FC3S.org only has a write up for an S5 and the link given for the S4 buildup doesn't work. Anyone? And I refuse to spend $125 for a Mariah box.

 

Make a template out of cardboard. Take that template to a local sheet metal, or metal fabrication shop ask nicely and they can probably make it in a few minutes.

 

Do as he said but you can just go to home depot and get some sheet metal, trace it and cut it out with tin snips. I did it for mine. While your at HD go to the AC section and get some foam to go on top to to seal it against the hood and also get some aluminum tape for the corners.

 

wouldnt sheet metal get hot from sitting in the engine compartment? my friends is plastic stuffs which i would think wouldnt grab the heat as much as metal.

sorry if im wrong, and if i am i will be making one

 

Would it be ok to just use the carboard one?

 

Don't worry, it won't be a problem. Plastic is also OK as long as it's a type of plastic that can stand up to 155-160degF temps.
The Mariah heat shield (that is NOT a cold air box!) is a good design, it's just ridiculously priced. Use it as a basis for you own one. Once it's in place you can have a think about how you're going to duct some cold air into it.

 

I made mine starting with the cardboard mockup and then finished it with aluminum. I used one piece of aluminum bent and riveted together. The side of the box facing the engine has some reflective type tape to help keep the box cooler on the filter side. Just plan carefully and take your time. Its fairly simple.

 

I'm new to 2nd gens, so please pardon the stupid question, but where do you guys duct the air from?

 

I need to take some good pics of my set-up so you guys can try and copy it. I have went through about three different designs and the one I have now has to be the most logical way to keep cool air going to the filter. I really noticed no difference in power but the thought of it makes me feel good.

 

Here is a half *** pic.

 

I used a thin sheet of aluminum fron true value. I'm gonna make a new one out of a thicker sheet; but cutting it with snips is tough. I tried air cutters but they just chewed it up. I'll see if I can get some better pics sometime soon. I also have a 2.5 inch tube running up from the front bumper that goes into the bottom of the bos to supply fresh air. It has a 4 inch tip to catch a lil more air; then runs through that lil hole in between the radiator and the frame, then up into the bottom of the box where I added a 60 degree end piece to direct the air at the filter. The hose doesn't always go exactly where you want it to so getting a few of those plastic plumbing pieces will help get things flowing like you want them to.

 

Aluminum doesn't conduct heat too well at all. If it gets hot enough to transfer the heat to the air rushing in the intake then I think your engine is wayyy overheated. Anyways I bought some thin sheets of foam to insulate the the inside of the box as well. I have a plan of using PVC to pull some air from the front of the car into my box as well. I am going to do this to my TII instead of my NA so I will try to get pics when its done.

 

I noticed that you have the mazdatrix strut tower bar. How do you like it, do you think it was worth the extra money for it versus a cusco for example.

 

Who killed my pic? Nothing I hate more, than that damn red "X"

Fixed!

Oh; and I love the strut brace. Deffinitely worth the extra dough. It stiffined up the front 10 fold. A freind of mine has just a regular strut brace and he said he could barely feel a difference, but I felt a huge inprovement. I have a vert so that may change the effects of it though.

 

Here's a pic someone posted a while back. You'd need to slightly relocate the fuel pump relay/resistor (turbo only) and enlarge the hole the wires come through.

 

hehe pardon my dumb question also, what do you do about that thing sucking water when its wet out?

 

Avoid river crossings...
Seriously, water spray is not an issue. It probably wouldn't make it up the duct and even if it made it into the engine, it will do no harm. It's only large amounts of liquid (as opposed to droplets or a spray) that should be avoided.

 

I don't think it would suck enough water for you to worry about

that's some bigass pipe
if it got submerged, engine would probably stall before being able to suck water up a pipe that big, or air would leak in from elsewhere

 

k thanks, im in hawaii so we get a bit of rain but no river crossings. also, does that pipe just run to the box or is it actually connected to the intake?

 

Up to you. The best solution is to build a totally sealed box with your filter in it, conected to the AFM and fed by your cold air duct. But that's a lot more work. Just pop it through the hole and make sure you heat shield seals the area off from the rest of the engine bay as much much as practical, so that most of the air sucked into the filter is through your duct.