Fellow G35-ers! This is my first post in this forum although I have been reading it and getting tons of great information from here for quite a while. I love my G and I love this forum!

Yesterday I did my first mod, installed ZTube and a Stillen Cold Air Box. The install took me a few hours, 75% of it trying to put the bottom bolt on. I think, saying that the bottom bolt is a PITA is quite an understatement. Then again, I never had any experience with modding cars. Maybe it gets easier after a few years

The question that bothers me is that of maintaining the K&N filter that comes with the CAB - how often does it have to be recharged and what is the easiest procedure for doing that? Right now, just by looking at the design of the CAB, I can only think of unmounting the whole CAB and taking the filter out. That would really suck as I would really hate doing it too often.

Also, the top right bolt on the heatshield just didn't seem to be in the correct position. It made the ZTube touch the air conditioner line and also CAB did't connect well to the long air scoop (the one that's right under the engine cover). I drilled another hole in the heatshield, slightly to the right from original whole and it all started to look much better.

Now, for the sound - I really like the throaty sound at WOT and the whistle and high RPM. I'm not sure which is responsible for which (ztube or CAB) but the sound is wicked! As for the power, I didn't really feel much difference. I'm also running on winter M3 tires which noticeably decrease performance.

Do I have to reset ECU? If so, would just shorting the battery wires do the job?

Thanks!
Alex

2004.5 6m sedan. 35% tint. stillen CAB + Ztube.

 

Just installed my CAB last night...and yeah that bolt in the bottom is a real pain....it took me 1 hr to decide that the bolt can stay in the plastic bag for now.

I don't see any other way of cleaning the filter without removing the box.


Filters work best with a little grime on them...so you probably won't have to worry about cleaning it for about 1 year...unless you live in a extremely dusty city/town/state the I would clean it every 3 to 6 months.

I pulled the negative battery from my G and let it sit overnight to reset the ECU. Now it can learn how to breathe with the new filter element.

And yes it does sound good...Im going to put on the ztube in about a week or two, but leaning more towards an exhaust setup right now.

 

BTW...what did you use to attach that bolt?

I tried sticking my hand in there and my forearms are scraped up and sore. Did you use an extension for your rachette?

I think the bottom hole on my box is mis-aligned.

 

Thanks for your suggestion regarding the filter, louielou.

I also scraped my arm when trying the bolt and then I had to search for the ratchet with extension. It was less painful after that. The main problem with the bolt, if you try to screw it on without CAB, you'll notice that it has to be very straight in order to get in. That's the main problem. You got to keep changing the position of CAB with respect to the G until you get the angle right. Since the bolt is short, it's a blind guess and you REALLY have to get the angle right.

 

I am right there with you guys. I put my stillen and z-tube yesterday as well. the whole job took me about 2 hours. I got really lucky with the bold on the bottom, I fitted it with my hand, also scraping my forearm, then i used the extension with the ratchet and somehow fitted on the first try.

Regarding the a/c tube, my OEM setup was very close to begin with, less then a 1/4 inch, but when I installed the z-tube I got about 1/4 inch clearance. I was a little concerned with how close it was and kept checking it all day today after driving, but I was surprised that the whole setup did not heat up that much and the a/c tube was not damaged. Before I did the install, I saw a small scuff on the a/c line from the OEM setup. I hope that now 1/4 inch space is enough.

Regarding the sound, I drove it briefly yesterday and it was really cold so at first I hand my windows up and didnt feel like i was hearing the difference. But then I lowered my window just a bit and heard what everyone was talking about. I think I can even tell the difference in sound starting from 2K rpm, maybe thats just me. Today was a little warmer and i was driving all day with the window down and kept pushing the car to hear that aggressive sound. I drove about 60 miles today and used up almost half a tank. Before this mod, i never took the car past 6K, but today the needle was upthere all day. I think the better gas mileage from the z-tube will be offset with more spirited driving going forward.

The only thing I am not sure about is the PSSS... sound. I know its the air going into the filter, but the weird thing is that only in second gear I get that continuous pssss.... sound from 3K rpm all the way through 5.5K and not in other gears. At other times, this sound comes in everytime i step on the gas and then goes away. Do you guys get that? Lastly, I think revving the car in neutral does not do justice to this setup. What a difference it is while the car is in gear and moving when you step on it

 

ya that is probaly the best set up for gains mines was installed 3 days ago and i love it

 

Just installed my Z tube and Stillen CAI yesterday. Very happy with the results. I was really looking for an intake that was as quiet as stock at idle. My AEM v2 on my Accord was too loud for me at idle. The Stillen definitely is as they claim..."unobtrusive at idle". Sounds great at WOT!

 

I second that.... the sound is really only noticable when the engine is under load when accelerating on the road... same thing happens with my 2k2 max 6spd w/ injen, only makes its presence known in 3rd gear at 40 mph (3k rpms) on up.... but when parked in neutral, not much different than stock...

 

you'd probably have been just as happy if you installed the z-tube and modified the stock air box (remove power duct, maybe also bottom resonator)

Btw, be careful w/ you a/c line - the main reason I stuck w/ the stock air box mod and not the stillen box was because i've read about problems with the a/c line rubbing and breaking.......no thanks do i want to pay $800 to fix it