I just bought a Ractive Superflow Intake System at a Mazda dealer. I installed it with a friend and they said it would not void warranty. Sounds nice, better throttle response, but one very SIGNIFICANT problem is that the engine? vibrates like mad when the brake is depressed when the tranny is set to D. You can feel the vibration through the steering wheel, accelerator and the brake pedals. The idling is also more noisy. Everyone has been firmly attached with clamps, and is securely fastened. Does anyone know if this scenario is normal? As well, does anyone know any remedies for it?, without removing the system of course and will the fuel economy be worse or better? Thanks.

 

I had the exact same problem and solved it today. See this picture:

Do you see that metal thing near the throttle with the white liquid resovoir above it. It is hiding behind the sway bar. A bit below it there is a circular metal end that is very close to the tubing of your intake. When your engine brakes the torque causes everything to rotate towards the passenger. This moves the intake closer to that metal thing. When your brake is pressed, it is right up against it and the vibrating engine is vibrating the intake on the metal thing. I installed mine 5 days ago, it has managed to wear off a 1cm diameter circle on my intake. The powder coating is gone and a very small bit of the tube has been worn as well. Originally it was about 2mm from the metal thing. I moved it to about 5-6mm away buy rotating and adjusting the intake. Now when the car is in D and the brake is pressed, the engine shifts about half of the 6mm space to the metal thing. So it definately wasn't far enough before.
No more vibrating in the steering wheel, gas pedal or brake pedal. Problem solved. Unfortunately there is a circle of no paint on my intake but it is underneith and behind where noone can see it unless they look for it closely. At least I caught it before it wore a hole in my intake pipe.
Fix this right away!

 

Thanks Man for your help, it is greatly appreciated. I have already intiated the fix, yet, I can't seem to position the intake right.

 

Canadain ractive owners, how much did you pay for your intake?

Currently AEM is $375, Injen is $465, so I'm looking at ractive as a cheap alternative.... (all I want is the cool sound and the better airflow). You guys happy with the ractive?

Thanks!

 

Hey, you are from Toronto also? I am too. I got my Ractive intake yesterday at Avante Mazda which is north of the intersection of Elgin Mills and Yonge street in Richmond Hill. So far I only know of them that sells the Ractive intake and not a generic piece of aluminum tubing and a filter, as I looked almost everywhere for a Ractive kit and they said it didn't come out yet. This kit was specially designed by a Ractive employee in Toronto. It sells for $142 tax included and was pretty easy to install. You also have to bend the bracket a bit to avoid the problem with the intake rubing with the brake resorvoir, but it's no biggie. The sound is more growly, better throttle response and you tend not to notice it until 3000rpm. It makes a nice suction sound when you turn off the ignition. However, one problem I noticed is that fuel economy suffers, even given the exact same driving conditions and style as before. This I think is due to the CPU sensing a greater amount of air intake adjusts for more gasoline spray. I don't know for sure. But if you're interested here's the number 905 780 9999. Hope it helps!

 

can you feel a hp increase with the Ractive Intake or is it just for show and sound?

 

Revs are lower, car has way more punch especially off the line, not that much more noise, still the nice VEEEEE sound past 4500K, and sounds like you done something big under the good with all the suction sound. Conclusion, great mod!

 

I have same problem. so basically I have to install intake in right position to avoid it touching that circular metal thing? what is that circular metal thing anyway?

 

THAT METAL THING IS THE BRAKE MASTER-CYLINDER!(the reservior is brake fluid)

If that thing ***** up, your brakes will go bye-bye,and that's no good.
Some people have had to cut a little(1/4 inch) off the intake pipe, but if you make sure the intake is pushed up against the throttle-body(engine) all the way, then mess with the couplers a little, it'll probably fit.
Just be sure to clear the Master cylinder by a good 1/8 inch, because the engine moves a little when you gas it.

 

oops...don't want to mess up with my brake.
when I first installed my intake I had no problem, no noise at all, but I had to reinstall it due to mounting with bracket to the where battery is.
after reinstalling my intake, I start to hear ticking noise with brake pedal vibrating when I'm at D mode.
btw, Thank you for your reply

 

everyone wants cool sounds and cool looks, no matter what the hell it does, if it is loud doesnt make car louder! Buy a turbo they make cool noises a look kinda neat

 

If you cant afford one sell yourself on ebay, or trying selling your soul on ebay, people will buy anything, or become a man ***** the turbo is worth anything, take two more jobs anything, its well worth it!

 

selling our souls? what are you? devil ? lol