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Which CAI

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Old May 17, 2011 | 10:24 PM
  #1  
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Which CAI

I just bought my first RX8 and I am wondering what intake would be the best let me know what you think of your intake.
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Old May 18, 2011 | 02:54 AM
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this one's the best
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Old May 18, 2011 | 07:23 AM
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Everything I've read says to just stick with the Mazda intake, any gains from aftermarket CAIs would be negligable.
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Old May 18, 2011 | 05:07 PM
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I went with the RB Intake w/ Duct and I am very happy with it. It seemed to help my low end power more than the top end which this car needs but I saw improvement throughout the entire rpm range. After putting it on I noticed I didn't have to give it quite as much gas when just cruising around town. I can also hear the sound of the intake if I drive with the windows down and I like that too. I have an 05 4spd. I've heard the MS and AEM intake are good but I don't have any personal experience with those. I don't see the point of getting the RB Intake if you don't get the duct to go along with it and even though most people haven't had problems with water getting into the intake I'm not a fan of the filter location on the MS and AEM. I also think getting an intake will help if you have other supporting mods to go with it such as midpipe/catback exhaust or ignition upgrades.
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Old May 18, 2011 | 05:29 PM
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warren(silver-roxy-8)'s Avatar
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yep, top 3 choices for aftermarket intakes among the rx8 club are Racing Beat w/ram air duct, AEM, or Mazdaspeed (AEM and MS are the same one)
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Old May 18, 2011 | 05:32 PM
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Save your money. Stock with RB Duct.
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Old May 18, 2011 | 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by alnielsen
Save your money. Stock with RB Duct.
this
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Old May 19, 2011 | 11:04 AM
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thanks for all the feed back its been really helpfull!!
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Old May 19, 2011 | 11:28 AM
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I'm glad someone finally started a thread about this. I've been wondering myself.
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Old May 19, 2011 | 11:36 AM
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lolz
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Old May 19, 2011 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Bullitt
I'm glad someone finally started a thread about this. I've been wondering myself.
lulz
Me too!!!

Phew now I know what CAI to get for my turbo build.
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Old May 19, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by JTtheDude
even though most people haven't had problems with water getting into the intake I'm not a fan of the filter location on the MS and AEM. I also think getting an intake will help if you have other supporting mods to go with it such as midpipe/catback exhaust or ignition upgrades.
In climates where the RX8 will see freezing rain and snow is where people have issues with these intakes.

I own the RB Intake and RB Duct .... it did nothing for me as far as a supporting mod.
If anything it was a problem, made my nitrous setup more difficult, made scaling the maf somewhat problematic and now I'm not using it all.

Free to a good home.
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Old May 19, 2011 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by wcs
In climates where the RX8 will see freezing rain and snow is where people have issues with these intakes.

I own the RB Intake and RB Duct .... it did nothing for me as far as a supporting mod.
If anything it was a problem, made my nitrous setup more difficult, made scaling the maf somewhat problematic and now I'm not using it all.

Free to a good home.
I have a great home for it!! Check your inbox .
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Old May 20, 2011 | 02:04 AM
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Haha
Well I only meant it figuratively ..... but hell the RB Duct is a cheap part.
I've had it for 5 years ....

RB Intake however ..... I'm using part of it, the Maf tube soooo it's not a complete kit.

I'm really lazy and don't feel like packing it up to ship....

Is there no one from Ontario that can swing by and take it?

It's a 145 usd dollar piece of plastic brand new .....
Shipping will cost at least a third of that price .....

I've had two takers so far ... Agent XY has dibs unless someone trumps him and comes by to pick it up.
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Old May 20, 2011 | 02:18 PM
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<$100, stx legal (sits on top of the crash bar), rock solid idle (both screens), awesome sound.
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Old May 20, 2011 | 02:54 PM
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Al what size K&N filter is that?
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Old May 20, 2011 | 02:55 PM
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OH and what size tube?

And +1 post
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Old May 20, 2011 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by wcs
OH and what size tube?

And +1 post
K&N RU-3130 and 3.5" ID tubing.
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Old May 20, 2011 | 04:57 PM
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I own a 2008 40th anniversary RX8 and a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 GT. I have Mazdaspeed CAIs on both my cars. I have had no problems with either of them and have gotten a great HP boost in the Mazdaspeed3 GT (which is direct-injected and turbocharged) and just a slight boost in the RX8, but still worth the reasonable cost. One factor to think about, ONLY the MSCAI will be warrantied by Mazda and NOT void any engine warranty you may still have (2004-2008 RX8s have 8yr/100,000 engine warranty). 2009-2011 have 60,000mile engine warranty.

I have owned seven rotary engine Mazdas since 1973, an RX3, two RX4s (both coupe and sedan). All three generations of RX7. first gen (later modified to race in SCCA), second gen Turbo II (later modified to race), third gen FD Twin Turbo (later modified) and now the RX8 and Mazdapseed3 GT. I easily have over a million miles driven in rotary cars alone (street and track). Some in this forum may tell you that no Mazda dealer would deny you an engine fix if you had an engine failure and a non-Mazdaspeed intake on it. Some will quote you the legal book on your rights to use aftermarket parts and still have your warranty coverage. And yes you do have rights. But I have decades of history with aftermarket parts and suppliers, Mazdaspeed folks and Mazda dealers and mechanics. Trust me they do get away with denying warranty coverage if you use some aftermarket parts that could directly affect the engine. So yes the AEM and MSCAI are the same part, but only the MSCAI has the Mazda warranty. Other intakes like those from Racing Beat and others have their fans among RX8 owners.

And yes if you live in cold, icy climates, be careful getting the intake sock wet. I live in New Jersey and have had no problems in the winter with my MSCAI, even using auto car washes when I am too lazy to wash it myself in the garage. Hope my experiences here offer you another perspective.

Last edited by gwilliams6; May 20, 2011 at 05:02 PM.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 06:16 PM
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From all the threads I've read. MazdaSpeed / AEM CAI or RB Duct with stock intake and K&N drop-in filter. I wouldn't bother with the RB intake. I personally have the MazdaSpeed CAI.

If you go with any other brand (other than MazdaSpeed), would be a good idea to keep the stock intake. In case you need to claim warranty, just swap in stock.
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 09:14 AM
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al where did you purchase that intake from?
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by alz0rz
K&N RU-3130 and 3.5" ID tubing.
BTW Al I went did this for my top mount turbo setup.
Thanks it worked nicely.

Originally Posted by Wallets
al where did you purchase that intake from?
The intake looks like a cross between custom and the AEM intake.
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 09:45 AM
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thats what i was assuming but wanted to make sure before i set out on an adventure to put something together. what lengths of tubing did you use?
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Wallets
al where did you purchase that intake from?
If you're talking about me, I didn't purchase the intake.

I used the OEM screens and MAF intake plastic tube from the original airbox (cut off).
I bought ~24" 3.5"ID aluminum tubing, a 90 degree elbow, a KU-3130 air filter, and some couplers. I sandwiched the OEM screens in the coupler.
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Wallets
al where did you purchase that intake from?
If you're talking about me, I didn't purchase the intake.

I used the OEM screens and MAF intake plastic tube from the original airbox (cut off).
I bought ~24" 3.5"ID aluminum tubing, a 90 degree elbow, a RU-3130 air filter, and some couplers. I sandwiched the OEM screens in the coupler.

Here are some more pics:

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Last edited by alz0rz; Jun 9, 2011 at 12:37 PM.
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