DIY Short Ram Intake

[billyrohm]

Ok so I'm one of the ones that bought the MS3 that probably shouldn't have financially but I did and I'm so glad I did. Either way, I wanted an intake but I didn't want to spend around $200 for one so I decided to make my own. I don't really have step by step but its pretty self explanatory.

I bought the following Spectre parts:

9405 - MAF adapter/tuning kit (its a 3" maf tube with different sensor adapters and different inserts to adjust the tube size (I used the 2.75" adapter) $28

9402- Filter Support bracket (Its a bracket that goes between the filter and coupler to mount to the car. There is a stud in front of the battery that I attached it to) $13

8132 - Filter (Normal oiled filter) $25

8771 - Silicone Coupler $8

Total of about $74

You can get all of this at autozone or pepboys. They might have to order it but most of the time Autozone Can have it the next day if you order by 2pm.

It works well, major difference. I think I'm hitting fuel cut/over boosting if I do a roll on in 5th or 6th gear. If I just pound through the gears its perfect.

This is my first performance mod.

Let me know what you think.

I've had it for two days, sounds great, looks okay and seems to work very well. Probably the best $74 I've ever spent.

If anybody knows anything about the overboost/surging let me know. For now I'll just down shift.

[Young Roids]

Nice work. I didn't know autozone carried that stuff. That only thing I would worry about is that the maf tube part was the exact size it needs to be so that you are not changing your A/F ratio.

[bova80]

hmm that maf solution might have helped the corksport oversized maf housing. all we would need to do is put that adapter into their housing.

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by Young Roids Nice work. I didn't know autozone carried that stuff. That only thing I would worry about is that the maf tube part was the exact size it needs to be so that you are not changing your A/F ratio.

Dont know, got a CEL last night, gotta get it read.

I tried reading with my reader and it wouldnt link to the car, but I tried it on my other car and it worked

[bova80]

you are probably running a bit lean because i think the stock maf housing is about 2.62"

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by Young Roids Nice work. I didn't know autozone carried that stuff. That only thing I would worry about is that the maf tube part was the exact size it needs to be so that you are not changing your A/F ratio.

You have to order most of it, takes a day to get it.

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by bova80 you are probably running a bit lean because i think the stock maf housing is about 2.62"

That sucks, the next smallest size is 2.5", that would make me run rich wouldn't it?

[bova80]

yup. if the code you get pulled is p2177 or p2187 thats means your lean.

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by bova80 yup. if the code you get pulled is p2177 or p2187 thats means your lean.

Code P2187, lean on idle. Do I really need to be worried being lean on idle?

I read some other posts on the other forum and it could be due to a vacuum leak too. I'm going to get some gasket material and ensure that the adapter that screws to the aluminum for the maf is sealed up. If it keeps coming back I guess I'll just put the stock box back on.

[Haltech]

You need to be worried about any code being displayed, whether you think its not a big deal or not. This just leads to problems down the road and can become a tuning nightmare.

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by Haltech You need to be worried about any code being displayed, whether you think its not a big deal or not. This just leads to problems down the road and can become a tuning nightmare.

Yeah, I kinda figured that, I was just trying to convince myself otherwise.

I'm going to seal up around the adapter for the maf itself and see if that fixes it. If not, back to the stock box.

[billyrohm]

I checked all of the clamps, they were all loose, I'm glad mazda decided to use such quality hose clamps mazda

After reading through the post about the corksport front mount set up I decided to put in the smaller maf adjustment tube (2.5") took it for a drive, no more boost cut or fuel cut whatever it was, turbo stays full tilt all of the time.

Since I did both things at the same time I dont really know which one fixed it.

Either way, the boost/fuel cut/surging or whatever it was is gone. I just hope I my intake is still adding power (due to the 2.5" pipe size, it should flow less now). I'm way tired, I guess I'll see on the drive tomorrow.

Anybody have any thoughts on the 2.62"(stock) versus 2.5"(what I have now) flow difference?

[Haltech]

Well how did it go after tightening everything up?

You NEED to keep your MAF the exact diameter as it is STOCK, no EXCEPTIONS to this unless youre pegging it.. Therefore, the diameter will need to be increased, NEVER decreased.

[bova80]

you could always dremel the 2.5 one out to 2.62 or whatever is close and make sure its nice and smooth.

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by Haltech Well how did it go after tightening everything up? You NEED to keep your MAF the exact diameter as it is STOCK, no EXCEPTIONS to this unless youre pegging it.. Therefore, the diameter will need to be increased, NEVER decreased.

Well, hopefully this will work for now, car definately runs better with the 2.5" Versus the 2.75".

I can't dremel the insert out, its a piece of formed plastic.

Haltech,

I might be able to find some silicone hose to put into the tube, I think some 2.75" tube might fit and it should make the tube about 2.6-2.65" in diameter.

So do I need to go back to the stock box until I figure it out or will the 2.5" be cool for a little while? (Laloosh did this for a little while)

[bova80]

nonsense, rev that dremel up and grind away.

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by bova80 nonsense, rev that dremel up and grind away.

You should read up on the Spectre 9405, the inserts are thin plastic, if I grind more than a little I'll put a hole it.

Thanks though, I think the silicone tube is going to be my best bet if I need 2.62" +/- a little.

[bova80]

oh ok, i didn't realize they didn't fill the whole tube up with the transition to a smaller size. i understand now.

yeah i would go with a thin silicon tube to closely match the size.

[Hypnotized]

When I ran this setup last year it threw a CEL all the time. Had to take it off.