Alpine

i just installed my rb intake, it wasn't exactly bolt on like i imagined, i had to cut the stock intercooler duct and have to seal everything with silicon???

right now i'm at the final step to finish the relay box, i bent the right arm to 90degrees and mount it on one of the intercooler bolts, is that correct way to mount it? please look at the picture and let me know if you did it the same way

also the relay box holder arm on the left side, did you guys cut it off or just leave it there?

Alpine

right relaybox arm, is this the correct way to attach it?

Alpine

left relay box arm, do you guys cut it off?

badass7

Bend that metal piece straight and it is held by that screw on the airbox. Also, screw down that right side as well. Other than that....looks like a clean job.

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

Of all the intake upgrade options available today, the RB inlect duct is a piece of crap. I had one back in 1994 along with the K&N filter. I soon junked it for my own design that did not take air from the IC and breathed almost as good as the current M2 box.


People, do not waste your time and money on this duct!

SleepR1

I've had mine for 3 years...have no complaints with the performance. It does steal air from the intercooler, but so does the stock duct! The RB duct does a better job of it

The most significant difference with the RB duct is turbo spool-up time. It's much faster than stock.

I imagine that the RB duct might be a liability during a very hot day at a low speed autocross (with a run lasting 20 minutes or so), where you're winding the motor out to redline (2nd gear, 60 mph?), but aren't going fast enough to ram more cool air into the intercooler than the RB duct is taking away. As most autocross runs aren't that long, and you seldom stay at redline, 2nd gear for very long, there shouldn't be any worries.

For high speed track events, I suspect 130 mph of rammed air into the IC duct is more than making up for the RB's increased efficiency in stealing cooling air from the IC duct.

misdbman

I drilled a new hole on the horizontal part of the intercooler bracket so the relay box sits perfectly horizontal. No bending of the relay brackets. Left side left the arm on and attached the RB bracket piece to the now horizontal part of the tab to the air box: http://adornedmerchandise.com/Mazda/...Bumper0004.jpg

Sealing it with silicon is a mistake - makes getting it off a bitch. I needed to get it off to put on the RB intercooler straps and later again to fix a bad radiator fan. I used a blade to cut it back apart and used foam insulation tape to seal it instead.

Alpine

the relaybox is really confusing, how am i suppose to do it?

the plastic relaybox arm will be on the left side correct? and the metal piece that you are suppose to bend will be on the right side correct? this is with me facing the engine bay.

now how do I attached the left one to the bolt that holds the airbox down? rb only gave me one link piece...

and where do i attach the right metal arm? i bent it 90deg so it's horizontal now.

thanks, some close up pictures will help alot.

Randy

misdbman

I'd like to give you more pictures but I am having trouble with my PC camera setup after moving (2 car garage now ).

I see now where you got the unbend idea from (http://www.mazdatrix.com/faq/93duct.htm). Based on their instructions I think you have it right.

I didn't like their instructions so I mounted the right bracket about 3/4 between the 2 plastic fasteners on the intercooler brace. I did not bend mine and just laid the relay box where it wanted to go then drilled a hole for a black metal screw. On the right I drilled into the now horizontal part of the relay bracket and tapped a metal screw. Then I used the RB metal bracket to attach to the air box.

I don't want to get into an argument about the effectiveness of the duct, but I did notice a large difference in how the motor spooled up. It is a good mod for the sub $100 that it is. How many mods will give you the same amount of kick for the $$$ ? Of course you could just overpay one of the tuners for a box with 2 cheap K&N conicals...

That said, it works fine for me. I see no need to upgrade to another intake until forced by upgrading the intercooler.

PaulyDee

I agree, this duct is a bad $100 spent. It might add flow to the intake but at the expense of the intercooler. Not worth the gain. Plus serviceability goes right in the garbage because you have to tear up all the sealant eveytime you have to remove the airbox.

Money is better spent elsewhere.

Paul