Ok, so I bought my 2003 Mazda 6i Sport almost a year ago and want to put a little money into her. Here is what I know almost for sure:

Under dash red Led lights (to match the stock red lighting), rigged to turn on when I open the door and a switch to turn them on and off when all the doors are closed.

Then I will replace all the dome lights, door lights, back reading lights with red leds as well

Silver Razo pedals (so the lights have something to show off)

My local body shop has quoted me for having all of the installed and parts for about $300-350

I would like to have fog lights installed as well but the Piaa 1100x lights are about $200-250 plus about $100 in labor and I have only about an imediate spending limit of about 500-600.

I could also spend a little under the hood with a CAI, no idea which ones and I know that is a dead topic here but if some of wouldn't mind re-telling me what ones are good and improve mpg, hp etc.

All other thoughts, comments, questions, satements, recomendations etc all would be appreciated ALOT.

Thank you,

Larry Jay

 

I founda K&N CAI that seams to have good reveiws and performance aspects. Its the Typhone 69 or something like that. Anyone that has this or know more about it, you input is apreciated.

 

If your basic CAI is all ur after then I'd go with AEM or MAzdaspeed (they're the same intake, but mazda won't void the warranty if u use the mazdaspeed one), no oil to foul the engine, and it won't set off a CEL..unless the MAF gets damp, but that's a given. If the bigest power boost is what ur after, I'd go with CPE and their little magic box (forget the name they give it, but it "fools" ur ecu into seeing different A/F ratios than what is really there, so it makes more power). For the other stuff, I think I've seen some DIY write ups for that stuff over on Mazda6club.com, but I'm a performance guy, not a visual so I'm not much help there, sorry.

-Cameron Keffer

 

You will need two power sources to hook up the lighting as you state. The manually switched source should be ignition on only imo. That way you won't forget to turn them off and end up w/a dead battery.

 

Ok, well my car is now out of the factory warrenty and all but where can I find a mazdaspeed CAI? And as for AEM is there any reason why you recomend them over their competitors? I just want to get all the facts and information as I can befor I pour money into my 6. I appreciate it.

 

Virgin1, I like that idea of having the under dash lights hooked up to the ignition, but I still want a toggle switch to turn them off when I am driving, but then at least they won't drain my battery when my keys are out of the ignition. Thanks for the input!

 

I believe you have misunderstood my meaning.
In order to hook up the lights as you wish to, you will need 2 power sources. Two wires from positive DC going to the same terminal on the lights, one from negative (ground.)
The first after a door switch, probably taken from one of the interior lights. Then your under dash lights will come on when you open any door.
The second should be from an ignition switched source w/an override switch in series. That way w/the switch in the on position the lights will be on when the ignition is, but when you turn the ignition to lock, or override using the in line switch, they will go off. AND, if you forget to turn them off manually, you won't have to worry about it... as long as the ignition key is in your pocket that is.

See what I mean now?

 

AEM makes the Mazdaspeed intake. They are the same, and good for low-mid range power. A very good choice for "street-ability." K&N, Simota and Injen are all more or less designed for this range of power/torque. Since AEM and MS are exactly the same thing,either are a good choices if CELs and other related problem solvingis not your thing... and who wants the headaches.
Others I have researched for my 3 series, were better for high-end power, which is great if you are going to tach 6-6.5k rpm all day, as the racers do, but you lose low end power. If you plan to track (race) the car every weekend, or not use it a a DD, then they might be a better choice for you than the AEM/MS, etc...

There is always a trade-off. Every thing is a compromise.

 

As far as you know is there any effects on the fuel economy with a cold air intake, like the AEM or MS type. Positive or negitive?

 

The truth as I know it (myexperience) is that nothing I've done to mine has improved the fuel economy, except that it gota little better after engine break-in. Even that was minor.
The good news is that I have a heavy foot and like to drive the car spiritedly, in that I do watch my overall speed and usually stick w/in +5mph of it(I don't want tickets,) but I like to get there fast, so I accelerate pretty hard most of the time and shift... ah, @ around 4-4.5 or even 5k.My mileage has averaged, and remainsbetween27-28 in normal driving w/o the A/C running. 24 is my all-time low w/the A/C on 24/7.And it gets hot here even in the early mornings around Aug-Sept, so I'm not complaining.