Something that puzzles me...

The Pipe that supplies air into the air cleaner box then to the air funnel and finally to the throttle chamber. Ok, this pipe first runs along the front of the rad - the pipe runs from the air cleaner box to the front of the rad, then along the length of the rad and exits the other end back into the engine bay (by the battery).
I don't understand this set up?? Why would Mazda route this plastic pipe along the front of the rad only to enter back into the engine bay? Wouldn't it have been more efficient to collect cooler air from outside the engine bay using this same pipe (by not having it route back to the engine bay)? Wouldn't it make sense to remove this pipe allowing a better flow of cool air to the air box? I'm thinking along the lines of how the 12A guys are building back yard cold air intakes that provide better flow of cooler air to the cannister. Why couldn''t you also do this with the EGI set up?
Maybe I'm missing something - or maybe the air needs to be better controlled in a FI engine. And maybe this has been covered - I couldn't find anything through a search. I'm sure this must have been covered at some point - anyone have any thoughts on this???

 

The pipe is in sections. Remove the drivers side and actual long plastic "pipe" and it will get cooler air from directly in front of the radiator.

 

thanks directfreak. Yeh - I can understand that being the way to go - but why did they design it they way to begin with? What possible advantage was there to running that pipe across the front and back into the bay? Is air supposed to get cooled as it passes through the pipe (don't sound very efficient)? lastly, Should you mesh over the opening on the passanger side to eliminate any potential crap flowing into the air box?
I don't get this set up

 

The reason they did that is because no OEM manufacturer would create a true "cold air" kit, because it would be too easy to for the intake to ingest water from puddles, floods, etc.

You should be removing the pipe, as long as you keep running a filter. I did this with all my SE's, without incident.

A mesh isn't important, as the filter will remove more particles than the mesh anyway.

If you want a true "cold-air" intake, check out Max7's.


Manntis and another member were also trying to make a Cold Air system for the FB's, but I think progress has been delayed.

 

The pipe is not one piece... if you don't have the $$$ to get the fancy stuff.... I removed the center pipe piece that thing runs in front of the radiator.... so now its getting cooler air straight from the grill... and I left the last piece that you see sticking out the battery area... for looks....

 

My theory is still that they wanted to keep the flow down for emissions reasons.

They used this design right up until 92, and it's not very efficient.

I 'm leaving the duct where it is, and just building the box around the cone. It should be fine to get enough flow.

<F>

 

you must have a 85 gslse my parts car does that but my 84 se doesnt have the part to the battery not even a hole there next to the battery

 

Would removing the pipe in colder weather cause any problems? I know carbs can ice up when ducting cold air into them in late fall or early spring - would FI suffer similar problems

 

I've never had a problem but mazda changed it for some reason and we all know they dont do anything wrong

 

2GSLSE is correct.. its a design change for the 1985 year.
Most cars are designed for the normal everyday commuter/driver in mind, so whatever has been designed on most cars has been done as to keep noise at a minimum like restrictive mufflers and airboxes, sound deadening..things that performance guys like us like to remove and replace with aftermarket goodies.

 

yeah, the 84's do get air in front of the radiator, and in 85 they extended the pipe to the battery, i think they were trying to get rid of a noise in the intake tract. it might also be why they changed 5th gear as well

mike