Yea, I know this horse has been beaten pretty bad. But here's a few comments before installation:

I was dissapointed to see they reuse the stock "power duct". I was expecting their own, bigger one.

Stillen K&N filter is huge. Surface area of this conical filter is much more than the drop in panel style. Question here is possible overkill, as I'm not sure our cars can feed enough air to warrant this size filter.

One way I could see the Stillen intake making more power than a K&N drop in is that their is a large open area on the drivers side on the box. This could theoretically allow air in from the driver side wheel well area, which would be away from the engine bay heated air, and a source of air not available with the stock box.

The instructions dont call for the elimination of the lower resonator, which is huge. I have mixed feelings on removing this. Although it would allow air up through the bottom hole, it could also allow road moisture. Any thoughts on this one?

Before installation, I'd give this a 6 out of 10. I don't expect much in the way of hp from this, but I hope the sound and looks under hood are worth it.

 

I can't wait to hear your review once installed. I am considering this mod myself. As far as the lower resonator goes, I have read that several people have removed it but then plugged the hole with something and siliconing it. That would seem to solve your moisture issue.

 

It kicks A**! The sound at WOT is awesome... Couple it with the Z-tube for maximum enjoyment!

 

Already have Ztube and K&N drop in (as per sig)....wondering what the diff will be, if any.

My real question is whether or not to remove the bottom resonator. It would be a PITA to do a before and after on this one....my plan right now is to remove it and seal the hole....just hope it won't affect the sound too much. Cause that's really the main benefit from this to start...

 

I didn't removed the bottom resonator. I love the CAI. It makes the car sound so much better.

 

it would be hard pressed to have any significant amount of moisture enter the bottom hole of the lower resonator....

 

Since the airbox is no longer air tight, the lower resonator won't work. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Maybe I'll get creative today and install something that would funnel forced air to that bottom hole.........if done right, that would probably create more air flow than the "power duct" or the 90 degree center intake.

 

OK, plenum spacer and Stillen CAI installed. I would give Motordyne big thumbs up for great directions and perfect fit with everything. Unfortuneately, the same can not be said for Stillen. First of all, the outdated instructions say to reuse the bolts that hold the MAF to the airbox. Yet they supply those bolts. Then, the instructions say to secure the box at the bottom using the stock AC line bolt, "simply reach down at the front of the box opening and secure bolt". What BS!!! A large hand (or even a medium sized one) can not do this. The opening is simply too small. And there's no other way to access it. Shame on Stillen for this design.

Haven't had a chance to test these two things out yet, as it snowed like crazy here today (although that was a lot of fun by itself with the X). I'll post back when I can evaluate some WOT runs...

 

well.. not to point it against anyone...
but I did the install in around 30 minutes back then without even the need of the stillen provided instructions for the CAI; I am no mechanic or what, but just an engineer...

 

I just installed the Stillen Airbox last week. Can't feel any power gains but the sound is amazing!

 

I installed my Stillen CAi three weeks ago and i like it, i did think it would be just a tad bit louder however the hissing sound its makes when you step on the gas is cool. The one thing i like about the intake is the heat shield/box but one thing, the top of my filter touches against the top of the Air box i would think the filter would sit in the middle of the air box?? anybody??

 

i have had the stillen cai with a z tube installed for a bout a month and i truly think its teh best set up, my freind has a 05 5at and i have a 5at but 03 he has the aem and i have the stillen, he has exactly the same custom exhaust as me done by the same guy he has the same nismo ground kit, i usually beat him by a foot or 2 depending on my reaction.