Mazda3 Upgrades #1 Installed

**Yardik** · 08-30-2004, 09:35 PM

Purchased an AEM CAI for my Mazda3 this weekend, ran me $345 CAD ($237).

Installation:

As usual, AEM lives up to its easy bolt-on rep. Took about an hour, most of which was spent taking out the stock intake, resonator and various plastic parts Mazda felt the need to fill my engine compartment with. Once the old was removed, the new was installed in about 15 minutes flat.

Performance:

I dyno`d the car prior at

141.4 Peak FWHP at 6200RPM

135.1 Peak lb-ft at 5000RPM

Sadly, wont have a chance to run it again until this weekend, which is a good break in period for the ECU which we reset after the install. So I should have some numbers on increases back by then.

At this point I can only guess at around a 3-5HP gain and perhaps 7-9 lb-ft of Torque. AEM`s dyno results boast 6.8HP and 10 lb-ft , if the numbers come out that high on mine, I`d be quite surprised. The gains are definately noticable in second and third gear. It certainly feels more torquey, lighting up the tires(well, hopping them, stupid FWD) is quite common on a second to third shift if you dont feather the clutch. Sounds great too.

All in all, for $230 USD, its worthwhile.

I`ve had an offer from a local shop(who will remain nameless for the moment) to build a custom turbo kit for it. Going to run me around $4800 CAD ($3400 USD) installed and tuned. It`s quite tempting at this point, coming from driving a decked out Mustang, the Mazda just doesnt have the pull I`m used to. An 8psi kit with all the trimmings could push the Mazda to 200FWHP or higher, kind of a scary thought.

Another note. The Eibach Pro(1.3" lower) springs along with the Mazda Speed front strut tower brace make the car handle like a shifter-cart. If your looking for fun to drive, they are SWEET. I drove my pals 3 over the weekend after we finished up the intake install on mine and went and ordered both parts immediately. Hopefully they come in by this weekend.

Now back to wondering if I want to plunk down $4 grand on the turbo. Youch.

**ncal** · 08-30-2004, 10:19 PM

3400 seems pretty steep for the gains the turbo is going to get you at. I`m looking at putting a turbo system on my vehicle in the next few years and while it isn`t cheap, I`m shooting for 350-400 hp on the jetta. Although looking at it, having it installed is also a good chunk of the cost so I guess that isn`t too bad. Anyways, glad you`re happing with the cai.

**SpoiledMan** · 08-30-2004, 10:40 PM

Originally posted by ncal

3400 seems pretty steep for the gains the turbo is going to get you at. I`m looking at putting a turbo system on my vehicle in the next few years and while it isn`t cheap, I`m shooting for 350-400 hp on the jetta. Although looking at it, having it installed is also a good chunk of the cost so I guess that isn`t too bad. Anyways, glad you`re happing with the cai.

And you plan to gain some 200+ HP for how much money? That sounds like there will be some internal building going on. $3400 is about right for quality work and the gains that are expected with his car. More boost would require less compression and better fuel management just for starters.

**Yardik** · 08-30-2004, 11:17 PM

Spoiled:

Yes, running more then 8-10PSI would require a fair bit of engine work. You also have to remember, custom work (read: non prefab) usually comes at a higher price then the off the shelf version. High quality custom built turbo`s can be pretty pricey. A good friends custom Stage 5 turbo(for his WRX) ran near 10K with all the fixins. Mind you, he`s putting down about 400 to the wheels now.

**SpoiledMan** · 08-30-2004, 11:57 PM

You`re headed in the right direction for a daily driven street car. It`s easy to sink way more money than the car is worth into mods that have little return. Have fun with it. I know what you mean about the sound of the AEM as my GS-R has one too.

**Scottwax** · 08-31-2004, 12:10 AM

I am very happy with the improvements I got from my AEM cai in my Accord, noticable improvement in throttle response and a nice bump around 4000 rpm, which is perfect because that is the rpm the engine drops to on the 1-2 shift. Mean growl when you get on it too and a

hiss when you turn the engine off.

Now if they only made one for my 626.

**spotter** · 08-31-2004, 07:25 AM

OK - I am clueless but interested. What is an AEM CAI and what would I be able to expect from it on my 2003 Accord LX with manual transmission?

**SpoiledMan** · 08-31-2004, 07:45 AM

It`s a tuned cold air intake system that typically adds between 5-12 hp to your car and about the same range of tq. Take a look at www.aempower.com and see if they make something for your car.

Edit: For web link

**imported_kgb** · 08-31-2004, 08:49 AM

If you want to add a little more power I suggest an Apexi oil-less cone filter. I got rid of my K&N for an Apexi and love not dealing with the oil crap and Apexi has came above K&N in several flow and filter test.

**ncal** · 08-31-2004, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by SpoiledMan

And you plan to gain some 200+ HP for how much money? That sounds like there will be some internal building going on. $3400 is about right for quality work and the gains that are expected with his car. More boost would require less compression and better fuel management just for starters.

I`m not questioning the cost because a blower can easily run 1-1.5k for for a stage 1 system. However, I`m just stating that 3400 is steep for the actual gains he will be producing. Having a shop do it might figure into the equation but a lot of companies that sell you a turbo kit will install it for a deal or free if you`re located around them. As far as my turbo project, there is no engine rebuilding at all with my vr6 and besides the standard fare of installing a turbo I`ll need to replace the diff, clutch, etc.

As far as what gains to expect from a CAI, it varies on car to car and what you have installed (ie exhaust). The principle is going to be the same no matter what and you can actually fabricate it yourself if you want to go cheaper. Expect some gains on the top end of your power band and a loss of lower end power because the air takes longer to arrive at first.

**imported_kgb** · 08-31-2004, 10:23 AM

Originally posted by ncal

I`m not questioning the cost because a blower can easily run 1-1.5k for for a stage 1 system. However, I`m just stating that 3400 is steep for the actual gains he will be producing. Having a shop do it might figure into the equation but a lot of companies that sell you a turbo kit will install it for a deal or free if you`re located around them. As far as my turbo project, there is no engine rebuilding at all with my vr6 and besides the standard fare of installing a turbo I`ll need to replace the diff, clutch, etc.

As far as what gains to expect from a CAI, it varies on car to car and what you have installed (ie exhaust). The principle is going to be the same no matter what and you can actually fabricate it yourself if you want to go cheaper. Expect some gains on the top end of your power band and a loss of lower end power because the air takes longer to arrive at first.

You have found shops that install turbo kits for free?

**SpoiledMan** · 08-31-2004, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by ncal

I`m not questioning the cost because a blower can easily run 1-1.5k for for a stage 1 system. However, I`m just stating that 3400 is steep for the actual gains he will be producing. Having a shop do it might figure into the equation but a lot of companies that sell you a turbo kit will install it for a deal or free if you`re located around them. As far as my turbo project, there is no engine rebuilding at all with my vr6 and besides the standard fare of installing a turbo I`ll need to replace the diff, clutch, etc.

As far as what gains to expect from a CAI, it varies on car to car and what you have installed (ie exhaust). The principle is going to be the same no matter what and you can actually fabricate it yourself if you want to go cheaper. Expect some gains on the top end of your power band and a loss of lower end power because the air takes longer to arrive at first.

I was thinking 4 cylinder. Isn`t the VR6 a high compression engine? That would mean some low boost unless the compression is dropped. High boost+high compression=bang!

**ncal** · 08-31-2004, 10:27 AM

Reread my post, I said companies that sell turbo kits will usually hook you up with an install if you bought it through them. If you decide to buy a kit and go to a local tuning shop well then expect to pay for it big time. Personally I like working on my car so I plan to do my turbo work by myself.

You have found shops that install turbo kits for free

**Yardik** · 08-31-2004, 06:17 PM

Strange... in the past 5 or so years of customizing cars (All the way from my Escort GT, through my Mustang GT Convert, Chevy S10 and finally my new Mazda3) I`ve never heard of a custom turbo built and installed for any less then $2500 - 4000 USD. I mean, the sheer amount of work in developing, testing and installing a blower on a car thats not equipped for one, is pretty heavy duty stuff.

I mean, to prep a Mazda3 for turbo your talking injectors, header, intake, ECU.... on top of that a custom built blower and intercooler. Thats not cheap. I guess you could probably drop an off the shelf turbo into a Civic or comparable car for less then $2500, but hey... you can do almost anything to a Civic for around $2500

As for the AEM website. It`s actually www.aempower.com.. Check out the V2`s, the science seems sound.. now to see some results!