ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

OK check out my megahellastylin cowl induction CAI system. I was going to get a turbo, but dude according to the butt dyno this thing doubled my RWHP! Who needs a turbo? I mean I totally smoked that guy in that Geo Metro. I hear they are fast so this system must me making lots of power, right?

Hope that was good for a laugh

At any rate, thought I would share pictures of yet another DIY cowl CAI system. This was pretty easy to do. All I needed was the 3" Spectre hose from Pep Boys, and a 3" bimetal hole saw from Home Depot. Install time was less than 1 hour. The cruise control actuator and the diagnostic port had to be relocated. I also relocated the stock airbox... to the underside of my workbench.

I know there are some ghetto-tastic aspects to this 'install' such as the bungee cord intake retention system (look at the radiator and the power steering reservoir) and the lack of an air filter. This is temporary since all of that will be changing with the upcoming turbo installation. I'll still use the cowl feed though for the cold air which is the whole idea of doing this.

Some notes:
1. The airbox sensor relocation was easy. I just drilled a 5/8" hole in the intake tube, moved over the grommet, and plugged in the sensor. Easy.
2. Relocating the cruise actuator was pretty easy. There are some existing holes/studs on the wheel well that work nicely if you bend the mount bracket just a bit. It still works just fine, and clears the brake MC.
3. The tightest part is the reservoir for the clutch MC. It is OK for now, but I think I'll fab a remote reservoir setup and relocate it slightly for more clearance. This is pretty common on sport bikes (I race them) so it should be fine here.

Now, for a couple of related questions:
1. I grabbed a picture from another similar thread posted by an Aussie showing a canister that presumably holds a cone style filter. See the last image. I could fab something like this, but would rather buy if they are cheap enough. I sent him a PM asking where he got it. Anyone know where to get these? I have poked around Ebay, Google, K&N, Jegs, etc. and cannot find one.
2. Deleted by OP

Now back to my regularly scheduled Saturday night beer. Go Cowboys! Oh.. wait...

Trent

iTrader: (11)

Dude, you cut a hole into your car.

Marty

Bungee cords? Really?

SamS

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, cutting the hole was a little unnerving for me.



p.s. i copied uofacats cai design

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

Yeah... it was fun

BTW scratch that second question. I found this thread:
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10554
Linked to this one at miata.net
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread...7&page=1&pp=25

That crew picture in post 73 of the mt.n thread is ******* hilarious

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

HEY SamS! I had that same exact idea for my filter as well. In fact I was on the K&N web site earlier today sizing filters. Kind of tight in the cowl but obviously it worked for you. What filter did you use? Happy with that setup, likes/dislikes? I am guessing the NA cowl is the same size as the NB.

SamS

iTrader: (2)

K&N RU-5111, seems to work fine, just barely touches the wiper arm there, but it moves out of the way fine with the wipers on.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

I found the uofacats thread, not sure how I missed it before. Got to avoid being a hypocrite considering my sig.

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4829

Thanks for the part# for the K&N. I also had an idea of taking several small diameter filters and modifying them to connect in series, then running them along the cowl to get more filter area for lower pressure drop. But then again, I like the filter canister too, just got to find or fab one.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

Yeah you can see them at the bottom of the first picture. One is wrapped around the fan frame, the other around the ps pump reservoir. Ghetto-tastic!

Trent

iTrader: (11)

LOL at the old thread on here. Sometimes, I really miss Philip.

Arkmage

iTrader: (3)

dude... someone stole your turbo!

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

OK so still nothing yet on the air filter canister. Anyone know where to get them?

Juffa

The 2nd photo in the original thread shows a CAI developed by the MX-5 factory in Melbourne, Australia

www.mx5factory.com.au

Here is one of the original (if not THE original) CAI for the down under MX-5

http://www.miata.net.au/loch.html

And yet another one.
http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product630.htm


J

fourwhls

iTrader: (2)

Something like this...
http://www.knfilters.com/universal/apollo.htm

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

Yow! Expensive from both sources! The Apollo is $200+ on EBay and the other one is $200+ as well. I think I will be fabricating my own for sure now.

Thanks for the links; I missed it in both cases.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

OK fabrication updates. Still not 100% cosmetic, but now 100% functional. Note the addition of the 90-deg bend tube in the cowl area and the addition of the K&N filter ( more info here http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=RD-0720 )
The 90-deg pipe really changed the character of the sound. It removed some of the high-frequency ricer exhaust can tinniness and gave it a deeper sound, much better IMO. It is still very audible at mid-throttle up.

Note I added the foam seal at the edge of the cowl rain diverter. It seals against the bottom of the hood and prevents rain from having a direct shot at the filter. The filter also does not sit on the tray in the bottom of the cowl so any collecting water will flow beneath it. I also spaced it in the center as best I could to allow air flow from the full perimeter. Also, though it looks like it from this photo, it does not interfere with the wiper arm.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

Oh yeah and it is REALLY loud when you hit the rev limiter. brrrrrrrrrrr BRAP-BRAP-BRAP **** it, I think I'll grab the camcorder and record the sound.

urgaynknowit

iTrader: (5)

"""I also relocated the stock airbox... to the underside of my workbench. """

i got a good laugh out of that

and the post #73 was also funny, my car is soo loud and its boosted, stock exhaust

elesjuan

iTrader: (11)

SERIOUSLY!? How the **** did I miss this thread??

If his ***** hurt so much about the "loud annoying whistle of my turbo" why the **** did he waste his money on it??? Man, I bet he killed at least 40hp with that foam bullshit, what a loser!

cheesecow1

OH yea real cold air

And And even better than Cold air BOV w/ no turbo adds somewhere round 30hp /25tq