Performance out of the STOCK air box

[akbrazil]

My question....
Can the stock air box perform just as good as a performance intake system??

- What is the most restricted part of the stock air box??
- Would a high flow panel filter flow just as good as a cone filter???
- Is the tubing from a performance intake larger then the stock tubing???

Basically, I would love to see the gains that a intake gives without having to get one. The issue isn't the cost, its what I would like....I would like the engine to LOOK completely factory.

Back during my bmw days, from various dyno's from different owners found that the stock air box flowed just as good with a perfomance panel filter (less the noise) as a perfomance intake system did. Some even claimed that the stock box with a performance panel filter made more power then the cone filter.....they found that the cone filter didn't straighten the air which cause false readings on the MAF (Mass Air Meter).

[jroc]

personally, when it was cold out, ive had dashhawk readings of 5-7* higher ambient IATs with a stock airbox w/o the resonator box, compared to a CAI...not sure of the gains/loss if any

[akbrazil]

I may just try it out over the weekend.
I will remove the silencer and add a K&N panel filter or if I can find a dry type free flowing performance panel filter at the local parts store. I saw and read some comments on a youtube video that one dude modified his box (on a 2010 mazdaspeed3) by removing some plastic parts inside to free up some restriction - it also brought out the turbo sound (abit). Can't hurt to try, so I will see what happens and will report back once its done (weekend project). Worse case I put everything back and sell the panel filter on ebay.

[8.5MS3]

lots of guys either drill holes in the bottom of the airbox or remove the bottom portion entirely. biggest restriction is the fact that all the air has to enter a rediculously small opening in the bottom.

the accordion style intake tract isnt the most aerodynamic design either

[akbrazil]

I haven't actually opened or even inspected my air box or intake system yet. So basically the biggest restriction is the BOX itself??? Drilling holes on the bottom is a common thing?? I did read one post I believe it was on another mazda3 forum where one member did mention that he drilled holes on the bottom to improve the inlet of the box.

What about the tubing that goes from the box to the turbo?? Do you feel that the tubing is much smaller and restricted then a performance intake tubing???

Sorry for the question, just trying to get an idea on what are the important areas to look into.

[MZRDISI4]

Just remove all of the resonators and silencers from the box so there is nothing connected to the lower part. No need to ruin the box with holes..

[8.5MS3]

The stock box on 1st gen has a hole roughly 1"x3". So its very restrictive. The accordian style hose is also has very poor flow properties. The turbo inlet pipe, which the bpv, intake, and turbo are all connected to, is pretty free flowing. Gen 1 TIP had a nasty habit of popping off. Main benefit of an upgraded TIP is quicker spool up at lower rpm (about 200 or so earlier than stock). Don't worry we were all noobs at some point

[HLR Element]

does the stock intake on the gen 1 take air in from the area in front of the radiator? i saw something down there and i'm not sure if it was the intake or horn... i didn't look closely or have i really inspected my intake yet

[KoukiS14]

I've seen nearly 260 g/s pulled through a gutted stock airbox, so it flows reasonably well. Plus, it's free.

[HLR Element]

has anyone made a guide on how to free up the stock airbox?

[akbrazil]

I read some stuff on the youtube video's (Comments) I saw but nothing with step by step. I plan on working on it this weekend and will let you guys know how it works out.

[akbrazil]

Weather has been pretty crappy here in NYC (lots of rain) but so far today (Sunday) its been great. Haven't had the chance to remove the air box and see what I can do to increase flow. I did purchase a K&N panel filter from my local part store (Pepboys) and installed it last night. Again, couldn't really go for a test since it was pouring pretty bad yesterday (Saturday). If I get a chance today I will open up the box and see what else can be done to help with air flow.

[SpeedSixxx]

Originally Posted by akbrazil Weather has been pretty crappy here in NYC (lots of rain) but so far today (Sunday) its been great. Haven't had the chance to remove the air box and see what I can do to increase flow. I did purchase a K&N panel filter from my local part store (Pepboys) and installed it last night. Again, couldn't really go for a test since it was pouring pretty bad yesterday (Saturday). If I get a chance today I will open up the box and see what else can be done to help with air flow.

if u wanna return the filter u just got i have the same k and N and i'll give it to ya for 15 bills...i be in queens all the time..

[gmaryan]

no dyno #s, cobb sri major improvement vs stock air box with k/n filter. ez to switch back to stock.

[akbrazil]

Originally Posted by SpeedSixxx if u wanna return the filter u just got i have the same k and N and i'll give it to ya for 15 bills...i be in queens all the time..

DAMN!! (good deal) Too late, i already installed it and threw away the box.

[IshiKage]

no. air boxes on jap cars are always restrictive unlike german cars

[akbrazil]

It doesn't seem like its that restricted....On another post I did a small review on a little project I did today. I removed the air box and inspected the tubing and what I though was most restricted. In my photos you can see how the box has a 2 1/2" D opening and the intake tube after the box is 3" D. Further inspection found that the tube that goes from the box to the front of the car (which picked up fresh cool air) seems to taper down to a smaller tube. I decided to do a little test by drilling a 2" D hole on the bottom of the box to bring in more air as well as add a K&N free flowing filter.

The car does seem a bit quicker but I really can't actually tell unless I had a before and after dyno run. I don't believe the stock intake system is very restricted and should handle a good deal of mods before it needs to be opened up more.

[IshiKage]

dude, its that restrictive. why do you think we see a 15-25hp gain.

b/c its crazy restrictive. Jap air boxes always have been

[ms3077]

I think it's more realistically 10-15hp but yeah the stock air box is extremely restrictive; just buy a sri for under 200bucks problem solved. Switching back to stock takes just 10-15minutes.

[IshiKage]

10-25 is realistic. thats for the gains between SRI and CAI.

with the extra power the CAI makes on the top end compared to sri. 20-25hp gain isnt unrealistic

[Jarods7920]

When i first had my 1st gen i cut the bottom out of the box then removed the filter in place of a custom made one and that gains were awesome! Was much faster, only problem was that during winter i was having cut issues on stock tune.

[akbrazil]

What do you mean with cut issues?? Its starting to get cold here in NY, haven't had any problems yet. If you see my other thread, I cut a hole on the bottom and added a free flowing filter.

"dude, its that restrictive. why do you think we see a 15-25hp gain.

b/c its crazy restrictive. Jap air boxes always have been"

Well..."DUDE" if you think about it....(like I said in my other thread) the only big restriction I see in the stock air box (see photos on my other thread) is the inlet tube coming from the front of the engine - the outlet tube is 3"D which in the low cost intake system don't even replace that tube just after the MAF. By drilling some holes on the bottom of the box will make the box flow just as good as one of those intake you see from our sponsor. I wouldn't be surprised if I picked up just as much, just by cutting up a hole on the box. The car does seem stronger and believe it or not I can even hear the blow off.

Check out the photos:
http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/foru...ap-easy-40762/

[IshiKage]

one more time....if you think cutting holes in the stock air box wwill net you the same gains as an intake, more power to you but you are WRONG.

have you seen the gains german cars get from intakes? they dont....virtually. you even mentioned that in your original post. german car stock air boxes arent restrictive. thats why its a waste of money buying an intake unless you want engine dressing.

japanese air boxes are totally different from german car air boxes and if you want to miss out on a 10-25hp gain b/c you think the stock air box with a few holes will netyou the same gains...have fun, your loss

the stock air box is very restrictive. you can pick up used intake for anywhere between 100-150 if you look, stop being cheap. FYI, mazda is a japanese company. intakes net lots of gains on japanese cars unlike german cars.

thats the last time im going to sayit. go ahead and keep spinning your wheels

[akbrazil]

GO HERE!!
http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/foru...ap-easy-40762/

Originally Posted by 240mazspd3 one more time....if you think cutting holes in the stock air box wwill net you the same gains as an intake, more power to you but you are WRONG. have you seen the gains german cars get from intakes? they dont....virtually. you even mentioned that in your original post. german car stock air boxes arent restrictive. thats why its a waste of money buying an intake unless you want engine dressing. japanese air boxes are totally different from german car air boxes and if you want to miss out on a 10-25hp gain b/c you think the stock air box with a few holes will netyou the same gains...have fun, your loss the stock air box is very restrictive. you can pick up used intake for anywhere between 100-150 if you look, stop being cheap. FYI, mazda is a japanese company. intakes net lots of gains on japanese cars unlike german cars. thats the last time im going to sayit. go ahead and keep spinning your wheels

[IshiKage]

if the stock air box mod was so great. alot of us would be doing it

[Jarods7920]

What i mean is that car has load targets and if it hits them too soon it induces a fuel cut.

[akbrazil]

Good to know, thanks for the input. I will surely keep an eye out on that and eventually when tunes are available for the 2010 ms3 I will do my research on that as well.

[M3_MPS]

Hi from Germany. I have inspected the air box and the only restriction is the airbox itself, also the tubing going into the airbox with the fresh air is very long and runs all across the radiator. I believe the best is to switch it to CAI.

[Whitebullet]

I like fresh air (retracting a drunken post)

[Code Monkey]