Yes, I understand a redundant question. However, I have searched the forums and cannot get a clear answer.

I just purchased an '04 sedan and am wanting to install a CAI and exhaust, but it is not clear which systems I should select.

With the CAI, the JWT seems to be a popular selection, but at the same time, Stillen seems to have an 11+ hp gain with their option. Injen also seems to produce some gains, though it is not clear how much.

As to the exhaust, there are choices all over the board. Everything from Borla to Stillen to Injen, etc., and it is not clear which is the best for the sedan. I saw that there was a legendary FI project that would've provided symmetrical dual, but seems to have been canned.

Basically, any and all advice for a new purchaser would be appreciated with respect to my CAI and exhaust options. My apologies to those of you who despise a redundant question.

 

I have Injen CAI and Greddy Evo exhaust on mines and Im happy with this setup. My buddy's got JWT and Hks and hes in love with it. lol so whatever you like.

 

personally, I got the stillen intake with oem Z tube. Sound = Unreal. My next set up I am going to try is the stillen box with the pop charger filter (heard that was the best set up intake wise). For exhaust, right now I am going with a coupe midpipe and 2007 Altima Tips (just for looks though. looks much nicer than the factory tips). However, next spring I am going with the Stillen Generation 2 full catback. I've heard it with the stillen intake and WOW is all I can say. Personally, only exhausts I would go with are either the Stillen gen 2 or the Borla. I've also heard good things from HKS. Intake... you will hear a LOT of INJEN CAI. Produces best sound and HP gains out of everything, but it will have issues with water since the filter will be located down in the front bumper. If are in an area with a lot of rain/snow get the stillen or pop. A lot of people will be bias on this question so it's going to be tough to narrow it down to a single setup. This kind of stuff is prety much personal preference of what sound you're looking for. However, from hearing different intakes and exhausts, I believe the Injen CAI and Stillen Gen 2 is the best set up. Sounds ridiculous.

 

Ok, I appreciate the info.

Follow up question:

What is a header, and what do they do?

What effect would new headers have in addition to a new exhaust, say the Borla system? Are there HP gains from new headers?

 

New to this thing eh...

Your best bet is CAI and exhaust. Headers are a set of exhaust manifolds that have equal length runners collimating into a "collector" that will feed into the rest of the exhaust system. They use the length of each runner so that the previous exhaust pulse creates a "vacuum pulse" just in front of the next one so you get a "scavenging" effect. It tends to pull the exhaust gasses out with less back pressure.

HOWEVER, that said, it is a high dollar/horsepower gain in normally aspirated motors (not supercharged or turbocharged) I doubt you would see more than 3 to 5 hp in a NA motor and the cost to install them (you don't sound like a gear head) would not make it worth it.

NISSAN has done a remarkable job of squeezing every bit of HP out of the VQ35, there is not a whole lot you can do to get more without spending MUCHO DINERO!

 

plenum spacer!

 

^^ +1!! I would stick with a simple setup to begin with rather than getting into headers and such right away. By simple set up, I mean intake, mortordyne plenum spacer, and full exhaust. Best mods to start with. You'll get some decent horsepower gains that you will definatly be able to feel and get a pretty sick sound while you're at it. However, if you got the dough forced induction (TT, SC) FTMFW!!! Hope we helped!

 

you will never get a universally accepted "best" anything... otherwise we would all be running the same thing.

My best advice is read what has been previously posted and make the best informed decision you can...

 

^^ exactly. You just got to figure out exactly what sounds you're lokoing for, gains you want, and how much money you want to lay down. But honestly, whatever you go with, you will be more than happy.

(sorry for the 2 posts right away. OCG35 just said a good point and wanted to follow up on it)

 

Guys, I thoroughly appreciate the insights.

So which spacer do I get, as there are plenty available on the everythingG35 website. Please send me a link to the one that you feel is the most appropriate.

Another question: how does the modified coupe pipe work in conjunction with a new exhaust system? Put differently, which parts would I need to set that up.

I hate being a n00b, and I appreciate your patience.

 

motordyne 5/16" spacer seems to be the most common one. get the copper iso thermal spacer if it snows in your area. you should see some significant gains with a spacer + intake + exhaust

all you need is a coupe midpipe (which you might be able to find in the marketplace under "exhaust". see if you like it, then look into either an HKS rear section or greddy Evo2.

 

everyones got to learn somehow and sometime! lol it's no problem. That's what we are here for.

Here is a website with all the different spacers available from motordyne. I would go with the 5/16th. A lot of people say it's the best bang for the buck (http://motordyneengineering.com/G35.htm)

The "modified coupe pipe" aka coupe midpipe is the middle section of the exhaust that is on the coupes. If you notice, the coupe has a more distinct sound. With getting the coupe midpipe it will give it that sound. It's a simple installation and the sound is MUCH better. Reason being is because the sedan resonator is much larger and allows more airflow so it's not as distinct as the coupes. The coupes is much smaller, therefore pressurizing the air which gives it a different sound. It's not really for HP gains, just sound. However, it could add a couple horsies. Not too sure on that though, so don't hold me to it. I just recently got a used one off an 05 coupe for 17k on it for 75 bucks on here. New they are around 230 on everythingg35.com. If you are interested, look in the marketplace around here, you will find a good one for a good price.

 

also, the sedan midpipes are crazy heavy and the coupe midpipes are ALOT lighter

 

I would go with the Stillen Intake, Stillen Gen2 exhaust, and 5/16 Motrodyne spacer.

 

+1!!! I'm going with that exact setup. But Motordyne iso thermal copper 5\16 spacer since I'm from jersey and it snows a lot