Intake Piping
 

What are the negatives of using the stock piping like this:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1327892714

Is there any reason I shouldn't run it like this? If it matters I am running ~6psi

The accordion pipe expands like a balloon under positive pressure. Rev the motor while you have the hood up to see it in action.

This will lead to it popping off in the middle, even at low boost.

Mine eventually failed and started coming apart in between the ribs, leading to a massive boost leak.

Bottom line: It works, kinda.

Put zip ties around the accordion piece. I'm floored every time some one mentions the ballooning and no one ever did this but me. Probably because it's a much better idea to upgrade to an intercooler. That and you'll still risk having it pop apart in the middle.

Other than the mechanical issues with running the stock pipe, you'll be running much hotter air than with an intercooled system. If you're only comparing a one piece metal cross over pipe to the stock cross over pipe, than the only issues with the stock is that seam in the middle and the accordion piece.

I will be getting an intercooler, I am just running like this temporarily. I'll go out and put zip ties on it now.

Thanks!

Oh yeah. Mine failed with the zipties installed.

Oh. It won't solve the middle part splitting off problem, but it'll fix the ballooning problem. Mine never blew though, despite numerous miles and track days. Your results will vary. Glad someone else thought of the zip ties though.

Might also try the hair spray trick? Dunno if this works on a plastic-plastic junction. You're sort of limited on how much force you can apply.