Removing Air intake ducting?

[protegerider18]

I own a 03 Protege and I am thinking of removing the air inlet ducting on top of the radiator. I would think it would let more air into the engine. Is it possible that I can do this without hurting anything?

[hollywood23]

I own an '02 protege and romved the stock intake tubing I did notice a slight difference in performance and nothing bad has happened to the car and it's been done for about a year now
I own a 03 Protege and I am thinking of removing the air inlet ducting on top of the radiator. I would think it would let more air into the engine. Is it possible that I can do this without hurting anything?

[black03mazda]

Speaking from a scientific standpoint, by removing that piece will allow less travel space for air from the duct to the actual intake manifold thereby allowing more air to be sucked in without the hinderance of the duct...


It wont do anything to the car but allow for a more practical intake of air. most people do it without taking the risky chance of aftermarket intake purchasing and installation. I have an intake and its way better than the stupid plastic airbox....

just my two cents.

[DiS]

it wont hurt anything....why dont you just get an aftermarket intake system?

[Brian MP5T]

Many people have removed the rear weatherstriping by the windshield where the hood closes down.


It will make more noise but will also suck the air out of the engine compartment like an EVO hood...

[sam1]

it wont hurt anything....why dont you just get an aftermarket intake system?cuz this is free!!! =)

[Leppy]

http://mspencer.net/darkrose/Protege2/Protege%20intake%20003.jpg

try doing this.. noticable difference

[Leppy]

just remember to tuck the O2 sensor INTO the filter so you wont get a CEL

[DiS]

cuz this is free!!! =)

no shit it is (thumb)

[mp5jeff]

just remember to tuck the O2 sensor INTO the filter so you wont get a CEL
?? you mean AIT sensor?

[Shane5425]

if u do remove that pice, remove the rest of it too, the part that is under the box.. i did it and noticed a difference, but went to cai and noticed a bigger differance..

[Leppy]

?? you mean AIT sensor?

sure.. though I always thought that the lil bullet shaped sensor that plugged into the stock airbox was an O2.

[Shane5425]

guess what... I DONT HAVE THAT SENSOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all i have is maf sensor..

[Brian MP5T]

It's just an intake thermometer...

[Leppy]

EITHER WAY...whatever it's called on an 03 2.0l it'll give you a CEL if it's not tucked into the filter. ya'll are beating around the point.

[GNO]

EITHER WAY...whatever it's called on an 03 2.0l it'll give you a CEL if it's not tucked into the filter. ya'll are beating around the point.Did your light come on? Becuase it shouldn't trip a code. Whether or not it is in the intake tract, it will still get a temp reading and shouldn't trip a code.

FYI, O2 sensors are usually located in the EXHAUST system.

[johnadoo]

This is what i did to get some cold air. Installed a duct from the bottom of the enginebay straight to the filter.

[goldstar]

The problem with removing the air intake snorkel that mounts over the radiator is that the air box will now ingest hot, underhood air. Since HP varies as the square root of the change in the ABSOLUTE temperature of the intake air, this mod will actually decrease your power output to some extent. The purpose of the snorkel is to move the air inlet to a cooler area in order to prevent this.

The piece that hangs down below the air inlet to the air box acts as a Helmholtz resonator. Its function is to enhance and maintain low speed torque, thus it's not a good idea to remove it on a stock air intake system.

You may not like the looks of the OEM air intake system, but each part of it is designed to perform a specific function. Modifying it in a haphazard way usually ends up reducing performance.

[SOLO Proto]

you can do some simple mods to the stock airbox and route some ducting up to it and have a decent intake setup. I added a heatshield to it and have been VERY pleased with it.

[Brian MP5T]

The problem with removing the air intake snorkel that mounts over the radiator is that the air box will now ingest hot, underhood air. Since HP varies as the square root of the change in the ABSOLUTE temperature of the intake air, this mod will actually decrease your power output to some extent. The purpose of the snorkel is to move the air inlet to a cooler area in order to prevent this.

The piece that hangs down below the air inlet to the air box acts as a Helmholtz resonator. Its function is to enhance and maintain low speed torque, thus it's not a good idea to remove it on a stock air intake system.

You may not like the looks of the OEM air intake system, but each part of it is designed to perform a specific function. Modifying it in a haphazard way usually ends up reducing performance.
I think the performance increases you are talking about look really good on paper... I agree that they are all there for a good reason, but I think you could get better mileages diferences by taking out your spare tire and jack and making sure your car is Waxed once a week???

I would be worried about Mazda having a problem with it more than the economy issues...

[Leppy]

Did your light come on?

it did before i tucked the sensor in (left it hanging) and went away after i tucked it in.