I am looking at doing this mod and I have seen some differing coments...

People seem to have been doing the mod with the Ztube with POP filters, but I've seen some people sugesting going with the factory unit and dropping in a K&N filter...

Pluses/minuses?!

Performance...sound...cost...instal?!

Thanks, Tim!

 

I've heard that with the Pop charger, the air that is sucked in is actually hotter than with the stock. There's a thread about it on here somewhere, which is why I went the the Z-tube and K&N drop in combo and have no complaints about it.

 

You're going to get different answers from everyone. If you do some digging around this site, you can read what people have to say and make your decision that way.

The Search link is at the top bar of each page

 

I did it as a result of a lot of research (pop that is) and I'm satisfied, but I'm sure you'll find many who feel just as strongly bout' the K&N. JBX

 

All I did was the z-tube and K&N drop in filter and I am very happy with it. The z-tube provides a little bit better kick above 3000 RPM than stock and has a much better, more aggressive sound to it. Plus I had the chance to dyno my car this past Sunday and it put out 240Hp and 234Lb-ft. I know another member on this board, startertan, has the z-tube and pop charger and he dynoed his sunday at the same place and his car put out 231Hp and 220Lb-ft according to his dyno sheet (look in the north east forum under 350/g35 hooters of rockville meet). I prefer my setup also because it looks stock and I don't have to worry about the a/c line rubbing thing but thats just my 2 cents.
Cost - ~$80 ($40 for z-tube[from z owner] and $40 for K&N filter)
Install - filter-very easy, z-tube-easy with use of instructions from the FAQ & DIY section.

 

The popcharger comes with a heatshield so that helps a bit with taking in colder air. The a/c line problem is a quick fix, a zip-tie or two should do. ive driven g's with only a z-tube, z-tube + popcharger, and k&n + popcharger and i gotta say that the sound with the popcharger is awesome. I believe that on a few peoples' dynos the popcharger was true to its 7hp gain. Some have mentioned a loss in low end but all three combinations felt pretty much the same to me. The k&n and popcharger did pull harder in the upper rpms though, but from what I've heard the stock airbox is still the best intake system performance-wise. The reason i bought myself a popcharger was purely for looks and sound. Both intakes are easy installs and shouldnt take too long (my own popcharger + z-tube took an hour and I did my friend's in 10 minutes). the p/c ran me about $110 from performancenissanparts.

 

When people mention popcharger air intake temps, they are talking about measurements pinpointing the actual air temps that the system draws in as measured in degree's at the MAF sensor. The oem intake is a cold air intake, so much so that NO other CAI, be it long tube or short tube pulls in colder air. When measured, the popcharger consistently pulled in air that was 10 degree's hotter then what the oem intake brings in.

 

^^^Q45tech couldn't have said it any better.^^^ Well, maybe he could have, but I think he's moved on...

 

[QUOTE=Gsedan35]the popcharger consistently pulled in air that was 10 degree's hotter then what the oem intake brings inQUOTE]

I 've heard the same thing.

 

I went w/ stillen intake and z-tube. It sounds great but the stillen intake is $200 =X

 

I have the Stillen and Z tube. No complaints but if I had to it over I would just do the Z tube and K&N panel into the factory air filter box because a) I don't think the Stillen is worth the money; and b) there's a bolt at the base of the Stillen setup that requires you to remove the fender lining to get to which is a realy pain when you want to remove the filter for maintenance.

 

I've run both ways with what seems equal results. Of course the Z-tube and panel is a little cheaper and an easier install, but the choice is yours.
I personally favour the tube and K&N panel.

 

Any feedback on how the Unlimited Tuning air filter performs?

 

I hear it performs very well and similarly to the stock airbox. Sound resembles that of the ztube + k&n combo. For sure you cant beat its looks though

 

What if you are going to buy the Stillen Supercharger. Isn't it better to buy the Z-tube and Stillen intake than to have just the z-tube and K&N Filter?

It seems like the best way to go if you're going N/A is to go with a CAI. However, it's more than twice the price than buying the z-tube and K&N Filter.