Cold Side Intake

[MX595]

Hello all!

I have decided to try a cold side intake since the temps are finally rising! In order for the MAF to reach, I need to extend some wiring. After some research, I have yet to find distinct answers.

So my questions are:

1. What material wire is in the MAF (So far top answer is copper)

2. What gauge wiring is it?

3. Best way to extend wire? (High quality clips or solder)

Prior to starting this project, I am hunting down an extra MAF sensor harness.

All help is greatly appreciated!

[— Phatmiata —]

maybe get another MAF wire set from Planet-Miata.com or ProjectGLA.com and solder them together for a longer extended wire set?

[MX595]

Not a bad idea, it is a bit pricey, rather have an extra MAF harness in case i mess it up

[Stealth97]

I think you'll find the sharp bends and the reduced pipe length wont help you much, if any power wise.

[MX595]

I know all about the debate, the only reason I've kept the stock airbox this long is due to the fact, it is built to perform with utmost precision. The only reason I'm really considering giving it a try is because I can easily return the parts and get the cash back.

I did replace the exhaust recently, nothing crazy, but I do feel a very slight increase in throttle response (possibly in my head, and just cause of really nice temperatures)

Aslo will have a MSPnP soon and turbo to follow

[MX595]

I think you'll find the sharp bends and the reduced pipe length wont help you much, if any power wise.

In my thought process, if i'm putting out more air through the exhaust, wouldn't taking in a bit more cooler air help with efficiency? Not expecting any dramatic power gains, just a bit more smooth operating

[— Agent☣Orange —]

I'm unsure about the wire gauge but the engine is a pump and often, people try one thing or another to enhance perfomance when in fact, the real gain comes from a culmination of everything: intake, exhaust and fuel. I think people often do one or two but not the whole thing. There's nothing wrong with piecemealing things together as your budget allows but the final assessment should be based on a free-flow intake, exhaust, possibly cams but more importantly, an ECU that can be tuned to recognize the changes.

How's that for vague?

[MX595]

Thank you AgentOrange, just confirmed my plan, as mentoned earlier, I will have my MSPnP within a week or two

As you mentioned, it is quite an important piece of the puzzle

[Tacky]

Back to your first question, the best way to extend the MAF wiring is to use a high silver solder to splice the wires and adhesive lined heat shrink tubing to seal it. I have seen too many cases of high quality crimp and seal connectors that developed erratic connections after a few months. The wire should be copper, and I would select wire with an insulation rated TXL, this will have better temperature tolerance than many wires without the TXL rating.
Will the cold air intake help? Maybe. Cold air is better than hot air so you may get some help there. I see a lot of so called performance air intakes that suck air from right by the exhaust manifold. In reality, these are low performance hot air intakes but some people think they look cool.
If you can move more air in, and exhaust out, and have adequate fuel for combustion you should make more power, probably only at high RPM. Often the limiting factor is the ability of the exhaust to move through the catalyst.

[MX595]

So far all I can find is SLX rated wires