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.

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.

[bova]

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

[bova]

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?

[bova]

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.

[bova]

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)

[bova]

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.

[bova]

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.

[billyrohm]

I found a place that sells aluminum tubing in nearly any size that you want ( Online Metal Store | Small Quantity Metal Orders | Metal Cutting, Sales & Shipping | Buy Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Stainless | Metal Product Guides at OnlineMetals.com )

They have 2.62 and 2.625 inner diameter. I need to know the EXACT inner diameter of the stock housing. I've seen 2.62 here, 2.6* or whatever on another forum. I dont have the tool(s) to measure the exact inner diameter of the tube. So somebody that does please do or can I have multiple confirms and the inner diameter is infact 2.62"

[billyrohm]

I ordered some of the 2.62" tubing.

After I get it in hopefully it'll be okay, intake for $94, I can live with that.

FWIW I havent gotten any CEL's since I put in the 2.5" reducer. Hopefully It'll get stuff reset when I get the 2.62" tube in.

[bova]

do you have a dashhawk? you could check your fuel trims and it might be that you are in a safe zone. cel's are usually thrown if they are off by 15%.

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by bova80 do you have a dashhawk? you could check your fuel trims and it might be that you are in a safe zone. cel's are usually thrown if they are off by 15%.

Waiting on the AP, The AP is 695 and the hawk is 300 so if

[2008MS3]

Any updates after adding the aluminum tube?

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by 2008MS3 Any updates after adding the aluminum tube?

Went Cobb SRI, works great.

[bani]

so basically the conclusion is, dont use this DIY. lol

[Lymerock]

Originally Posted by billyrohm Went Cobb SRI, works great.

haha, that shit made me spit milk

moral of the story, leave it to the pro's kids

[MTuning]

why cause they're light years on backorder?

[Dash08]

Originally Posted by billyrohm Went Cobb SRI, works great.

How did you just go Cobb?

Some people have had orders placed for over 4 months and still nothing.

[billyrohm]

Ebay, a while ago saw one for $140 bin with $9.99 shipping so I got it.

[bnoon]

I did the DIY Spectre MAF housing and have not had a CEL since I epoxied air straighteners into it (cut my own air straighteners from sheet metal and used plumber's epoxy). Only cost me 10 bux for the MAF housing too since it was a returned package at a local auto parts store. 35 bux including the cost of the filter, no CEL, no boost cut and HUGE SOTP gain in all gears. I'll get some pics this weekend for you if anyone wants me to.

[bykeryder4life]

you better hope that plumbers epoxy never gives or your air straightener will be in your turbo real quick. I noticed in the 1st post that he said he got a "regular OILED filter". What a joke.... oiled filters suck for cars with a MAF. why do people waste time and money trying to do this cheap shit just do it right or not at all if you cant afford it

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by bykeryder4life you better hope that plumbers epoxy never gives or your air straightener will be in your turbo real quick. I noticed in the 1st post that he said he got a "regular OILED filter". What a joke.... oiled filters suck for cars with a MAF. why do people waste time and money trying to do this cheap shit just do it right or not at all if you cant afford it

The cobb also comes with an oiled filter, I think a few people might be using the cobb with its oiled filter with no trouble.

[bykeryder4life]

I was unaware of that, yes there are plenty of people with the cobb that dont have problems. However, last time I checked it was a better choice to run a dryflow filter with a MAF car because if you dont know what your doing and put a little too much oil on your filter you are fucked and will be buying a new MAF sensor or spending a lot of time cleaning it. Go ahead and disagree but anyone who knows cars would lean towards the dryflow before an oiled filter anyday.....

[bykeryder4life]

lets not turn this into a cobb v.s. whoever thread now either. Cobb's oiled filter is great but just because they used an oiled filter it doesnt mean thats whats the best for the car and it shouldnt be argued.....

[billyrohm]

Originally Posted by bykeryder4life lets not turn this into a cobb v.s. whoever thread now either. Cobb's oiled filter is great but just because they used an oiled filter it doesnt mean thats whats the best for the car and it shouldnt be argued.....

Agreed, it just seemed as if he didn't know that the Cobb came with an oiled.

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by bykeryder4life you better hope that plumbers epoxy never gives or your air straightener will be in your turbo real quick. I noticed in the 1st post that he said he got a "regular OILED filter". What a joke.... oiled filters suck for cars with a MAF. why do people waste time and money trying to do this cheap shit just do it right or not at all if you cant afford it

Some people are hard core do it yourselfers and could give a what other people are doing for hundreds more for something as simple as an intake. I can't believe people are willing to pay as much as they do for a filter and MAF adapter... It really does blow my mind.

As for the air straighteners, even if they are loose in the MAF, they will not travel into the turbo. I made them large enough that they will not travel through the rest of the intake (press fit).

... and oiled vs dry flow is silly on this vehicle. The MAF sensor wires are NOT in direct airflow AT ALL and the filter would have to simply be DRIPPING with oil to get oil on the MAF sensor wires. It's so simple to clean MAF wires anyway if you should happen to get them dirty (spray electrical cleaner, done).

[MTuning]

its ok, some ppl just dont have that part of the brain to understand the customization part of this game. what do you think tuners did back in the day before the aftermarket industry blew up?

[bykeryder4life]

Originally Posted by bnoon As for the air straighteners, even if they are loose in the MAF, they will not travel into the turbo. I made them large enough that they will not travel through the rest of the intake (press fit). ... and oiled vs dry flow is silly on this vehicle. The MAF sensor wires are NOT in direct airflow AT ALL and the filter would have to simply be DRIPPING with oil to get oil on the MAF sensor wires. It's so simple to clean MAF wires anyway if you should happen to get them dirty (spray electrical cleaner, done).

nice thanks for the info I was just saying that about the straighteners as a word of caution, just my .02. I dont know people and their experience levels so i was just offering some info... As for the whole oiled filter thing I had the wrong understanding thanks for clearing it all up.

[bykeryder4life]

Originally Posted by MTuning its ok, some ppl just dont have that part of the brain to understand the customization part of this game.

Ok thanks man I guess I am lacking a higher part of the brain that god blessed you with.