I have something that I wonder about. In my CWR air box, and most "cold air" systems that I have seen the air filters rub up agaisnt teh sides of the box. Now, K&Ns are supposed to flow higher then the stock elemetns, which is the biggest advantage of an aftermarket system, but when you put part of the filter pressed up against a solid surface are you just totally negating any advantage in flow?

I mean, I would think that it only flows higher when all parts of the filter has free access to air....

 

While you're somewhat right about your observation, I wouldn't think that it would affect the airflow to a negative degree... the idea behind a conical filter being that instead of a 2D plane as with a flat panel filter, you have a 360 degree plane, i.e. cone. I'm sure that you're losing some flow w/ the filter against the box, but I wouldn't call M2 up and get pissy...

Jason

 

Although I mostly agree w/Jason, I think the main reason for going aftermarket airbox is:
1.) Make room for larger IC
2.) Stop stealing air from IC ducting
3.) Get rid of cross overpipe that robs IC ducting of air - even Mazda realized this was a limitation and made changes in 96 to enlargen it. Also the RB Inlet duct replace this.

Honestly you would get the same HP gains (roughly) by adding the 96 intake piece (or RB) and a K&N filter.

My 0.02

Mark

 

And while I mostly concur w/ Mark, I'd have to disagree on the RB pipe... that thing sucks, no pun intended! A good aftermarket intake will give you approx. 1 psi or so of boost, colder (hopefully) air, and more engine bay room... but you guys already knew that... he he he.


Jason