What's the worst that could happen? (self-install or not?)

[Laconian]

Hey guys,

I've decided to purchase an intake kit for my Miata for the engine sound effects and +6hp (according to SCM). The one I am looking at won an intake comparo (see http://www.racingbeat.com/intake.htm , http://www.racingbeat.com/intake_review.htm ).

I'd like to do a self install (how braindead simple can this be?), but the only caveat is that I have to remount the cruise control unit with an included bracket to make room for it. So... what's the worst that could happen if I botched the install of this intake? I'm only just a little anxious because all my other adventures under the hood were supervised by my former roommate, a college-certified automotive engineer.

[etypeJohn]

Hey guys,

I've decided to purchase an intake kit for my Miata for the engine sound effects and +6hp (according to SCM). The one I am looking at won an intake comparo (see http://www.racingbeat.com/intake.htm , http://www.racingbeat.com/intake_review.htm ).

I'd like to do a self install (how braindead simple can this be?), but the only caveat is that I have to remount the cruise control unit with an included bracket to make room for it. So... what's the worst that could happen if I botched the install of this intake? I'm only just a little anxious because all my other adventures under the hood were supervised by my former roommate, a college-certified automotive engineer.

Just my opinion, don't take it personally.

The 6hp you will never notice.  Does the seller provide before and after  HP curves.  I bet the delta is mainly at the highest RPM's where you seldome go.

The noise?  Why do you want the car to be noisier?  You want noisier, put a lower restriction exhaust in it. 

[Laconian]

Here's the dyno from the manufacturer on the same make of Miata as mine: http://www.racingbeat.com/PDF/56501.pdf This has more or less been confirmed by reviews on miata.net and SCM.  One thing that the dyno shows that my butt accelerometer attests to is that the engine runs out of pull at higher RPMs, which I actually do venture into on a semi-regular basis (more for the sound than the fury of it all... Miatas don't have too much fury on tap.) Also... +6 hp is a >6% difference in my car!

As for why I'm looking at this instead of exhaust:
* loudness increases sensation of speed; driving a Miata is a placebo for actually going fast in the first place
* loud exhausts are antisocial IMO
* I *like* a good intake growl
* ...and this will be a lot easier to disassemble and replace with stock parts when I decide to sell the car.
*

[Pancor]

Unless you're a butcher, I can't see much going wrong.? Say you mount the cruise module improperly, your cruise might not work until someone fixes it for you, thats it!

[The Pirate]

Yeah, that's a simple enough install that it wouldn't be catastrophic if you messed something up.  Besides, doing it is how you learn!  I had no idea what I was doing when I've done work on my cars.  I just went outside with a chunk of free time, some tools, and access to another car (this is important if you have to run to a store to pick up some parts).  Go for it!

[r0tor]

racing beat usually gives very detailed instructions with pictures for installing their products

While i personally believe much of their product line is a bit overhyped, they do make quality pieces.

[Laconian]

This isn't a CAI, so need I be worried about overheating/knocking? (Hottest it gets here is 100 in the summer, and I don't have A/C on my car)

[The Pirate]

This isn't a CAI, so need I be worried about overheating/knocking? (Hottest it gets here is 100 in the summer, and I don't have A/C on my car)

No, that won't be an issue.  Overheating would be related to your radiator/cooling system, which the intake won't conflict with.

[Rupert]

Here's the dyno from the manufacturer on the same make of Miata as mine: http://www.racingbeat.com/PDF/56501.pdf This has more or less been confirmed by reviews on miata.net and SCM.  One thing that the dyno shows that my butt accelerometer attests to is that the engine runs out of pull at higher RPMs, which I actually do venture into on a semi-regular basis (more for the sound than the fury of it all... Miatas don't have too much fury on tap.) Also... +6 hp is a >6% difference in my car!

As for why I'm looking at this instead of exhaust:
* loudness increases sensation of speed; driving a Miata is a placebo for actually going fast in the first place
* loud exhausts are antisocial IMO
* I *like* a good intake growl
* ...and this will be a lot easier to disassemble and replace with stock parts when I decide to sell the car.

No need... I'll buy it.



(Just give me a few years to save the money. )

[Laconian]

Assuming I don't get wreck the car from all my h4wt m0dz first!!!1

All's I want are some simple bolt-on modifications and good tires.

[S204STi]

Just make sure that you replace any and all gaskets that you run into, or else you could end up with a rough-running engine and possibly even a lean condition which is potentially hazardous.  But don't let that scare you, I am just letting you know what to avoid when yo do it.  And the job itself should be straightforward on one of those.  If this were a transverse 3800 I would tell you differently.

[S204STi]

BTW, I didn't know you were a moderator!  Congrats if that is a new position, or if you always have been and I didn't notice...nevermind.

[Secret Chimp]

You just need to be careful about the linkage leading off of the cruise control unit. If it's mechanical like mine, there's this little bellows that tugs on a second throttle cable. Just make sure you don't kink that or any vacuum hoses leading to the round horn-shaped part, you should be fine.

[Tave]

My friend, who loves cars but has little knowledge of their parts, was able to install a CAI on his Integra GSR in a couple hours. If he could do it, a trained monkey could.

Bang away.

[Rupert]

He's been a mod since... forever.

Check out Keith from Flying Miata's book. It's got a lot of common stuff, from oil changes and HLAs to timing belts and (I think) suspension modification. Waaay better than a Haynes; it has color photos! I gave mine to my uncle when he bought the car.

[S204STi]

He's been a mod since... forever.

Check out Keith from Flying Miata's book. It's got a lot of common stuff, from oil changes and HLAs to timing belts and (I think) suspension modification. Waaay better than a Haynes; it has color photos! I gave mine to my uncle when he bought the car.

Oh jesus....

[Laconian]

I'm doing a little more due diligence on Google, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy this sucker. If a trained monkey can do it, then maybe there's hope for me.

I should splice together a before/after video comparing the engine soundtracks...

[sportyaccordy]

Just my opinion, don't take it personally.

The 6hp you will never notice. Does the seller provide before and after HP curves. I bet the delta is mainly at the highest RPM's where you seldome go.

The noise? Why do you want the car to be noisier? You want noisier, put a lower restriction exhaust in it.

A loud intake is much better than a loud exhaust because an intake only gets loud when you floor it, as opposed to the drone of a loud exhaust.

[Laconian]

Ordered from Racing Beat.

Now I need to cover my window with horsepower-adding stickers.

[Rupert]

And a wing; don't forget the wing...

[mazda6er]

And a wing; don't forget the wing...

He's right, you know. How you can expect to be taken seriously without a wing is beyond me. Back to the drawing board, rook.

[Raza]

I think the absolute worst thing that could happen is that you tear a hole in the time-space continuum and end the world as we know it.  It's rare, but it has happened.

[AutobahnSHO]

I think the absolute worst thing that could happen is that you tear a hole in the time-space continuum and end the world as we know it.? It's rare, but it has happened.

Proof??

[Soup DeVille]

Proof??

The problem with proving the existence of space-time tears is that they almost always simultaneously create a parrelel universe in which no space time tear happened at the exact moment in time.

Its better not to think of these as tears anyways, but as intersection points of parrelel lines.

[Rupert]

Or parallel planes, at that.

[Onslaught]

Putting this item on should be a snap. Looks like you got a good one and it was one of the ones I looked at before making my mind up to go with a supercharger. Jackson Racing cool air induction makes a little more power but is WAY over price and I hear that after a few years the plastic becomes brittle. And the Flying Miata one is supposed to be the overall best but you have to cut you your cowl so I wouldn't want to do something like that.

As for performance exhaust being noisy that's not always true. I've been around MX-5's with a complete Racing Beat header, converter and  muffler and they sound great. They don't have the fart can sound or make much more noise than a stock system. Stay away from the Jackson Racing one because I put down some serious cash on one and the tip is a little too big and the sound can be rather bad. But it did make a difference.

[AutobahnSHO]

The problem with proving the existence of space-time tears is that they almost always simultaneously create a parrelel universe in which no space time tear happened at the exact moment in time.

Its better not to think of these as tears anyways, but as intersection points of parrelel lines.

So what you're saying is don't buy the generic version??

[etypeJohn]

A loud intake is much better than a loud exhaust because an intake only gets loud when you floor it, as opposed to the drone of a loud exhaust.

That depends on the exhaust.  I'm not talking about fart pipes.

[sparkplug]

I suggest a jet engine on the back like the batmobile. I know it's a minor modification but it should give you good acceleration.

[Soup DeVille]

So what you're saying is don't buy the generic version??

I'm not even sure what the generic version is.