No I am not putting these on my FD. I bid on these parts on ebay the other day and wasnt willing to pay $20 each piece plus $15 each piece for shipping. I currently have those components in my car and have not upgraded yet.

I am a design engineer. I can design and engineer knock offs or new components. I can also create molds for rim, blow, roto, compression, injection, vacuum fixured, and a host of other different molds whether for plastic parts, fiberglass, carbon fiber and kevlar, or aluminum pieces. In addition we have CNC mills at a couple of locations locally that I can use during downtime periods. I have connections for manufacturing in Taiwan if the design is viable, cost effective, and generates enough interest for production of multiple units. Thats a ways off if at all.

What I need these parts for is to analyze the parts for function, flow, etc and also to create 3D CAD model knock offs. I can modify the models, apply flow testing software, and easily change the design as necessary. I will use those used components to build prototypes and adjunct components as well.

I havent found a system that I thought was reasonably priced or packages that could be added to the oem system that addressed all the problems and issues inherent in the stock air box. I saw Racing Beats air duct which is a step in the right direction. Ive seen carbon and aluminum boxes for $400 - $500, which is too much to pay for an air box. Would be nice to put together a retro fit system that looked good, was easy to install, required minimal modification, had all the compenents needed to fit it into the existing structure and had the highest level of structural functionalism.

I welcome any and all feedback you may have on this project. If you have a stock air box and duct you would like to donate, I will cover shipping expenses.

thanks
chuck

 

a3d, I think it's great that you're an engineer and interested in designing new products, BUT...

You want us to help you produce design COPIES or KNOCK-OFFs?

FORGET IT.

Innovate your own products - we'll help you out there.

Support your quality manufacturers, people - or watch the national economy continue to tank.

 

Hey Clayne, I'm an engineering student, sorry we're not always the best at communicating.


Simply put, he's saying this: "Hey guys, I want to design a replacement airbox, or possibly a duct to add to the stock airbox. Can someone ship me an OEM one so I can study it and examine its strengths and weaknesses? I've got lots of resources to make stuff with too, so this could possibly become a mass-produced item if people want me to make more."


ad3cadman, go find what these parts cost to buy from a Mazda dealer; $70 shipped is really not that bad... Maybe you can get lucky and find one for cheaper locally, but if I were to ship you my spare airbox I'd want at least that much because shipping is a dang pain, plus I plan on modifying mine someday.

-scott-

 

The airbox is about $450 new from the dealer!

Cadman... I've been interested in the same type of thing. What 3D package are you using? I use Pro/E and have designed some parts for the FD but having them made at low quantity is expensive in the US and I don't have any "connections".

 

Chuck, this is total

If you are that cheep that you can't (or won't) pay the twenty bucks for a used air box then you are too cheep to actually make an idea work. My sugestion to you is to use the one from YOUR car and please don't waist our time with your pipe dreams.

 

No, I do not want a knock off, what for. and hey I dont mind paying for the box, Im not looking for a handout. Ive never been cheap, look at what Im driving. Considering the number of members in this forum, I was hoping to find someone who had those pieces gathering dust in the garage. Maybe the wife is getting tired of tripping over all the junk you have accumulated in the garage or it going to the dump. Im not looking to mass produce these. But if there was an interest in these the cost of tooling and manufacturing can be spread out . Im willing to share my time, my knowledge, expertise, and skills to develop a product that I can share with those of you that might be interested in a unique product for OUR JAPANESE CARS. At this point Im still using the stock box in my car and I want to continue driving my car until Im ready with a product or have bought one from the currently marketed ones available. perhaps it is a pipe dream from your standpoint. but I have to wonder, do you have dreams other than wet ones. would you tell us if you did.

I do appreciate ALL the feedback and dont mind a little sparring to keep my chops up.

Im using Solidworks 2004, Cadkey99 and Fastsurf, Mastercam. Most of the work I do is freeform surface modeling, very little cookie cutter stuff.

 

Damn - stock airbox is $450 from the dealer? I was about to sell mine for a lot less than that. I dont think so anymore!

Thanks turbojeff

 

The problem is Steve that everyone pulls them out and puts aftermarket intakes in there so they aren't really worth much.

A stock door panel (interior) runs about $1100 ea. Interior 1/4 panel trim is about $450. Can't get nearly that for them though.

Jeff

 

A3Dcadman, I may be able to help you get what you are looking for. Let me know if you are interested. tlbtalk@msn.com

 

I have an airbox but the elbow going into the front is gone and one of the smaller nipples on the back is broken off. I also have an air duct I am not using. I am going on a trip this next week and wont be back home until mid march. If you dont mind the wait I will ship that stuff to you just to get it out of my back yard, as long as you cover shipping costs. Otherwise it is going in the dumpster soon.

 

Sup, I've got a stock airbox in the Seattle area, PM if you're interested.

Laters,
Edgardo