I have seen a number of unique devices on the front of Miatas both here and on car-domain and I am wondering which of them work for what problems and how well.

One that I have see a lot is the duct that looks like a 'Y' in the drivers side headlamp lid. From what I remember about the effectiveness of scoops on muscle cars, for those types of intakes to be effective they need to be in a high pressure area on the surface of the vehicle. The placement on the top of the headlight would seem to be such a place, but what happens when the headlight is up? Does the headlight redirect fresh air into the cold air intake as well (or better than) the scoop?

Next is the turn signal scoop. Is the amount of cold air sufficient to supply a high horsepower turbo car?

In both these circumstances, I wonder about the air box. Is there some sort of prebuilt solution for both of these, or is it fabrication all the way?

Any other good sources of cool air?

 

"Next is the turn signal scoop. Is the amount of cold air sufficient to supply a high horsepower turbo car?"

thats what an intercooler is for, then again, my intake sits right at my radiator fan? hmmmm

 

the "y" shaped duct is called a NACA duct, and it works quite well.

 

this is the said duct
http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewP...eIndexID=45020


and here is another style on the same site
http://www.miatamania.com/Browse/Pla...ComponentID=11

 

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/sho...highlight=naca

I had DIY TSI's, I've since switched to ducted headlight lids because Braineack is my hero. They will be painted this summer.

 

sams - im so going to copy you, was this hard to do? pm me with details

 

Actually mine are aftermarket fiberglass lids. I bought them in the classifieds here and have no idea who made them. If I were going to make my own, I'd copy brainy by fiberglassing the cf duct in. I was never able to find a spare lid in my color to cut though.

 

works like crap.

 

Well mr "it works like crap" if u don't like it, I can buy it off you

 

really? You change your tune since making it? I had just begun to think about making one myself.

 

is joke. works great. i see ambient temps during cruise.

 

Cogz, you can buy a cool air box from BEGi along with a kit or you can make your own.
The reason i think the cab works is not just due to fresh air coming in, but by keeping the heat from turbo and manifold away from the filter. Just make your own, if you have a cutoff wheel you should be ok, lol.
Just forget about the scoops and stuff.

 

I've been thinking about doing either a scoop to suck or extract air on the side of the bumper for my oil cooler.

 

that's more what I wanted to hear.

 

the only concern i would have, and this is VERY likely me being paranoid, is driving brain's setup in the rain. probably not enough water can really get through the filter to cause a problem, though, huh?

 

In theory you want something that's not going to add pressure to engine bay - like a scoop. The turbo will suck air from any source, so a hole that's not in a high pressure area on the hood benefits the intake air temps and cooling system. The NB has a good cold air source - a hole under the driver side headlight that pulls from the fender well and corner of the mouth.

 

water injection son! I've driven in the rain and haven't worried, filter is still dry, maybe slightly moist, but not saturated in water.

 

I went with turn signal intakes on both sides and am thinking about getting an extraction hood or at least the kit to raise the rear of the hood to exit the hot air.

If you have water/rain concerns, you could always get an Outerwears cover for your air filter. They are moistureproof plus they help to keep the filter cleaner longer.

 

and we're off!!!

 

Do not raise the back of the hood, it's inefficient.
If you want to modify the stock hood, do what m2cupcar did, that was just beautiful and it seems to be very functional.
Raising the hood will just increase the underhood pressure by creating flow, Mazda engineers sealed the back of the hood for a reason.