I still don't understand what is better: Going with a Z Intake/Pop Charger or going with a CAI like Injen. The CAI is not much more expensive than the Z Tube/Pop Charger combo. All I can figure out is that people are opting for the Z Tube/Pop Charger combo over the CAI because the CAI is less protected from the elements and thus has more potential of getting dirty. I would assume the CAI is harder to put in too. What about the gains? Does the CAI offer greater gains for not much more money? Lol I have too many questions, but I really don't get this.

 

I like the Pop-Charger setup, but I don't believe the HP gains that are posted on some websites. They are saying that the HP gains are 6.5hp to the rear wheels... They do show a dyno though, and most of the increased HP is above 6,000 rpms... so at normal driving you shouldn't notice much of a difference.

But I am going to go with this setup as opposed to the CAI because the filter on the CAI gets dirty quicker, it is more suspceptible to water (not too worried about hydrolock though), and the installation is harder than the pop charger.

Ducatiguy, I do agree with you that the CAI should pull in more cold air, and that the Pop-Charger setup will pull in some of the hot air from the engine, even with that heat shield... However, there are significant HP gains to be had with the Pop-Charger setup, for a lot less of hassle, especially when it comes to cleaning your filter. I like those prices too.

Good luck to everyone...

Here's to alcohol : The cause of ... and solution to all of life's problems.

- Homer Simpson

 

Went to www.avalonracing.net and found the JWT Pop Charger, with an increased price of $120. Expected though... However, I could not find the Z-tube on the site.. I will try to call tomorrow because www.performancenissanparts.com is out of stock on the tube.

Here's to alcohol : The cause of ... and solution to all of life's problems.

- Homer Simpson

 

The only problem I have is that it looks like that side tube doesn't seem right? and I noticed they are all like that. You'd thing they make that tube a little longer so it wouldnt look like it's falling off.


173363-pop charger.jpg

 

Daniel_G --- Have you ever seen one installed on a G35? From the pic it doesn't look "right." But, I can insure you that it is not going to fall off. I think that piece of tubing should have been made from a better material. But, you really can't complain too much form a $100 CAI. When the weather gets better here in the Northeast, I am going to wrap that area of tubing with a heat resistance material.

"Not all G35 owners are G35 Drivers"
2004 G35 Coupe 6MT-BS/BLK | Aero-Navi | Gounding Wires (Hidden by black conduit) | Clear Corners | 15% tinted windows | 350Z Tube | JWT PopCharger.....

 

Hi Tybrey,

I just received the Z-tube and JWT Pop charger today and am going to install it tomorrow. I put all of the rubber pieces on the heat shield already, and yes that is a pain in the ***.

My question though... is it possible to take the filter off without taking the heatshield off? Then I would consider maybe getting some thermal tape or heat resistive material to better connect the stock plastic to the heatshield rubber.

And yes, the rubber piece connected to the heat shield is pretty tight, however I also wish that they used a better material for this connection to the stock intake plastic.

Here's to alcohol : The cause of ... and solution to all of life's problems.

- Homer Simpson

 

just installed my pop charger today and had my ztube in for about 2 weeks. i must say the sound is amazing.. though the gains aren't very noticeable. the best way to explain the gains is more of a "smoother" acceleration and the sound IS amazing

 

I believe it is possible to take the filter off without removing the heatshield. Though I must confess, I didn't think of this untill after I installed it. If you position the screw for the large hose clamp that holds the filter on so that it's in reachable place (lower right as you face the car). If you can loosen it, It should come off. Mine of course, is hidden right now.

Lou

 

As far as the CAI vs. pop-charger, I really don't think either one gives a significant performance gain. The both do, however, make your car sound different, and most people like it better.

In general, simpler solutions that achieve the same goal are better, and since the pop-charger does exactly that (fewer parts removed, easier install, etc.) I would say it's likely a better product than either of the popular CAIs (Injen, Nismo).


Black/Willow 03.5 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, SAT
350Z Nismo CAI

 

There are quite a few places selling the Z tubes for ~$75 and the Pop chargers anywhere from $110-125 or so. You're probalby looking at $190-210 for the combo shipped on average.
The only problem right now is that the Z tubes are backordered through Nissan Motor Co. so it may be a week or two until orders will ship, depending on how long their current stock lasts....

Justin McClanahan
Heavily Modified 95 Infiniti G20
Working on a G35 Project Coupe

 

I just installed my Z-tube and JWT pop charger today. It was a pretty easy install I must say. I love the way everything fit into place nicely and I must say that the heat shield for the G35 is very well designed. Much better than what it looks like in the pictures.

And the sound... Oh my god the sound is amazing over 3,500 rpms.... and just gets better and better as the RPM gauge gets closer to redline...

As for performance, it is very hard to tell the difference of a couple of HP when the car comes stock with 280 HP... However, I think that when I am changing gears (with foot off the gas), when I engage the gas with the next gear shifted into, there is a lot better response. Much quicker and more powerful, so as to lessen the powerband delay... Just my opinion.. But the sound alone is worth the $200+ for this install! Sounds like a real car.

I am driving down to LA (from Bay Area) in a couple of weeks, so I will be able to post about gas mileage. However, I know that my gas milage will decrease a lot because I can't keep the RPMs below 4,000 anymore! hahah.... Definitely a cool mod...

Here's to alcohol : The cause of ... and solution to all of life's problems.

- Homer Simpson

 

I've had the set-up for about two weeks also and seem to stay steady at the 300 mile mark before a fill up, which is what I had been getting anyways. I can say you won't be very stealthy with this set up especiallly when your getting in the r's and that's pretty hard not to do once you hear it. Not that theres anything wrong with that, it's just a considerable difference. I don't know if anyone else did this but I also removed a sizeable chunk of foam from the inside of the right lower bumper grate. It's now allowing more air in and more directly to the filter through the space left by the stock airbox and resonator so that can only be a plus. I'm sure this isn't as good as a CAI but the principal is the same. The downfall is I got shipped the 350 set up so I had to modify because I couldn't wait for the back and forth shipping so the fit is not as clean. Oh well, I'm like a kid in a candy store I am, drives the wife nuts!

 

I Insalled it yesterday... Same thing everyone is else saying about it im getting... Really is a good bang for the buck. I think this was my final prop to my car want to spend money and time on other things so i will post my completed cars pics soon. =]

 

Talk about driving the wife crazy right? hahah... After I installed it yesterday, I called my girlfriend from my cell phone to tell her about how awesome it sounds... she just sighed and said, "it doesn't sound like one of those old loud cars does it?" I was like aight, talk to ya lata!

Still, I am very excited about it, love the sound, and can't wait for my next mod... Probably the Nismo underbody stabilizer bars! $400 +...

Here's to alcohol : The cause of ... and solution to all of life's problems.

- Homer Simpson

 

I installed the Z tube yesterday. I could not believe that such a simple mod made such a difference in the sound. Like others have said, the engine sounds deeper above 3K RPM.

My wife has not noticed the mod. Nor has she noticed the red brembos. Or projectors. Or trans cooler. Or cleared out ambers in the headlight. She didn't notice the clear bra until her sister pointed it out.