Air Box Mod Idea? - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 Forum / Mazda Atenza Forum

AlikaMasika6 · 01-18-2013, 02:46 PM

I did the airbox mod to my car about 3000 miles ago (i only know that because I'm due for an oil change soon) I followed the directions that were on the forum and I got great results.

The other day however I had a thought that maybe removing the "tuba" in the front of the box and covering the hole with tape or whatever to block radiator heat, actually might not let you get the full performance upgrade.

So today I decided just to put the tuba back onto the box. Because to me it makes more sense to have more air going into it rather than covering up potential intakes. I could be wrong though. I'll keep you guys posted to see if it makes any difference good or bad.

KamiLDN · 01-18-2013, 03:02 PM

Don't take my word on this but I'm pretty sure that you'll just be getting hot air straight from the engine bay through that hole!

You want a nice cold stream of air into your engine for best results!

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AlikaMasika6 · 01-18-2013, 03:57 PM

Yeah i know thats why they tell you to cover the hole up. But the tuba is pointed away so it shouldnt be that bad

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ButtonPuncher · 01-24-2013, 02:22 PM

I wouldn't do it. Any increase in your IAT (Intake Air Temperature) is going to hurt performance. The air right by your hood can reach 200 degrees significantly affecting your IAT. I remember doing some testing on the CAI for my Ford Contour and in stop and go traffic, it would continuously go over 185 degrees. (The digital thermometers that I was using had a max of 185.) My current CAI reads almost the exact same as the outdoor air temperature. Which lately has been in the single digits.

KamiLDN · 01-24-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtonPuncher

I wouldn't do it. Any increase in your IAT (Intake Air Temperature) is going to hurt performance. The air right by your hood can reach 200 degrees significantly affecting your IAT. I remember doing some testing on the CAI for my Ford Contour and in stop and go traffic, it would continuously go over 185 degrees. (The digital thermometers that I was using had a max of 185.) My current CAI reads almost the exact same as the outdoor air temperature. Which lately has been in the single digits.

+1 to that

Also, pretty sure the hole for the tuba is facing toward the front of the vehicle? It is on mines but mines is the 2.0L in the UK...

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mmceorange · 01-24-2013, 03:24 PM

First of all.. there really is no perceivable performance increase from any configuration of the airbox mod. It is purely about letting the sound of the engine out. Once the internal baffle is removed (as well as the resonator), I have found very little difference with or without the tuba.

Second, Covering the tuba hole will only hinder airflow.. when completely stock, the tuba is the main source of air, with the vaccume flap only opening under heavy acceleration to allow additional airflow. Removing the resonator opens up a major pathway for air.. so having no resonator and internals but covered tuba hole is probably close to stock flow.

Third, the stock tuba opening (just under a flange on the airbox cover) is actually in the path of air moving around the radiator and headlight (at least on my V6.. I poked around at it for a while).. so I wouldn't be concerned about leaving it on. Think aout it.. why would the factory place the primary air intake in the path of heated air? The airbox was designed to be restrictive mostly for keeping noise levels down (and for reliable metering)

ButtonPuncher · 01-25-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmceorange

Think aout it.. why would the factory place the primary air intake in the path of heated air?

The mfg does lots of idiotic things that hurt performance only for the sake of meeting emissions standards, quieting down the engine, and reducing cost. Same reason why they run hot coolant through the throttle body...emissions. Restrictive close-couple pre-cats....emissions. Intake and exhaust resonators that slow/restict air flow...for quietness. No oil cooler...reduced costs. (Yet the SVT Contour with the 2.5L Duratec and the 3.0L Mazda MPV minivan both have an oil cooler.)

BP

mmceorange · 01-25-2013, 04:31 PM

All true, but what reason would they have to direct heated air into the main intake?

ButtonPuncher · 01-25-2013, 07:18 PM

Emissions. Same reason as heating the intake air via the throttle body coolant circuit.

Mr.Smoke · 01-25-2013, 09:02 PM

But that makes no sense. Cool air is denser which means more air molecules per volume. More air molecules means a better & more complete burn therefore LESS emissions with cool air.

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01-18-2013, 02:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
AlikaMasika6 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Delaware Posts: 413 Thanks: 30 Thanked 52 Times in 43 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 74 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Air Box Mod Idea? I did the airbox mod to my car about 3000 miles ago (i only know that because I'm due for an oil change soon) I followed the directions that were on the forum and I got great results. The other day however I had a thought that maybe removing the "tuba" in the front of the box and covering the hole with tape or whatever to block radiator heat, actually might not let you get the full performance upgrade. So today I decided just to put the tuba back onto the box. Because to me it makes more sense to have more air going into it rather than covering up potential intakes. I could be wrong though. I'll keep you guys posted to see if it makes any difference good or bad. __________________ I'v come to break the Mazda curse on my family Corksport LED Interior Light Kit Corksport LED Fog Lights Blue LED Footwell lighting Plasti Dip Emblems GTA Car Kit AirBox Mod 18" Sport Edition Rims Goodyear Eagle F1 Scott-"It said to go straight!" Me-"Off the road.."

01-18-2013, 03:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
KamiLDN Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: London, Uk Posts: 74 Thanks: 24 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 11 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Air Box Mod Idea? Don't take my word on this but I'm pretty sure that you'll just be getting hot air straight from the engine bay through that hole! You want a nice cold stream of air into your engine for best results! Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com Free App __________________ 2002 Mazda 6 Ts 2.0L (UK) Black Airbox Mod Resonator Delete Red Led Interior Lights FLI Twin 12" Sub (Active Amp) Real Mods to come soon!

01-18-2013, 03:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
AlikaMasika6 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Delaware Posts: 413 Thanks: 30 Thanked 52 Times in 43 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 74 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Re: Air Box Mod Idea? Yeah i know thats why they tell you to cover the hole up. But the tuba is pointed away so it shouldnt be that bad Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App __________________ I'v come to break the Mazda curse on my family Corksport LED Interior Light Kit Corksport LED Fog Lights Blue LED Footwell lighting Plasti Dip Emblems GTA Car Kit AirBox Mod 18" Sport Edition Rims Goodyear Eagle F1 Scott-"It said to go straight!" Me-"Off the road.."

01-24-2013, 02:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
ButtonPuncher Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 285 Thanks: 1 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 2 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 5 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	I wouldn't do it. Any increase in your IAT (Intake Air Temperature) is going to hurt performance. The air right by your hood can reach 200 degrees significantly affecting your IAT. I remember doing some testing on the CAI for my Ford Contour and in stop and go traffic, it would continuously go over 185 degrees. (The digital thermometers that I was using had a max of 185.) My current CAI reads almost the exact same as the outdoor air temperature. Which lately has been in the single digits. __________________ '06 6s 6-speed ATX - Lapis Blue - just getting started BP 6s DIY CAI, MPV Oil Cooler, Innovate OT-2 Data Logger, The right turbo for your 3.0, Walbro fuel pumps Last edited by ButtonPuncher; 01-24-2013 at 02:27 PM.

01-24-2013, 03:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
mmceorange Mazda Guru Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Southeast NH Posts: 3,841 Thanks: 723 Thanked 739 Times in 615 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 74 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 632 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	First of all.. there really is no perceivable performance increase from any configuration of the airbox mod. It is purely about letting the sound of the engine out. Once the internal baffle is removed (as well as the resonator), I have found very little difference with or without the tuba. Second, Covering the tuba hole will only hinder airflow.. when completely stock, the tuba is the main source of air, with the vaccume flap only opening under heavy acceleration to allow additional airflow. Removing the resonator opens up a major pathway for air.. so having no resonator and internals but covered tuba hole is probably close to stock flow. Third, the stock tuba opening (just under a flange on the airbox cover) is actually in the path of air moving around the radiator and headlight (at least on my V6.. I poked around at it for a while).. so I wouldn't be concerned about leaving it on. Think aout it.. why would the factory place the primary air intake in the path of heated air? The airbox was designed to be restrictive mostly for keeping noise levels down (and for reliable metering) __________________ 2006 Mazda 6s GS \| Hatchback \| Tungsten Gray My Me Thread \| The Great Mazda Mountain Climb \| My 6 Thread

01-25-2013, 04:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
mmceorange Mazda Guru Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Southeast NH Posts: 3,841 Thanks: 723 Thanked 739 Times in 615 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 74 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 632 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	All true, but what reason would they have to direct heated air into the main intake? __________________ 2006 Mazda 6s GS \| Hatchback \| Tungsten Gray My Me Thread \| The Great Mazda Mountain Climb \| My 6 Thread

01-25-2013, 07:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
ButtonPuncher Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 285 Thanks: 1 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 2 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 5 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Emissions. Same reason as heating the intake air via the throttle body coolant circuit. __________________ '06 6s 6-speed ATX - Lapis Blue - just getting started BP 6s DIY CAI, MPV Oil Cooler, Innovate OT-2 Data Logger, The right turbo for your 3.0, Walbro fuel pumps

01-25-2013, 09:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mr.Smoke Smoke Screen Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kitchener, ON Canada Posts: 5,405 Thanks: 684 Thanked 789 Times in 674 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 139 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s) Quoted: 684 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Air Box Mod Idea? But that makes no sense. Cool air is denser which means more air molecules per volume. More air molecules means a better & more complete burn therefore LESS emissions with cool air. Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App __________________ Smoke's Build --- Ontario Meet Thread --- Ontario Members Thread --- VOTE FOR 6OTM

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