Throttle response - Cold Air Intake

[nickarend]

Hello all. Coming from a 2024 Rav4 to a new (to me) 2018 CX5 Touring, I feel the throttle response is not as smooth. So my question is, can anyone confirm whether or not a cold air intake (Specifically the AFE if possible) will make the throttle response a bit smoother? I'm not concerned about added power, sound, increased/decreased MPG. I'm only curious about throttle response here. That being said, perhaps a secondary question around adding a Throttle body spacer? I don't know if they even make a throttle body spacer for a CX5.

My Jeep Wrangler is well known for having a heavy/firm pedal. After installing a Banks sealed off air intake, exhaust and throttle body spacer, it improved the throttle response around 40%, making it significantly better to have a smooth acceleration from a stop.

I know there are a couple intake options, but am drawn to the AFE due to the box "sealing" off the filter to avoid heat soak and the system using the stock air inlet. I know the conversation around intakes usually gets split between two separate camps. Those who really like them and those who think they are a total waste. I am usually all for them and have seen/felt benefits. But I've never had one on a Mazda. So, I'm hoping to create some dialogue and get some feedback from those with first hand experience before I make the purchase.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RedBaron]

I feel the throttle response is not as smooth. So my question is, can anyone confirm whether or not a cold air intake (Specifically the AFE if possible) will make the throttle response a bit smoother?

This is an electrically-operated throttle (drive-by-wire), so a CAI will have no effect. Maybe try lubricating your pedal (or check if anything is interfering with it) if you're have a 'feel' issue.

 

[nickarend]

This is an electrically-operated throttle (drive-by-wire), so a CAI will have no effect. Maybe try lubricating your pedal (or check if anything is interfering with it) if you're have a 'feel' issue.

Good to know. I was not aware of that with the CX5. Appreciate the info

 

[theblooms]

Your car already has an extremely efficient Cold Air Intake on it straight from the factory.

 

[N7turbo]

This is an electrically-operated throttle (drive-by-wire), so a CAI will have no effect.

Actually, these things are not mutually exclusive. A cold air intake often uses a less restrictive dry flow type of filter (or at least they should be, skip the oiled ones). Those tend to improve response through increased flow (reduced resistance to flow).

You could get an AEM Dryflow drop-in filter for the stock air box and get most of the same benefit. A really well designed air intake using a velocity stack at the bumper area should yield further improvements to efficiency but there aren't any turn-key solutions for the CX-5.