Hello all I'm a newcomer and just picked up my first G35 Coupe. It's an 2003 which is in very good conidtion.
Well, I'd like to start out w/ some inexpensive mods. Mmy budget is to spend no more then $300 more right now (guess that would rule out the Spacer). Car didn't have a spoiler so I ordered that and I'm not including that in the $300. It's already paid for.

Anyway, I have been reading alot of threads about Popchargers, Spacers, K+N Air filters, Z-Tube, Revboxes etc....! To be honest right now I'm lost on what to go w/. I'm looking for the best of both worlds more HP (if possible), a bit throatyer (if thats a word) exhaust sound, and more fuel efficent as well (I know that one may be a long shot).

Another question I have is I came across a Stillen Z-Tube and was wondering if it is as effective as the OEM because it appears to be 30-35% cheaper. Also, I keep seeing these cheap chips you can get all over ebay. My assumption is that they are crap and not worth the $20-$30 they charge for them and possible can hurt the car does anyone know about them or have an input they can add?

As for the installation for what I end up adding I feel pretty comfortable w/ doing the Pop and Z Tube, the spacer looks just annoying but could probably rough thruogh it. Althuogh, the most cost effective and easiest to install w/ the best outcome is what I'd like to do.. (Wow I probably sound like most of our wife's right now!!! HAHAHA...! ;-)

Anyway I'd be glad to here what everone has to say as I stated I'm new to the G35 and in the past a perform muffler, CAI, and some chip staging installtion was the way to go (Previous car was a BMW 540i w/ a Bunch od DINAN mods), but that doesn't seem to be the case w/ the G35 from what I've read!?

Thanks in advance!

 

skip the chip (not very effective on G's, especially ebay crap) and popcharger. the OEM intake system is efficient and the popcharger does nothing for adding power, it may actually result in power loss in warm weather due to heat soak.

ztube, k&n drop-in, spacer would be a great start. you may find slightly used spacers for under $200, and the ztube & k&n should run you another $100. if you install yourself that's a nice little intake mod that should net you a few ponies and improve induction music.

 

if you want your intake to sound real loud and mean get the popcharger, i have one and it'd sweet

 

add another 50$ to your 300$ and get the spacer. Best mod out of all you listed.

 

Thanks for all your input! Any thoughts on the OEM Z-Tube vs the Stillen? Anyone?

 

Just buy a z-tube, popcharger, and spacer and call it a day. If I stayed N/A that's all I would really do.

Just buy the OEM Z-tube, a tube is a tube really lol..the only difference is it doesn't come with the resonator the G-tube has. It makes for a louder sound.

 

You can buy a NEW spacer for less than $200. Check out Intensepower.com, look for the Powerlabs 3/8" spacer.

 

As far as intakes, none will make you any faster so go for the one that sounds the best to you. Performance wise, the spacer will be the best bang for the buck but not enough to make you any faster unless you spend alot more on other mods and a tune.

So you have to decide how much money you are willing to spend for noticable performance gain. If you stay NA then you are looking at a few grand to get around 30hp which will make you a fraction of a second faster in the 1/4 mile. Some feel that at this point you are better off spend a couple more grand and going FI which would give you much more gains.

 

Ok, do any of these mod's effect your gas mileage in a postive or negative way? also, what is the deal w/ the Popchargers I beleive I have read that they actually degrade your current HP is that true?

Thanks again-

 

don't buy mods to help with fuel economy. If you want an economic car then look into a four cylinder or a diesel. The G is not meant to be fuel-friendly. Plus, when you start adding "power adders" or engine mods your right foot is going to be heavy on the gas to justify the money spent, therefore your fuel economy will decrease.

On a static dyno people have shown that open-element filters cause a decrease in power vs. the stock setup. Now, when your car is going down the road at 65mph, who knows, maybe it helps.

 

Many say the popcharger hurts performance because it does not have a good heatshield which sucks hot air in from the engine bay. You want your intake to be shielded from hot engine air. The stock airbox does the best job, but it doesn't make the noise that a pop charger or other intakes make. That is why z tubes are popular because it keeps the stock setup and makes a little more noise.

 

Ok, sounds like I'm leaning in the Z-Tube+Popcharger. Then a Powerlab spacers once it is off back order from the cheapest site i saw it from.

As for the Popcharger does it really make that much of a difference between a Z-Tube and K+N filter w/ stock box? I just want to make sure theres a nice difference because if not then I'm just gonna go w/ Z-Tube and K+N.

As for fuel ecomony I'm not looking for it to be extemely great, but after I modded my 540i I gained about 5 MPG. It was about 17 and I was getting 23.5 after mods over the stock and as much as I drive it paid for it self in no time! Boy do I miss that darn car...! Sighhhhhh..... MUCH MUCH quicker then the G althuogh it was much more expensive. No offense G fans but, I really do like my G it is a fun and affordable Coupe.

Thanks again -

 

I believe the pop charger will be alot louder than the ztube and k&n. Neither will do anything for performance. I also prefer the stock paper filters.

 

pop charger is not much louder than stock unless you get the z tube.

 

fuel gains are very fickle and hard to attribute to a single thing. I can gain or lose 20% easily depending on my driving style (actually, I can lose a LOT more).