Picked up a used 350Z intake tube, aka "Z tube" from someone on my350z.com for $40 shipped. I heard good things, and I figured that for $40, even if it did nothing, I wouldn't cry over wasted money.

Finally got some free time tonight to get the sucker in. Wow, way easier than I expected. I'm used to working under the hood of my other car, an Acura Integra GS-R...the G's is enormous compared to the Integra's. That means more room to work and less frustration over goofy angle sockets you need.

The install itself was fast and easy. I must say that the hardest part (which was still really easy) was getting the small rubber hose onto the pipe fitting on the tube itself. It took some wiggling to push it on, but at least it won't work it's way off in one hundred miles.

So the important part...performance. Quite frankly, there's no change. My butt dyno isn't sensititve enough to notice a few HP (if it even is that much). Perhaps it's good for 0.05 seconds on the strip, but around town I would be hard-pressed to say it feels faster.

The sound did change though, and this is why I feel I got my money's worth. Louder? Yes. Obnoxious? No. This tube should've been OEM on our cars. The engine has a distinctly nicer note. I jumped on the freeway for a few minutes and I couldn't tell a difference when cruising.

So for anyone who is looking for a simple part swap, I highly encourage you to grab a used Z tube ($50 or so) and install it. The tube makes the car sound a bit more like it should, without losing any refinement. My only gripe is that there's now this goofy cut-out in the plenum cover where the resonator used to sit. Oh well.

Some pictures for those interested. Yes, I know the engine bay is dirty.






Old stock unit, chock full'o resonators:

 

now im even more tempted to get a ztube.

 

welcome to the dark side. awesome! now you can start racking up your sig. and credit card bills.

 

Congrats on being the newest addition to the Helmholtz assassination club.

Now if you eliminate the resonator under the filter housing you can make the transition from Loud to Obnoxious.

Stillen air box here you come!

 

new ones are $75 i think , i guess used is just as good for about $30 less. i love the z-tube it makes the car sound 100% better.

 

Does anyone happen to have a recording (wav file) of a sedan with the z-tube. I'm seriously considering getting one, but I'd first like to hear what it sounds like.

 

Just burp into an empty kitchen paper-towel roll. That's as close as you'll get.

 

ROFL!

I thought I was the only one who did this...

 

ROFL...

Anyways, with the windows up, there's hardly any difference in sound. Windows down, however, it's definitely mean. And yeah, new ones are like $80 at the dealer, used ones go for about $50ish. Check my350z.com, there seems to be a steady stream of sellers.

(Funny story...I was "testing" it late last night by doing a few WOT runs down a major road. Some guy was walking his dog and as I sped by and he just points with an ugly glare. He's just jealous.)

 

Get a plenum now and then you will really appreciate what the car should sounds like!!!

 

Will it affect gas mileage at all?

Thanks.

 

Sorry...excuse my stupidity. What is a plenum?

 

Other members have said that it increased their gas mileage slightly.

 

A plenum is a chamber which distributes air across the cylinders. You can find more information here: http://www.airpowersystems.com.au/35...num/plenum.htm

 

Thanks!