Installing Simota Inteake (CAI) on a Mazda3
 

Any pointers? do i really need to remove the front fascia / bumper? a friend of mine install it, and he claims he had to remove it. any tips suggestions?

With the CAI, you should not have to remove the fron bumper. At most (from my experience), you might have to pull the front-driver side fender well along with the splash gaurd. Pulling the front bumper should not be necessary because the only thing behind that is the actual bumper, radiator support, and radiator. An air filter would not be anywhere near that, because the CAI is usually in front of the front tire, above the splash gaurd. I am a sales rep for K&N, so check out this link. K&N's intake is GAURANTEED 5.2 hp gain max. www.kandn.com/instructions69-6010.pdf

Some people remove the front bumper, but it's not necessary.
Just go up from underneath. I put the filter on the first piece of pipe and feed it
up from the bottom.

thanks for the tips, ill try working from under the splash guard, yeah I'm a lazy person.

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pp le Turd I already bought the CAI....

Guide
 

I Made a small guide on the installation of a CAI in my Mazda 3

Here is the link... but is on Spanish... so if you don't have a sombrero and eat tacos for breakfast :) let me know and Ill translate it, enjoy
http://www.stracing.com.mx/foro/viewtopic.php?p=39181

damn i couldnt understand a word..but the pics said almost everythine needed ...good job....

bumping an old thread :crook:

12.32 vs 12.32? What were you talking about =S

those are the times form 0-100km 0-60mph before and after the cai, so no performance increase, BUT a hell of a cosmetic mod, beautiful sound from the intake ill recommend it

First off let me say my second ride would be a MS3 if I could afford two car paymets but I went with the RX8 for its looks and handling.

I would have went with another intake....simota's are junk in my opinion. Had one on my RX8 for about 3 mos before selling it. The small pipe was very restrictive and loud as heck. On the other hand the carbon fiber shroud that covered the filter did look nice under the hood. I ended up fabbing a 4" CAI which tappers to 3.5" as it passes thru the radiator support. I added a 9" AEM filter behind the front bumper. I know this is the 3 forum but here is a look under my hood.

Simota's design for the RX-8 intake could use a redesign, I agree. I was going to carry them but won't until Simota attempts another version.
I've also spent a lot of time on the Rex forums and from what I've read the general consensus is that any intake on the 8 is more of a noise-maker than anything else.
But to say all Simotas are junk is a bit reactionary, I think. I have one on my own car, and I've sold hundred to very happy customers.
Anyway, I'm just defending my product. You're entitled to your opinion.

That's the good thing about forums......everyone can have their own opinion. I feel my custom CAI works much better (throttle repsonse wise) and is no where near as loud as the simota intake for the 8.

I'm suprised that intake keeps the stock airflow sensor mount/accordian style intake boot intact. That's what's nice about the Mazdaspeed, it replaces all that, but sinced you fabbed it up I can see where you are coming from, it would be extremely difficult to make that piece. Nice 8.