Just Installed AEM/Mazdaspeed CAI
03-22-2013, 09:08 PM
#1
Just Installed AEM/Mazdaspeed CAI
So today my AEM cold air intake came in the mail 
. I had a friend of mine help me with the install. For the most part, it was a PITA to install. Taking the OEM air box out was a breeze, but taking the bumper off, and unplugging fog lights etc was a bitch. Took around 3 hours with help from one other person. I was so happy to crank the car for the first time after install. When you start it up, it sounds like stock, but when you rev that engine up, you can't help but smile 
. It makes suuuuuuuch a loud sound. Especially when you take it over 7k rpm, it just roars.
Pros:
Looks so good under the hood.
Sounds amazing
Loud when you want it to be, quiet when you want it to be.
Adds a little horsepower/mpg but not a lot.
Cons:
Tedious to install
Very minimal hp/mpg gains (but the best on the market)
Leaves a big gap where the old air box used to sit
Here's some photos of the process, and final product, let me know what you think!
. I had a friend of mine help me with the install. For the most part, it was a PITA to install. Taking the OEM air box out was a breeze, but taking the bumper off, and unplugging fog lights etc was a bitch. Took around 3 hours with help from one other person. I was so happy to crank the car for the first time after install. When you start it up, it sounds like stock, but when you rev that engine up, you can't help but smile . It makes suuuuuuuch a loud sound. Especially when you take it over 7k rpm, it just roars. Pros:
Looks so good under the hood.
Sounds amazing
Loud when you want it to be, quiet when you want it to be.
Adds a little horsepower/mpg but not a lot.
Cons:
Tedious to install
Very minimal hp/mpg gains (but the best on the market)
Leaves a big gap where the old air box used to sit
Here's some photos of the process, and final product, let me know what you think!
03-23-2013, 01:21 AM
#2
I don't really find the front bumper hard to remove at all, takes me 20 minutes tops. 
Anyways, very nicely done! I've been considering this or the Racing Beat for quite some time now. I've always hated that empty space the AEM leaves in the bay, but it's starting to slowly grow on me.
Anyways, very nicely done! I've been considering this or the Racing Beat for quite some time now. I've always hated that empty space the AEM leaves in the bay, but it's starting to slowly grow on me.
03-23-2013, 01:18 PM
#7
weeeeeeeeee
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CRH/BHR used to sell an under tray you use to hide the void created by removing the airbox. I have one and love it. Unfortunately I think he only did a handful of production runs. Although a decent machine shop could certainly do similar.
Here's a (shitty) shot of what it looks like:
Ignore the bracket to the right -- the picture was taken while my oil filter relocation project was in progress. Also, probably best to ignore the blow off valve too as I'm sure it looks foreign to you NA types
Here's a (shitty) shot of what it looks like:
Ignore the bracket to the right -- the picture was taken while my oil filter relocation project was in progress. Also, probably best to ignore the blow off valve too as I'm sure it looks foreign to you NA types
03-25-2013, 09:32 PM
#9
you can just keep the bottom airbox tray in place. it blocks the air from directly blowing into your "supposed to be" Cold air intake pipe.
and sorry, you are 8 yrs late. and I think I was the first one to install a mazdaspeed intake on this forum.
and I am back to stock 4-5 yrs ago.
and sorry, you are 8 yrs late. and I think I was the first one to install a mazdaspeed intake on this forum.
and I am back to stock 4-5 yrs ago.
03-25-2013, 09:46 PM
#10
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I must've missed something. Where the hell does he say anything about being "first"?
Anyway, OP, looks nice. Nothing like the feeling of doing it yourself. You're proud and you should be.
Oh, and the air box undertray does nothing in respect to the cold air aspect of this kit since it breathes from in front of the engine compartment.
Enjoy your AEM. Just like the "back to stock" crowd can enjoy that.
Anyway, OP, looks nice. Nothing like the feeling of doing it yourself. You're proud and you should be.
Oh, and the air box undertray does nothing in respect to the cold air aspect of this kit since it breathes from in front of the engine compartment.
Enjoy your AEM. Just like the "back to stock" crowd can enjoy that.
03-25-2013, 10:47 PM
#14
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Awwww. A sigh? Really princess?
Into. On to. Read your own words. If you're not literate enough to write what you mean I'm certainly not responsible for correcting you. Lol
Anyway. No need to try and **** in the guy's Cheerios. He modded his car and was proud of it. And that, IS a cool story, "bro". Lol
Classy.
...blocks the air from directly blowing into your "supposed to be" Cold air intake pipe...
Anyway. No need to try and **** in the guy's Cheerios. He modded his car and was proud of it. And that, IS a cool story, "bro". Lol
...hmm, u can't afford couple hundred bux ...
Last edited by RadRedR3; 03-25-2013 at 11:06 PM.
03-25-2013, 11:46 PM
#16
The thread may have been better received if it had been structured as a DIY in the proper forum area. I'm pretty sure nobody ever made one on this particular subject. Somebody more experienced would have likely pointed out that you neither have to fully remove either the bumper cover or the bumper bar to install this.
03-26-2013, 06:30 AM
#18
But this was a mod that Eric Meyer suggested a while back. All you are really doing is getting rid of the last bend. IIRC he found a slight gain as opposed to the original AEM setup.
Worth the trouble? probably not. I only did it because i felt that the way the AEM sat with the S2 front fascia, this setup at least put part of the filter in direct airflow path.
03-26-2013, 10:38 AM
#22
Wish I made one, but my buddy helped cut it while I was doing the battery relocation. It is not difficult at all though...
Buy 1 sheet of 24x48 of this : https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchan...id=7125&step=4
It is exactly what i bought. Came out to just a dollar or two over $30.
Tinsnips will make your life easier. and get yourself some cardboard so that you can model out the design.
Measure twice, cut once, and voila.
and you will have some metal left over for other odds and ends.
Buy 1 sheet of 24x48 of this : https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchan...id=7125&step=4
It is exactly what i bought. Came out to just a dollar or two over $30.
Tinsnips will make your life easier. and get yourself some cardboard so that you can model out the design.
Measure twice, cut once, and voila.
and you will have some metal left over for other odds and ends.
03-26-2013, 10:57 AM
#23
I'mma firin' mah lazor!!!
03-26-2013, 12:38 PM
#25
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Agree 100%. Anyone using metal pipes with the intention of having a "cold air" intake is ignorant about how much heat soak is being absorbed by the engine. These cars also run very hot, so it's just exacerbates the issue. You're going to get much higher intake temperatures, and lose power. Period.
Use carbon, plastic, or at least heat wrap it or block it somehow...
