Obvious intake idea

[Spooled]

I have no idea why someone hasn't tried this (or at least I couldn't find anyone that has). The inlet to the turbo on the MSP points straight towards the left front wheel well where CAI filters fit. Why doesn't anyone just cut a hole in the well just big enough for the pipe to fit through, then attach a cone filter on the other side. The pipe could be 2 sections so that the MAF is still inside the engine bay. This would solve the fight about whether SRI or CAI being better as it would be a S-CAI. In fact, there wouldn't even be a bend in the pipe. It would even be low in the engine bay to keep heat away from the piping.

The only problem is that the pipe coming from the intercooler is somewhat in the way, but that could be modified to solve this.

It's the middle of winter in Michigan and I don't have a garage, so I haven't had a chance to see what that panel is made of, but I think I remember it being plastic in that area. I really wish I had a lift in a heated garage!

Just an idea...

[azian6er]

hey whats up man i live in ann arbor and i also have a 2003 mazdaspeed.

The problem with that i idea would most likely be sapce but also the placement of the maf. I dont think it would make a huge difference because the maf would still be oriented in the way it was stock but it would sit lower.

Also, people dont want to cut holes in their cars, and dealerships dont like that either.

My sn is laus101 if you wanna chat on aim sometime

-B

[Spooled]

Originally posted by azian6er
hey whats up man i live in ann arbor and i also have a 2003 mazdaspeed.

The problem with that i idea would most likely be sapce but also the placement of the maf. I dont think it would make a huge difference because the maf would still be oriented in the way it was stock but it would sit lower.

Also, people dont want to cut holes in their cars, and dealerships dont like that either.

My sn is laus101 if you wanna chat on aim sometime

-B

Good to see some more MI MSP's! I've only seen one on the road so far.

The position of the MAF isn't the benefit, it's the fact that the intake pipe would be both completely straight and would be drawing cold air.

I agree that cutting wholes isn't the first thing on my list of wants, but there are people doing a lot more than that on here. If it's plastic, it probably isn't a huge cost to replace, assuming that it's just the lower section. This is something that I want to check out when I can get my car on a lift. Might be fun!

[azian6er]

i see what you are saying.

Plastic can be expensive though.
The intercooler to turbo pipe was 246 bucks from mazda. I got ass raped.

-B

[Spooled]

Originally posted by azian6er
i see what you are saying.

Plastic can be expensive though.
The intercooler to turbo pipe was 246 bucks from mazda. I got ass raped.

-B

Damn dude! That sucks. Might as well have replaced it with a hard pipe.

[KyRaceFan]

why not just use the hole thats already there? It doesnt take much of a bend to get it to go pretty much straight up and then down into the hole. Its the way mine is oriented, and pulls very cold air.
I'll post pics of my setup when i get home.

[Spooled]

Originally posted by KyRaceFan
why not just use the hole thats already there? It doesnt take much of a bend to get it to go pretty much straight up and then down into the hole. Its the way mine is oriented, and pulls very cold air.

Is there a hole on the side, or are you talking about the one on top of the well? I want to go in the side so I have the shortest, straightest path to cold air. I wish I could get my head under there right now, but it's so damn cold out!

[Spooled]

Oh, and yes, I want to see the pics!

[KyRaceFan]

The first time i popped the hood on my car and i saw that hole, my mouth started watering and i knew that i was going to have my air filter located down there safely away from the fan. Its a great spot for it, and since its already there, theres no good reason to cut anything else out. To get to it, you have to take the wheel off and unclip the wheel well cover, then you have easy access.
Pics in a few hours...damn i need webspace.. :D

[KyRaceFan]

pics... as promised!
http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb230/_handler.php/KyRaceFan/hardpipes3.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb230/_handler.php/KyRaceFan/hardpipes2.jpg

[Nextruss]

whats different from that to the injen cai?

[Spooled]

That looks good! Not what I was thinking, but cool. Did you make that yourself? What about the hard pipes?

[03MSP]

Originally posted by KyRaceFan
pics... as promised!
http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb230/_handler.php/KyRaceFan/hardpipes3.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb230/_handler.php/KyRaceFan/hardpipes2.jpg

That looks good! How much did all of that cost you?

[RyanJayG]

air resistance and friction is directly proportional to the sum of all its bends. what I believe Spooled was getting at is, a truely strait pipe running into the fenderwell has 0 bends, therefore very little resistance.

[Spooled]

Originally posted by RyanJayG
air resistance and friction is directly proportional to the sum of all its bends. what I believe Spooled was getting at is, a truely strait pipe running into the fenderwell has 0 bends, therefore very little resistance.

Bingo! Not only that, but it would be very short and would be pulling air from outside the engine bay. I am rotating my tires this week, so maybe I will map something out while I have my left front off...

[KyRaceFan]

I had it custom fabricated by a new speed shop here in Louisville.
I paid 450 for the intake and hard pipes. I sorta guinea pigged them though, and if someone wants a set, i can get them made, but they may be a little more expensive.
I've since polished the upper i/c pipe with a bench grinder and wire wheel, and some mothers mag polish, its not bling bling polish, but that nice shiny, yet rough aluminum polish.

The Injen intake snakes around the same path as the stock intake pipes, and mine is just the straight pipe to the MAF, then the J bend to place the filter.

If anyone is interested in getting the i/c pipes made, i will call the guy, and work out a price.