- Price
- Ease of installation
- Simple design (less to go wrong)
- Rainy where I live
- Sound
- Performance on par with CAI

Not necessarily in that order.

03.5 5AT-S (Black-Willow-Premium-Sport-Aero-GroundingGear™-Silverstars-PIAA-PopCharger-Z Tube-Tint)

 

Yeah, what he said.

Ryan
03 Red Coupe w/ Willow, Premium and Nav

Check out my gallery including pics from the Chicago Auto Show
http://www.nissaninfiniticlub.net/ph...hp?ppuser=7566

 

"....how come you guys didn't go CAI?"

Isn't the Z tube - Popcharger combo also a cold air intake (CAI) system?


DaveO - 2003 G35 Sedan / DP / Willow / AT / Premium / Sport
350Z Engine Cover, T-Stat & Air Duct / Stillen CAI
GG 7-Wire H-G Kit / TS ECU / E-Fans
Street Edge TC / B&M Cooler / Stillen Exhaust

 

I believe that's more on the line of a short ram like the K&N Typhoon system.

2003.5 Garnet Fire 5AT
Wishlist: Nismo CAI, Borla Exhaust

 

G4Teej,

To me the Z-tube with a Pop Charger or Sillen intake are short ram CAIs since they have heat shields and draw most, if not all, of the air in from the grill area. The short ram K&N Typhoons I've seen didn't have a hot air shield.


DaveO - 2003 G35 Sedan / DP / Willow / AT / Premium / Sport
350Z Engine Cover, T-Stat & Air Duct / Stillen CAI
GG 7-Wire H-G Kit / TS ECU / E-Fans
Street Edge TC / B&M Cooler / Stillen Exhaust

 

Yes, it is a CAI. The key is to ensure cold air, whether from above or below. The pop-charger heat shield makes a difference. The Mercedes SLK500 has a pair of factory CAI's from the grill, and the Mercedes SLR has one from the snout (very cool, through the star), for example. CAI doesn't necessary mean "easily contaminates MAF", though certainly, such locations make it easy to find cold air.

DB

 

do you guys think that its safe to use a z-tube that came from a friends 350z. he just installed cai and is offering to give me his. will there be any drawbacks to this?

2003 G35 Coupe - Ivory Pearl w/ Willow Interior - Premium Package - Sport Package

 

That's the ideal way to get the z-tube at the best price![img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

<font color=blue>GroundingGear™ Equipped </font color=blue>

 

I only installed the Z tube with the stock air box. I love the sound and I feel I can make the SLIP light come on easier than before.

blksnake

 

I went to 350z.com, found a guy that replaced his intake and asked him to sell me his. He agreed for $30. You should have no problem finding someone there...

 

I went to 350z.com, found a guy that replaced his intake and asked him to sell me his. He agreed for $30. You should have no problem finding someone there...

 

What kind of sound are we talking about here, from JUST the Z-tube? More intake air "swooshing" noise? More exhaust noise??? Low sounds? High sounds? Please describe your impressions. I'm just trying to get a better idea what I'd be getting for $75.
TIA

 

Then, what would be the best mix? Cost/performance?
Xat

 

My impression is that it is a mid to high pitched engine roar. Previously my impressions were based on closed windows. I had the chance this weekend to ride with the sunroof open and my windows down (for the first time since I've owned the car). I took a right curving entrance onto a 3-lane intermediate and put my foot down. Within about 2 seconds I was going under an overpass. The roar was so loud that someone in a minivan in front of me touched the brakes. I think they thought a PT boat was behind them. Hehehe...


2K4 G35x/Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Premium/Wood
Stillen Hi-Flow/ Z tube/ Ground Kit

 

It is drastic compared to stock. Above 3 k, you here the engine really growl. The resonator chambers on the stock intake really dull the sound. The Z tube adds a clear throaty sound in the higher RPM ranges, below 3k sounds the same.

The performance advantage is slight, but when coupled with a better filter, it is evident. (JWT or Stillen)

03 - Black - Premium - Wood - Aero w/ Spoiler - Z Tube - Grounded - Stillen CAI