Air duct / snorcke, what's the point?

[bidi]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010062-1.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/side011.jpg

I took it off so I could get to the rusty radiator brackets, but I noticed that a lot of people are leaving it off.

I can kind of see why they would do it... less restrictive and not as close to the radiator.

What makes me wonder is why Mazda engineers put it there.
Usually companies are trying to cut corners minimize cost, increase economy, and sometimes power.
Designing, making and putting the air duct there obviously cost money, so if it makes the engine less efficiant, why would they do that? Looks kind of like ram-rai, but it sits on top of the grill, where there are no vents... I'm confused.

The only "useful" thing I noticed on it was the baffle, which would make the engine quieter, but that's about it.

Any and all input would be very appreciated.

[njaremka]

makes the intake quieter, and adds a quasi-cold air intake

[bidi]

so when I'm done de-rusting the brackets, should I put it back in?

[njaremka]

there really is no point to running without it

[bidi]

I just read some posts saying that it actually makes the air hotter since it sits on top of the radiator, and is a bit more restrictive.
But, I suppose mazda engineers know better, so I'll put it on after I'm done with the brackets.

[IukekiniProtege]

either way it wont create any more power, but if you run without the air duct and the other box before the filter box, you will have a cool deep intake sound(currently how im running mine before I get the Injen CAI back in. Just like any intake don't expect a gain in power or gas mileage, just sound.

[bidi]

I'm definetely putting it back on if it's just sound.
I'll be using this one for daily commutes, as well as out of state trips, so a nice, quiet ride is always a pluss.

[mp3-79bronco]

not any louder while driving it just makes a sweet sound when you rev and let off, and when you shift

[bidi]

well, I put it all back together...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/enginebay014.jpg

I love the aggressive sound, but I'm probably going to hold off on this one.
I'll be using this car for daily driving, so I want to keep the engine stock.

The only way I would take it off is if someone can actually prove even miniscule gains in either power or mpg... or both :D

[Wagonbacker9]

any gains or losses in either department would be unnoticable.

[ProtoType5]

Almost all N/A mods are negligible at best...not mind altering by any means....but add enough little things and you'll notice a difference...

This would be like a SRI by itself...basically a noisemaker...but add it in with other work and the benefits become larger...

[njaremka]

what you can do is cut out the top of the grill piece right in front of the end of the "snorkel" to let cooler air to the intake when cruising. that will prove beneficial to your economy.

[mx-p5]

what prototype5 said.

CAI or SRI combined with a header, highflow catted midpipe and catbackexhaust and you'll notice quite a difference. Do just one of the each and it's just a noise maker

I've got the catback, just bought a cai, saving for header and midpipe now

[bidi]

what prototype5 said.

CAI or SRI combined with a header, highflow catted midpipe and catbackexhaust and you'll notice quite a difference. Do just one of the each and it's just a noise maker

I've got the catback, just bought a cai, saving for header and midpipe now

I have a K&N replacement filter and a mazdaspeed axleback (naughty)
I think that will be the extent of my performance mods on this one.

I'm gonna go to an oil change now.

[cyberraz]

to be honest...i recently removed the snorkel and dropped in a k&n panel filter and noticed that the engine was smoother in the mid range. could be my imagination though or my stock air filter was dirty or something.