NZConvertible, So do you think if I drive moderately I should be ok for a week or two until I can make a cold air box? Or should I really put the stock box back on right away? I live in Washington so the outside air isn't really that hot at all.

 

people run hot air cone intakes all the time... you just really arent getting the most out of the mod, and if your engine is running near detonation it could be a bad thing... but if your engine is running still around stock fuel ratios (which i belive are rather conservative to keep the engines from grenading themselves), you should be ok for a while... but i would fix it sooner than later... cuz more power is better

 

you can run a cone intake for as long as you want. A cold air box would be better for power but it is not needed. I am trying to replicate the CAI from checpoint and sell it for less

 

I got 3mm Apex Seals and 89-91 Lightweight Rotors on my 88 SE if that helps me at all from detonation. What is detonation and how can I check the fuel/air ratio for my car?

 

Detonation is the ignition of the air/fuel mix before the spark plug fires. It's caused by the mixture reaching it's auto-ignition temperature and exploding very violently. It usually results in cracked apex seals and an expensive engine rebuilt. Obviously it should be avoided at all costs...

Stock engines can suffer detonatation if you get everything hot enough. I'm not talking about coolant temps, I mean the heat soak caused by hard driving and/or driving in very hot ambient conditions. The hotter the air is when it enters the engine, the closer the air/fuel mix will be to the point of detonation. The lower its temp is, the bigger the safety margin. Mazda fitted the big plastic snorkel for a reason.

Unless you're really giving your car a hard time you'll probably be OK with an exposed pod filter in the engine bay. But all that heat is negating a lot of the gains from installing the pod, so it really isn't worth putting one on if you're just going to leave it exposed. Anyone running a highly modified engine (particularly a boosted turbo) is asking for trouble by not keeping intake temps down.

 

You should really keep that dubious bit of advice to yourself. Your mildly-tuned NA might be OK, but other cars might not.

 

How can I check the fuel/air ratio for my car?

 

On a dyno equipped with a wide-band A/F meter.

 

I'll add my 2 cents worth as well. I put in the Bonex intake without any box. I can definetetly fell the difference when I run hard with the hood all the way down vs unlatched but still hooked(1 in gap).
At the drag strip I tried this theory out, and I went about a 1/2 second faster with the hood slightly up on a hot day in St. Louis.

The best would be a cold air intake coming directly in from the outside air, either in front or underneath. The "RAM" effect does work.

Ideas on the best way to get the outside air in on the 2nd gens?

 

1987RX7guy can't wait to see the finish product.

 

Yup, his product will solve the whole cold air box thing, Ill have to get one from him.

 

www.corksport.com.....true ram air effect

 

I really wouldn't call the corksport a true ram air system, as there is way to much crap in the air's path. If you removed the whole headlight assembly, then it would be closer to ram air. And the price?

The reality is that a cold air system has to do 2 things, 1)get cold air in, and 2) keep hot air out. You can achieve this by either putting the filter in a place where hot air isn't a problem, and cod air is abundant (like 1987rx7guy is doing) or you can build a box to keep hot air out, and duct the cold air into it - as I did. They both have their positives and negaitives, but they both achieve the same result.

Personally, I love the setup. By putting the PVC ducting in the airflow at the front of the car I get a shitload of air into my box, and the power gains and improved throttle response is noticeable. In all, IF YOU DO IT PROPERLY a cold air system really is worth it.

 

Well Nicks car is the one the he has now. It has a ported engine with the dame exhaust I have and a cond filter also. Basically it is my car with a street port and a better clutch. I see no reason why his car will mess up. If it was a TII then he probably should get a box for it as hotter air is more dangerous to them.

 

I am also very excited about this one.

I see no difference in that product and a cold air box. First of all the hood comes down and has a rubber strip that makes a seal sortof then there is that big metal wal in frot of it. I see no area where enough air willl get into that area without cutting or a large duct. For anyone that has make CF parts they will know that the price they want for it is WAY out there and they are making 100's in profit.