AEM CAI possibly redesigned already?

[eg6motion]

Who has the AEM currently and compare. If you look at the current parts list for the AEM CAI, it now includes an Airflow-Straightener, similar to stock/cobb/cp-e. Is this new? I have not seen this on the mazdaspeed CAI and I thought they were the same? Can't find any other info about it either. this is the picture from the Install sheet, notice part 9-21070.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i245/eg6motion/intake.jpg

[ericm]

I thought that AEM made the CAI for Mazda, not that they were exactly the same.
Perhaps AEM learned from the Mazdaspeed version's problems when they came out with their own.

The AEM CAI also has a CARB EO number, useful for us in California.

I've got one on order.

[bykeryder4life]

i wonder if us MS CAI guys could get a hold of an airflow straightener for our setup

[oaklandopen]

what was the problem with mazda's? was it giving false air flow readings?

[eg6motion]

what was the problem with mazda's? was it giving false air flow readings?

usually lean-idle codes caused by false readings
also surging in some situations

[Babyface13]

It would be interesting to see if we could just get one ofe the airflow straightner from them.

[LBV]

I had an AEM for my MS6 and I can definitely say that there never was an airflow straightener.

[billyrohm]

I was told by *****unit that the new Mazdaspeed CAI is ready and is redesigned but mazda will not release it until all of the CAIs that were sold after the cutoff date are returned. Maybe the new one will be similar to the aem.

[ndedomin]

The AEM CAI for the MS3 definitely has an air straightener in it. The guys who I am working with on my car would not have ordered it otherwise. (just check out the importimage site, too, and it explains that the CAI has a straightener.) Maybe this is a new feature, but they definitely have an air flow straightener now.

importimage online. com/imageprint/mazda/mazdaspeed-3 /power/index .php/cPath/221_581_808

(remove the spaces from the link)

[Shane5425]

so mine was installed at dealer back in november of 07, will mazda put the straightener on it for free?

[ndedomin]

You might as well ask the dealer, but I don't know what their answer will be. The "Mazdaspeed" version of the AEM CAI is marketed differently than the CAI for the MS3 which comes directly from AEM. I don't think the dealer will do anything with the "Mazdaspeed" one until it is officially re-released. For now, if you really can't wait for a straightener and you want an AEM CAI, I think you would have to order a new AEM CAI straight from AEM or one of its vendors.

[pdqgp]

I just put my AEM CAI on a couple weeks ago and it came with an Airflow-Straightener. Whole system works great. Took about 2hrs to install.


Who has the AEM currently and compare. If you look at the current parts list for the AEM CAI, it now includes an Airflow-Straightener, similar to stock/cobb/cp-e. Is this new? I have not seen this on the mazdaspeed CAI and I thought they were the same? Can't find any other info about it either. this is the picture from the Install sheet, notice part 9-21070.

[ndedomin]

I just put my AEM CAI on a couple weeks ago and it came with an Airflow-Straightener. Whole system works great. Took about 2hrs to install.


+1. The AEM CAI definitely has an airflow straightener now.

[desperado-c]

i wonder if us MS CAI guys could get a hold of an airflow straightener for our setup

That is too ironic. AEM comes out with the corrected version b/f Mazdaspeed. AEM should just sell 'em so people don't have to wait forever for Mazdaspeed. It looks like a simple insert. If not, maybe somebody else could make them and sell them. Plenty of MS-CAI owners out there who would go for it. Sounds like a job for RKM.

[ThreeEdgedSword]

Just spoke with a guy named Travis at AEM, the airflow straightener part (9-21070) is available separately from their distributors. Called one guy up in Hawthorne, CA (www . toysport . com ) near AEM, his price was $8.50 but he had a $25 minimum on any orders so I'm going to hunt around some more.

I'll update if I find a better dealer (or one closer to my house for that matter).

[dabears2k]

I'm checking on pricing for it right now for you guys. And, I can definitely sell less than $25 at a time.

[Babyface13]

I'm checking on pricing for it right now for you guys. And, I can definitely sell less than $25 at a time.


Sweet I am in on it if you can get it.

[08speed]

i just put the aem intake on my ms3 and it did have that piece in there its a sweet intake i recomend getting it

[montrealms3]

Gotta sub to this thread . . . I am really interested in this part.

Let us know what can be done.

[///M Compact]

I'm checking on pricing for it right now for you guys. And, I can definitely sell less than $25 at a time.

I'm interested as well...

[eg6motion]

I'm interested as well...

agreed. Perhaps someone with an existing AEM air-straightener can measure the OD of the piece? It might be usable on other intakes as well.

[mazdaspeedster3]

8.50 is nothing! Get a group buy put together for a bunch of them! I have the Injen but would consider the AEM so I can convert to a SRI in winter.

[ericm]

My AEM CAI arrived yesterday without the air straightener. I have an email into the seller to see if I can get one.

No CARB sticker either.

The inside of the tubing where the MAF sensor goes isn't that smooth- there is a lump on the inside about 1mm tall around about 1/4 of the circumference. I have no idea if that's a manufacturing defect or something that's supposed to be there.

[eg6motion]

My AEM CAI arrived yesterday without the air straightener. I have an email into the seller to see if I can get one.

No CARB sticker either.

The inside of the tubing where the MAF sensor goes isn't that smooth- there is a lump on the inside about 1mm tall around about 1/4 of the circumference. I have no idea if that's a manufacturing defect or something that's supposed to be there.

sounds like it could be the old model. Does it have a bracket to mount the ballasts?

[ericm]

I think so... it has part 7-7854 from the diagram in this thread, and the right threaded bosses on the tubing.

[Babyface13]

Sweet I am in on it if you can get it.

Scratch that, I just sold mine. I am going Cobb

[Aaron@JSC]

I bought my AEM back in January and it had the straightener-- AEM is readily available as we speak.

[714ms3]

Sounds simple enough to me. They only take orders a minimum of $25. You only need 3 other people to commit to one in order to exceed $25. Why not see if you can get a discount for ordering a large qty (say 25) and get a group buy going.

[AutoXRacer]

Just spoke with a guy named Travis at AEM, the airflow straightener part (9-21070) is available separately from their distributors. Called one guy up in Hawthorne, CA (www . toysport . com ) near AEM, his price was $8.50 but he had a $25 minimum on any orders so I'm going to hunt around some more.

I'll update if I find a better dealer (or one closer to my house for that matter).

Is this the only place you can get it from? I NEED one ASAP!!!

[ThreeEdgedSword]

Sorry, I've been slammed at work and haven't been able to do any research on other purchasing options.

Again, from what Travis @ AEM said, it should be available from any distributor. They just suggested that particular company because they're relatively close to AEM.

[AutoXRacer]

I spoke with Summit Racing and they are going to add it to their database... It'll take about 30 minutes to add it in and have it show up.

Wahoo!!! I should have mine in a couple of days as soon as its active!!

[montrealms3]

Great news!

I hope they'll ship it up here . . .

[AutoXRacer]

It won't show up online as I just found out...you still have to call and order over the phone. They don't stock it, so it leaves from AEM directly.

I just ordered one...actually two... (bang)
From Summit Racing its $21.44 shipped; its $11 for the part and $9 for shipping.

I ordered another from a forum member... I might have one for sale by the end of the week... (lol2)

[kneedragger241]

usually lean-idle codes caused by false readings
also surging in some situations

I've had my Mazdaspeed CAI on since April and I haven't had any driveability issues. In fact, the car feels a whole lot better. It definitely runs better at WOT, higher RPMs and higher speeds.
No CEL.

Nonetheless, for $8, or even $25, I'll buy into the air straightener school of thought.
AutoX, lemme know if you end up having an extra!

[08speed]

if i got the air straightner for my atp turbo intake would it not read the to lean at idle and would it not cut boost

[bykeryder4life]

It's confirmed that it fits and works. a guy on the other forum installed one on his MS CAI and did datalogs of his LTFT's and STFT's and they were all looking pretty damn good.

[AutoXRacer]

I just got a call from Summit Racing saying they can't get the part...they were told by AEM that they will not sell it separately.

What a bunch of crap!! What if yours breaks or something. Its a damn replacement part!!

Sorry for the bad news...

You think AEM caught on to our plan...? (huh)

[LENNY127]

guys, we need to start sending emails out to Mazdaspeed and AEM. the MS CAI was manufactured by AEM , we have known this from day one of its release. We as consumers are entitled to a product that does not damage our engine, that part is in escence a "recall" if you will, they cannot deny us and with enough pressure they will have to see the fact that they manufactured a faulty CAI and now will not release the fix to it because it may affect the $elling of the "AEM CAI" plain and simple its bullshit and anyone that judges this situation would concurr. Please start emailing AEM, Mazdaspeed and lets get the ball rolling on this , if not don't complain because you wont type 3 sentences!!!!!

[AutoXRacer]

Holy crap!!!! This thing works!!!! It fit perfectly and snapped into place.

I just got it today and installed it... I don't feel any difference in terms of power or drivability. My MAF voltages are much smoother though... (I've got logs I'll post later when I clean them up)

But my fuel trims dropped suddenly!! I've always had STFT = -1.9-0.0 LTFT= 7.0-8.7
I just came back from a doing a few runs and logs and my STFT = -1.6 LTFT = -1.6 and they were stable, did not fluctuate.

I'm sure driving it a little more will further fine tune the trims... AMAZING!!!

We need to put the pressure on AEM so they release the freakin Flow Straightener!!!

[AutoXRacer]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Milkywayman22/Mazdaspeed%203/AEM%20Flow%20Straightener/DSC03646.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Milkywayman22/Mazdaspeed%203/AEM%20Flow%20Straightener/DSC03647.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Milkywayman22/Mazdaspeed%203/AEM%20Flow%20Straightener/DSC03648.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Milkywayman22/Mazdaspeed%203/AEM%20Flow%20Straightener/DSC03649.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Milkywayman22/Mazdaspeed%203/AEM%20Flow%20Straightener/DSC03650.jpg

I noticed for the first time that the finish inside the tubes of the MS CAI is crap!!!!
Take a look at the two defects I found:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Milkywayman22/Mazdaspeed%203/AEM%20Flow%20Straightener/DSC03655.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Milkywayman22/Mazdaspeed%203/AEM%20Flow%20Straightener/DSC03651.jpg

[LENNY127]

of course it fits, is there any doubt that the Mazdaspeed blue sticker replaced by the red AEM one is the only difference. (air straightener of course) now lets see who can get them, I am supposed to get mine today or tomorrow but if they did put this part on lockdown they may not sell it separately or they ll jack up the price to $50 or something.

[Babyface13]

I just got a call from Summit Racing saying they can't get the part...they were told by AEM that they will not sell it separately.

What a bunch of crap!! What if yours breaks or something. Its a damn replacement part!!

Sorry for the bad news...

You think AEM caught on to our plan...? (huh)

I guess Summit came through for you?

[AutoXRacer]

I guess Summit came through for you?

No... I got lucky and got my hands on one with a fellow forum member. I had ordered from a few different places trying to see which one would get here first. They all got canceled...

[LENNY127]

here is what I emailed them and faxed them (tech@aempower.com or fax 310-484-0152) Please do the same with your own professional complaints and we may help all MS CAI owners.



To whom it may concern,


I am the owner of a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 , as I am sure you guys by now are well aware of the hundreds of us who purchased the Mazdaspeed Cold Air Intake (which you guys manufactured). We have compared our intake to the one you guys released under the AEM name and have come to the conclusion that other than the lack of an air filter shield, the AEM badge instead of the Mazdaspeed one , a C.A.R.B. sticker and most important the addition of an air straightener it’s the exact piece. (I am sure you would argue otherwise). The Mazdaspeed intake was discontinued because it made for very irregular readings from the MAF which you obviously remedied by adding an air straightener. We have noticed this and attempted to buy part # 9-21070 to incorporate to our intakes but AEM has forbidden the vendors to sell these parts separately. We are using a product that AEM manufactured , Mazda sold as theirs and is potentially harming our engines as it has been proven again and again by the MAF readings and its interpretation of the “perceived” air passing by. Speaking for myself, I bought a product that had your reputation behind it and was very happy and that same reputation is being tested right now by prohibiting your vendors from rectifying a poor design. Please, allow us to purchase part # 9-21070 without restriction , you are risking your reputation with thousands of potential buyers and down the line it may prove that our cars either ran too lean , rich or just not the way it was meant to run and cause early mechanical failures. We are owed better than that !!!! As a consumer I will make every effort to contact as many fellow Mazdaspeed owners to bring this to light. My email address is yanezrodrigo@yahoo.com thank you.

[Babyface13]

I am interested in seeing what kind of response you get. Nice letter.

[LENNY127]

it has a slim to none chance of working only if you guys do the same, if I or only 3-5 of us are the only ones that raise hell there will be zero response, of that I am 100% sure.

[kneedragger241]

Squeaky wheel gets the grease...

[AutoXRacer]

Here's my letter...

AEM,

I own a 2008 Mazdaspeed 3 with a Mazdaspeed cold air intake. As I am sure AEM designed and manufactured this intake for Mazda, I did not think twice to purchase it over your competitor’s versions due to your reputation and past personal experiences with your products. As you may be aware of the hundreds of Mazdaspeed 3 owners whom have purchased the Mazdaspeed Cold Air Intake, Mazda recently put a stop sale and recalled all these intakes due to triggering lean condition engine check lights and inaccurate MAF readings. We, the Mazdaspeed 3 community, have researched and compared our Mazdaspeed cold air intake to your current AEM branded version and concluded they are the identical with the exception of a flow straightener (part# 9-21070) and a filter shield. I ordered and received one of your flow straighteners (part# 9-21070) and installed it into my Mazdaspeed cold air intake and it fit perfectly. The results from having your flow straightener installed, immediately remedied my ill fuel trims. I no longer get engine check lights for lean conditions and my fuel trims have adjusted themselves to factory levels. I am ecstatic of the results!!

In the meantime, AEM has put a stop sale on part# 9-21070 due to the overwhelming demand of this part from Mazdaspeed intake owners. Why? The Mazdaspeed cold air intake is your design, your product? Why is AEM restricting the sale of this part? It doesn’t seem fair that consumers bought your product due to you reputation and then AEM decides to short-change them and not provide much needed support. Obviously there was an error in the original design of the Mazdaspeed cold air intake by not including a flow straightener as your current AEM version includes in addition to your competitor’s intake systems for this vehicle.

I urge AEM to reconsider their decision on the stop sale of part# 9-21070 and help out a community of car enthusiasts enjoy a properly working AEM product (with a Mazdaspeed emblem). Your part will solve hundreds of unhappy Mazdaspeed cold air intake customer issues.
Please reconsider your decision to not sell this part; it would be in AEM’s favor to due so, since the Mazda community is a large family and does merge into other car manufacturer families as well. We all know how bad publicity spreads quickly on forums and can ruin a company’s reputation.

Thank you for your time and resolution in this matter…

Sincerely,
XXX
(didn't sign it XXX)

I faxed it and emailed it to their contact info:
Fax: (310) 484-0152
Email: I couldn't find any so I used: tech@aempower.com (tech@aempower.com)

They also have a forum that I think we should get on and bring up the issue!!! I am going to register and post it where everyone that's registered to the site can see...

Lets get this rolling yall!!

[AutoXRacer]

I got a reply!!!



Gerald,

AEM has not stopped the sale of part number 9-21070, it is currently available as a replacement part. The problem has been that we received a sudden spike in demand and are addressing the supply requirements. We will advise shortly as to when these parts will be available. With regards to the issues you and others in your community are experiencing, we strongly suggest that you contact your nearest Mazda dealer or the Mazdaspeed hotline.

Thank you for your patience. You have our word that we will address your needs as soon as possible.


Thank you,
Joji Luz
Advanced Engine Management
www.aempower.com (http://www.aempower.com/)



Sounds good!!! (2thumbs)

[LENNY127]

I got the same response. Hey, I noticed you wuzzed out and did not sign your letter...... funny. Thought you would hear a knock at the door and it would be an AEM hitman. Anyways, I just got mine today after it was not released to the driver on Friday. I think that there might be some truth to them selling the part but slowly so dont give up guys. and please dont buy the AEM intake if you have a mazdaspeed one, be patient and get the 10 dollar piece instead.

[Silver Ecstasy]

I'm subbing here too as I'm anxiously watching the progress being made between AEM and also, hopefully, Mazdaspeed.

I'd love to get a MS CAI that is revised and proper. Warranty, name brand, performance, dry-flow filter, all positive things!!!

[AGspeed3]

anyone notice how the positioning of the flow straightener is rotated 90 degrees between the drawing on page 2 and the picture on page 6 of aem's installation instructions? I think it's the page 6 picture as that matches the orientation in the cpe intake as well ( I know it's not exactly the same ).

Anyway, I haven't had a cel with my mazdaspeed cai, but still want to get one of these as well. I do notcie surging on a few occasions and wonder if it's due to the problem this flow straigthener was designed to fix.

[ZooMIN3]

Sooo..

I'm just reading through here, and run through this. I thought about changing out my MSCAI for CP-e or another reputable company.... Browsing I come across this topic. Has this part been available since you all recieved an email reply? I'm going to search around shortly and see if its for sale or not.
I wasn't too worried about this since I've been gone from the states for a good 6 months. Now that I'm a few days away from being home, I think its about due time to address this for my MSCAI before it becomes a problem. Thanks!

[AGspeed3]

I bought the straightener from JSCspeed for $15.35 shipped. I notice a definite improvement in how my car responds under acceleration. Before, I would get surging/stumbling at times, especially if I nailed the throttle. Now, I don't even have to think about it - stumbling/surging is gone no matter how hard I get on it. Others have been more precise by measuring Air to Fuel ratios before and after adding this part and found it makes the AF ratio more consistent with no spikes. This seems to be what the MS CAI should have had from the start. CPE got it right from the beginning, but now AEM has it right as well.

[Silver Ecstasy]

I bought the straightener from JSCspeed for $15.35 shipped. I notice a definite improvement in how my car responds under acceleration. Before, I would get surging/stumbling at times, especially if I nailed the throttle. Now, I don't even have to think about it - stumbling/surging is gone no matter how hard I get on it. Others have been more precise by measuring Air to Fuel ratios before and after adding this part and found it makes the AF ratio more consistent with no spikes. This seems to be what the MS CAI should have had from the start. CPE got it right from the beginning, but now AEM has it right as well.

Glad to hear it! I met a MS3 owner recently on the street who had an MSCAI and I mentioned he should consider the air straightner.

Everyone's longtermfueltrims seem to improve significantly back to a safer level. According to CP-E, the ECU is limited on how much it can compensate for the LTFT's. Without the straightner, the LTFT's have to be altered heavily. If it can't adjust any further, it throws a CEL and therefore, you have issues.

[Champloo]

To echo what AGspeed3 said, I recently got an air straightener from JSCspeed for my MS CAI also. They're $7 + shipping and JSCspeed has been a great vendor to work with. I noticed that the acceleration is smoother through the gears. The installation is really quick and easy too.

[ZooMIN3]

I bought the straightener from JSCspeed for $15.35 shipped. I notice a definite improvement in how my car responds under acceleration. Before, I would get surging/stumbling at times, especially if I nailed the throttle. Now, I don't even have to think about it - stumbling/surging is gone no matter how hard I get on it. Others have been more precise by measuring Air to Fuel ratios before and after adding this part and found it makes the AF ratio more consistent with no spikes. This seems to be what the MS CAI should have had from the start. CPE got it right from the beginning, but now AEM has it right as well.
Nice! I went to the JC Whitney web site, and I couldn't find the part... entered the Pt #; did the by vehicle search.. blah blah blah...lol gonna keep looking. =)

[OMGWTFHAX]

SO I really cant believe no one else knows about this:

http://www.jscspeed.com/mazdaspeed3/intake/aem_straightener.htm

Its from a site sponsor, even.

[ZooMIN3]

well, after searching around, I haven't found anyone selling this part... the other place that got banned here supposedly has them for sale, however I'm not risking shopping there for that part.... i'll continue to look.

[ZooMIN3]

SO I really cant believe no one else knows about this:

http://www.jscspeed.com/mazdaspeed3/intake/aem_straightener.htm

Its from a site sponsor, even.

oops...lol i just saw that it is JSCspeed...lol not JCwhitney...(bowdown)(ughdance)(hear ya) lol thanks dood. =)

[ZooMIN3]

Nice, thanks again OMGWTFHX. lol

order has been placed. =D

[OMGWTFHAX]

Yeah no problem. Im just passing on a link.

Lets close this thread now and forget it ever happened :(

[///M Compact]

I bought my straightener fron Street Unit a few weeks ago. $15 with free shipping. I received it in a couple of days.

[eg6motion]

SO I really cant believe no one else knows about this:

http://www.jscspeed.com/mazdaspeed3/intake/aem_straightener.htm

Its from a site sponsor, even.

it was added after this thread was created...

[OMGWTFHAX]

it was added after this thread was created...

I dont think youre right.

[eddelgado]

It looks as if Street Unit jacked up their price to $19.

JSC is cheaper.

Ed.

[Circle9]

So now that AEM is producing an air straightener that fixes the problems of the AEM CAI, is it better than the Injen CAI? Or does the Injen already have an air straightener?

[ZooMIN3]

It's better, because you only spell AEM three letters, and Injen you have to spell using 5.... food for though.











=p


by the way, I finally got my air straightner in. Ordred it on the 20th of Oct, just got it in today, November 4.