Cold Air Intake vs. Intake
 

Hey guys. I did a brief search and couldn't really find much to help me here. I'm deciding right now whether to buy a AEM Cold Air Intake or just an Intake. Probably, Racing Beat or Mishimoto Carbon Fiber.

Just wondering what everyone's experience has been with both and to be a n00b, what benefits come most out of each. As far as HP gain, sound, MPG and weight are concerned.

Chances are my intake/cold air intake will be going with a Greddy Sp2 exhaust. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

no real HP gains, its all sound and show

Thanks! Nothing on Mishimoto one though?

I have the AEM intake. that was my very first mod. You won't feel much if anything. But it gives it more aggressive sound when you step on it. Intakes are really more for show, and sound. I think some have even posted up that they decreased in HP. Give the intakes thread a good read through before you buy.

stock with inside walls removed, k&n filter, and a racing beat air duct.

^agreed...i just removed the walls and yes one screen and it runs like a charm....still have just a paper filter but all in all the only thing that would real b worth buying is the duct!

the stock intake system is already incredibly well engineered.. in my opinion the best thing you can do for it is get rid of the pesky VFAD and get a Racing Beat duct - oh and a K&N panel air filter.

More n00b questions....What exactly is a duct? What does it effect on the car?

Sorry guys, new to modding. Haha

http://www.racingbeat.com/photos/18298.jpg
http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm

^i win, lol

I see! So it seems to work almost as a cold air intake. And just keep the stock intake. Hm, looks pretty cool. Thanks so much guys ! :)

exactly, and it's alot cheaper, which is always a good thing :)

Cheaper is ALWAYS a good thing, haha. One more question, bear with me haha. Does the duct offer the same sound gain as well as HP gain as a CAI would. Which is like all of 5 HP haha.

sound gain, no...HP...probably.

Gotcha. Alright, thanks again!

yw :)

Yup They sound cool but I really haven't experienced any extra HP, more like power loss to me. I used to be able to get to 123 mph with no troubles but now it's hard to get to 109 mph. I plans on changing back to stock with K&N filter when I upgrade my exhaust.

Recommend the K&N filter, because it's not a bad deal. You have to maintain it though. No worries.

couldnt you remove the VFAD and put the duct with the typhoon? would that help anything or a waste?

it would work

any point to it though? I see a stock intake might benefit from that but a typhoon?

I would say yes. It's still directing cold air up to the short ram when driving. I think there are some members that use that setup.
IMO tho, I wouldn't do it. I didn't like the typhoon. Too loud for my taste and the whole heat soak issue.