I figured this would probably be the topic to post this in. As I was doing this mod I realized the lowest shroud that essentially separates the airbox and the radiator fans just seemed to restrict airflow. What I did was essentially cut off everything but the part that actually mounts to the frame at the front so as to still support the airbox but no longer restrict flow from the radiator fans. Since I've done this I have noticed a shorter running time of the fans after shut down, even after "spirited driving."

 

Pictures of your mod please.

 

I'll see if I can find them after I get off work. It's very simple mod, to me it seems that even after the fd Mazda just didn't seem to care about airflow in the engine bay.

 

Pics would be great, I am trying to keep the stock air intake but that that battery and stock airbox setup blocks airflow big time.

 

its not a pic of it installed but you should get the idea. If you don't have a heat knife i suggest you get one, makes this 435345712x easier than using an exacto-knife or whatever. It holds the stock airbox firmly in place, but now frees up some extra room for the air to flow

 

another pic installed. Like I said, very simple and straightfoward. Cheap and effective

 

Added note, now I dont have to go fishing for grommets and **** that fall into the fans/etc. if I ever need to take out the airbox

 

So let me get this straight...you removed the undertray that goes under the airbox so your radiator fans could heat the bottom of your airbox?

 

^ "all design is compromise"

 

If you think about it that way then yes, but I would trade better flow over a slightly increased air temp. Also, the airbox still being there is better than running an open filter right there so I think it's still a good deal.

 

How do you get better airflow into the airbox if you still have the small intake hole on the front of the airbox. Flow through there will remain the same unless you made that hole bigger which means you are just sucking in more hot air which in theory could decrease performance.

 

Just removed them, intake does sound a bit louder, and i feel a very small increase in throttle response... but i guess anything that helps airflow won't hurt....overall helpful DIY

 

Not talking about more flow to airbox, I'm talking about better flow thru the radiator and into the engine bay as a whole. I could care less about trying to increase airflow to the intake It already flows well enough. Again, my target is efficiency not peak performance

 

So you cleared up like an inch of space between the bottom of the airbox and where the shield was that kept things from falling into the radiator? How much airflow through the engine bay do you think you were able to create? What is your before and after coolant temps? What is your before and after intake temps?

 

Better and inch than nothing at all, as for stuff falling in...I'm not a kid so dropping anything into the engine bay isn't an issue, and there is a hood that covers up the rest so im not too worried about that. I still draw cooler air from the front bumper so a change in intake temps is negligible, as far as coolant temp. couldn't tell you all I know is a basic rule, more airflow=cooler temps. If you would like im sure i could rig up some temp gauges to show in detail

 

You must justify your claims with data on you getting a benefit from your mod before I will consider doing it. I think you did more harm than good.

 

A 1 degree Fahrenheit change in intake temp will make your engine run at least 3-5 degrees Fahrenheit hotter from my experience.

 

I just did this mod and went for a drive to go to lunch. Seemed to perform much better in the Vegas heat which just kicked up this week. Maybe just a coincidence but I felt like I benefited greatly from this. AC was cranked up to 4 and outside temp was about 90 degrees and she was pulling strong as if it were cool outside. No issues with idle by the way. Exactly the same as it was.

Ordered my K&N drop in today too

 

Just did this when I was putting in my K&N. Removed the two walls and the horn.

Car feels like it has better throttle response but I am going to attribute that to putting in teh K&N. Oh yean I also pulled about a pound of acorns out of my air box. No wonder my acceleration and gas mileage was in the tank. The guy that had this car before me must not have known how to do anything but take it to the add gas and take it to the stealership.

 

Pulling out the horn is WRONG! it helps flow. Put it back!! Someone please delete this thread as it only contributes to this kind of delinquency.

 

I did this mod about 2 months ago and liked it. I tried taking the bell/horn out at first but put it back in without it's screen a day later. So I've been running a k&n drop in filter, with both baffles romoved, and the upper bell screen removed, leaving the screen closest the the MAF. I think there is quicker throttle response, and a heftier noise espesially in the lower RPMs. My concern is this: I don't know if it has to do with the 90+ degree days we've been having or something else but I've been noticing intermittently a slight drop in power at WOT around 7800 to 9000 rpms. I just changed my spark plugs, which made everything smoother but I'm still getting the high rpm loss of power SOMETIMES. Could it be the turbulence not being straightened out by the absence of the first screen, the extreme heat not allowing enough oxygen at high rpms, coils need replacing maybe? Clogged CAT? PL0420 came up for about a week and went away a little over a month ago.....any thoughts?

 

I could never self-justify removing the first of the two screens, as potential for the designed laminar flow might be disturbed.

Of course clean your MAF as well.

 

I did the same mod but left the screens in. I don't have a dyno but I was thinking the same thing about the loss of power in the top end so I just installed the side walls back and it's all good.

 

this is a sweet mod, ty for the info. i will try it once i get home!!

 

Can the Revi intake be mounted to the stock air box?I see them for sale at 130.00 and it looks like it would fit.