I'd like to disable the VFAD flap to see what difference it makes in intake noise. What's the best way to do it? I think unplugging the green connector behind the airbox will throw a code? So which vacuum hose should I unplug from where to disable VFAD? And what should I buy from the hardware store to cap off the hose? I don't have an aftermarket intake system so I'm improvising here. Thanks!

Just clamp the hose off, or tie it into a knot. The added noise is trivial, and you shouldn't expect much from doing this.

Pull the harness connector to the solenoid. 7 seconds and no VFAD (or CEL or vacuum leak).
VFAD is pointless.

What is VFAD, i know its the tube that connects to the brass looking thing on the intake, right?

Pull the harness connector to the solenoid. 7 seconds and no VFAD (or CEL or vacuum leak).
VFAD is pointless.

will this completely disable it?
you disconnect it for 7 seconds??
your explanation is a little unclear... :scratchhe

What is VFAD, i know its the tube that connects to the brass looking thing on the intake, right?

Variable fresh air duct... it's a little flap that opens up to bring in fresh air. basically a built in CAI...

http://208.219.69.31/vfad.jpg

It's more like a cold air intake preventer. It closes off the duct till it decides to open up.

so, how can we deactive the solenoid w/out causing any problems??
i'd like to hold off on removing the bumper for this until my RB duct arrives...

will this completely disable it?
you disconnect it for 7 seconds??
your explanation is a little unclear... :scratchhe
If that is unclear, you shouldn't attempt it.

basically a built in CAI...
Though, because of the design of the upper support and bumper, it sucks in hot air that rolls over the top of the radiator.
Even the regular intake sock doesn't escape the hot air.
Typical IAT is 20°F over ambient because of this.

If that is unclear, you shouldn't attempt it.


thanks for the helpful reply...
if you'd have written a decent sentence... i'd be able to understand what you're saying...

"Pull the harness connector to the solenoid." ... pretty self explanatory. no problem here yet!!
next sentence...
"7 seconds and no VFAD (or CEL or vacuum leak)." ... wtf does this sentence mean to someone who has never attemted to do what you're trying to explain????? :spank:

if you're going to post any information that may be useful to others on the board.. it'd be nice if it was posted in a way that others besides yourself could understand.

He meant it takes all of 7 seconds, it's that easy.

Disconnect the green connector behind the airbox.It may take about 7 seconds or more to do it and there will be no CEL etc etc

if you're going to post any information that may be useful to others on the board.. it'd be nice if it was posted in a way that others besides yourself could understand.
The vast majority of what I post to this board is understood only by myself. Why should this have been any different? :kiss:

^^Funny!^^

if you're going to post any information that may be useful to others on the board.. it'd be nice if it was posted in a way that others besides yourself could understand.

Jeff is one of the most helpful people on this forum. Perhaps you should know who you are talking about before complaining about your inability to read a sentence. he was quite clear.

Jeff is one of the most helpful people on this forum. Perhaps you should know who you are talking about before complaining about your inability to read a sentence. he was quite clear.

your post was unnecessary...
i know who he is & i agree that he's a very informative member of this board. nonetheless, he was not very clear in his reply to the question asked. so, i kindly asked him to reiterate it. he replied arrogantly so i took offense. all he had to do was word his sentence fragment properly so that i could understand it. like i said before, it was unclear to someone who has not done this mod. had i already done this, i would have understood his quick reply. i did nothing wrong. so, please don't reprimand me simply b/c i took offense to what your fellow post whore replied to me. i may not be as revered around here as either of you, but i always chime in whenever i can be helpful to anyone. can't we all just get along? :grouphug:

your post was unnecessary...
...he was not very clear..he replied arrogantly ..i took offense. ...i took offense to what your fellow post whore replied ...


can't we all just get along? :grouphug:
Sounds like you're the one who can't get along.

since im the admin my posts are necesssary whenever i feel that someone is being troublesome. your post "if he is to be helpful to anyone" suggested that he was other wise which is not the case. you misunderstood- thats fine. there was no need to bash him for the misunderstanding. as for the post whore and fellow- well i may be a post whore by sheer volume but post whores genrally arent considered helpful- jeff and i both are. fellows is a bit of areach since jeff and i have had our share of disagreements. but i think we both at least respect each other- your previous post and the last are exhibiting a lack of it.

since im the admin my posts are necesssary whenever i feel that someone is being troublesome. your post "if he is to be helpful to anyone" suggested that he was other wise which is not the case. you misunderstood- thats fine. there was no need to bash him for the misunderstanding. as for the post whore and fellow- well i may be a post whore by sheer volume but post whores genrally arent considered helpful- jeff and i both are. fellows is a bit of areach since jeff and i have had our share of disagreements. but i think we both at least respect each other- your previous post and the last are exhibiting a lack of it.


ok...

Pull the harness connector to the solenoid. 7 seconds and no VFAD (or CEL or vacuum leak).
VFAD is pointless.

Just clamp the hose off, or tie it into a knot. The added noise is trivial, and you shouldn't expect much from doing this.

which of these 2 would be the better solution?

-simply disconnecting the solenoid
or
-blocking the hose path?

disconnecting the solenoid

^ 2x

Is there any gains from doing this and if so can some post a pic or diagram so I dont screw up my new ride?

Is there any gains from doing this and if so can some post a pic or diagram so I dont screw up my new ride?

i just did this today so i can't really tell, although i'm not expecing much other than better mileage... but, there is plenty of info on this mod if u do a search for VFAD or VFAD SOLENOID...

It won't improve anything - especially mileage.
It just makes the car a bit noisier.

i just did this today so i can't really tell, although i'm not expecing much other than better mileage... but, there is plenty of info on this mod if u do a search for VFAD or VFAD SOLENOID...

Thanks for the info

Rise, RISE from the dead little thread...

Two questions:
a)disconnecting the solenoid will leave the entire system open or closed?
b)Anyone removed the VFAD and installed a vent in the bumper or something similar? I know Acosta did something for their 3 rotor but I'm talking about the VFAD. Avoid the extra 20 degress MM was referring to. Like this...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-11/1100715/z33varisairduct11.jpg

Disconnecting it leaves it closed.
Acosta is the only outfit I've seen with a vent there, though I won't bother if its only for the VFAD duct.
If you do that, run the whole thing through it.

is it possible to take out the whole contraption? Lose some weight upfront?

Yep, though I suspect it does at least adequate job of getting air from a slightly cooler location than the place it is mounted. Plus, the whole thing only weighs about a pound.
Just pull the solenoid connector and jam the flap open.

Definitly just pull the solinoid. Mazda WANTS you too. They even put a dummy plug on the solinoid to plug the harness into.