The Cork Sport Short Ram Intake.
Modifying cars is in my blood. This bizarre addiction was handed down from father to son. I’ve modified all of my cars for one reason or another. So keeping with tradition I bought the Cork Sport Short Ram Intake with additional cooling duct for the 2. I figured it will be satisfying to pick up a horsepower or two, alter the engine sound, and perhaps, just maybe, increase the MPG.
The Cork Sport Short Ram Intake consists of a simple performance air filter, a beautifully CNC machined MAF housing, silicone sleeve, and vacuum hoses. In addition to the CS Short Ram Intake, I chose to purchase the additional Cork Sport Cooling Duct.
The CS Cooling Duct is important because the Short Ram Intake can only pull air from inside the engine compartment and the under-hood air temperatures are typically very very warm. As we all know warm air reduces power and cool air makes power. The CS Cooling Duct works by feeding air directly to the air filter from the front grille location which helps to maintain the lowest possible intake air temperatures. The Cooling Duct is really a must have item when considering a Short Ram Intake.
The CS Short Ram Intake installation is straightforward, pretty easy, and can be done with simple hand tools. Taking my time the install took about an hour. I started by removing the factory intake air inlet pipe and air filter. I followed these steps by removing the vacuum lines, AIT sensor, and elbow. Sadly, the ugly factory air box has to remain in place atop of the engine since it connects directly to the ECU which is also strangely mounted to the engine. The CS components fit without any problems and really look good. However, I didn’t like the supplied vacuum hoses. I prefer a more factory appearance so I ended up reusing two of the OEM hoses and utilizing a third hose from my own collection.
Well, I’m not sure about the horsepower since my butt-dyno can’t feel any improvements but, the CS Short Ram Intake really sounds the business. It truly sounds amazing. The new aggressive growl makes me smile and causes surrounding motorist’s to posture with displeasure. I love it! The package is definitely worth the price of admission. However, the most shocking revelation caused by the CS Intake was the MPG improvement.
In over 5,000 miles with the CS Intake installed it has drastically improved my MPG. I’m now averaging 40 MPG mixed urban/highway compared to 33 MPG before. I’m recording 36 MPG traveling at a constant 70+ MPH on the highway when only 29 MPG was possible with the factory intake. I have even managed to record a best of 42 MPG combined and a total range of 380 miles. My last tank was 41 MPG mixed urban/highway. Very impressive.
I don’t know what the magic is. I really don’t.
Or, do I?
It doesn’t take a genius to surmise that the factory Mazda2 intake isn’t the most efficient setup possible. I mean, look at it! Air travels through the front inlet into flat pancaked intake piping with several 90 degree bends which then lead to the shocking engine-cooking heat-absorbing air box that actually sits inside an oven - I mean literally on top of the engine. And, it only gets better. The scorching air then passes through the ECU and a couple more 90 degree turns before entering the throttle body. A journey through hell, apparently!?! Hey, at least the Mazda engineers were creative!
Conversely, the CS Short Ram intake attaches directly to the throttle body by way of a CNC machined MAF housing, silicone sleeve, and a proper performance air filter bypassing all the ridiculous factory plumbing. It is by definition a short ram intake. As mentioned previously, the optional CS Cooling Duct insures that the CS Short Ram intake consumes the coolest air possible and attaches smartly to the factory inlet location. Which then leads to a simple fact; unquestionably the CS intake is better designed and more efficient than the factory box. And considering the design differences it should come as no surprise that the CS intake has the ability to improve power, increase MPG, and enhance the sound. However, the surprise has been how much the CS intake improved my MPG.
In conclusion the CS Intake has performed exceptionally well for me and my driving style. I’m really happy with the aggressive sound, but I’m especially happy with the MPG improvement. The CS Short Ram Intake with additional Cooling Duct definitely earned my seal of approval.
Mike