Advise on intake/inlet filter kits (NB8B)

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:20 pm

Sorry to hijack a bit (i was told i could

). But with the mania intake does cutting a big hole in the firewall affect rigidity of the firewall / car at all? Surely the firewall is solid for a reason? And also, i notice that the air flow meter is kept for all these intakes is this just for the ecu to do its job because surely theres a lot of restriction in there?

The racing beat intake also seems to look quite nice. Just not sure about it fitting with strut braces...

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:23 pm

I dont believe it makes a difference to the rigidity of the car,

However it wouldnt pass engineering IMO.

The stock ECU needs the AFM, it is somewhat of a restriction but keep in mind the stock throttle is only 55mm which is tiny, so its unlikely the AFM restricts more than the throttle does.

However dyno's have shown removal of the AFM and fitting an ecu is worth 10hp or so.

But thats mostly the ecu and tune not the afm removal.

Dann

outbreakmonkey · Postby **outbreakmonkey** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:23 am

Seems like a lot of money for little reward. The stock intake is quite a well built unit and there has been many tests that show aftermarket intakes offer little benefit and in some cases reduce performance.
What is the condition of your shocks? I'd want to be 100% on the condition of the cars suspension before anything.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:18 pm

dmad_dood wrote:But with the mania intake does cutting a big hole in the firewall affect rigidity of the firewall / car at all? Surely the firewall is solid for a reason?

The hole is cut into the windscreen cowl area between the firewall & the engine bay, as the firewall continues as the base & the back of the cowl area. So there's still firewall between engine bay & cabin.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:49 pm

if you have had a car for 5 minutes then you do not know it. The standard car breathes just fine and drives brilliantly but some people just have an itch to spend money. The best change is a catback exhaust mod for a performance change ( soon forgotten) and the sound which gives the feeling of performance . If you make this mod ( filter kits) you will never know if it does anything except drain some money from the account because you have nothing to compare it to ie experience of actually driving the car. I also would not cut any metal in the car. Drive the car for a while and get to know how it performs.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 2:10 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:I also would not cut any metal in the car.

Mazda factory cut a 2" diameter circlular hole right next to it for the wiper motor spindle.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:45 pm

There are cut outs and holes all over a car but as part of the makers intent and Mazda would design the firewall to give the strength they require for the brief which includes a hole for a wiper spindle . One thing I can say for sure is that a car can be refused a roadworthy for cut outs made in the back of the vehicle for such things as speakers as it can affect the integrity of the structure. The same logic as rust in the floor etc. As another example even a rear sensor(s) on a bumper can be knocked back where a a hole is drilled through a structural area. Realistically a small hole is not likely to be a concern but a largish cut out is another thing.

ralt · Postby **ralt** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 9:55 am

Hi.
Thanks for the information on the "works" intakes pictured in this thread. My only concern is why the owner would mount the cam cover breather hose upstream from the afm. The reason mazda have the breather pipe and hose as close to the throttle body is to prevent the intake from being eventually coated in oily residue from the breather particularly the afm. If you want to check this out put a clear plastic breather pipe on and watch it change colour from the oily residue.

Postby **NitroDann** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 9:57 am

On a non intercooler car, who cares?

Dann

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:40 am

Anyone running a MAF.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:42 am

Mr Morlock wrote:Mazda would design the firewall to give the strength they require for the brief which includes a hole for a wiper spindle.

It's not the firewall that's being cut.

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:23 pm

shuey wrote:Mazmad: Do you have another photo of the whole engine bay? what air filter element are you using?

Delayed response....

Sorry for terrible pic.

So have you made a decision?

shuey · Postby **shuey** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 10:15 pm

mazmad wrote:So have you made a decision?

More or less decided, but haven't bought it yet. Should be going for the K&N Apollo CAI Kit so that I can retain the original intake piping and for circa $110, it makes sense economically as compared to Pipercross' Viper Induction Kit that cost 2x more. Extra cash would go into the 'other mods' fund :mrgreen: