Any experience with MX5 factory CAI ?

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:53 am

Hi Guys,

I have got an 1999 NB. I would like to install a cold air intake. The choices are down to the MX5 mania one at $285 or a MX5 factory one at $450. I understand that both are not rocket science designs and are basically designed to pick up colder air from the front cowl area.

My question relates more to the sound. I would go with the more affordable Mania CAI but I have read feedback that it is actually quite loud. It looks great though. I have just installed an exhaust system from T&C so I am happy with the volume of melody I have got so not looking for more.

Has anyone got the latest MX5 Factory cold air intake installed which they can comment on sound ?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:10 pm

miatalim wrote:My question relates more to the sound. I would go with the more affordable Mania CAI but I have read feedback that it is actually quite loud.

The loudness has a lot to do with where the cowl area below the winndscreen is being accessed, i.e. just in front of the cabin cold air intake vent. While the MX5 Factory CAI may sound slightly different it still draws air from just in front of the cabin cold air intake vent, like the MX5 Mania/ Loch Stewart CAI. So when you sink the slipper to increase revs, the flow of air being drawn into both these CAI increases. Best to get a ride in an MX5 with either to decide if you can live with it. Many of us do because we love the sound it makes!

Btw, you might also read that it's not possible to fit this type of CAI to an '99 MX5 (NB8A), but I know of at least two with the MX5 Mania/ Loch Stewart type fitted. Don't know of any MX5 Factory type fitted to the NB8A, but fair to say the MX5 Mania/ Loch Stewart type is more popular.

toymx5 · Postby **toymx5** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:37 pm

Hi Miatalim,

I also have a 99 (with a full T & C system thanks to Peter) and wanted to fit a CAI but wasn't happy with the look of Mania one or the price of the MX5 Factory nor the idea of drilling a hole in the cowl so I got a DDMWorks 2 Intake from Moss Motors in the US when I was over there last year. I love the look of it and it works great, a perfect match to compliment the free flowing exhaust. With the USD/AUD at parity it may be worth you considering it.
I'll try to attach a photo for you if I can work out how to do it !!

toymx5 · Postby **toymx5** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:41 pm

The photo didn't work sorry, and the FAQ's are no help what so ever, if you send me you e-mail address I'll send you some photos.

I have great news for you about the T & C system, it gets better after about 500k's, it gets a deeper sound and a bit louder too

Regards,

Toymx5

zombie · Postby **zombie** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:49 pm

I fixed the image link for you - you had two lots of img tags around it. You only need one set

toymx5 · Postby **toymx5** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:54 pm

Thanks Zombie,

Much appreciated, now I know

honki3rider · Postby **honki3rider** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:10 am

Another DDMWorks fan. :mrgreen:

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:57 am

Thanks for the input. The DDM CAI looks really very nice and the largest advantage over our local offering would be you would not need to cut a hole in the cowl and the reduce noise levels from being away from cowl. I expect that the price for the DDM will end up being closer to $500 delivered so not cheap but it does look great.

I had a MX5factory CAI installed on my NA 6 years ago and I really like what it did for the car performance wise. It was bloody expensive though for what it was…$550 installed.

The Mania CAI looks like the most economical solution at this point and I really buy into the whole high pressure cold air theory within the cowl area. Although the DDM one really do look the part.

I am hoping that my new T&C exhaust actually quiten down a bit rather than become louder as the carbon builds up in the exhaust tubes. The good news is that when I pull the top up my NB is transform to a comfortable cruiser. The new exhaust did not seem intrusive at all during my journey back from Geelong to Melbourne. I went for a drive last night with the top down and the sound of the new exhaust was boucing off the houses in my street and I thought "whoahhhhh…it really does sound like a proper sports car now…"

I gave strict instructions to my young children when they hear me coming in the driveway to tell their mom "…..the King is back ! " So now I purposely blip the throttle when I am in the driveway.

Does the T&C exhaust really get louder after awhile?

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:57 am

Toymx5 & Honkirider,
Can you provide further description on the perceived difference the CAI made to your NB in terms of sound and performance. At least if you did your exhaust mod separate to the CAI, you should be able to isolate the effect the CAI had on the NB.
The other question I had is, did you guys bump the timing to 14 degrees post CAI install and what were the effects on performance ?
Thanks
Lyndon

ForceMajeure · Postby **ForceMajeure** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:36 am

toymx5 wrote:Thanks Zombie,

Much appreciated, now I know

Thats one sexy CAI. :idea:

toymx5 · Postby **toymx5** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:52 pm

Lyndon,

I fitted my DDM CAI 12 months after getting my full T & C exhaust system. I believe there was a moderate increase in power after the CAI was fitted but it certainly wasn't as dramatic as the improvement gained from fitting the T & C exhaust, that totally transformed my car

Noise wise there is no noticeable induction noise when driving. Certainly when the bonnet is up and you give it a rev you can really hear it sucking the air in, is quite impressive !

In relation to bumping the timing to 14 degrees unfortunately that only applies to NA's. I believe the only way you can advance the timimg on a NB is to have the engine management re-mapped/re-chipped which is quite expensive. I hope one day to look into that as that'll be my next mod. Hopefully there may be a 'tech head' out there in the forum that can advise on that.

Regards,

toymx5

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:18 pm

toymx5 wrote:In relation to bumping the timing to 14 degrees unfortunately that only applies to NA's. I believe the only way you can advance the timimg on a NB is to have the engine management re-mapped/re-chipped which is quite expensive. I hope one day to look into that as that'll be my next mod. Hopefully there may be a 'tech head' out there in the forum that can advise on that.

As far as I know ChipTorque on the Gold Coast are the only folks in Australia to modify the OEM NB8B ECU, which they did for the 100 Australian MX5 SPs.
However, there's supposed to be a way of advancing the timing in NBs, although not as simple as NAs - see the very bottom of the following page for details: http://www.miata.net/garage/ignition.html

Here's a reference to it on our forum - in it Rotary in Sydney mentions he's done the mod & found it very worthwhile, & Rotary knows his stuff:
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=30568&p=532437
From samx5's post it sounds like there may also be an alternative.

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:17 pm

Thanks guys. You've just given me an excuse to spend more money. All I needed to hear was that a CAI did make a perceivable difference to an NB. I guess the bonus for me with getting the DDM CAI is lack of noise coming into the cabin and it’s the best looking CAI I have seen so I can enjoy it even when the car is stationary.

With the new exhaust the NB now seems to pull a lot smoother through the rev range. Before the change, the NB sounded like it was in pain when rev hard compared to the sweeter NA I used to have. I am hoping for even greater engine/throttle responsiveness by including the CAI. Power is sufficient for me on the NB bit a bit more mid pulling and extra responsiveness would be nice…not that the NB is unresponsive.

toymx5 · Postby **toymx5** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:34 pm

93_Clubman wrote:
toymx5 wrote:In relation to bumping the timing to 14 degrees unfortunately that only applies to NA's. I believe the only way you can advance the timimg on a NB is to have the engine management re-mapped/re-chipped which is quite expensive. I hope one day to look into that as that'll be my next mod. Hopefully there may be a 'tech head' out there in the forum that can advise on that.

As far as I know ChipTorque on the Gold Coast are the only folks in Australia to modify the OEM NB8B ECU, which they did for the 100 Australian MX5 SPs.
However, there's supposed to be a way of advancing the timing in NBs, although not as simple as NAs - see the very bottom of the following page for details: http://www.miata.net/garage/ignition.html

Here's a reference to it on our forum - in it Rotary in Sydney mentions he's done the mod & found it very worthwhile, & Rotary knows his stuff:
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=30568&p=532437
From samx5's post it sounds like there may also be an alternative.

Thanks 93_Clubman, I appreciated your help !

I've read the associated articles and it has me thinking now ! I'll create a new post about the subject and see what the latest info is. I'm sure there must be something you do to reprogramme the ECU without spending $1,100 on a ChipTorque add on unit.

Regards,

toymx5

toymx5 · Postby **toymx5** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:43 pm

miatalim wrote:Thanks guys. You've just given me an excuse to spend more money. All I needed to hear was that a CAI did make a perceivable difference to an NB. I guess the bonus for me with getting the DDM CAI is lack of noise coming into the cabin and it’s the best looking CAI I have seen so I can enjoy it even when the car is stationary.

With the new exhaust the NB now seems to pull a lot smoother through the rev range. Before the change, the NB sounded like it was in pain when rev hard compared to the sweeter NA I used to have. I am hoping for even greater engine/throttle responsiveness by including the CAI. Power is sufficient for me on the NB bit a bit more mid pulling and extra responsiveness would be nice…not that the NB is unresponsive.

Its weird, It's like I'm talking to a mirror image of myself as everything you are saying applies to me ! I also use to have a NA and was surprized when I drove a NB that the motors weren't as 'sweet' or as happy to rev out ! As you've experienced the T & C system greatly improves the throttle response, mid range, and total power and you'll find the CAI adds to that making the throttle response even more sharp and giving just that little more pulling power in the mid range.

After you've done that we have more money for you to spend ! You must get a front tower brace, the change when I fitted mine was quite amazing, gives the car a totally different feel, the rigidity is increased immensely.

Regards,

toymx5