Well I've had my RE Cold Airbox and Apex Intake for about 3 weeks now, For whatever reason it idle's like crap I.E. Idle at 1k popps down to 750 about every 7-10 sec's and imediatly back up to 1k then down, up down up. It does this when its cold, warm, hot, whatever. I didnt have a problem till I switched intakes..... what gives? Ill try some different gas I guess (been using 93) :( Ill keep ya posted

On a side note... Anyone know what the Max Flow rating is for the Flow sensor?

The technical training manual (Mazda Australia) says that if customers complain about rought idling, and they have a non standard air-box, or even a non-standard air cleaner element, then it should be replaced with stock straight away to rectify the situation.

The MAF sensor is very sensitive, and messing with the stock setup can produce a flow of air that is not what the sensor is tuned for. The MAF sensor is one of the most important inputs the computer uses to control the running of your car.

Cheers,
Hymee.

This is true. Especialy if you are running an OILED filter element. It has been discovered that using an oiled filter medium ne K&N the oil is sucked out of the filter and passes thru the MAF, coating the "hot-wire" mass airflow sensor thereby skewing any air sensor readings and will affect MPG and idle quality.

Originally posted by Rotary Nut
This is true.

Thanks, I make a big effort not to post BS!

What you said about the oil makes a lot of sense as well. People probably tend to over oil there elements.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Exactly my point. They assume more oil = better filtering ability and add more than what is required.

so ya'll are sayin dump my new intake?!?! :( Lots of people have aftermarket intakes, am I the only one with this problem?

Is there a safe way to "clean" the MAFS.. I know there extremely sensitive

when you pop your hood and look at your intake can you see your fan? did you remove the plastic tray that was under the stock intake? If you did remove that tray that may be causing the rough idle.

I have heard of people using a spray cleaner of some sorts maybe it's a carb cleaner but DON'T QUOTE ME ON THIS. This is what I have heard. I will not be responsible for someone screwing up the MAF and having to buy a new one!

This is one of the reason I don't mess with the engine when it comes to warranties, it is better to be safe than sorry!

:)

I have rotary extreme intake installed, but the idle is not as bad as you described. Yes, it was a lot smoother with the stock intake, but I think it is acceptable.

Check this thread: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17979

Did you leave the VFAD open? If you did, you should buy some vacuum tube and reconnected the VFAD openings to restore normal VFAD operation.

I HAVE INSTALLED A TYPHOON SYSTEM ON MY RX-8 AND I AM HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH ROUGH IDLE AND A RASPY SOUND AT 7500RPM ON UP. I CAN FEEL THE POWER INCREASE AT THE REAR WHEELS BUT THE ROUGH IDLE AND NASTY SOUND AT HIGH RPM'S IS A PAIN IN THE ASS. I CONTACTED K&N ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH ME TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM IT SEEMS THE VFAD IS THE PROBLEM. THE FILTER ALTHOUGH IS ACCEPTING MORE AIR THE COMPUTER DOESNT REGISTER THE AIR BEING ACCEPTED AT OR ABOVE 5500 RPM. SO THE 3RD INJECTOR IS OPENING AT 5500 RPM AND THE VFAD IS SENDING MORE AIR BUT THE COMPUTER IS NOT REGISTERING THE AIR. I WILL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED ON K&N'S SOLUTION.

OK YOU CAN STOP SHOUTING NOW! WE HEAR YA LOUD AND CLEAR!

UPDATE 2004 02 05!! OK I found out what the problem was.... After taking the advice of BVD I re-installed my VFAD vacume Line..... when I was doing this guess what I found.....
the MAFS had migrated down and was all up on the rear of the RE Cold Air Box (alluminum) so to make a long story short... At Idle the intake was vibrating enough to wack out the MAFS to produce Crappy Idle Syndrom or CIS as I've been calling it. After I repositioned the duct and tightened everything back up... I went for a test drive...... BAMMO!! idles like a champ now :) Ill post pics l8ers

thanks all for comments and suggestions
-Matt

I just installed the K&N yesterday....noticeable accelaration improvement...Idle does seem to jump around a bit but no biggy....My one compaint is K&N did not provide the right screws to mount the MAFS...I had to dig through my screw jar to find some that would fit......Overall satisfaction....GOOD

hrm, Yeah when I installed my K&N it was decent for the first 3-4 days but then the idle just started getting worse and worse ultimately leading to several almost stalls and one stall.

As toddzrx8 said K&N is allegedly working to investiage this but they did tell me that several rx-8 owners have complained about this issue.

Originally posted by majelopa
I just installed the K&N yesterday....noticeable accelaration improvement...Idle does seem to jump around a bit but no biggy....My one compaint is K&N did not provide the right screws to mount the MAFS...I had to dig through my screw jar to find some that would fit......Overall satisfaction....GOOD


I just reused the scews from the stock intake to remount the MAF.

K&N will have a heat shield available as an accessory for those who have the intake now. It will be in carbon fiber. They are sending one over to us to test and try out on our car. We will post pics and impressions once we get it. This will help with the heat when the car is at idle at a stop light.

Originally posted by Rx8Freehk
Is there a safe way to "clean" the MAFS.. I know there extremely sensitive

I used to clean the MAFs on my 00 Celica by using a Q-Tip and being VERY VERY gentle. Worked like a charm. I would suggest cleaning it unless you think it is specifically to blame for an issue you are having. They are extremely expensive to replace (i want to say close to $700 on the Celica).

That being said, with the increased airflow from the aftermarket intakes, regular cleaning of the MAFS might be needed.