DIY: Finally Installed The STILLEN G3 Intake today! Lots of Pics inside (AK370Z)
 

Yes I finally got around to installing the STILLEN G3 intake. This is one of the most popular intake here on the forum. I needed an intake that's high up ( I live in flood zone. Little rain and all the streets are flooded :shakes head:) and something that doesn't sit in the engine bay. STILLEN G3 was the perfect candidate. It sits high and still brings in cool air from the outside. I did look at AEM and INJEN but they sit way to low from my desired height.

I'd like to take this time to THANK

a. Josh@STILLEN for a great price and very quick shipping. This intake has been sitting in my garage since last monday! Thanks Josh.

b. DIGITONIUM for his awesome DIY on how to remove front bumper.

c. Last but not least, Snakes709 for his VERY detailed STILLEN G3 intake install. Also, thanks goes out to all the previous threads made by our members (i.e. RCZ, Semtex etc) :tiphat:.

I was by myself. I had NO help during the install. It's a pretty straight forward install. The most scariest part was the taking off front bumper. I have NEVER taken off front bumper for any previous intake install. It actually wasn't bad at all. I'll post pictures below and write captions and explain along the way what I have discovered. If you see anything wrong or I put something backward or anything, please let me know. I did this by myself in 84 degree weather! Mistakes are not uncommon. :eek:


http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04181.jpg
Very well packed. :tup:

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04184.jpg
What's included in the box. Notice the tubes are wrapped twice with paper.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04196.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04199.jpg
I def recommend Craftsman tools. They carry lifetime warranty. However, I DO NOT recommend this cutting tool (I'll explain later why).

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04261.jpg
Stock intakes.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04268.jpg
Unplug the negative terminal.

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First, I took the engine cover off. The instructions mentioned that I can actually do the install without taking the strut tower brace off. We'll see how long I can go with it on! :icon17:

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04266.jpg
It's actually a two piece engine cover. I always thought it was 1 piece.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...20370z/MAF.jpg
Unplug both MAF sensors!

You can loosen the clamps at the throttle body. Then,

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04274.jpg
Take out this bolt. This is the ONLY both holding the stock intakes in place.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04275.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04282.jpg
I actually found it easier to remove it here instead of intake area. I couldn't even close the silver clamp as you can see it's facing the firewall and there's no space to loosen it because of the bend! :rolleyes:

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04284.jpg
Same thing with the passenger side. I actually removed the bolt and took the whole thing apart. Much easier to work it.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04285.jpg


At this point, I couldn't pull the stock intakes out! :mad: There simply wasn't enough space. I didn't want to force and break something (with my luck, I usually break it :rolleyes:). I am forced to remove the Strut Tower Brace.



http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04281.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04288.jpg
2 bolts and 1 nuts here.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04289.jpg
2 nuts here. Please note, you have to remove a plastic cover pictured below. After you remove two plastic clips, pull hard on the plastic cover. It'll come off. It's connected with many pull clips.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04290.jpg
Clips that you can pull away.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04292.jpg
Actually removing this Strut Tower Brace made my install much much easier. I actually recommend you to take this off first :tup:

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04297.jpg
Stock boxes

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04298.jpg
Stock boxes are off!

Then, take the bumper off. Follow DIGI's DIY here

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04306.jpg
Front bumper off.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04308.jpg

I should mention here that for 2013 models and up, there are electrical wiring that's attached to front bumper since daytime led DRL are standard. Please use extreme caution when you take it off.

Here are some pictures of 2013+ front bumper led wiring: Huge thanks to xTETOVABOYx for providing me with the pics. Thank you

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps890479e4.jpg
Passenger Side Connection On picture #1

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9e9caf71.jpg
Passenger Side LED picture #2

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps1245fd85.jpg
LED on Driver Side , Shows how long wire is picture #3

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...psbc9657dc.jpg
Actual led of the driver side picture #4

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04310.jpg
Unbolt these 3 bolts and let the metal brace hang.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04313.jpg
Now, take these pins off the metal bar so that it DOESN'T have any wires attached.


Okay, now here's a small confusion that costs me some time and bruised my hands!
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...70z/josh-1.jpg
Instructions said that I can just squeeze out two plastic clips. This is wrong info as there is ONLY 1 clip in 370Z ( the instruction pics maybe from G37). There is BOLT instead of clip! Take a look:

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04311.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04312.jpg


http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...ackplastic.jpg


Josh, if you want to make changes to the DIY instruction, feel free. Not a big deal but I wasted like 10 minutes!


http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04323.jpg
I know JOSH suggested me to get the Dremel (or something similar) but Harbor Parts had this one on sale for $20. I was :excited: My happy dance :happydance: turned into this -->:ughdance: as I kept breaking flimsy blades it came with :rolleyes:. The power tool is GREAT but the accessories sucks! So I had to actually cut the hole by hand (with a hacksaw blade/saw). Lets just say my arms were numb after I did the driver side!

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04336.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04341.jpg
Not the prettiest hole (oh boy, I hope frost doesn't see this :ugh:) but worked out pretty good. In the beginning, I kinda made the cut a little higher hoping to avoid the A/C lines but the intakes didn't sit properly (and I couldn't bolt the metal bar). So I had to cut it again.

Now we all know the dreaded A/C line stories. Some members had their A/C lines rubbed and caused some issues. Well, I came out with a quick plan. The STILLEN Kit give you two silicone hoses. You ONLY need to use one as it's pretty long. You can cut it in half and use it for both vacuum lines. :tup:

What did I do with the other hose? :happydance:

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I cut it in half.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04347.jpg
Put some 3M VHB Double sided tape (the most powerful 3M double sided tapes around)

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Put it above the A/C lines! I think it'll def outlast the car. :tup: (let me know what you think)

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Test fitting. Making any final adjustments.

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Installed. At this point, I just swapped MAF sensors from the OEM box.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04367.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04371.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04372.jpg

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Engine cover, Strut brace back on.

I really didn't had any chance to drive the car. So I'll post later my impression. I only drove it around the block. It sounded pretty aggressive :tup:. I'll post HD videos later but here's quick video with my point and shoot camere



It was a great install. I have learned a lot from the install. I now know how to take off the bumper :tup:. The intake build quality was GREAT. Even the slots that MAF goes in, was perfect size (no gap). I'll post later how I like the intake in a few days!

Nice write-up!!

Great install and write up AK, keep them coming i love every thing you do for us on the forum thanks again.

Nice one.. let us know how it performs!

Awesome write up AK, Mega rep for you. :tup:

Great write-up and pictures. So, how do you like the way it sounds?

Very nice!

Since you just did this, can I ask about the white foam piece on the front? How is it secured to the car? Does it just lay loose in place? Reason I ask mine seems to be loose when I put my finders under in that area with the bumper on.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...z/DSC04308.jpg

There are two plugs on the styrofoam that stick into holes in the metal...it fits in loosely and is easily removed.

Awesome write up. I am planning on installing mines soon. This will come in handy. Thanks again!

What a lousy write up. Only 45 photos! j/k AK, awesome DIY. Now I really don't have any excuses not to get the G3.

nice write-up AK, glad you finally got time to install them. Carbon fiber next? :excited:

Damn AK, another epic DIY.

Congrats on the new toys, those things are awesome!

AK.. will absolutely look into the instructions.. apologize for the time wasted on the G37 inclusion.. surprised we overlooked that. We do share photos and things from the various applications, as a lot of things are exactly the same. I guess i owe you 10 minutes somehow!

Thanks so much for the awesome detailed review and DIY.. I know guys will benefit from your efforts and documentation..

Bummer on the tool.. I know you were excited to get a 'dremel-ish' device for the home arsenal.. LOL.. I think you might have cheaped out on that one... (I kid I kid).. ;)

Awesome review.. can't wait to hear your thoughts once the ECU gets a chance to adjust to the new airflow, and you get a chance to flog it..

You're welcome. :tiphat:

It sounds GREAT! I love how aggressive the car sounds with this intake and my HKS exhaust. You must hear this in person :drool:

:iagree: It's loosely held.

Yup! I was planning on Thursday but it may get pushed to Sunday. Since you mentioned it, I'll give you a little sneak peak ;)
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/DSC04215.jpg

They sound great! You were one of the first to get this installed, right? (last year?)

looks like some quality CF there, but can't tell which pieces they are...hints? :tup: