Question on air filter replacements? Stock or not

[rinaldi69]

I need air filters changed soon (24K) and am wondering on what route to go. I was leaning toward just the drop in K&N but the dealer has me concerned since they say in Arizona the amount of dust it is not a good option since it is a thinner filter and relies on the oil to stop the debris. I was also thinking of an intake system like Stillin or something similar. I have always modded my past cars but really hope not to go down that route with my G right now. If I could get some gain out of the intake alone I may go this route. I don't plan on modding the G since it is primarily driven for work and taking customers out, etc. I don't want to get into exhausts, etc. The stock filters according to the dealer run about $40 a piece. That is my other option is staying with the OEM filter and dropping almost $100 after tax on a simple OEM drop in. Suggestions?

[goalomeri]

I just replaced mine last week, just as you said, i saw the K&N filters selling for $50 each!! i ended up just getting aftermarket filters for $18, that was for both filters. They do feel as sturdy as the OEM, guess i will see after 12-24k miles.

[rinaldi69]

Well actually the OEM filters were going to cost $40 each. That was one reason I considered the K&N since it isn't much more.

[rpm&my_G35]

Originally Posted by rinaldi69

Well actually the OEM filters were going to cost $40 each. That was one reason I considered the K&N since it isn't much more.

Are you shopping at the dealership? I've been buying them for $18.48ea (in Canada) from here. I know in the USA you can get OEM for less than I pay up here.

[rinaldi69]

Originally Posted by rpm&my_G35

Are you shopping at the dealership? I've been buying them for $18.48ea (in Canada) from here. I know in the USA you can get OEM for less than I pay up here.

Yes, it was the dealership quoting the rate. I asked what brand they were so I could compare the price. They believe they are Wix. Anyway it prompted me to question if I was better off looking into an intake system if there is any real advantage to adding one. If there is now is the time to consider it. Again I don't plan on going mod crazy and would hope to limit it to the intake for now. I ran across some intakes such as Fujita and was curious to find out the real advantage of just swapping intakes.

[vqsmile]

Originally Posted by rinaldi69

Yes, it was the dealership quoting the rate. I asked what brand they were so I could compare the price. They believe they are Wix. Anyway it prompted me to question if I was better off looking into an intake system if there is any real advantage to adding one. If there is now is the time to consider it. Again I don't plan on going mod crazy and would hope to limit it to the intake for now. I ran across some intakes such as Fujita and was curious to find out the real advantage of just swapping intakes.

Obviously that dealer price is out to lunch. You can find genuine Nissan/Infiniti filter for as little as 12 to 15 bucks each. Here's a quick ebay result:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-NISS...item27bee7bd8b

BTW, that's from a dealership too. You can probably get them to combine the shipping costs too.

As far as replacing the intake, I think it's way more show than go; actually it's more sound than go. If you eliminate the placebo effect from hearing the throaty suck of your intake, you probably couldn't distinguish any performance gains for you investment.

.02

[rinaldi69]

I have tended in the past to add an intake and exhaust; better in and out which does tend to create an hp increase. That was always the starting point and the building block for performance, but even that dollar to hp gain was steep to the point of a waste of money.

I apologize I didn't pull comparison pricing yet on the stock OEM filters. I simply posted my thoughts and was looking for feedback.

[vqsmile]

^^ The stock intake system on these cars is quite efficient. They haven't left a lot on the table for easy pickin's.

[dohturdima]

I use Wix air filters from Rockauto.com - they are pretty comparable to stock OEM ones quality wise and are generally cheaper.

[Triton3.5]

I just got a pair of NAPA gold's,,, 2 for $ 22.00 !!! they are even the same color as the OEM's VQ, is right,,, the stock intake system on these 2nd gen. cars are quite efficient!! about 30,000 miles on my originals.....

[rinaldi69]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I will stick with stock on the intake. I was also wrong on the air filters. Dealer must have been quoting me $40 for both installed which would have been fine. When I asked him if that was per filter I swear he said yes.

[vqsmile]

Originally Posted by rinaldi69

Thanks everyone. Looks like I will stick with stock on the intake. I was also wrong on the air filters. Dealer must have been quoting me $40 for both installed which would have been fine. When I asked him if that was per filter I swear he said yes.

That sounds much more reasonable. I hope you weren't planning on paying for install though. That is one of the easiest DIY jobs on the entire car. Although if the dealer was only charging 40 bucks, my guess is that they were actually including the labor for free since it is so quick and easy.

[rinaldi69]

Car was at the dealer for something else. I didn't plan on paying anyone labor for that, just was curious on cost and if there was value with an aftermarket intake before I drop money on replacement filters.

[willdogs]

Originally Posted by rinaldi69

Car was at the dealer for something else. I didn't plan on paying anyone labor for that, just was curious on cost and if there was value with an aftermarket intake before I drop money on replacement filters.

I've been searching for info on this thru the forums since last week and in all my searching here is the conclusion

If you want to install an aftermarket intake system, you will only be doing it for the "roar" sound it will produce when you get on the gas.

If you expect some performance gains, don't bother. 1-2hp gains (if that)

[rpm&my_G35]

^ and for the looks too