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The Engineering Department here at Mishimoto has been buzzing with activity around our new Miata intake design. We've just constructed a prototype pipe and box, bringing us even closer to dyno testing! Let's walk through the process.

It's extremely important we pay close attention to detail on this project. From the beginning, we knew this box had to be made of aluminum, not steel, which is much too heavy. We also decided to utilize the factory air duct on this setup, so the box has an inlet accommodating that component.

Airbox Construction

The next few images show how we went about designing the air box. A major goal for the air box design was for it to be simple to install so utilizing factory mounting points was a must. Below, you'll see shots of the stock Miata intake system removed and a couple of our pieces being

Interested in purchasing our new ND Miata catch can system? Check out our product page linked below!

Mishimoto Mazda Miata Baffled Oil Catch Can Kit!

If you've been keeping an eye on our blog or posts on the forums, you would notice some recent attention on ND Miata R&D. We have big goals to improve air inhalation for the 2.0L by way of a high-flow intake system, and we are knee deep in an awesome oil cooler setup, which will keep fluid temperatures in-check during track driving. Although this project might not be as neat in terms of testing data and added performance, it is equally important.

Why a Catch Can?

Catch cans and direct injection go together like Miatas and R-comps. You might not think you need it, but once installed, you won't want it removed. We've been designing direct-fit catch can systems for quite some time, for a variety

If you read our blog, you'll remember a short while ago that we did a quick dyno test on a brand-new, fully stock 2016 Miata ND. That's not all we had planned for this little roadster. We put our Engineers to work on upgraded intake. Take a look behind the scenes and follow our progress as we bring our intake design to life.

Mazda has pulled out all the stops for this brand-new MX-5. Auto manufacturers rarely make the next generation in a specific vehicle line lighter in weight. With the rapid increase in advances in technology and the demand for more safety features in new vehicles, there is little doubt that the next generation of a model will be heavier. Not the case here! The current US-released version of this 2016 Miata ND has a curb weight of around 2,332 lb. Compared to the previous-generation NC that weighed around 2,498 lb, this model has shed

Interested in purchasing our new ND Miata direct-fit oil cooler kit? Check out our product page linked below!

Mishimoto Mazda Miata Oil Cooler Kit!

It's hard to doubt the upcoming success of the new Miata. Previous generations have provided enthusiasts with an amazing chassis that continues to dominate the racing world and bring smiles to the faces of owners around the globe. With the new model comes some weight shedding and a new power plant. Reviews from a variety of sources have revealed that Mazda did things right, just as we all figured they would. The only issue is that this model was not released sooner!

We've had our test vehicle in the shop for a few weeks now, with some exciting new product development underway. A big thank you to the vehicle owner for letting us borrow her Miata! Our intake design is coming along nicely, we have a direct-fit catch can in the works, and

Interested in picking up our NB Miata oil cooler kit? Check out our discounted pre-sale linked below.

Mishimoto 1999-2005 Mazda Miata Oil Cooler Kit Pre-Sale!

During the previous articles we mentioned that we would be conducting experiments for the stock oil cooler/warmer. Myths and claims exist regarding its impact on the heating of engine oil as well as its impact on cooling. We decided to check out both sides of the spectrum and support them with some actual data. First up, warm-up speed both with and without the stock heat exchanger.

Testing Setup

Setting up the sensors and equipment for this test was relatively simple. For testing the system with the stock heat exchanger in place, we simply installed our oil sensor adapter below the filter and then installed our temperature sensor. Below is a look at the sensor adapter.

Interested in picking up our NB Miata oil cooler kit? Check out our discounted pre-sale linked below.

Mishimoto 1999-2005 Mazda Miata Oil Cooler Kit Pre-Sale!

In our last segment, we outlined the goals of the project, and we started fabricating mounting brackets to position our heat exchanger under the front of the Miata NB (second generation). We also hinted at the use of shrouding to direct airflow properly through our cooler.

Optimal airflow through a heat exchanger is vital to the efficiency derived from an oil cooler system. In addition, we see value in retaining the stock engine undertray, which aids in the proper regulation of coolant temperatures. We will build our air duct into the undertray, with the goal of a stock-like appearance on the top of our list, right next to optimal airflow.

Air Duct Fabrication

First, we needed to create some space to fit our ducting. We ordered

Interested in picking up our NB Miata oil cooler kit? Check out our discounted pre-sale linked below.

Mishimoto 1999-2005 Mazda Miata Oil Cooler Kit Pre-Sale!

The Mazda Miata MX-5 is the most-raced production vehicle in the world. It's a great top-down cruiser, features low entry-level pricing, and it's inexpensive to modify and repair. Fuel mileage is fantastic. Saying the Miata is the end-all and be-all vehicle would be a stretch (it has its limitations), but it is one hell of a car and an amazing bang-for-your buck regardless of use. If you do not understand any of this, I urge you to go out and drive one of these cars. If you've already driven one and still don't get it, perhaps you need to try again.

In all seriousness, the Miata is a fantastic car that deserves attention from the aftermarket. We offer a variety of cooling components for the NA/NB models, including several aluminum radiator options, electric