5 Reasons You Need The Cold Air Box Intake System for the 2019+ Mazda 3 Non-Turbo

The CorkSport Cold Air Box for the 2019+ Mazda 3 has finally arrived!  Long awaited since the introduction of the CorkSport Short Ram Intake for the non-Turbo Mazda 3, CX30 and CX50; the Cold Air Box is ready to team up with your SRI and give you the increased performance from cooler ambient air that you’ve been looking for.  

Installed for the Best Cold Air Intake Box

Designed For Performance

Designed specifically for the non-turbo models in conjunction with the CorkSport Short Ram Intake; this creates a complete performance cold air intake system that bolts in with ease.  

To maximize potential airflow AND keep the hot engine bay air away from the intake we incorporated the OEM intake snorkel and opened the airbox end to take in cooler ambient air from the fender area.  

Mazda 3 2019 and newer cold air intake box

Here you can see the open end of the CorkSport Airbox providing full airflow to the filter from the fender area and the opening on the front of the airbox for the snorkel to interface.  The result is maximum airflow and minimal hot air from the engine and radiator.  

Cold Air Box illustration of air flow

Tested & Approved

To validate this design we did on car testing in real-world situations.  Below you will see a graph showing air intake temperature of the CorkSport SRI only vs the CorkSport SRI + Cold Air Box.    Both tests use the same car and begin testing with an up-to-temp car in approximately 80 degF sunny weather.  

Cold Air Intake Data for the Mazda CS Air Box

The testing starts with a 5 minute idle period to simulate sitting in traffic or staging line at a drag race.  This is the “heat soaking” that is so commonly mentioned in social media channels.  After that, the car is moderately accelerated to 50mph which pushes fresh ambient air into the intake snorkel and fender area.  You can see that in both stationary and moving testing, the cold air box keeps intake air temperatures cooler by approximately 10 degF.  

CorkSport Installed on CX30 Cold Air Box

Efficient & Responsive

Is a cold air box necessary for your Mazda already equipped with the CorkSport Short Ram Intake?  No, but the cold air box WILL help your engine breathe easier, run more efficiently and feel more powerful and responsive in all driving situations.  It will help make your Mazda even more fun to drive, which is why we all do this!  

Mazda 3 Cold air box

Built CS Strong

Now let’s talk about the construction of the CorkSport Airbox.  CAD designed and manufactured via a rotor molding process allows us to create very unique shapes that can fit in the engine bay.  The material is XDPE plastic that is very durable and resilient to engine bay temperatures and chemicals.  In fact, it’s the same material we use for our Mazdaspeed Fender Fuel Cell and the 4th GEN Mazda 3 Turbo Inlet Pipe.  The translucent cover is a grey/brown tinted acrylic material that is durable and looks fantastic in the engine bay.  

Mazda CX50 cold air box installed

With the removable cover, servicing is super quick and easy, so you don’t have to remove the entire airbox just to clean your air filter. 

CorkSport Care & Support

Lastly, like all CorkSport performance parts, you receive color step-by-step instructions, all the needed installation hardware, and support from our knowledgeable team at CS HQ.  Thanks for checking out the latest and greatest from CorkSport!  

Connect with us

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and product updates from CorkSport.

* indicates required

You may also like

4th GEN Mazda 3 Short Ram Intake

4th Gen Mazda 3 Power

We are proud to announce our first product specifically for the 4th GEN (2019+) Mazda 3 CorkSport Short Ram Intake. Gain horsepower, torque, and some much-needed sound from your 2.5L SkyActiv-G in only about 30 short minutes. Features include an AEM dry-flow filter, a billet machined MAF housing, a custom-designed reinforced silicone coupler, and stainless steel T-bolt clamps that combine to be a great and simple upgrade for your new MZ3. Read on for more details!

Increase horsepower in your 2019+ Mazda 3 with the easy to install Intake
CS Short Ram Intake

We’ll admit this intake has been a bit of a challenge since Mazda has switched to a new style of MAF sensor that is very sensitive to changing the intake. We’re happy to report that we’ve figured everything out and have had 5 Mazda 3 cars successfully testing the short ram intake for hundreds of miles with no issues. Now, onto the fun stuff!

Stay Up-to-date with CorkSport   


Let’s jump right into the fun stuff: power! By removing the restrictive factory intake and filter, and replacing them with the CorkSport SRI, we were able to pick up 5-7WHP and 5-7WTQ when tested back to back on our dyno. This was tested within an hour or so of each other, with no tuning changes, and with the only change being the intake swap. Check out the dynograph down below! For both intakes, the only other mod on the test car was a prototype CS axle back exhaust (coming soon!). This will not affect power gain from the intake as it was installed for both tests.

Dyno proven power gains for your 4th Gen Mazda 3
CorkSport

Power is not the only benefit though. The CS short ram intake offers a great visual boost to your engine bay. You can even personalize your intake as you can select between red, blue, and black silicone and filter as well as polished or black clamps. Appearance is not even the best part-the CorkSport Mazda 3 Short Ram Intake adds some much-needed growl to the engine to give some more excitement when you get on the gas. It’s not obnoxious, but noticeable and definitely enjoyable.

The CorkSport Gen 4 Mazda 3 SRI installs in 30 minutes
Check our 4th Gen parts selection

To make the power and great noise, each component in the CS SRI has been optimized for performance. Starting at the filter, an AEM Dry-Flow is used for fantastic airflow capacity without compromising filtration. A non-oiled filter is used specifically to prevent issues with the MAF sensor.

Next comes the billet MAF housing. We use a precision machined MAF sensor housing to ensure the diameter of the intake near the MAF sensor is an exact match to the OEM diameter. This keeps fuel trims in check and keeps the check engine light off. A billet MAF housing has the added benefit of looking great, especially when finished off with an attractive laser-etched logo.

We have 3 color options available for the 2019+ Mazda 3 intake
CorkSport Short Ram Intake

The MAF housing connects to the throttle body with a custom-designed and reinforced silicone coupler. It is a perfect fit with the OEM throttle body and valve cover vent hose while the four layers of nylon braiding keep the silicone strong for years to come. This piece of silicone has the added benefit of being completely smooth on the inside versus the accordion OEM rubber piece. This helps promote flow into your engine.

Finally, all of the components are tied together with stainless steel T-bolt clamps. These clamps offer superior sealing characteristics over a traditional worm gear clamp and are not prone to stripping like a worm gear clamp.

Mazda3 Gen 4 Performance Air Intake System
CorkSport SRI

The CorkSport GEN4 Mazda 3 Short Ram Intake is finally here and it’s a great upgrade to start getting your 2019+ 3 to perform as good as it looks. Be sure to check out the product listing and video and don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions!

Connect with us

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and product updates from CorkSport.

* indicates required

You may also like

Mazda 6 Turbo and CX-9 Short Ram Intake

That’s right, it’s time to start making more power on the SkyActiv 2.5T. We are proud to introduce the CorkSport Power Series Short Ram Intake for 2018+ Mazda 6 equipped with the 2.5 Turbo Engine and 2016+ Mazda CX-9. We replaced the restrictive factory airbox with a free-flowing intake system that was designed to help your turbo breathe significantly better. The SRI offers better performance, sound, and looks in an easy-to-install package. Read on for full details, and be sure not to miss the sound clips in the video below!

The SRI Kit overview

This CorkSport Short Ram Intake was designed specifically to get the best the 2018+ Mazda 6 2.5T and 2016+ Mazda CX9 have to offer. From the precision machined MAF housing to the high-flowing filter, each component in the CS intake system offers an improvement over the stock counterpart while retaining great fit and finish. All mounting hardware, brackets, and clamps are included to make your installation quick and painless.

Short ram intake kit for mazda 6 & cx-9

Starting at the OEM turbo inlet pipe, the factory airbox utilizes a ribbed and flexible rubber elbow. While working well enough, the ribs induce significant turbulence into the intake tract. The CorkSport short ram intake replaces this elbow with a smooth-flowing silicone elbow. In addition, the silicone is 4-ply reinforced with nylon to eliminate any chance for volume reduction under wide open throttle.

Short ram intake elbow tube

Next comes the MAF sensor housing. The MAF sensor essentially reads the volume of air that is entering the engine so the ECU can adjust tuning to suit. Since the OEM unit does a good job here, it was imperative that the CS MAF housing matches to ensure no check engine lights or tuning issues. The CorkSport MAF housing is precision machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum to match the OEM housing to ensure no CELs, no tuning issues, and great flow.

 CorkSport MAF housing for the SRI kit

Finally, the CS SRI uses a performance AEM dry-flow filter. A high-quality filter like this is long-lasting, reliable, and can be washed and reused. It has superior filtration to the OEM filter, while also allowing more airflow into the intake tract.

Filter for the CorkSport Short Ram Intake

Now for what you’re all interested in: power gains. By removing the restrictive OEM airbox and turbulent intake elbow, we were able to pick up 5-16whp and 7-23wtq through the rpm range. This power bump comes with no tuning changes and with identical testing conditions. Check out the dyno graph below to see for yourself! Note: the variance in low RPM (2800 and lower) is due to difficulties associated with dyno testing an automatic vehicle.

Dynograph data for the short ram intake

Freeing up a few extra ponies is great but what you will really notice is the added engine and turbocharger noise. That restrictive airbox does a little bit too good of a job at dampening out all the fun sounds that come with a turbo. We were honestly a little surprised by the flutters, whooshes, and psshh noises that come with the CorkSport SRI. You also gain a little extra engine induction noise under hard acceleration. The extra noise is enough to be fun when you want it but not annoying or distracting when you don’t. Watch the video below to see what it sounds like.

Watch the Product video for the Short Ram Intake

Stay Up-to-date with CorkSport   


As with most CorkSport products, this SRI kit comes with all the clamps, hardware, and even a support bracket for the MAF housing to ensure you have an easy and quick install.

The CorkSport SRI for 2018+ MZ6 2.5T & 2016+ CX-9 is a great modification whether it’s your first or just the latest on a long list of builds. It provides a noticeable power gain, adds some extra fun to your ride, and will support future mods down the road. Pick up yours today!

Be sure to contact us with any questions you may have, we will be happy to help!

Connect with us

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and product updates from CorkSport.

* indicates required

May you also like:

My CorkSport Mods: Keith’s Mazda 3 Sport

I’ve met a lot of amazing people thanks to my Mazda 3 Sport, but Yolanda Sampson (Instagram: @bluehalogirl) is the one I blame for this addiction we call “modding.” When we met, I hadn’t done much to my car yet, just a couple minor things like tinted windows and tinted taillights. She had a feeling I’d be into meeting some more like-minded locals and invited me to a meet. We got along like only two Mazda nuts could, and it was game over for me.

Mazda 3 Sport

Continue reading “My CorkSport Mods: Keith’s Mazda 3 Sport”