Stock Air Intake Mod?

[Demoniam]

Would there be any cons to removing the stock intake system up to the airbox?

Obviously, a K&N Panel Filter would be a must. as the filter would get dirtier faster.

I know that by doing so you get a louder sound, just like a SRI.

I am guessing that this would also give a better flow of air and probably make the air cooler, as it is not going through 5 feet of ductwork above the radiator.

There is a possibility of running some ducting from the airbox to the d/s side (into the chamber where a full CAI would sit. the clearances ar tight, and it would have to either be dryer ducting (cheap and ugly) or completely custom ($$).

I know in the long run, it is better to just fork out the $$ for a CAI, but I was thinking of other alternatives that someone could try on the cheap.

Any thoughts??

 

[NMMotorsport]

yer, take away all that crap above the radiator, and then sort out some sort of piping for the caf, also add the k&n, a guy over heres done it, with drain pipe, and it works. !!

 

[redpr5]

i bought the $40.00 Bomz SRI works great (no need to change the filter right away either, contrary to what people say)
im about to change the filter shortly though, since ive had this one for about 5 months

 

[gottacatchup]

I did that to my car about a month into owning it. Im not going to try and claim I noticed a difference at all really but it makes me feel faster. I also dont think its at all louder than having all the stock plastic in place.

 

[NVP5White]

Would there be any cons to removing the stock intake system up to the airbox?

Obviously, a K&N Panel Filter would be a must. as the filter would get dirtier faster.

I know that by doing so you get a louder sound, just like a SRI.

I am guessing that this would also give a better flow of air and probably make the air cooler, as it is not going through 5 feet of ductwork above the radiator.

There is a possibility of running some ducting from the airbox to the d/s side (into the chamber where a full CAI would sit. the clearances ar tight, and it would have to either be dryer ducting (cheap and ugly) or completely custom ($$).

I know in the long run, it is better to just fork out the $$ for a CAI, but I was thinking of other alternatives that someone could try on the cheap.

Any thoughts??

While there are many many ways to modify, I beleive the core questions is whether to modify.

Pros [of modification]:

1. shorter intake track
2. less tubulent airflow
3. less restrictive filter element (if you replace stock airbox)
4. louder intake sound
5. very minimal high-rpm gains

Cons [of modification]:

1. loss of low-end power due to loss of snorkle
3. louder intake sound

I might be a fan of this type of mod if it resulted in any marked performance increase. I don't mind the extra engine sound but, frankly, it makes more more upset that my car doesn't actually have more power.

Also, note that a less restrictive air filter is necessarily a poorer filter for you intake air. Does more dirt/dust/sand in your intake air really hurt your engine? I don't know but I'm not willing to experiment on my car that I need to be a reliable daily driver for years to come.

 

[Beau M]

Waste of time. Trimming toenails would be more productive.

 

[gus5]

I removed the resonators and it just made it louder. It was kind of an annoying drone. It didn't sound like an aftermarket intake. And it felt like I lost torque at lower RPM's. I ended up putting it all back on. Makes it more driveable.

If an aftermarket intake results in the same loss of low end torque, i'll pass. I hate cars that are loud and slow. These cars aren't exactly being restricted from making power. You're not going to out engineer the guys at Mazda.

 

[JoshP5]

Removing that tubing will make the intake charge hotter, not cooler. Instead of drawing fresh ambient air into the system, you're taking heated air from inside the engine compartment. Yes, the tubing runs above the radiator, but the tubing's made of plastic which is a decent insulator and keeps the air cooler.

 

[MonkeyBone]

lol never seen this thread before

here's the pics of my "one-of-a-kind" homemade intake

cost: 30$
time to make it: 30 mins
fun I have with the little ricer sound: no way! its not ricey! (drive2)

 

[Demoniam]

Thanks for those pix, that was my original idea. Just didn't know whether or not it would make any difference.

 

[ho bag]

No gain or loss from this, Just louder.

 

[JasonLHall]

I tore all mine out and turned the 90 right before the box to the side towards the drivers side fender.

The only reason I did it was got tired of all that plastic crap in the way of seeing my OBX exhaust manifold

 

[MonkeyBone]

The main reason why I did it is because the big plastic thing gets SO hot in the summer I had the impression that it will melt.

So i did this little cheap mod, it's a tad louder but I think it's effective.

1st: Shortened the distance for the air to travel to my engine

2nd: The tip of the intake is 1/2 inch below the top of the hole (so it dosen't suck up water when I splash some guy snoring on the sidewalk) it sucks up fresh air from below

3rd: Engine bay is less ugly than before so this is extra points too

4th: Costs 100$ less than a SRI or the whatever you call it that give you 1/3 of an hp more at the wheels. So more $$$ in you pockets for...let's say...gas? (drunk)

 

[geetee]

yer, take away all that crap above the radiator, and then sort out some sort of piping for the caf, also add the k&n, a guy over heres done it, with drain pipe, and it works. !!

The K&N panel and drainpipe mod......
Takes air from the undertray, just ahead of the gearbox. Driving through rivers is not recommended....

I dunno if it actually works powerwise, but it sounds a bit better. Not as loud as an induction kit, just slightly louder than standard.