i know the topic about which intake is best has been beaten to death, but could anyone with any of these intake setups please give me some last minute advice. I am looking to buy one in two or three days, but I need advice. I have seen the intake dynos and the Z-tube and popcharger looks like they have the best gains and it is relatively cheaper than the Injen and Nismo. Which intake best integrates sound with performance/quality? I know intakes in general do not give much gains, so i guess, which intake produces the best sound? As of right now, im leaning toward the z-tube and popcharger. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thx

5AT Coupe, Black on Black, Chrome Wheel/Performance Package, Premium, Aero w/spoiler, Eibach springs, Clear corners. Z-tube and pop charger coming soon!

 

They all sounded pretty much the same to me at the CFDD. I heard the injen and the z-tube. I have also heard the Nismo before, but never heard all 3 side by side.

Think of it this way. Once you remove the air restrictions and allow air to enter the engine more freely, the sounds each intake will produce should be very similar. The cone filter does not seem to change the sound too much, but all of the aftermarket intakes (except Stillen air box and K&N) use the cone filter.

Basically I chose JWT and Z-Tube due to it's location and ease of re-oiling. Also, there aren't the same problems/concerns with hydro-lock as the CAI's have.

If I had it all to do over again (and knowing what I know now), I think I would buy the Z-Tube and then drop in a K&N filter (instead of the Popcharger) and keep the stock air box set-up.

Gains are equivalent, some people tend to think hot climates are better suited for the stock set-up, and it is cheaper than the JWT P/C.

After reading Q45tech's latest posts on filtration... you might even want to keep the paper filter and get the Z-Tube only... Gains are equivalent, sound would be equivalent, and the paper filters are pretty cheap to boot.

301-bhp!!! ...and growing!

 

The Nismo sounds identical to the Popcharger. It's buried in your wheel well however and you'll have to cut foam behind the bumper. It will also not fit exactly right and may rub in at least one place depending on how you attach it. You will also need a tool for the MAF to remove it. It's a torx head with a nipple in it. I used vice grips and cringed the whole time.

If I had to do it over again I would have done the same thing Neff suggested. Replace the filter with an oil type and install the Z tube. I firmly belive that the pop charger works by tricking the MAF into a lean condition, and that's where you get your 3-4 HP.

Only good thing about the Nismo is it looks great with a shiny black plenum, and that's about it. I haven't seen evidence that it makes colder air yet, but that's just because no one has measured it.

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but front spoiler/Nismo CAI/Crawford V5

 

Catatafish - do you like the Nismo CAI, im either gonna buy that or go with K&N and Z-tube. How do you like the Nismo, good sound, any info you can provide would be great. Thanks a lot.

Jump and the net will appear

 

I like it because it looks good and allowed me to take alot of plastic crap out of my engine bay. Look at my pics in profile and you can see what I mean. The fans, water pumps, fender, wiring from lights, dipstick...it's all easily seen and accessed. After I put some Samco hoses in there, with my plenum and decorative red ornamental wires and Nismo CAI, I think it'll look pretty good.

Functionally and for the money, best route, IMO is to buy the $70 Z tube and replace the filter with an oil type. The Z tube is what gives you the sound, and the oilt type filter will provide better flow in 5000 miles when your paper filter starts to get dirty.

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but front spoiler/Nismo CAI/Crawford V5

 

Thanks a lot.
ps. your not an ***
haha

Jump and the net will appear

 

It's because all of you and the posts on this Forum about this subject that I chose to do the least expensive, "best bang for the buck" Z-tube/K&N drop-in combo with my 2004.5 G35 Sedan. I'm very happy with it, especially hearing and feeling it with WOT above 3,500k RPM!!! ;-)

For $128 (incl. shipping) together and the very easy installations, the best mod you can do for the current G35, IMO. Thanks, Guys!!!!



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by bsgoren on 06/21/04 06:03 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Omar,

I suggest you do your own research. Go to the manufacturer's website and check the designs for yourself. That way you won't be mislead.

All the aftermarket CAI's I've found, including Stillen's and K&N's series of Typhoon Systems, use a conical air filter. K&N also makes a direct replacement "panel" or "drop-in" air filter.

The Popcharger is very popular right now. It comes with an velocity ring, a blue conical air filter and metal heat shield that covers the filter, but not the back of the velocity ring.

Stillen's CAI has essentially the same velocity ring, a red conical air filter and a "plastic" heat shield that encloses it's air filter and velocity ring.

The Popcharger and Stillen aluminum velocity rings and air filters are interchangable. Check out the attached picture of my Stillen CAI with the "blue" conical air filter.

The Injen, Nismo, AEM and K&N's LR (long ram) systems use a conical air filter mounted where the stock air case resonator is normally located, and metal tubing. If you should decide on one of the low mount systems, be sure to include the AEM by-pass as part of your system.

Before spending your money, you might water to check out heat soak data on the "A got to have item..." thread as well as the latest posts on engine hydro-locking.


DaveO

03 G35 AT Sedan / DP / Willow / Premium / Sport / Aero
350Z Air Duct, Eng Cvr & T-Stat / Stillen CAI
Crawford V-5 / GG 10-Wire Kit / TS ECM / E-Fans
Street Edge TC / B&M Cooler / Stillen Exhaust

282164-100_0012.JPG

 

K thanks everyone. Good feedback. I guess i am deciding between K&N filter & z-tube vs popcharger & z-tube.

5AT Coupe, Black on Black, Chrome Wheel/Performance Package, Premium, Aero w/spoiler, Eibach springs, Clear corners. Z-tube and pop charger coming soon!

 

Save your money and apply it to an exhaust first.

04 6MT Sedan - Z Tube, Stillen CAB, 04 Z Suspension

 

That is of course if you drive a sedan, as it's one of the better value mods.

04 6MT Sedan - Z Tube, Stillen CAB, 04 Z Suspension

 

bsgoren. where did u buy your k & n/z-tube combo for 128 shipped? anyone else get their combo cheaper elsewhere? please share! thx

5AT Coupe, Black on Black, Chrome Wheel/Performance Package, Premium, Aero w/spoiler, Eibach springs, Clear corners. Z-tube and pop charger coming soon!

 

z-tubes can be had used for ~50-60 dollars on my350z.com. K&N's can be had for 40-50. That's cheaper then $128.

04 6MT Sedan - Z Tube, Stillen CAB, 04 Z Suspension

 

I agree with above. If looks aren't as important to you, get the ztube only. Maybe throw in the KN panel if it makes you feel better.

The cone filters whistle, I'm not personally impressed with the whisteling sound. Don't buy intake for cold air or Hp gains, buy it for sound and looks. I like the look of the Nismo (and getting rid of all the extra plastic stuff), but it has disadvantages.

I did ztube/PC and I like the sound and looks.

2004 G35C 6MT Black. Killer.

 

Z-tube for $75 + shipping from EverythingG35.com ($83.36 total) and the K&N drop-in air filter for $39.65 + shipping from PerformanceNissanParts.com ($45.15 total) = $128.51 for combo mod...

All brand new, paid with VISA (with a money-back guarantee and no concerns it came from a vehicle which may have been an accident) just in case either came in defective or if I changed my mind, I could return. I was a bit shocked when I had trouble finding a used Z-tube for less than a brand new one, so naturally, I chose to purchase a new one! Definitely, the best bang for your buck mod...simple to install, and big difference in sound and power (and no worries about water or it rubbing against the A/C line, etc.); very transparent, until I step on the gas for a WOT ;-)



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by bsgoren on 06/21/04 05:01 PM.</EM></FONT></P>