Project MX-3 - STEP 9

Fresh Air Intake

During our dyno tests of ProjectMx3 we have noticed that significant power is lost when we close the hood. The open filter system sucks in hot air from the engine bay and reduces power output by 10 HP on our project car. By relocating the air filter and ducting fresh air we will retrieve the power lost during normal operation.

We also expect increased power at high speeds due the ram air effect.



As you can see from the picture we ducted the air filter into the pocket behind and below the driver side headlight. We used the HKS 6" filter we had already installed. A K&N cone style filter could also be used in this location. This area is more or less shaped like a box. The fresh air flow is restricted in this "box" unless modifications are made. We cut sheet metal in the area shown in the pictures below to supply fresh air.The air duct in the Mazdaspeed nose actually exposes the bottom 1/3 of the hole in the picture. In order to make this system as efficient as possible we ran ducting from the bumper to the hole to effectively use the entire hole we cut out.


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