Miata Mailing List: July 1998, Message #67

sponsored by

Jon

I installed the JRCAI on my 95 this past winter.  I am by no means an expert, but the job took me about 4 hours from start to finish.

I was somewhat skeptical about how much performance improvement there would be.  My guess ut adds 5-10 hp.  Power is only half of the equation IMHO.  The car sounds terriffic.  It has a growl it never had prior.  Its hard to say just how much performance you gain, especially since JR recommends a timing bump to 14deg BTDC.  I suspect much of the seat-of-the-pants increase in performance is due to the change in timing.  I would definitely say that upper RPM power has improved.

I also just recently installed a catback.  This has improved the engine response, which seems more linear and free reving.  A noticeable improvement over stock.  The sound is also spectacular.  It is quiet around town, but downshift and nail it, and it sounds like an old Healy.  It has done wonders for the soul (both the car's and mine)

If you are interested, I posted a write-up on my install.  Its located in the product reviews section of Miata.net.

Knowing what I know now, would I do it? - Yes.  I would also recommend some form of free flowing catback in tandem with the CAI.  If funds are a problem, do the CAI first then the catback.

Regards,

Scott Brown
WCMC, MCA - 95 Black PEP A/T  

Well, after having done a few mods, i.e. FM Sway Bars and Strut Brace, 
> CRI airhorns and DRLs, Hellas, I am itching to add some power despite 
> my previous comment that I thought the Miata was "just fine as it is, 
> thank you very much..."  I must admit that after driving a silver '99, 
> I was very bummed out.  A Dealer Alternative turbo is out of the 
> question (my wife would shoot me and I could never install it myself 
> behind her back (she would never check under the hood)).  ;)
> 
> 
> Any listers that own a '97M install a JR CAI?  Does it help?  Other 
> than the CAI was anything else required to be installed?  If I remember 
> correctly, our car already comes with a special exhaust/muffler ...  
> Sorry, somewhat ignorant in "things mechanical!"  And finally, did you 
> install it yourself and how easy was it?  Thanks!  As I am off the 
> List, please respond to me directly.  Ciao, Jon Biasetti, '97M, 
> Chicago. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 



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