The Stillen set up and using a K&N filter in the stock air box doesn't really look that different. Both are fully enclosed and have the same air opening. I am assume the Stillen box has no sound baffling like the stock air box. Is this correct??

Also would you have to completly remove the Stillen box to clean the filter like the above poster said??

 

any pics of the bottom bolt that is so hard to install?

 

I don't have any pictures of the bolt. What makes it so hard to deal with is because you have to tighten it while reaching down inside the airbox (the bolt goes through a metal panel inside the engine compartment).

Unless I'm missing something obvious, the only way to access the filter would be to remove the airbox because it's a one-piece design (unlike the clamshell design of the stock airbox) that just about fully encases the K&N cone filter.

Adding a K&N filter to the stock airbox would not be the same as using the Stillen airbox. The stock airbox would only allow you to use a K&N drop-in panel filter while the Stillen airbox uses a K&N cone filter. The cone filter has more surface area which allows more airflow to pass through. The Stillen box also uses an aluminum venturi ring, at the base of the filter, that supposedly speeds up and smooths the airflow. I'm not sure how true that claim is but it's mainly there because that's how the cone filter attaches to the airbox.

The Stillen airbox doesn't have any sound baffling, like the stock airbox, but it's also much lighter than the stock airbox.

 

Stillen all the way, I have it and it sounds and preformes great. Steve Millen has put alot of research into it if it good enough for his car it's good enough for me. Needless to say he wins quite alot of races. That has to be worth something. "No Bling required"

 

From my experience i would go with the stillen + z tube, sound is unbelieveable. Just installed this combo yesterday, yes that bottom bolt is a bitch, but it's probably not necessary to install. My car feels very strong not sure if the z tube and stillen airbox has anything to do with that. I think because it's louder it seems more powerfull. You won't be dissapointed with this setup.

 

Unless they revised the NISMO I do not believe it will fit the sedan. I originally ordered the NISMO for my early 03 sedan from Grubbs and it did not fit properly. Returned to Grubbs for the Injen and I am glad I did. Looks great and you should hear this thing at full throttle. Combined with Crawford V5 plenum, NISMO Cams, DC Headers, Crawford Cats and Borla exhaust the car sounds awesome. I am not knocking the Stillen, but I think you would be much happier with this cold air setup. If they have revised NISMO then I would chosse that over the Stillen, but consider the Injen or AEM as well. Why replace one plastic box with another?

 

I think if I had to do an aftermarket CAI again, I'd do the Stillen.

 

i left the bottom bolt off of the stillen air box, i can take the filter in and out of the car within minutes... no need for that damn bolt