Sorry if this is ignorant, but if the Z tube is so great why are all the Z owners ditching it in favor of something else? And what are they putting on that is better then the stock tube, why don't we just put that on instead? Please no flames, I'm just curious since paying about 2 bucks for the Z tube & filter is just a little under the price of an aftermarket intake, which the Z owners seem to prefer anyways, whynot just go aftermarket intake instead.

 

Let's answer your dumb question with a dumb question of mine: What aftermarket intake can you get for a little over $2?

To answer your question, "it depends."

The Z tube doesn't have resonators, it's a straight pipe just like other aftermarket intakes, so it's a significant upgrade for the G35. The second half is getting a Stillen airbox or JWT Popcharger (instead of just a filter). This gives you the same cone style intake with a venturi ring, just like other aftermarket intakes. On the G35, if you look at where the intake is coming from, it's pretty much a factory CAI system -- IMHO, no need for the kind that pull air from the wheel well, but some people prefer that anyway. Maybe that's what the Z guys are doing. Some of them might be doing it for looks. Some of them might be the kind of person that would rather pay $600 for 6hp than $300 for 5hp -- that is, the absolute best regardless of cost, instead of the most bang for their buck.

BTW, it's not ignorant or dumb, it's a perfectly valid question. It's the kind of question that's going to help you spend your money wisely by researching your options instead of throwing money at your car blindly.

 

when I said 2 bucks, I was talking about $200, about what the Z tube and filter (pop-charger) will cost. I was just wondring why if the z-tube/pop charger combo is so great why aren't the Z guys just adding the pop-charger instead of going with a complete new intake. perhaps I didn't phrase my question clearly. Thanks for the reply though, looking at the stock air box, it does look like it would grab more cool air then a cone filter, even if it did have a heat shield, since the stock box only gets air from the front of the car right below the hood. Where as a cone with a heat shield is grabing air from inside the engine compartment, even if it is blocked from the engine with the heatshield it is still none the less in the engine compartment.

 

Can't agree with your statement... "I was just wondring why if the z-tube/pop charger combo is so great why aren't the Z guys just adding the pop-charger instead of going with a complete new intake."

If you do a search on my350Z, I believe you'll find the JWT Pop Charger is a very popular 350Z mod.


DaveO - 2003 G35 Sedan / DP / Willow / AT / Premium / Sport
350Z Engine Cover, T-Stat & Air Duct / Stillen CAI
GG 7-Wire H-G Kit / TS ECU / E-Fans
Street Edge TC / B&M Cooler / Stillen Exhaust

 

the g has an inlet to direct the air into a pop charger where the z is missing this and most owners replace with the whole thing with cai the drops the filter to the bumper, good luck with water lock in the motor with that system

 

There was a write-up on intakes in "Car and Driver" or "Road and Track" (can't quite remember which) a while back on intakes and when they wrote about the pop-charger they stated "ironically, the cheapest intake also produced the best gains in HP".

 

There was a write-up on intakes in "Car and Driver" or "Road and Track" (can't quite remember which) a while back on intakes and when they wrote about the pop-charger they stated "ironically, the cheapest intake also produced the best gains in HP".

 

Why is it that so many people claim that the pop charger loses HP?
I've heard this on several occasions and all of them are saying
that it sucks in a ton of hot engine air.

Opinions?

 

dude you just answered your own question

cold air > hot air

 

Well, I've also heard from several people that the pop charger is the only way to go...other than the stock box.