Anyone have the RB Ram Air Duct installation guide?
08-21-2010, 10:01 AM
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Anyone have the RB Ram Air Duct installation guide?
I bought a used one off of the boards here and it arrives today so I want to install it. The problem is that the installation instructions aren't coming with it. Does anyone have them by chance that could post them up? I'm sure it's easy, but just in case I screw something up I'd like to have them to bail me out.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
08-21-2010, 11:32 AM
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Its really easy to install, I had to do most of whats needed when I installed my ram air duct in my front bumper. I did it with no instructions and Im by no means mechanically inclined. Good luck and congrats on the mod 
08-21-2010, 01:14 PM
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If you aren't familiar with removing a front bumper I could see where having those instructions would be handy. I remember getting my RB screens and it just leaving it at "Remove front bumper" and instantly not feeling comfortable. Like you guys said though...in the end...not so bad of a job.
08-21-2010, 01:42 PM
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I ended up getting bored and just going to town on it. I've got everything apart, the VFAD out (and the portion that connects to the stock intake cut off), the vacuum system capped, but then I ran into a problem. The body shop that fixed my front bumper stripped the two plastic bolts that hold the styrafoam and as a result I can't get them out. Because I can't get it out I can't get the plastic behind it out.
This could get interesting. lol
This could get interesting. lol
08-21-2010, 01:51 PM
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I ended up getting bored and just going to town on it. I've got everything apart, the VFAD out (and the portion that connects to the stock intake cut off), the vacuum system capped, but then I ran into a problem. The body shop that fixed my front bumper stripped the two plastic bolts that hold the styrafoam and as a result I can't get them out. Because I can't get it out I can't get the plastic behind it out.
This could get interesting. lol
This could get interesting. lol
08-21-2010, 03:55 PM
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Hopefully those aren't famous last words. lol
08-21-2010, 04:42 PM
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ehhhhh, I wouldnt not fasten it. If I had to choose between the two, I would choose to properly secure the Duct rather than leaving an unnecessary plastic piece and leaving the duct unsecure which may cause rattles, or break it, or cause it to not work properly.
08-21-2010, 06:12 PM
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Agree...............find a way to secure it. Not sure what plastic bolts you are referring to, but you can get something behind them to push on them while you try and back them out?
08-21-2010, 09:54 PM
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The two phillips plastic screws that secure the styrofoam portion to the bumper support behind it. They were completely rounded off. I could've broken them, but then I would have been at the liberty of Mazda to order new ones. That doesn't exactly work when you need your car. lol
I secured the top portion in place and then used large zip ties to hold the bottom in place. The bottom portion is held in place pretty well on it's own though.
It's all done. I removed my K&N intake and went back to stock with the ram air duct. It's pretty depressing honestly. It's retarded quiet and I honestly think I lost some power too in the higher RPM range. With the K&N intake on it pulled nice and hard to 9000rpm but with the stock on there you can feel it start to fall off after 8500rpm. It's okay though, I hated the fact that it sucked in so much hot air from the engine bay so I know that removing it and going this route will be MUCH better for my engine!
I secured the top portion in place and then used large zip ties to hold the bottom in place. The bottom portion is held in place pretty well on it's own though.
It's all done. I removed my K&N intake and went back to stock with the ram air duct. It's pretty depressing honestly. It's retarded quiet and I honestly think I lost some power too in the higher RPM range. With the K&N intake on it pulled nice and hard to 9000rpm but with the stock on there you can feel it start to fall off after 8500rpm. It's okay though, I hated the fact that it sucked in so much hot air from the engine bay so I know that removing it and going this route will be MUCH better for my engine!
08-22-2010, 07:33 AM
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The two phillips plastic screws that secure the styrofoam portion to the bumper support behind it. They were completely rounded off. I could've broken them, but then I would have been at the liberty of Mazda to order new ones. That doesn't exactly work when you need your car. lol
It's all done. I removed my K&N intake and went back to stock with the ram air duct. It's pretty depressing honestly. It's retarded quiet and I honestly think I lost some power too in the higher RPM range. With the K&N intake on it pulled nice and hard to 9000rpm but with the stock on there you can feel it start to fall off after 8500rpm. It's okay though, I hated the fact that it sucked in so much hot air from the engine bay so I know that removing it and going this route will be MUCH better for my engine!
08-22-2010, 10:44 AM
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After switching back to stock I can DEFINITELY feel more power in the lower RPM range. The engine revs faster too. Up top it definitely feels like it's losing power sooner. It's probably just my butt-dyno being off calibration-wise!
I took it off because of the hot air so I completely agree. I'm happy with what I did and know it was a very smart decision for the longetivity of my engine. I'll definitely miss the noise though. It made such a sweet noise. lol
Last edited by RWatters; 08-22-2010 at 10:47 AM.
08-22-2010, 10:46 AM
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I'm sure it's easy, but just in case I screw something up I'd like to have them to bail me out.
08-22-2010, 11:52 AM
#22
if plastic - that plastic piece of crap broke a long time ago, so when I was installing/removing the RB duct. I just skip that removing part. --- I finally bought a replacement like 2 months ago and installed it back. hmm. fuxking expensive piece of shitty plastic
if its the metal bar --- my Rb duct slide in/slide out. dont need to remove it. again, YMMV :P
I just bought a brand new one back like 2 months ago.
08-22-2010, 01:15 PM
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Are you talking about the impact beam (the big metal bar) or the plastic cover piece?
if plastic - that plastic piece of crap broke a long time ago, so when I was installing/removing the RB duct. I just skip that removing part. --- I finally bought a replacement like 2 months ago and installed it back. hmm. fuxking expensive piece of shitty plastic
if its the metal bar --- my Rb duct slide in/slide out. dont need to remove it. again, YMMV :P
I just bought a brand new one back like 2 months ago.
if plastic - that plastic piece of crap broke a long time ago, so when I was installing/removing the RB duct. I just skip that removing part. --- I finally bought a replacement like 2 months ago and installed it back. hmm. fuxking expensive piece of shitty plastic
if its the metal bar --- my Rb duct slide in/slide out. dont need to remove it. again, YMMV :P
I just bought a brand new one back like 2 months ago.
I will say this: Once I got the bumper off and everything pulled apart, I looked behind me and saw a good 20-30 clips, screws, etc., laying on the ground behind me in no organized way whatsoever. That was a little concerning at first. lol
08-22-2010, 05:57 PM
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ha ha Ha........kinda freaks you out the first time you see it....you are like WTF am I gonna do now! 
Hope I remember where all these go!
Last time I pulled the bumper that little bitsy star looking plastic piece dropped out of what I think is a drain hole or something on the fog lights(although it could have been the headlamps?), and I was like......****, where does this go????? Then I remembered seeing it on the other fog or lamp and put it back in its little hose! Argh! It's almost like a small gear ontop of about maybe a1/2 inch round post and it fit inside a little very flexible hose. I think it's on the healamps now that I think about it. Nothing attaches to this or goes in that hose besides that little gizmo.
Which reminds me.......I'm gonna go look that up and see what it's for!
Hope I remember where all these go!
Last time I pulled the bumper that little bitsy star looking plastic piece dropped out of what I think is a drain hole or something on the fog lights(although it could have been the headlamps?), and I was like......****, where does this go????? Then I remembered seeing it on the other fog or lamp and put it back in its little hose! Argh! It's almost like a small gear ontop of about maybe a1/2 inch round post and it fit inside a little very flexible hose. I think it's on the healamps now that I think about it. Nothing attaches to this or goes in that hose besides that little gizmo.
Which reminds me.......I'm gonna go look that up and see what it's for!
Last edited by Mazurfer; 08-22-2010 at 06:22 PM.
08-22-2010, 06:15 PM
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I'm glad I don't have foglights to further complicate things (although I doubt they would've complicated it).
I've got the "Not going anywhere in the snow, but at least it's lightweight right?" model RX-8.
I've got the "Not going anywhere in the snow, but at least it's lightweight right?" model RX-8.