sandman

Me again!

With all this talk about the three main intakes (injen, aem, ractive) nobody really talks about the filter itself.

What is the maintenance like on these filters? Do you replace them or do you clean them like a K&N? If you clean them, what's involved in doing that?

How do the three filters compare, quality wise?

Do you have to use the filter supplied with the kit, or can you swap it for a K&N cone. Or is that even necessary?

I want to move into an aftermarket intake and am leaning towards the ractive just cuz of the price, but if the filter is cheap quality, i want to know if i can replace it with something better or if I should just save a little longer and go with AEM or Injen...

Thanks!

Mxyzptlk

Just buy the K&N filter charger kit (Advanced Auto Parts) And be very easy going with the oil. I used way too much on the last car I had; I think I runied the filter. I've been reading up on the filters and... The Ractive Cone is deeper than the others. This is what I used to have. Not as loud as the Injen though. Injen is a bit higher toned. I have not heard the AEM.

Either way the ractive has only to opening at the end to draw air in. I think this is why it is louder. But in not have in open access like the other 2 it is more restrictive. Between AEM & Injen I think it wouldn't matter at at if you interchanged them. AEM seems more durable thats all.

True the ractive is like 30 bucks. but you also have to look at how you are going to connect it. You could but some adjustable (up to 90 degree bend) heater duct and have the homemade feel going on. That stuff would run you about 12 -15 dollars at Home Depot. It works as long as you wrap it in something to seal thhe crack from air loss. I did this mod on my Grand am. Used red electrical tape. I was happy with it because I was broke at the time. I think if you are hard up on cash maybe you can try it until you can afford the real deal. Caution though I don't know how the 2.0L 4cyl. Mazda will stand up to the homemade intake. I was working with a 3.1L V6.... plus there is no way to use the air temperature sensor in a homemade application

sandman

I'd be getting the full kit, regardless of which intake i go with...

In another thread somebody was able to get the ractive kit right from the mazda dealership, which is another reason why i was thinking of going ractive...

Based on your comments, it sounds like the ractive cone isn't as good as the other 2? Too restrictive?

Keep the comments coming!!!

Mxyzptlk

Well actually the one you are thinking of is an open one. I forgot about that whole kit deal. See ractive makes like three kinds. A dragon type like WeaponR, a Heat shield and then the normal type. I had the heat shield. Mainly it is for applications in the engine bay not for CAI setups.

I have to tell ya though it was hella durable. How do I know... well the first day I set it up in the fender well I had to leave the wheel well off because the cone was just too big. Anyhow I had it zip tied away from the wheel. Looked safe. I was on the way to the track to run some 1/4 miles. I took a turned way too sharp. The zip tie gave way the cone came back and the wheel just took hold. I ran over aluminum duct and beat the filter to hell. Luckily I had spare piping. Put it all back together and proceeded to the track. Over time this happend a couple more times before I gave up on the CAI. But filter never cracked.

As far as what to get I guess then it comes down to price and location. Do you want CAI or not? Although the Injen I think looks just damn good but its pricey.