Any thoughts on the differences between the available cold air kits for MS3's? Any tangible seat of the pants difference? Milage improvements? I've found no difference in performance or milage after replacing the stock filter with a stock replacement K & N unit and would like to avoid a similar experience when spending $300+ on an aftermarket kit.

Performance would really have to be measured on a Dyno for a drop-in filter. They will produce more power, but the percentage is so small that the butt-gauge would not register it unless it was finely tuned... but even then, most of those gauges blow smoke.

A CAI will certainly produce more power, I think most people just buy the Mazdaspeed CAI and be done with it. Less hassle, if any, from dealers with the actual product... not to mention it comes with a dry-flow filter that is far safer than a oiled-filter. Most produce around 7% power gain, which is usually 15-20whp. Overall though, you'd be far more likely to notice the loss of power once you take it off...

I have the Cobb SF intake and absolutly love it. It's been a long time since i installed it, but you do notice an increase in power in the butt dyno category. Also the turbo spool sounds it brings out alone make it worth it imo. The mazdaspeed intake is also good, in fact whatever you get, be it Cobb, Cp-e, or mazdaspeed, are all great choices. The Cp-e and Cobb are both short ram intakes, and being such will provide you more low-mid range power (perfect for the street). The MS intake being a full CAI will be a little bit more powerful up top. A point shown on a dyno myself and another member did two years ago. He had the MS intake and put down a few HP more than i did, all other things being equal.

Hope that helps. Get one and you will love it!

I have the Mazda CAI and have been happy with it.

Their all the same...some are just more prettier than others! The best bang for your buck would be a Corksport inlet/sri combo for 250.00 Very easy to install both. If you go cold air which will cost you at least 250 for just the intake itself...cpe and aem are my first two picks.

If i were to do it over id go with this...http://www.corksport.com/corksport-power-series-short-ram-intake-2007-2009-mazdaspeed-3.html
Im assuming u have a gen 1?

Do these CAI's work on NA 3s?

bellalyssa wrote:Do these CAI's work on NA 3s?

http://www.corksport.com/04-08-mazda-3/mazda3-intake-exhaust-systems/
These intakes are for ur car!
Personally id go with a cai over a sri for a N/A motor...they benefit big time from cold air!

I have a near new SRI CPe and ill part with it for $100. being i dont have a mazda ne more

deepSpeedMS3 wrote:I have a near new SRI CPe and ill part with it for $100. being i dont have a mazda ne more

So tempting... The one I'm looking at is the Injen CAI set up...

Pros and Cons of CAI vs. SRI?

You WILL notice a difference when you put on a real intake instead of just a drop-in filter. Doesn't even have to be a cold air intake either. I picked up my Cobb SRI for $90 used and have loved every minute of it being on my car. Made a noticeable difference in power just by itself. Was the first mod I did, after the short shifter anyway, but that doesn't count.

I've heard that the short rams are actually robbed of power since they sit so close to the engine but the CAI's get hydrolocked a lot easier.

How different are the hp gains?

Bellalyssa see my post (post #3). Should be pretty much the same for na 3's in regard to horsepower and where that power comes on ect. I had a mazdaspeed cai on my old 3 and loved it. Throttle response greatly increased with it!

I have the CP-e CAI and I am slightly happier than my peers with other intakes. I kid I kid. Mazdaspeed or CP-e for the m***** f****** win

Just ordered the CorkSport SRI/TIP today. I'm looking forward to its arrival and subsequent install.

Those that have one, especially on a gen2...are you liking it? Worth the money?

You're gonna love it. I know I have a first gen but we basically have the same engine. Car sounds much better and there's a noticeable power gain. And unless you're sitting still, intake temperatures aren't much different than a CAI would be. While driving down the road my IATs are 5-10 degrees above ambient.