REVIEW: Simota Carbon Charger for a 2010 Mazda 3 (2.5L engine)

[WingZero_]

Recently I had the opportunity to work with Gary (protephile on M3F)@ West Imports. He was looking for a Test Fitter for the new Simota Carbon Charger for the 2010 Mazda 3 (2.5L). I have a 2010 Mazda 3 GT 6 speed, and have been with M3F since shortly after the 1st Gen came out way back in 2004. I never had any firsthand experience with Simota, but on the Internet and this forum especially they have a trustworthy reputation with their products, so I jumped at this opportunity. Plus it gave me the chance to own the first one available in North America.

So after working out some details Gary promptly shipped me the kit, as seen here:


It comes with everything you need to install the system on your Mazda 3. Once the stock system is removed, the Simota install is very easy, and it comes with directions. I have also written up a more detailed set of instructions, for someone that has never installed a system before. I feel the write up should help people save some money by being able to install it themselves, plus it is fun working on your own car. Instructions thread:
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...ad.php?t=38559

As for the install, it was very easy as I mentioned, the kit comes with everything you need. The quality of the parts is excellent and everything fits properly.

I was a little worried about the Check Engine Light coming on after the installation, even after Gary said that it would not. And of course he was right.

I let the car warm up properly, checked for leaks, found none and took it for a nice long drive around 1 hour 30 minutes. During the drive I tried a lot of different speeds, at cruising speed the intake is not heard. Only at hard acceleration and high RPM driving can you hear the intake. I have had quite a few cars with intake systems on them:

2002 Eclipse GT, Dodge Neon, 96 Grand AM, 2000 Hyundai Elantra (same engine as a Tiburon), 2000 VW Jetta 2.0 and a 2002 Jetta 1.8T.

The intake brands have include K&N, AEM v1 and v2, Weapon R, Generic and of course Fujita. This is my first experience with Simota, and I must say I am very impressed.

The sound is great, and the added response is great. I know a lot of people myself included have commented on a "dull" spot in first gear, it's kind of like a little lag. After the install of the intake it is nowhere as bad. Obviously don't have access to a dyno, so I cannot comment on real numbers, but you can definitely tell that there is more there, and the intake makes the 2.5 sound like it is supposed to.



PROS:
-The ease of install and fit.
-The sound.
-The response of added power.
-Price of a brand name component.
-A great salesman, well I guess that isn't related to the intake but Gary knows his stuff.
-AND the BIG one, No CEL (Check Engine Light)

CONS:
-The filter support is a little tight but can be adjusted slightly (nothing major)
-And if you aren't careful, you can scratch the CF filter cover with the metal support (nothing major).
Nothing is perfect that is why I listed CONS. But as you can tell they aren't anything major.

If you have any questions let me know. And in talking with Gary, we thought it would be an excellent time to do a group buy on this product. So for questions relating to that shoot him a message, as he is easy to get a hold of.

[Ogata]

Nice!! How loud is it? Where did you get it? What cleaning solutions are provided?

[WingZero_]

It is only load when you are really mashing on it. I will try and get a sound clip tomorrow. Gary aka Protephile at Mazda3forums.org. Simota filters can be run dry or oiled. So you could just get any cleaning kit really, like the K&N or ask Gary about a Simota one.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Interesting. Looks almost like the same design as the PRM, but with some subtle differences.

Question for you though, what is the little conical blue filter and what is its purpose? I see where it is installed, but I am curious as to function.

[WingZero_]

The stock air system have a vacuum line running off the air ducting. The simota doesn't have an attachement for that, so they use a breather filter instead. There are some more pictures in my install thread.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...ad.php?t=38559

[Axelarate]

I hope you know that that little breather filter is illegal. Just FYI.

[WingZero_]

Oh I know, but here in New Brunswick you can get away with a little more than in Ontario. And on that note a lot of mods people due to their cars can be considered "illegal".

[yearoftherat]

Nice review !! I read on the mazda3forums that they were working on an update to this intake and glad to see another option for those looking for another performance mod.
Hopefully Simota will update the support bracket that attaches the intake to the car. In your install write-up, it doesn't look like a prefect fit.
In regards to the "dull spot" you mention in first gear, I had the simota CF intake and I also experienced the same thing too. I wonder if its a SRI intake thing OR just with simota intakes themselves.

[WingZero_]

I believe the dull spot is a Mazda thing. The combination of drive-by-wire and a restrictive intake. I am glad to feel it reduced after installing this thing.

The support bracket if fine by a little tight, I could turn the direction the intake is coming off the throttle body a little bit to make it better. But it was 0 degrees Celsius while I was installing, so instead of doing a perfect job, I just did a good job.

[laksman91]

I hope you know that that little breather filter is illegal. Just FYI.

Can you explain why or elaborate? Thanks

[WingZero_]

It's an emissions thing.

Quoting some random performance site:
Modern car engines are designed to return the crankcase fumes back into the engine normally via the air intake system and into the inlet manifold. The problem with this is that oily fumes can contaminate the air-fuel mixture causing the car to run poorly. This can also lead to high fuel and oil consumption and smoky exhausts.

The solution is to fit a Pipercross breather filter that takes the fumes away from the engine completely however this is not always the best situation and may be illegal on road vehicles in some countries/states. Another style of crankcase filter can be fitted inline with the breather system and fumes are only returned into the engine once the oil residue has been trapped by the filter.

[Jest3r]

Figures the only significant mod out for the 2010 is illegal.

[TheMAN]

IMO, the simota carbon ram air intake (autoexe ram air intake wannabie) is better than this one

[yearoftherat]

I believe the dull spot is a Mazda thing. The combination of drive-by-wire and a restrictive intake. I am glad to feel it reduced after installing this thing.

The support bracket if fine by a little tight, I could turn the direction the intake is coming off the throttle body a little bit to make it better. But it was 0 degrees Celsius while I was installing, so instead of doing a perfect job, I just did a good job.

IMHO, I think the dull is a intake thing. I 'm now have a MS CAI and afaik I do not get the lag anymore unless I have the AC running.

IMO, the simota carbon ram air intake (autoexe ram air intake wannabie) is better than this one

This intake is a good choice to those that can not afford the simota CF ($210 vs $140US) and the AE (+$1000US).

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Figures the only significant mod out for the 2010 is illegal.

PRM has an intake for the 2010's. No longer a prototype version. It does not throw CEL's and is not illegal. I also don't notice any low down lag at all running the PRM on the old gen MZ3.

[Jest3r]

So is the Simota the only one with the Breather filter in it? I don't even see how the police or insurance would know that thing is in there, it's so tiny.

[tweak_s]

Wait the breather hose is illegal? Did the original "simota SRI" (the one with the CF cover)not have this as well?

[WingZero_]

Honestly if some people are going to get up set over a little breather filter, then you may want to cross any mod off your shopping list.

I mean technically according to Transport Canada, a car less than 10 years is not supposed to have the exhaust modded on it. And obviously a header isn't the most legal thing either. This crazy world is all about emissions. I don't have emission testing here in NB, and I know for a fact this wouldn't case you to fail.

And opinions are opinions. But I mean unless you have owned one, it is just an opinion, other wise it would be a fact. fact > opinion

ANYWAYS:
Sound clip added: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zmqHcTBrKE

Like I said it just makes the car's sound deeper, and under heavy throttle it makes the VVT way more pronounced.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Hey WingZ,

Sorry man if my post pissed you off. I re-read it and I can see why, if it did. Wasn't my intent as I wasn't meaning to crap in your thread at all and was just responding to some other comments about this mod being 'illegal' and other mod intake options.

In any case, nice to see another performance mod for the 2010's.

[WingZero_]

Zoom Zoom Boy, no you didn't piss me off. And no need to apologize, it's a sign of weakness

You were just voicing info over that breather filter and I was just saying you shouldn't worry about it. If you come to know me, you will find I'm just a grumpy New Brunswicker. I promote concern and have nothing against the PRM option either. Just this one fell in my lap for a inexpensive price, so I will support my small investment. The funny thing is I actually said "NO" original to be the test fitter. So actually a grumpy, lazy, New Brunswicker.

I prob should have quoted, my "fact > opinions" comment was actually directed at theMan's comment.

[coreyhkh]

Would this work on the 2.0L engine.

[WingZero_]

Would this work on the 2.0L engine.

No, but they have one that fits.

[gibbons3]

sounds good, how high were you getting the revs when you shot the movie?

[WingZero_]

At most 5000rpm and that was only 50-55% throttle (I had my scangauge 2 hooked up).

[Nextmod]

should I also stock a few for 2010?