I'm looking to get a cold air intake system for my 2003 mazda protege. I want to get something in the 200-250 dollar range with dyno tested performance increases. What are some cai systems you'd recommend? I was looking at some aem and k&n ones but can't decide being that I'm a newbie. They all say increased hp gains but I can't find any dyno charts on their products. Any info welcomed.
What to do first?
- Thread starter Tony42086
- Start date
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
Tony42086 said:
I'd seriously consider doing a aheader first mainly because you would see more gains from that then you would a intake and thier both in about the same price rang from what I understand.
02PROTEGE2.0
Member
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- 1999 Audi A4 1.8t quattro manual
injen... from what i understand the best... or u could make a custom one like mine
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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
StealthWyvern said:
having gone both routes with this car (turbo and n/a) i can say the best n/a mod for the buck is the obx header. we've installed a bunch and pound for pound you can feel that gain much more than an intake. http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=21_31_47&products_id=459
GreenProtege720
Member
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- Mazda Protege 2001 LX 2.0L
Is it me or something? I mean the headers part is a good add, great horsepower I am told, but I have heard some bad stuff about the cai systems. A buddy of mine had a cai system, and it messed his car up bad. If you do get a cai, make sure you watch your driving so nothing gets sucked in, especially if you live in an area that floods a lot and oyu have to drive through the water from time to time. I have my short ram due to this. As long as you have the intake out of the water and the exhaust isn't sucking water in through the tail pipe, you can get through the water. Just becareful man.
Protephile
Propulsionally Challenged
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- 2022 CX-30
I just started a new GB for intakes. Check out this thread:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123641071
And welcome.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123641071
And welcome.
yea... we got more q's right ere!
Ok a couple more questions for us newbies...thanks for your imput!
The concerns with the CAI sucking up water. Any problems with just heavy rain and the usual amount of standing water? Or do you have to make sure you have the ability to agressivly swerve around puddles like they were landmines?? Do you modify anything else like the molding in the wheelwell?
Header: I know it would make beautiful sense to add a full exhaust system with your header...but do they add performance with just the header by itself? Or is that like putting my 2.0 in an H2?
Last question for now... Motor mounts. Mine suck BIGtime....What do you guys think of the inserts??
Profile coming up! 2002 MP5
Ok a couple more questions for us newbies...thanks for your imput!
The concerns with the CAI sucking up water. Any problems with just heavy rain and the usual amount of standing water? Or do you have to make sure you have the ability to agressivly swerve around puddles like they were landmines?? Do you modify anything else like the molding in the wheelwell?
Header: I know it would make beautiful sense to add a full exhaust system with your header...but do they add performance with just the header by itself? Or is that like putting my 2.0 in an H2?
Last question for now... Motor mounts. Mine suck BIGtime....What do you guys think of the inserts??
Profile coming up! 2002 MP5
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02PROTEGE2.0
Member
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- 1999 Audi A4 1.8t quattro manual
well... i did header a month before i did my axleback... ehader added alot of oomph in the midrange... 3500 rpm is glorious! and i dont have a full exhaust... =)...
CAI's are fine in heavy rain... but anything more than a couple inches u gotta slow down so u dont get that splash all in ur intake... btu if its two inches or more... u should slow down anyway... hydroplane duh!
i havent done motor mounts... =( sorry... it just seems liek theyre such a hastle
CAI's are fine in heavy rain... but anything more than a couple inches u gotta slow down so u dont get that splash all in ur intake... btu if its two inches or more... u should slow down anyway... hydroplane duh!
i havent done motor mounts... =( sorry... it just seems liek theyre such a hastle
nicodeemus
Member
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- Mazda Protege ES2.0
If you live in an area with a lot of rain, look at getting a short ram instead. The CAI goes into the hole on the right side of your engine compartment in front of your fuse box where your coolant chamber is. It's just safer. A friend of mine ran through a small puddle and hydrolocked his engine because he sucked in water. If you are going to go with a CAI then the coolant chamber will have to be moved, but you don't need to do anything with the molding in the wheelwell.
A good little do-it-yourself project, that will increase your airflow and performance, you can do is to cut the plastic out from in front of you stock air intake. Take the front grill right off to do this. You can use a dremel or even a utility knife to cut the plastic. You can do this till you decide whether a CAI or short ram is right for you. This allows air from in front of your grill to actually get into the air duct. You'll get a lot smoother acceleration and better highway performance. Here's a picture of my wife's 2002 LX2.0 of what I'm talking about...
I've made a screen out of a speaker grill cover to keep the big bugs out of the air duct. It's a simple project that you'll feel the gains in. Fuel mileage actually gets a bit better as well.
A header is definately a better investment when it comes to performance. You'll actually notice better gains than from a CAI or Short Ram. A CAI or Short Ram does sound really cool when accelerating though! Either way, if you get sucked in like the rest of us, you'll eventually want to do both, along with exhaust and cams other stuff!!
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Oh I'm already sucked in of course...you guys don't help.... this website doesn't help.....protegegarage CERTAINLY does not help..what a terrible affliction. AND as much as I want that wonderful shiney cool sounding CAI I will go for the header and catback first. Next will be the CAI. I think I can rig some kind of water protection though I do live in the desert. Thanks for the advice. Anyone else about the motormount inserts?
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- '03 LX Pearl Black A/T
i agree go and get header, OBX from Ken (protegegarage), and than get CAI, and dun worry about rain, i got K&N cai for about year n' half and no probs, i even cut the bottom piece of plastic open under the car to grab more air, so my filter is exposed a bit, and no probs, us in desert dont have to worry about rain... just dust.
Try RR Poly Engine Mounts http://rr-racing.com/engine-mounts.htm
Try RR Poly Engine Mounts http://rr-racing.com/engine-mounts.htm
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- -- 03 P5 / 23 CX-5 --
If you do them do the softer durometer.ZZZOOM! said:
plrubin said:
Headers are very easy to install, as long as you have all the right tools for the job. Do a search in google, and you will find many helpful articles on the project.
I too have my eyes on the OBX header, but I still have some more searching to do. Good luck with your plans plrubin.
