Some of you might have seen this thread where this guy removed his resonator and replaced it with PVC pipe. http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?18220-Intake-Resonator-replaced-(pics-inside)
Unfortunately, now all of the pics are gone.
I decided I wanted to do something similar and took pics for some of you guys who might want to do this.
For removing the resonator, Philrab did a nice how to located here.
http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=634881
The factory opening in the airbox is 3", a little bit overkill given that the throttle body is 55 mm (2.165") or 60 mm (2.362") depending on the engine, year, and emission status. I decided to go with 2.5" piping.
Given that I can weld steel and find it easier to work with than PVC, I picked up an aluminized steel U-bend from Summit Racing. 4.25" radius bend with 12" pipe lengths on either side of the bend. Cost under $25 shipped. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-42322
Bend compared to resonator. If you shorten it up this will fit in the car without issue but you won't be able to get it as high as the resonator inlet would normally be.
![Image]()
After some cutting and tacking. I tried my best to mimic the shape of the resonator. I also found an old piece of 2.5" radiator hose I had left over from an old project.
![Image]()
Welding finished with brackets installed.
![Image]()
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After a quick coat of paint and installed in car.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
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View from inside airbox.
![Image]()
If you are wondering what I used to fit a 2.5" pipe in the 3" hold I used the insert that is included with one of these. I bought it a some time ago for my old car. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/spe-8771/overview/
The beauty of this setup is that you can remove and reinstall the airbox without having to remove the splash shield and loosen a clamp.
The car doesn't seem noticeably noisier after doing this. The verdict is out on performance but gas mileage seems to have improved.:huh:
Nobody seems to have any really detailed pics of the resonator so I though I would take some. As you can see it really isn't restrictive at all. If I had known this I probably wouldn't have replaced it but given that I already had the bend I decided to just do it.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Unfortunately, now all of the pics are gone.
I decided I wanted to do something similar and took pics for some of you guys who might want to do this.
For removing the resonator, Philrab did a nice how to located here.
http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=634881
The factory opening in the airbox is 3", a little bit overkill given that the throttle body is 55 mm (2.165") or 60 mm (2.362") depending on the engine, year, and emission status. I decided to go with 2.5" piping.
Given that I can weld steel and find it easier to work with than PVC, I picked up an aluminized steel U-bend from Summit Racing. 4.25" radius bend with 12" pipe lengths on either side of the bend. Cost under $25 shipped. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-42322
Bend compared to resonator. If you shorten it up this will fit in the car without issue but you won't be able to get it as high as the resonator inlet would normally be.
After some cutting and tacking. I tried my best to mimic the shape of the resonator. I also found an old piece of 2.5" radiator hose I had left over from an old project.
Welding finished with brackets installed.
After a quick coat of paint and installed in car.
View from inside airbox.
If you are wondering what I used to fit a 2.5" pipe in the 3" hold I used the insert that is included with one of these. I bought it a some time ago for my old car. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/spe-8771/overview/
The beauty of this setup is that you can remove and reinstall the airbox without having to remove the splash shield and loosen a clamp.
The car doesn't seem noticeably noisier after doing this. The verdict is out on performance but gas mileage seems to have improved.:huh:
Nobody seems to have any really detailed pics of the resonator so I though I would take some. As you can see it really isn't restrictive at all. If I had known this I probably wouldn't have replaced it but given that I already had the bend I decided to just do it.
