Picked up the Racing Beat drop in filter but can't get the air box open. Unplugged the electronics and released the clamps per the manual but can't get it open more than an inch and it takes force to do that. What am I missing?

 

I'm not trying to sound like a jackass, but once you have it open that inch, pull harder...and pull straight up at first, instead of trying to pry it backwards...

 

^^^ yea it won't open the whole way, just pry it enough dig out the stock air filter and literally "drop in" the new one...

 

ScudRunner, don't think you sounded like a jackass, the manual shows a healthy opening. I followed your advice (and IZoomZoomI) and got it in okay. There was enough resistance I was afraid of breaking something. Thanks for the help.

 

No sweat

 

Obviously RB products are top-notch quality... but out of curiousity, how's the drop-in? any noticable difference in sound? The reason I ask is I'm trying to stray from an intake due to it's sound (my last ride was decked out and I want something a bit more... ahem, professional.)

 

Okay, I'll try to be objective here. After the install I started the car and let it warm up. When warm it idled at 1100 rpm which to me indicates more air was flowing. Took it for a ten mile drive, half country roads half freeway. The car felt more responsive, freer reving, shifts at 6000 rpm were smoother, easier to keep the revs up. Exhaust note? I think more pronounced at higher revs. The car idled at normal revs after the drive so I think the computer made adjustments.

Mazda has apparently issued the folling to their shops "some aftermarket air filter elements are coated in oil to improve air filtering. The oil coating may damage the MAF resulting in a poor idle or MIL illumination related to the MAF" . I read this while waiting for UPS to deliver my filter and emailed Jim Langer at Racing beat and he said he had read this here also but hasn't had experience of problems.

This filter was in no way "wet", it was wrapped in clear plastic which was was dry. This drys tacky in the cotton to catch dust particles. If there is a problem I believe it's caused by individual cleaning techniques and brushing motor oil on it to save money by not buying the proper oil from aFe, that certainly could be a problem.

 

I too have purchased the RB drop in. Glad to hear you like it. Mine should be here next week. When I had K&N's in my other cars I always used there recharge kit to clean them I never had an issue.

 

Thanks for the update MelRX8, very informative indeed!

 

I have over 1,000 miles on AFE from RB, and I like it. The filter does breathe easier. To install, I removed the entire airbox. I have done this so many times now, that it is pretty simple. So, my $.02 is it is worth the mod.

 

Quick question guys...
I replaced mine with RB drop in as well and do I have to unplug any electric thing before I change the filter? I didn't unplug anything when I changed it. Does it make any difference?
Thank you.

 

i think as long as the car is not running your fine with that.

 

I'll wrap my part in this with this excert from an email I received from Melissa Harstad with aFe this morning. As you can see she's address both drop-in filters and full intake systems. "There has been much talk about this subject, with our design we do retain the MAF sensor because customers demanded it. Unfortunately the MAF sensor was made for the stock air box and paper filter, which allows minimal airflow to pass through. When an intake system is added so much more airflow goes through that it doesn't read it correctly. Our filters are oiled, but there is a small amount of oil on the filter. If the filter is over oiled there might be a problem until it's cleaned up, but all of our filters are oiled with just enough oil, so if you purchase one and clean it just make sure you apply very little. I haven't heard of any complaints on the poor idle or MIL illumination. All dealers are going to tell you that the factory air box must not be replaced because they want you to purchase their paper filters, but it's against the law for them to void any warranties because of any aftermarket product." I think this address everyones concerns on Intakes mods.

 

Nice to hear some sort of official reply. Anyone else getting iffy idles or MAF malfunction lights? And what would constitute 'just enough oil', perhaps AFE has some documented amount or refresher kits like K&N's little one-use pouches?

 

(trying to remove the stock air filter)

So, how far were you able to open the lid? I get it about half an inch open. I'm just worried to break things but hesitant (lazy) to disassemble it further.

 

you can pry it open for about 4 inches, get a flat head and dig the old filter out (becareful) then just pull it out and literally just open it and drop in the new filter. You don't have to dissemble anything, nothing will break either.