience and expertise are proved wrong because of common sense and the MS3 defies physics. (freak)

Like I said before, believe and buy what you want to buy. I personally happen to know it doesn't make a significant enough difference to go with a CAI. No, I can't prove it but that's okay, the important thing to me is that I know I'm not getting ripped nor brainwashed.