I have been running the Stillen CAI and z-tube for quite some time now. I love the aggressive sound, however, I experienced what I perceived to be a drop in power below 4K rpm. Once the tach hits 4K, I can feel the power kick in at levels I am accustom to (i.e. stock). Based on reading other posts, it seems as if others have experienced the same situation.

Because of this, I have temporarily (??) replaced my Stillen with a K&N panel filter and the stock airbox. Since installing the K&N and stock airbox, acceleration from a stop feels much more responsive and smooth without the 4K rpm "spike." I even get a tire "chirp" every now and then when punching it from a stop.

I haven't really noticed any difference at higher speeds. I am sure any differences are probably within a dyno's error range so take my subjective "butt-dyno" for what its worth.

Jamey.

 

Agrees with what others have been saying! Thanks for the review!

 

This doesn't surprise me one bit though I'm sure many will disagree.

 

Did you ever do a ECU reset when you installed it? The car will never learn the intake 100% unless you do a reset. But dynos prove the intake works and so does others running 1/4 times in the past.

I noticed a loss in power when I removed mine.

 

Of course you have no experience with this product as usual.

 

I did reset the ECU when I installed the Stillen CAI. I did not reset the ECU when I went from the Stillen CAI to the K&N plus stock airbox.

 

...and I need to actually own a product to know if it actually works? So by your rational, I'd have to actually test the "Tornado" or "Turbonator" to actually draw a valid conclusion that the thing doesn't work?


jameyb,

Like I've stated to others that have reported this very thing, these POP style intakes (ie cone) often times hurt lower rpm throttle response because of their impact on the flow characteristics of the intake. The cone intakes also take away the pressurization effect of the stock intake at speed. Basically at speeds above 20mph or so, there is a column of very slightly pressurized air sitting in the airbox therefore improving throttle response. The Stillen CAI would probably be a pretty good setup if the airbox they used was completely sealed like the factory setup because sealing the intake would restore the pressurization effect and eliminate all engine heat introduction. I really don't know why Stillen didn't make the entire intake sealed because it seems to easy.

Much like running too large of exhaust piping, the air flow with POP intake across the MAF and into the intake manifold is initially turbulent in the lower rpms therefore sub 4000-4500rpm performance is impacted somewhat, especially part-throttle situations. Autos tend to suffer worse than manuals since the autos generally spend more time in the lower What you end up getting somewhat boggy performance and then the airflow becomes laminar around 4000rpms and power ramps up quickly and gives you that surge in power your described. Late model intakes, while ugly, are designed to work as a system and often times work better than the aftermarket setups. In the G/Z's case, our OEM intakes are quite good.

 

JameyB,
Does your stock air box have the velocity stack? That might be why you have a low end loss.
https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...ighlight=stack

My 2003 didn't have the velocity stack. I didn't feel a low end loss when I installed the Stillen, did do the ECU reset. The gain on the dyno was next to nothing.
https://g35driver.com/forums/reviews/73734-dyno-d-stillen-hi-flow-airbox.html

I have considered finding a 05-06 factory air box , to quiet mine back down and may be give it a little more power.

 

I find this thread quite timely. I installed the stillen airbox last tuesday, and have been giving myself a little bit of time to adjust before offering any reviews. I wanted to also post 1/4 times. I actually went to a different 1/4 track last friday night, at about 90 miles away, and it started raining about 3 miles from the track... so I didn't get to run.

I haven't felt any difference in the lower rpms. Maybe it's my particular combination of mods. But the top end has definitely changed. I can feel it come on a little at about 5.5k rpms, but beyond 6k it's crazy. I actually hit my rev limiter in 1st and 2nd last night playing around. It definitely reaches the fuel cut faster than I'm accustomed, especially with a year's worth of racing this car under my belt.

But this is just a subjective review. No dyno, and no 1/4 times(yet).

 

Back when I had the AEM VS. Stillen dyno comparison, I wish I had my stock intake to show any comparisons. I will say this much, I do feel less response at the low end with the Stillen BUT not as bad as the AEM CAI. Although, overall I love my Stillen intake.

 

I don't know. I don't remember it but then again I wasn't really looking so it might be in there. The next time I am messing around with the airbox I will check it out.

 

From all the reviews I hear, this is exactly what you should expect with the Stillen intake. Below 4K, virtually nothing different. Past 4K, and they say that it gets amazingly loud and you start to feel the difference.

Im actually planning on getting a Stillen intake + Z-Tube; I've heard too many positive reviews about this combination.

 

i prefeer the injen