mazdaspeed3 cai?

[camrycev6]

Hello all,

I just purchased my MS3 less than a week ago and I love it. I think it is rare to find a car that is so practical / functional, has a good amount of power, and is reasonably priced. I don't care what the magazines say about the WRX (AWD beating our car), they just don't look as good. I've owned a supercharged G35 coupe (the dyno charts were amazing) and it cost me 2.5 times what I paid for this car and it is almost as fun to drive. That said, I simply love this car. (Except for the stereo -- the lack of an mp3 player option just is beyond me.)

Anyway, the reason I am here, is that I want to know if anyone has any official numbers for the Mazda CAI. My dealer offered to put it on for $290 plus labor. (He said it takes a little less than an hour to do the job - so about $420 all together) However, my concerns are two fold:

1) Is it worth the $400+ dollars? If the HP / torque gain is <10% will I even notice it?

2) If the gain is more than 10%, with the problems with wheel hop, launching, and torque steer at the current power level, why bother in the first place?

What do you think folks?

Greg

[dread]

you should notice the difference, your dealer charges 130/hr for labor? Why not buy the intake and install it yourself, it shouldn't take more than an hour. I think the ms cai was just released today, so make sure they are not trying to sell you the one for the regular mazda 3. No one has dyno numbers on the ms cai because mazda doesn't release them, but you won't get anywhere near a 10% increase, maybe 7%. I would expect about 15 hp and 20ft/lbs of torque. Most gains will be in the upper end of the rpm range.
congrats on the car and welcome to the forum

[camrycev6]

you should notice the difference, your dealer charges 130/hr for labor? Why not buy the intake and install it yourself, it shouldn't take more than an hour. I think the ms cai was just released today, so make sure they are not trying to sell you the one for the regular mazda 3. No one has dyno numbers on the ms cai because mazda doesn't release them, but you won't get anywhere near a 10% increase, maybe 7%. I would expect about 15 hp and 20ft/lbs of torque. Most gains will be in the upper end of the rpm range.
congrats on the car and welcome to the forum

My cost included tax and was based on 100 / hr for labor. Pretty common at most of the dealers I have dealt with over the years. Maybe I am too used to Infiniti...that's what they charge.

The dealer told me that they just got them in on the day of my sale (2/15/2007) and they did have a Mazdaspeed sticker on them so I think they were the current parts. Maybe some states (MD) got them sooner than other areas. In any event, that small of an increase doesn't really seem worth it to me. (I should point out that the #1 guy in the service bay told me that it was adding 33 HP according to Mazda. Maybe with the cat-back exhaust too, but I just can't buy that number for just a CAI.)

[dread]

yeah that number is definately for the catback as well. The intake for the regular mazda 3 says mazdaspeed on it as well.

[camrycev6]

I guess I won't need to worry about it right now. Maybe one day the bang for the buck might be worth it, but $1000+ for both the CAI / Cat-back seems too much for 30 HP.

Thanks for the help!

[tsunami]

i would say go with some small mods to make your driveabillity nicer and some small power mods that the dealer may not even notice, if you are worried about price and warranty which it seems you are....

the www.protegegarage.com tmic upgrade seems to add some nice power and a lower engine mount from awr and a short shifter from twm should nicely improve the feel and drive of the car... just my .02 and the tmic is around 350 iirc, the engine mount is around 70 and can be installed by you in less then 30min. and the sts is around 250 and again installed by you probably an hour... good luck and welcome to the forum.

[camrycev6]

It really isn't so much the money as much as what you get in return for it. I will say that anything that will violate the warranty is out of the question. I have been down that road before (as have a couple of my friends) and it just isn't worth it in my humble opinion.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look in to those. I don't like the way the shifter feels, so something that makes that smoother would be nice. And as much as I hate iPods, I can see that option going in sometime soon. No MP3 capability is the single biggest flaw this car has. (Although not a big flaw overall.)

[elderlycoffee]

Saw in another thread it's out now.
Is there any place for info on it?
Should I call up my dealer and buy one?

[Aricjm15]

they are on back order at the moment

[elderlycoffee]

they are on back order at the moment


where can i look at the info or get in line for one?

[dcomiskey]

Saw in another thread it's out now.
Is there any place for info on it?
Should I call up my dealer and buy one?
If you want your car to sound ridiculous, yes. I realize there are performance gains to be had, but I will never put a CAI on a turbocharged car again. I had one on my 1.8T and HATED the sound. Basically, you get the BOV sound. Can't stand that.(rice)

Oh, and they're WAY overpriced. Shouldn't be more than $200.... (monkey)

[MS3TR]

You may still have a chance to get in on this GB. Mine is on the way, just got the tracking info :) Better hurry though!

http://**********************/index.php?topic=68258.0


07 MS3 - True Red - Turboxs Hybrid BOV - Turboxs Race Pipe - MS CAI on the way!
RIP: 03 LS 350z - Injen Super SES - MSR 088's

[elderlycoffee]

link didn't work. pm it to me

[chaos4]

Ha!! Sure buy from the dealer!! What a joke, I just called mine with the MS P/n and he told me over $800.00!!!! I prepurchased for $314.00 SHIPPED. Check out all the mazda forums carefull.

[chaos4]

PN for the CAI is GRMS-8M-L29. Horse power increases of 20+ with just the CAI. Available from several of the dealers who contribute to the forums for around $310.00 shipped. 20 HP for just over $300, full warrantee not worth it? Shame on you! That is a bargain! The stock air intake is the pits.(usa)

[Speedy3]

I just prepaid for mine today. $325 at dealer and will be in in 1 week. I plan on measuring HP/Torque before and after installing. Also, I will measure the intake manifold temperature, mass airflow rate, and boost spool-up rate before and after, with graphs. If anyone has any ideas of other measurements, please post.

[Speedy3]

I just prepaid for mine today. $325 at dealer and will be in in 1 week. I plan on measuring HP/Torque before and after installing. Also, I will measure the intake manifold temperature, mass airflow rate, and boost spool-up rate before and after, with graphs. If anyone has any ideas of other measurements, please post.

[maestro]

Picked up the Mazdaspeed CAI for the MS3 today. Trying to make time for before and after dyno runs next week.

Dang, I want to put it in the car now!

[Funkycoldg]

Yeah I called my dealer today and he almost gave me a heart attack. I dont know what he was looking at but he told me $899 at first. Then I had him research it and he said $399. Anyone know what the warranty situation is? Like if it voids your warranty?

[dread]

I talked to my dealer and they said as long as it says mazda on it your waranty is fine, he said just don't put aftermarket stuff on the engine because he wont be able to fix the problems. He mentioned a BOV specifically and said he had a friend with a ms6 that installed an aftermarket bov and it screwed up the car somehow. Anyway you should be fine with mazdaspeed parts.

[Rotus8]

Picked up the Mazdaspeed CAI for the MS3 today. Trying to make time for before and after dyno runs next week.
At least you could take pictures of the thing so we can see what the kit looks like.(pics)
And how about a scan of the instructions?

[Rotus8]

At least you could take pictures of the thing so we can see what the kit looks like.(pics)
And how about a scan of the instructions?
I found some pictures!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZDASPEED3-MAZDASPEED-CAI-OEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQihZ017QQitem Z270093114490QQrdZ1

[javanc]

I found some pictures!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZDASPEED3-MAZDASPEED-CAI-OEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQihZ017QQitem Z270093114490QQrdZ1
Mines sitting in the fed ex main office in sunnyvale as we speak, just waiting for that little knock on my door to make my day. Ill take some pics when it comes.

[RonTonkinMazda]

Mines sitting in the fed ex main office in sunnyvale as we speak, just waiting for that little knock on my door to make my day. Ill take some pics when it comes.


you mean ups ;) sorry i was hoping you would get it before this weekend

[maestro]

At least you could take pictures of the thing so we can see what the kit looks like.(pics)
And how about a scan of the instructions?

Lets try this.

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/6914/ms3intake0207dd5.th.jpg (http://img239.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ms3intake0207dd5.jpg)

Includes the filter cleaner as well. Got it from Ron Tonkin who had a GB at $310.

[javanc]

you mean ups ;) sorry i was hoping you would get it before this weekend
Yeah i meant UPS. Theyre just 2 minutes closer than fed ex. Now my intake is sitting about 8 minutes away from my house, totally inaccessable. But anyways its not your fault that they dont deliver on saturdays. BTW thanks very much fo rthe quick turnaround and awesome service. Definitely top notch.

[RonTonkinMazda]

Lets try this.

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/6914/ms3intake0207dd5.th.jpg (http://img239.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ms3intake0207dd5.jpg)

Includes the filter cleaner as well. Got it from Ron Tonkin who had a GB at $310.


(eekdance)

[jbiird317]

anyone have it installed yet? sound? performance? comparison to cpe?

also, how long will the group buy price last for?

javanc, any way i could see it since im in cupertino now?

[chaos4]

Mine arrives tomorrow. $310 delivered!(dance)

[xxshark]

heres another one, ends tomorrow.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZDASPEED3-MAZDASPEED-CAI-OEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQihZ017QQitem Z270093531402QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[camrycev6]

I would say no. Why pay $400 for 4-6 more HP? Doesn't that sound silly to you? You could pay about $1600 for the CAI and the CAT back. That would give you about 30-33 more HP. (Depending on what you read.) That might be worth it, but certainlty the CAI, alone, is not.

[maestro]

I would say no. Why pay $400 for 4-6 more HP? Doesn't that sound silly to you? You could pay about $1600 for the CAI and the CAT back. That would give you about 30-33 more HP. (Depending on what you read.) That might be worth it, but certainlty the CAI, alone, is not.

Anyone that payed $400 US for a CAi kit for a Speed3 did not look around CP-E and Mazdaspeed units are $300 + or -
Read some of the replies a little closer or perhaps I'm confused about your post.

[camrycev6]

What I am getting at is that paying $300 for CAI (Again, without installation charges...and if you want Mazda to honor your warranty, they have to do it.)that gives you 4-6 more HP is not worth the money. I am aware of the CPE turbo back system that gives you 30-33 more HP. That, however, is around $1200 bucks before installation.

http://www.therpmstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=122_150&products_id=420

[oatmealboy]

What I am getting at is that paying $300 for CAI (Again, without installation charges...and if you want Mazda to honor your warranty, they have to do it.)that gives you 4-6 more HP is not worth the money.

Stop right there... How do you know the Mazdaspeed CAI for the MS3 only gains 4-6hp?!? No one, to our knowledge, has yet to dyno the Mazdaspeed CAI. The CP-E CAI has been dynoed at around 15-20hp over stock, and while I don't expect the same for the Mazdaspeed piece, it would most likely not be only 4-6hp.

And what makes you think your warranty is voided if you install the Mazdaspeed CAI yourself? I'd like to hear that explanation.

[camrycev6]

Stop right there... How do you know the Mazdaspeed CAI for the MS3 only gains 4-6hp?!? No one, to our knowledge, has yet to dyno the Mazdaspeed CAI. The CP-E CAI has been dynoed at around 15-20hp over stock, and while I don't expect the same for the Mazdaspeed piece, it would most likely not be only 4-6hp.

And what makes you think your warranty is voided if you install the Mazdaspeed CAI yourself? I'd like to hear that explanation.

On further research, I stand corrected on the CAI. I was looking at a CAT-back system as well. I posted another question about the CPE CAI and turbo back combo that maybe someone can answer.

On the warranty issue, I am afraid you are mistaken on that one. Unless you are certified by Mazda definitions (which there are many ways that could be accomplished --- are you a licenced mechanic?), modification of the vehicle can void the warranty to any parts affected by said modifications. Per the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, parts of the car that are NOT affected by the modification are still under warranty and the dealer must prove your modifications caused the problem.

Example: You decide (and I am assuming you are not a licenced Mazda mechanic) to install the CAI yourself. You end up blowing your turbo. Mazda says you didn't do the install properly because you were not qualified to do it in the first place and that is why the turbo blew. You say you did it right, but yet you are not more qualified (officially) then anyone off the street. You could fight it in court if you like, but you would more than likely loose. The Mazda dealer has a lot of discretion in determining the cause of a problem and the more direct interaction there is between your mod and the problem, the worse it gets for you.

Second case: You install the CAI yourself, and 2 days later your radio stops working. You are still covered. While parts of the drive train, exhaust, etc., may not be covered anymore, the CAI has nothing to with the radio and no dealer would ever try to argue that with you.

I have been here before. I dealt with this for years with Infiniti and Toyota. I know the law on this one well. Read this...

http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-2669.html

[tuckaloe]

No doubt you are correct, but what about installing a CAI could possibly harm your turbo unless there actually is something done incorrectly? For sure, putting a nut or bolt or band clamp through the impeller will hurt the turbo, but c'mon.....that isn't Mazda's fault.

Have you seen the AFRs this car runs? It's begging for a CAI and a downpipe at least, if not a turbo back.....it runs so rich that folks are speculating that the factory ecu was programmed with these modifications in mind.

Granted, that doesn't help a warranty issue. Dunno. But when the mags are reporting 30 additional hp from the Mazdaspeed CAI and 3"cat back, and at least one tuner has shown that completely removing the OEM cat back doesn't do much for engine output, well.......the CAI seems pretty sweet to me.

Oh and dcomiskey.....I know you from the vortex, I think. Gotta say, this is a whole 'nutter world. IMHO, Whoosh is not "rice", just real turbo engine doing what it does. It's pure. Turbocharged is not the propriety of Japan. Plenty of deadly serious BMWs, Porsches and Benz whoosh. Few "tweetle" and "honk" however.

Fart cannons are quintessential rice. Tweetling and honking BOVs are rice. Big ass wings are rice. Poor tuning of superb engines is.......unfortunately....Japanese. Can't hold a candle to Bosch here. 9.7:1 AFR on a DISI engine? I rest my case.

This car was meant to have a CAI. Ain't no doubt about it. Make it so. ssssssSSSSSSSSSSSSS.......Whoosh........

[Captain KRM P5]

its not $400 for the intake;

http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?products_id=869

and if you click the link in my signature i have a group buy going on them with only a few left.

[camrycev6]

Not trying to beat a dead horse here...but I just talked to Mazda again and they stated very solidly that the Mazdaspeed 3 CAI and CAT back exhaust combination adds 35 HP and 30 ft-lbs of torque. They have done the dyno and confirmed the numbers. They did not dyno the CAI alone, but clearly, I don't think it would add 25 HP by itself. (As I have read elsewhere.) In any event, at least we have some data now from Mazda that gives us some solid numbers. I even found this on a drivingsports.com:

"They brought one custom MAZDASPEED3 to the track, outfitted with the same goods you can buy today for your street car. Cold air intake, cat-back exhaust, coilover suspension, and lightweight aluminum wheels with 245/45 tires. On the dyno, MAZDASPEED’s factory-certified full-warranty accessories gave this car another 35 horsepower and 30 foot-pounds of torque. And they let us drive it. "

Oh yeah...they wanted $1400 for the all the parts and $450 for installation...

[maestro]

Not trying to beat a dead horse here...but I just talked to Mazda again and they stated very solidly that the Mazdaspeed 3 CAI and CAT back exhaust combination adds 35 HP and 30 ft-lbs of torque. They have done the dyno and confirmed the numbers. They did not dyno the CAI alone, but clearly, I don't think it would add 25 HP by itself. (As I have read elsewhere.) In any event, at least we have some data now from Mazda that gives us some solid numbers. I even found this on a drivingsports.com:

"They brought one custom MAZDASPEED3 to the track, outfitted with the same goods you can buy today for your street car. Cold air intake, cat-back exhaust, coilover suspension, and lightweight aluminum wheels with 245/45 tires. On the dyno, MAZDASPEED’s factory-certified full-warranty accessories gave this car another 35 horsepower and 30 foot-pounds of torque. And they let us drive it. "

Oh yeah...they wanted $1400 for the all the parts and $450 for installation...

Keep looking around. Dyno plots will be showing up for just the MS CAI shortly. I picked one up from Ron Tonkin, a vendor here, for under $300 a week ago. Another Mazda 3 forum GB sold maybe 50 units. My daughter was sick the first few days this week so I have not had time to get before and after dyno runs yet.
The dyno runs will be up shortly.

[Speedy3]

Hello all,

I just purchased my MS3 less than a week ago and I love it. I think it is rare to find a car that is so practical / functional, has a good amount of power, and is reasonably priced. I don't care what the magazines say about the WRX (AWD beating our car), they just don't look as good. I've owned a supercharged G35 coupe (the dyno charts were amazing) and it cost me 2.5 times what I paid for this car and it is almost as fun to drive. That said, I simply love this car. (Except for the stereo -- the lack of an mp3 player option just is beyond me.)

Anyway, the reason I am here, is that I want to know if anyone has any official numbers for the Mazda CAI. My dealer offered to put it on for $290 plus labor. (He said it takes a little less than an hour to do the job - so about $420 all together) However, my concerns are two fold:

1) Is it worth the $400+ dollars? If the HP / torque gain is <10% will I even notice it?

2) If the gain is more than 10%, with the problems with wheel hop, launching, and torque steer at the current power level, why bother in the first place?

What do you think folks?

Greg

Here are my initial test results with the MazdaSpeed CAI:

I ran 3 runs in 3rd gear WITH the CAI. Here are my results (Mean values of 3 runs each):

Stock
3rd Gear: 224.0 HP @ 5300 RPM, 238.8 ft-lbs @ 4233 RPM

With MS CAI
3rd Gear: 247.5 HP @ 5200 RPM, 273.0 ft-lbs @ 4267 RPM

The gains

HP: 10%
Torque: 14.3%

Based on Mazda's baseline figures of 263 HP @ 280 ft-lbs Torque, the new numbers should reflect my measured gains and would be 290.5 HP @ 320.1 ft-lbs of Torque!!! That is a gain of 27.5 HP and 20.1 ft-lbs of Torque!

I will do more tests when it dries out here and try doing it in all gears. BTW, I only took measurements without wheel spin. In some cases, I had to feather the throttle to prevent it.

Torque Steer? This car is solid! Even when it slips, it feels good to get a little feedback into your hands. On dry pavement, it can slip a little in 1st or 2nd gear, but you get used to it and it is VERY controllable.

[Speedy3]

Had a much better, more consistent run today with dry pavement. Check my most recent post on the third to last entry here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...3662057&page=5

My most recent test runs resulted in a 34.5 HP and 30.1 ft-lbs torque gain with the MazdaSpeed CAI.

[stretch]

Speedy, I responded to your gains in this thread:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3011320&postcount=63

Those are impressive numbers, for sure, but I think you should be investigating exactly where the gains are coming from- mainly, is your intake leaning out the air/fuel ratio? If so, it may create problems down the road once you inevitably do some ECU tuning (unless you want to pay for a custom tune and dyno time).

[maestro]

Not trying to beat a dead horse here...but I just talked to Mazda again and they stated very solidly that the Mazdaspeed 3 CAI and CAT back exhaust combination adds 35 HP and 30 ft-lbs of torque. They have done the dyno and confirmed the numbers. They did not dyno the CAI alone, but clearly, I don't think it would add 25 HP by itself. (As I have read elsewhere.) In any event, at least we have some data now from Mazda that gives us some solid numbers. I even found this on a drivingsports.com:

Oh yeah...they wanted $1400 for the all the parts and $450 for installation...

Their prices quote is still jacked up too high. Also, if they are not willing OR able to show the dyno plots they made, their info is not that credible.

[Speedy3]

Dynojet Dyno Results with MAZDASPEED CAI here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...3662057&page=6

"http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123662057&page=6"

[camrycev6]

Their prices quote is still jacked up too high. Also, if they are not willing OR able to show the dyno plots they made, their info is not that credible.

Agreed. Well, I made my dyno appointment for this Saturday. I should have the MS CAI with MS Cat-back dyno results ready for Monday. (I may have to just give you the numbers --- I don't have a scanner for the dyno print out.)

We will let the data speak for itself.

[Speedy3]

Agreed. Well, I made my dyno appointment for this Saturday. I should have the MS CAI with MS Cat-back dyno results ready for Monday. (I may have to just give you the numbers --- I don't have a scanner for the dyno print out.)

We will let the data speak for itself.

They most likely can email the image to you. That's what the Dyno shop did for me.

[camrycev6]

They most likely can email the image to you. That's what the Dyno shop did for me.

I will certainly ask.

[CTGrey02]

If it's a dyno jet you can just get the runs from them and run them in the viewer on dynojets website. From there you can do a ctrl Print screen and post the jpg after copying it into paint or photoshop.

[camrycev6]

If it's a dyno jet you can just get the runs from them and run them in the viewer on dynojets website. From there you can do a ctrl Print screen and post the jpg after copying it into paint or photoshop.

I will ask about that as well...

Thanks!

[Speedy3]

MAZDASPEED CAI vs Stock Dynojet Dyno results here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...hp?t=123662934

"http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123662934"

[Speedy3]

Picked up the Mazdaspeed CAI for the MS3 today. Trying to make time for before and after dyno runs next week.

Dang, I want to put it in the car now!

Post your results here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123662934

"http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123662934"

[camrycev6]

My new install appt. is Thursday for the MS CAI and MS CAT back. The mechanic told me not to expect much gain from the CAT back. (I wish I knew that earlier.) He told me it would give me about 5-7 more HP. This is actually consistent now with other CAI dynos and posts. (25 HP from the CAI, and about 5 from the CAT back.) Clearly the cost / performance factor is massively in favor of the CAI. Oh-well, too late now, I ordered both.

Dyno is still this Saturday.

[Bakrauf]

Ye that does sound about right. So would $500 be worth the Cat back? Thats why Mazda said Both will add gains of 30-35 hp. Who would buy a catback for 5 hp?

[camrycev6]

I say once we have that proven here once and for all, not many. Again, I will know very soon. Clearly, the CAT back is essentially a "looks" only upgrade --- something I am steadfastly against. I guess my lack of patience got the best of me.

[dread]

don't forget about the sound,
speedy3 what are your air fuel ratios with that intake on.

[Speedy3]

don't forget about the sound,
speedy3 what are your air fuel ratios with that intake on.

I haven't gotten the A/F ratios with the MS CAI yet, but will soon. Although not as helpful, I did record live data on the second dyno in the stock configuration. I just didn't bring my laptop on the MS CAI dyno (kicks self in ass). I will do some 3rd gear runs out on the street after I re-install the MS CAI and get the ratios.

[turbofever]

What was the differnce in the Intake air temp?

[dread]

I haven't gotten the A/F ratios with the MS CAI yet, but will soon. Although not as helpful, I did record live data on the second dyno in the stock configuration. I just didn't bring my laptop on the MS CAI dyno (kicks self in ass). I will do some 3rd gear runs out on the street after I re-install the MS CAI and get the ratios.

thanks man (nana)

[dread]

what kind of device are you using when you do your runs, I might get one.

[Rotus8]

what kind of device are you using when you do your runs, I might get one.
Both Speedy and I have Auterra DynoScan units. It requires a laptop to run. I can't reccomend it for it's Dyno feature for the MS3 though. Apparently we have discovered the RPM output from the MS3 ECU is not smooth through it's range which makes for some really weird HP/Torque plots. It does work great for real-time readouts of all kinds of interesting parameters, as well as reading and resetting codes and other stuff.

[dread]

nice how much did that cost you and how good are the diagnostics functions.

[camrycev6]

Ye that does sound about right. So would $500 be worth the Cat back? Thats why Mazda said Both will add gains of 30-35 hp. Who would buy a catback for 5 hp?

I guess some bad news turned into some good news for me today. I originally ordered both the CAI and CAT back and when the wrong parts arrived, they reordered the correct ones. It turns out that the CAT back is now in back-order and won't be available until mid April. So....long story short, they are going to give me 10% off, and I won't be wasting my money on the CAT-back. I should have the CAI installed for about $360. Not bad from what I have seen others paying for just the MS CAI.

[dread]

Nice, I hope you enjoy it

[camrycev6]

Nice, I hope you enjoy it

Thanks...it is going in this afternoon. Still getting the dyno on Saturday, just so we can have one more set of data for everyone to see.

[dread]

did you get a baseline dyno without the cai, if not it will be impossible to determine the gains made by the cai. Make sure you get the air/fuel ratios

[knowledge007]

hehe...

[C'ville]

Nice is that the CP-e?


hehe...

[gsrtype1]

Hello all,

I just purchased my MS3 less than a week ago and I love it. I think it is rare to find a car that is so practical / functional, has a good amount of power, and is reasonably priced. I don't care what the magazines say about the WRX (AWD beating our car), they just don't look as good. I've owned a supercharged G35 coupe (the dyno charts were amazing) and it cost me 2.5 times what I paid for this car and it is almost as fun to drive. That said, I simply love this car. (Except for the stereo -- the lack of an mp3 player option just is beyond me.)

Anyway, the reason I am here, is that I want to know if anyone has any official numbers for the Mazda CAI. My dealer offered to put it on for $290 plus labor. (He said it takes a little less than an hour to do the job - so about $420 all together) However, my concerns are two fold:

1) Is it worth the $400+ dollars? If the HP / torque gain is <10% will I even notice it?

2) If the gain is more than 10%, with the problems with wheel hop, launching, and torque steer at the current power level, why bother in the first place?

What do you think folks?

Gregits greeat i can tell the power comes on a little esier and a little harder and i belive i am getting better milage, the sound is AWSOME!!!, it sounds like a big whip cream can going off under the hood, whooooooooosh (turbo), i love it!

[knowledge007]

Nice is that the CP-e?


Yes sir the sweetest...

[Speedy3]

don't forget about the sound,
speedy3 what are your air fuel ratios with that intake on.

What is the maximum fuel flow rate on this car? The OBDII data log I have only gives % for fuel settings.

[C'ville]

I cant wait untill mine gets here..(pissed)


Yes sir the sweetest...

[camrycev6]

did you get a baseline dyno without the cai, if not it will be impossible to determine the gains made by the cai. Make sure you get the air/fuel ratios

No...I am going to use the other stock dynos (there are at least 4 others I have seen) as baselines to demonstrate improvement. I understand it won't be exact because of environmental conditions, but then again, I am more interested in the final numbers, than the % of increase. I certainly don't need a baseline to provide valid net results.

I should have the A/F ratios too....

[dbol]

So I just got my MS3 and I want to know if the cai gets 20+ hp and can it be installed by me. thanks all

[dread]

Dyno's have shown 25 hp 25 torque, but I think it depends what gear the dyno is done in. The power increase is definately noticable and worth every penny. I can't even floor in second gear unless I want the tires to spin. I installed it myself as have most other people. The instructions are good and any questions you have will be answered on the forum.

[dread]

Dyno's have shown 25 hp 25 torque, but I think it depends what gear the dyno is done in. The power increase is definately noticable and worth every penny. I can't even floor in second gear unless I want the tires to spin. I installed it myself as have most other people. The instructions are good and any questions you have will be answered on the forum.

[chuci]

Ok... so the dealer I purchased from wants $619 for the same thing here:
http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=281_22_160_258&products_id=869

How and why they are charging double is ridiculous... I just hope they're in-stock!
Just south of Austin there's a tuner that got 280bhp/315Ftlbs at the wheels with a CAI and some re-mapping work... yesssssssssssss (first)

[$inCitySpeed3]

man, ron tonkin mazda ships them for 300 bucks

[Captain KRM P5]

man, ron tonkin mazda ships them for 300 bucks

guess i have to price match if thats the case (2thumbs)

[clos561]

guess i have to price match if thats the case (2thumbs)
so is it going down to 300?

[chuci]

guess i have to price match if thats the case (2thumbs)
ooohhhh... I've got to get my cart filled! ;)

[Captain KRM P5]

so is it going down to 300?

i need to see the link of the intake being sold for $300 shipped

[clos561]

maybe that was a group buy..but if u know the link send it!

[Captain KRM P5]

i looked for it and could not find it :(

[whitey4311]

Anyone have a link to this or else where that is close to the $110 because prtoegegarage is sold out on them right now.

I hope they call me back on monday with news that they can get one but if not I would like to know where else I can order from.

[Captain KRM P5]

Anyone have a link to this or else where that is close to the $110 because prtoegegarage is sold out on them right now.

I hope they call me back on monday with news that they can get one but if not I would like to know where else I can order from.

we have a sizable number arriving monday, if you called us my staff should have relayed that message...

[clos561]

we have a sizable number arriving monday, if you called us my staff should have relayed that message...
i am most likely ordering one next week so hopefully u wil have one when i decide to order

[Captain KRM P5]

i am most likely ordering one next week so hopefully u wil have one when i decide to order

i will probably be sold out on tuesday or wednesday

[whitey4311]

dbl post

[whitey4311]

I tried to buy today and your shop said sold out.

I am ready to pay via PP ASAP so let me know what I need to do, thanks.

PS sent you a PM

[chuci]

we have a sizable number arriving monday, if you called us my staff should have relayed that message...
What are your thoughts on the Injen CAI? I saw you just added them. Warranty issues since not OEM?

[clos561]

i will probably be sold out on tuesday or wednesday
shitty after that when will u get more?

[vdawg2344]

Yes I am very interested in the Injen CAI. It looks nice and cheaper too! Any dynos with it yet?

[dread]

injen posted dyno's on their website.

[Captain KRM P5]

What are your thoughts on the Injen CAI? I saw you just added them. Warranty issues since not OEM?

i don't forsee a whole lot of warranty hassles from an intake. as with any mod, if you encounter a situation where you need to take the car in for warranty work for something that a dealer could blame on an intake (ie - hydrolocking an engine) i would simply take the hour and swap the stock setup back on.

[whitey4311]

Well I gave protegegarage a chance and PM'ed Captain and called the shop where they took down my number and never called me back or replied to my PM. Luckily I didnt just place my order on their web site because from what they said they arent in stock but the web site doesnt indicate this. Maybe I will have better luck next time if I should need anything else as it seams that many like their site around here from what I have seen.

I got mine from Tiffany at showcase mazda for a better price and the process was very proffesional. It was great, she sent me a email with attachements to print and sign with autorization to charge my credit card and she answered the phone each of the 3 times I spoke to her today. A very nice person and so far I can only recommend her to others as she came recommended to me and I am happy for it.

Will let you guys know about how fast it gets to me but she said it would be to her by wed and to me by about Fri via DHL or Fedex all for $300 shipped.

[Captain KRM P5]

Well I gave protegegarage a chance and PM'ed Captain and called the shop where they took down my number and never called me back or replied to my PM. Luckily I didnt just place my order on their web site because from what they said they arent in stock but the web site doesnt indicate this. Maybe I will have better luck next time if I should need anything else as it seams that many like their site around here from what I have seen.

.

as i posted elsewhere, we were scheduled and came into quite a bit of stock today. just so you know, stock is not reflected on any item on the website unless its a specialty item. much of our inventory is off site dropship therefore making it impossible to maintain live/public inventory numbers. the people on hand at the shop should have informed you we come into regular shipments of the intake and they were remiss not to do so. sincere apologies.

[whitey4311]

Ok good to know. I wish they told me that or just returned my call as they said, but its all good.

[vdawg2344]

I noticed that the Injen CAI requires you to take your front bumper off to install and I would assume to clean the filter too. Sounds like a lot of work. Does the Mazdaspeed CAI require this? For install and Maintain?

[Captain KRM P5]

you should not need to pull the bumper for either intake, at most remove the driver's side wheel and pull back the black shroud for filter install.

[whitey4311]

hmm, I guess I wont take the bumper off since I was going to go that route.

I guess I will follow the directions for the mazda CAI and go with taking the wheel and shroud off.

[clos561]

y do u have to take all that off?

[knowledge007]

bumper...there is something very wrong with that install...lmao

[clos561]

bumper...there is something very wrong with that install...lmao
yea i definitely would see a need for that...i cant even see why u need to take the tire off?

[knowledge007]

Well I would reccomend to take the tire off so you won't have a clearance issue with the install. Pertaining to you as the installer having to manuever yourself around the wheel when installing. It took a lot pressure off by removing the tire..

[whitey4311]

Is it possible to do with out taking the tire off?

By not removing the tire what hardships will I run into?

[knowledge007]

I just explained it, you will have to manuever quite a bit. Just take the tire off. Jack up the car on the driver side and take the tire off....what is the big deal?

[clos561]

no big deal...just trying to do least amount of work as possible...ill do w/e it takes tho...cp-e intake same as mazdaspeed jsut different name?

[mhrebin]

most likely. buti would imagine the "mazdaspeed' intake wouldnt void warranty if installed properly.

[clos561]

most likely. buti would imagine the "mazdaspeed' intake wouldnt void warranty if installed properly.
my concern is just mazdaspeed intake being compatable with cp-e TBE system

[blue2turbo]

my concern is just mazdaspeed intake being compatable with cp-e TBE system

I don't understand this... the intake will have nothing to do with the exhaust, they both have similar design, same function, and yield probably almost the same results. What you use for an intake and exhaust does not matter. Now if you were unsure if say a cp-e downpipe would work with a turboxs test pipe, with a corksport catback, that would be something you would have to look into a little more. But as for intake/exhaust any combination will work Injen intake, MS, CP-e, whichever.

As for the install, I just did mine last night, I had a buddy come over and help me, took just over an hour with one guy working up top and the other working in the tire well. The only problem I ran into was the air deflector, I got the upper bolt off (PITA!), got the base seperated, but where the big plastic pin was, yea that part broke off, oh well, never using the stock airbox again... MS CAI FTW!! Sounds Good, noticable power gains throughout the midrange, and fingers crossed for slightly better MPG!

[blue2turbo]

no big deal...just trying to do least amount of work as possible...ill do w/e it takes tho...cp-e intake same as mazdaspeed jsut different name?

From what I have seen for pics for cp-e intake install and after installing the MS CAI, the design is almost the same, cp-e puts the MAF in a slightly different place then MS, the cp-e does not mount the resistor box to the intake (MS does so that you can put the rubber mount in the intake so it doesn't rattle), I believe cp-e has a flange to bolt the pipe to the frame near the wheel well, and the filter on cp-e is angled up a little more then the MS. MS has a splash guard, but that isn't a huge deal.

[blue2turbo]

Is it possible to do with out taking the tire off?

By not removing the tire what hardships will I run into?

After doing the install last night, if you do not take the tire off... I hope you have a huge backup plan to get that air deflector out... it is damn near impossible to get a grip on from the top, and the intake cannot be installed with the air deflector in place, the filter will hit it. all you have to do is take the tire off, take out the fender liner and the plastic liner under the car, total its like 10 of the plastic screw clips, and 5 bolts.... really not that hard and makes install 10x faster and easier.

[blue2turbo]

as i posted elsewhere, we were scheduled and came into quite a bit of stock today. just so you know, stock is not reflected on any item on the website unless its a specialty item. much of our inventory is off site dropship therefore making it impossible to maintain live/public inventory numbers. the people on hand at the shop should have informed you we come into regular shipments of the intake and they were remiss not to do so. sincere apologies.

Ordered my intake from protege garage straight off the website, didn't need to call to check or anything, ordered it, 3 days later it was at my front door, smooth as butter, and highly recommended.

[clos561]

yea im gona get it when i get next check

[Captain KRM P5]

Ordered my intake from protege garage straight off the website, didn't need to call to check or anything, ordered it, 3 days later it was at my front door, smooth as butter, and highly recommended.

thank you kindly

[whitey4311]

After doing the install last night, if you do not take the tire off... I hope you have a huge backup plan to get that air deflector out... it is damn near impossible to get a grip on from the top, and the intake cannot be installed with the air deflector in place, the filter will hit it. all you have to do is take the tire off, take out the fender liner and the plastic liner under the car, total its like 10 of the plastic screw clips, and 5 bolts.... really not that hard and makes install 10x faster and easier.


OK I just wanted to know.

So you just jacked up that driver side front end and took the tire off, or did you use jack stands and all that?

It seems like its easy to just take off the wheel and go that route so I will do that. Atleast I read this and know that taking the bumper off isnt necessary.

What is this part that people are talking about breaking?

[Rotus8]

OK I just wanted to know.

So you just jacked up that driver side front end and took the tire off, or did you use jack stands and all that?

It seems like its easy to just take off the wheel and go that route so I will do that. Atleast I read this and know that taking the bumper off isnt necessary.

What is this part that people are talking about breaking?
Please do not do this with just the jack alone. If you don't have jack stands, put the wheel/tire under the side of the car so if the jack fails, the car won't go all the way to the ground. The life you save may be your own.

[clos561]

Please do not do this with just the jack alone. If you don't have jack stands, put the wheel/tire under the side of the car so if the jack fails, the car won't go all the way to the ground. The life you save may be your own.
i always put the tires under when i jack up cars for oil changes....

[whitey4311]

Yeah I knew that but just wanted to know if all I need was to remove the wheel or if the car had to be way off the ground to instal the CAI.

Where did you guys place the jack is there a spot under there that works best?

[jbiird317]

Yeah I knew that but just wanted to know if all I need was to remove the wheel or if the car had to be way off the ground to instal the CAI.

Where did you guys place the jack is there a spot under there that works best?

you need to remove the wheel so that you can pull back the fender lining. This doesnt require any more clearance than you would to change a tire.

there is a frame rail just behind the front wheel that works pretty well for putting a jack

[whitey4311]

OK thanks man, I think I will get it figured out when it gets here on Fri.

So what all has to be removed in the wheel well after you pull the shroud back?

Is it just a matter of putting the filter on the pipe or are there parts to be removed?

Mainly I want to know about that big splash guard if it has to be taken off or anything else I may not know about. I hear people saying they crack clips so I am worried about that but not sure what they are talking about either.

If you have any tips of caution or things you would have done differently that would be great?

[jbiird317]

OK thanks man, I think I will get it figured out when it gets here on Fri.

So what all has to be removed in the wheel well after you pull the shroud back?

Is it just a matter of putting the filter on the pipe or are there parts to be removed?

Mainly I want to know about that big splash guard if it has to be taken off or anything else I may not know about. I hear people saying they crack clips so I am worried about that but not sure what they are talking about either.

If you have any tips of caution or things you would have done differently that would be great?

there is a wind diverter right in the way of where the pipe/filter are mounted. This needs to be removed but not put back on the car. there are 2 clips and one bolt holding this thing on and i spent so much time getting the bolt loose first that i broke off one of the clips

no biggie tho, doesnt need to go back on anyway

[whitey4311]

So then is there a better way you can suggest to remove it so I dont break anything.

I guess it wont matter if it does break since I wasnt aware it isnt put back on anyway but still I would rather not break anything.

What does a diverter do any way?

[blue2turbo]

So then is there a better way you can suggest to remove it so I dont break anything.

I guess it wont matter if it does break since I wasnt aware it isnt put back on anyway but still I would rather not break anything.

What does a diverter do any way?

It is very difficult to remove the diverter without breaking it where one of the bolts are. I would take pics, but I just moved and my camera is in storage. Getting the bolt out is difficult if you have big hands, I managed to go in through the top and remove the bolt (it is at the top of the air diverter), after that battle, I just got frustrated because it has a big plastic bolt in it as well holding it to the frame, and it would not come out, so I ended up breaking it taking it off, but I don't ever plan to put it back in, even if I put the stocker back in for warranty work (which I don't plan to do anyways)

The diverter is just a slanted piece of plastic that looks like it is meant to "divert" the air coming in through the front of the car, up into the stock intake box area.. you will see as soon as you pull back the fender lining. Basically you take off the fender liner, then I only took off Drivers side half of the under body panel, as I didn't find it necessary to take the whole thing off. That's about it.

As for the jack, I used the factory jack and used it about 4-6" back from the tire well, you can look under and see where it would go... I had jackstands to use, but once I got it jacked up, I totally forgot to put one under there... didn't notice it until I was done and thanked the heavens the car didn't come crashing down.

[whitey4311]

Thanks for that info man it should help me out.

I will borrow the neighbors jack stand to be safe but I dont think there is any reason the stock jack should fail under normal use.

Being that I am installing the mazdaspeed CAI I wont ever need to worry about warranty issues or installing the stock stuff back on so if I have to break the diverter as you did I will do the same.

Any special tools I need that you can think of? What all did you need to do this and to get to that difficult bolt?

[jbiird317]

Thanks for that info man it should help me out.

I will borrow the neighbors jack stand to be safe but I dont think there is any reason the stock jack should fail under normal use.

Being that I am installing the mazdaspeed CAI I wont ever need to worry about warranty issues or installing the stock stuff back on so if I have to break the diverter as you did I will do the same.

Any special tools I need that you can think of? What all did you need to do this and to get to that difficult bolt?

a realllly long extension wouldve been nice to have, but other than that, nothing special needed

[whitey4311]

I will borrow that as well if he has one, thanks.

Anthing else?

What tools were needed inlcuding extensions?

I wish someone could post the directions so I can get an idea and game plan going here. Once the wheel shroud is off and you insert the filter and housing inside the wheel well is there anything in there that has to be bolted up?

[jbiird317]

I will borrow that as well if he has one, thanks.

Anthing else?

What tools were needed inlcuding extensions?

there is a list of all the tools needed on the instruction sheet that comes with the intake. Im not rummaging thru my filing cabinet now, sorry

[taita25]

there is a wind diverter right in the way of where the pipe/filter are mounted. This needs to be removed but not put back on the car. there are 2 clips and one bolt holding this thing on and i spent so much time getting the bolt loose first that i broke off one of the clips

no biggie tho, doesnt need to go back on anyway

What about the large plastic splashguard on the underside of the car that is held on with the 7 bolts? This is one part that they have you remove in the MS CAI instructions but never mention replacing. Do you just leave it off?

[Kosh]

put it back on. It keeps dirt and rocks from getting in there.

[taita25]

put it back on. It keeps dirt and rocks from getting in there.

That's what I was thinking as well but I also thought maybe they never had you reinstall it due to airflow. Thanks for the response.

[camrycev6]

Finally! The dealership got my new MS CAI for my MS3 on Tuesday. Going to get it installed this afternoon....

[smoknspeed3]

Anyone do a how-to for this? The directions must be done up pretty well then. I think this will be my first purchase. So is there a big diferance in the noise from the turbo with the CAI?

[Hikaru9]

Anyone do a how-to for this? The directions must be done up pretty well then. I think this will be my first purchase. So is there a big diferance in the noise from the turbo with the CAI?

According to 100% of the people who bought the CAI, the difference in sound is very noticeable. I'm waiting for mine. *^_^*

[controlo]

it is. :)

[abun24]

there is a wind diverter right in the way of where the pipe/filter are mounted. This needs to be removed but not put back on the car. there are 2 clips and one bolt holding this thing on and i spent so much time getting the bolt loose first that i broke off one of the clips

no biggie tho, doesnt need to go back on anyway

I did the exact same... I was pretty p.o.'d and then read the directions to the end.

[shucky]

I got my splash shield (wind diverter, whatever its called) out w/out breaking it. Jacked up the car pulled the wheel off, pulled the lower black plastic shield off, then removed the 3 bolts and 2 plastic clips on the inner fender liner. You can reach up in there with a quarter inch socket to remove 2 of the bolts holding the splash shield in, then using a long extension you can reach the front bolt from the lower grill. After that the shield pulls out from the bottom.

[ecniemann]

So after reading some of these threads, I thought the CAI would be pretty cool and asked the salesman I bought the car from about it (ie. cost + labor). I am sure I could install it myself from the directions posted, but do not want to deal with potential warranty issues. Anyways, that has all been rehashed here. What I could not believe is that I was told there is no cold air intake for a MS3 on their parts list. He said maybe they (meaning forum posters) are using a different model's CAI. I am pretty sure I saw pictures of parts that said MAZDASPEED on them posted here. I told him this with no good answer. What is up with this? I am assuming the CAI is a genuine MAZDASPEED part. Am I asking for the wrong thing? What should I do at this point; ask the service techs?

[CaSHMeRe]

screw your dealer, PM me and i will tell you where to get it cheap. install it yourself.

[Rotus8]

Go to the parts department and ask for GRMS8ML29. But, if they want more than about $350, come back here and get it from one of the sponsers, should be closer to $300.

[SKiZZ]

Go to the parts department and ask for GRMS8ML29. But, if they want more than about $350, come back here and get it from one of the sponsers, should be closer to $300.

Is their a new model number for the new one? How can you tell the difference between the old on and the new one?

[migr8ms3]

I just had the MSCAI installed on my 09 MS3 at Roger Beasley Mazda in Georgetown, TX on March 4th for $400.00 (plus tax). The receipt shows $70.50 for labor, $329.50 for the CAI, $9.38 for environmental charges and $27.18 for tax. They installed P/N GRMS-8M-L29 which included a bunch of Mazdaspeed decals and a filter cleaning kit in just short of 2 hours. The kit does include the air straightener and has a splash shield in front of the air filter which is located behind the drivers side wheel well liner. Since Mazda did the install, both parts and labor are warranteed for 12 months. I figured it was best to have them do the install for a measly $70.50. It feels noticably more responsive and powerful just by the seat of the pants feel. Sound level is about the same, but you can hear the BOV much more clearly. All in all, I feel it was a good deal for the money. Now on to the next mod! (drive2)

[camrycev6]

Sorry this is bit off topic, but a search turned up nothing. Does anyone know the dimensions on the AEM filter so I can replace it with a K&N? I can't seem to find the numbers anywhere on the net. (Only the filter for about 70 bucks...)