Here is an update on the EssentialSpeed.com cold-air intake:
We have determined that it will fit all 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8L Proteges.
Ive had the sytem on my car now for 3 days and notice significant throttle response in the low RPMs for 1/2 gear and higher end for 3/4 (no change in 5 gear).
The noise that the intake produces is consistent with that of most aftermarket intakes.
Installation time should be about an hour or so.
These pics were taken with just a 'brushed' finished, although powdercoating, polished ceramic coating and chrome coating are also available (at an additional cost). With the coatings, the welds are NOT visable (unless requested).
Coloured coupling will be on the finshed product as will the 'nub' for the vaccuum hose going from the valve cover to the intake.

(A copy of the original thread concering this intake is below the pics or you can click -->HERE!<-- )





Hey everyone!
As part of the R&D team at a shop here in Cambridge, Ontario (near Toronto) called Essential Speed (www.essentialspeed.com) I am pleased to announce the arrival of our COLD-AIR intake.

When looking at available "intake" systems for our motor, we are very limited in choices. There is of course the intake from Ractive which is nothing more than a pipe that someone said, " Oh look! this fits!" coupled with a very sub-par filter. The other option is Weapon*R. This system again, is just a pipe that fits (most likely a flipped 99-00 Si intake) that uses a FOAM filter. Who wants to clean their filter every other day? Oh, and dont forget the VERY hefty price tag. And again, both of the intakes are only SHORT-RAM system that do nothing other than look good and give you some noise.


The ES system not a short ram intake, but actually relocates the filter down behind the bumper (from where the factory system draws its air from.

This intake system is constructed out of 2.5" 304 Stainless Steel (3" also available) and has Mandrel bends to ensure maximum air flow. The intake is TIG welded to prevent breakage in problem areas. This system is pre-tested and fitted to ensure problem free install and to maintain all clearances. This system utilizes an authentic K&N Invert filter and includes all necessary clamps and hardware. As well, this intake is CERAMIC COATED to help repell heat and keep your air charge cool...plus it looks great too!

ES is making quite a name here in Canada (and U.S. aswell) for its 3rd gen Protege turbo kit. ES is belived to be one of the first on the scene with turbo kit. Owner/operator Kevin Liphard has been welding pipe for almost 15 years under the same codes, all x-ray welded. ES is capable of building a variety of products such as custom 304 Stainless Steel Exhaust systems, Turbo kits FOR ANY AND ALL VEHICLES, Fuel and Ignition tuning with either "piggy back" or Stand Alone ECU's. Adding up to an additional 30% in HP.

This intake system will run $300 CDN plus shipping. Pics are going to be taken this Thursday and should be up this weekend sometime. The intake is available NOW.

For sales or questions, please contact myself at MZDASPD@sympatico.ca or Kevin at info@essentialspeed.com

 

Is there a place where to plug in Air Temp Sensor any where on the pipes. I am referring to 97-98 1.5L models. Thanks.

 

Ok you said that it would cost 300 CDN. Well how much would it cost for us US folks??? Do you know of any place that sell the black rubber couplings!!! for a reasonable price!!! Also since we have made it this far as to get someone to make a cold air intake for us...has anyone talked to anyone about making a front mount intake system!!!??? I don't know how benifical they are but they look tight and they look as though they get a lot of air!!!!

 

When purchasing the kit for the 1.5/6, since the kits are all hand made, a hole for the air intake sensor will be put on the pipe (as will the 'nub' for the vaccuum hose from the intake to the valve cover).

$300 CDN is about $225 USD (plus shipping which is dependant on where you live)

The couplings that will be included in the kit can be ANY colour you wish (including black).

If there is enough demand (cause I would like one too), I could easily turn this kit from a CAI into a FMI (Frount mount). I dont know what the additional cost would be though. For now, it will be as it is...

Email myself (mzdaspd@sympatico.ca) or Kevin from EssentialSpeed (info@essentialspeed.com) for ordering info.

 

does the FMI actually do any better? it seems like it would.... i'd be pretty interested in that one also...

but i admit what you have so far looks freakin awesome already

 

FMI [i]can[i] be better, however, it does come with its share of problems though (which the CAI doesnt):
1) gets gummed up with bugs, dirt, etc and destroyed by rocks. This is why WRC cars have TOP-MOUNT intercoolers as oposed to FMI
2) not good in the winter as ice froms and blocks the intake



Also, we are installing the intake on a 1.5 tomorrow so I should have pics of that in the next day or two!

 

ok for one of those problems could you take screen that you would use on a house window and get silver or paint it silver and then put it infront of the intake... that way the bugss wouldn't go through and the rocks would have longer time to get to it... Also about the WRX Doesn't that get less power since its on the top????

 

He's talking about WRC, (world rally championships) not the subaru. And if you're talking about the intakes that look like FMI's then thats your decision to try and trick people into thinking your car is turbocharged. I think thats lame but if you're only about show then to each there own.

 

oh...ok my bad ...I thought thats what he said. Now I'm about show right now..but I'm trying to save up and do some motor mods...but them things arent cheap. Plus I thought that it was better (fmi) I wasn't really trying to trick someone into thinking that I was turbocharged...cause if I was to get one of those front mount intakes ...it would sit behind my billet grill so You wouldn't even notice. But I might just keep my short ram air intake. thanks alot for the info though..

 

understood, but those have the "look" of a fmi, but they really are not. There purpose is just that, to look like an intercooler. So if you couldn't even see it behind you're billet grill theres no real point. I've seen people buy those knockoffs and put them on there dsm (eclipse) and put a gsx badge on the back, so i can't help but shake my head in disgust at that, oh yeah and civics too, can't forget about them.

 

yea I see where you comming from...people do that all the time...that is rice!!!! But if it doesn't give any extra performance from it then I probably wont get it...

 

I see that there is a bypass filter i believe into the valve cover. just curious 'cause i never knew the purpose or difference between the use of that and the hose connection. Also how far down is the filter looks like its behind the turn signal in the bumper. if its way down there, then theres no need for a heat shield.

 

The breather filter is so that the dirty gases from the valve cover dont circulate back into your throttle body. This is NOT CARB LEGAL!
As far as the filter, it goes WAAAAYYYYY down! All the way too the bottom. Its way below the turn signal. Its down under your powersteering resovoir. Its past the fan too so its not drawing air off of that and no, you wont need a heat shield!


Also, we discovered that 100% the intake will fit on ALL 3 engine sizes. However, this intake WILL NOT fit on automatics. Do not fret, however, as we built (and test fit) a SEPERATE intake for the 1.5/6/8l motors with an automatic tranny. I should have pics up by this time tomorrow!!! So, be sure to indicate when ordering whether you have an auto or a manual transmission!

 

Here is a pic of the intake for an automatic 1.5L.. i was the test subject for this one.. great job.. thats all i gotta say!



i have more of other angles if you wanna see em..

 

post more pics of the automatic version