Stillen vs. Smoky: your take on intakes

BalanBro · 03-27-2010, 08:38 PM

From a fluid dynamics standpoint, air/liquid passing through two tubes of equal diameter will experience less resistance in the shorter pipe (i.e. less of a pressure drop=more flow). The advantage of a CAI is pretty much limited to the cold air aspect alone.

As someone had alluded to, it is possible that the dyno setup may have provided sufficient airflow to keep warm air from entering the SRI (or perhaps the water temp was low enough that the thermostat was closed and the radiator didn't really heat the air).

Basically, an SRI can make more power, provided it is somehow shielded from incoming hot air. That said, I do not really see anything special about this design that makes it unique in this regard.

nuTinmuch · 03-27-2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BalanBro

From a fluid dynamics standpoint, air/liquid passing through two tubes of equal diameter will experience less resistance in the shorter pipe (i.e. less of a pressure drop=more flow). The advantage of a CAI is pretty much limited to the cold air aspect alone.

As someone had alluded to, it is possible that the dyno setup may have provided sufficient airflow to keep warm air from entering the SRI (or perhaps the water temp was low enough that the thermostat was closed and the radiator didn't really heat the air).

Basically, an SRI can make more power, provided it is somehow shielded from incoming hot air. That said, I do not really see anything special about this design that makes it unique in this regard.

Yes, pretty much this.

Either it increases airflow greatly or reduces the temperature of the air into the engine which, as a side effect, increases air being received by it.

370Zsteve · 03-28-2010, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BalanBro

From a fluid dynamics standpoint, air/liquid passing through two tubes of equal diameter will experience less resistance in the shorter pipe (i.e. less of a pressure drop=more flow). The advantage of a CAI is pretty much limited to the cold air aspect alone.

As someone had alluded to, it is possible that the dyno setup may have provided sufficient airflow to keep warm air from entering the SRI (or perhaps the water temp was low enough that the thermostat was closed and the radiator didn't really heat the air).

Basically, an SRI can make more power, provided it is somehow shielded from incoming hot air. That said, I do not really see anything special about this design that makes it unique in this regard.

From what I have read about the Gen3, the length and bend of the tubes promotes smoother airflow at the MAF, negating your comment about resistance in the shorter pipe.

BalanBro · 03-28-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

From what I have read about the Gen3, the length and bend of the tubes promotes smoother airflow at the MAF, negating your comment about resistance in the shorter pipe.

It is possible that the longer tube could have smoother airflow further down the pipe, but it will still experience more resistance (i.e. a greater pressure drop as measured from the inlet and outlet of the intake tube). Smoother air flow does not necessarily mean MORE air flow, but it typically leads to a much more stable and accurate reading from the MAF.

A short tube, as in an SRI, is more tempermental to MAF location, and proper spacing from the filter/inlet is very important to avoid the turbulence created at the pipe inlet. This could be one reason why the other SRI systems have not fared so well.

370Zsteve · 03-29-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BalanBro

It is possible that the longer tube could have smoother airflow further down the pipe, but it will still experience more resistance (i.e. a greater pressure drop as measured from the inlet and outlet of the intake tube). Smoother air flow does not necessarily mean MORE air flow, but it typically leads to a much more stable and accurate reading from the MAF.

A short tube, as in an SRI, is more tempermental to MAF location, and proper spacing from the filter/inlet is very important to avoid the turbulence created at the pipe inlet. This could be one reason why the other SRI systems have not fared so well.

Thanks, Belan. Ya, I didn't mean there would be more flow by any means. I wish I could locate the article about the long-tubes, it was not in a Stillen press release, but rather a 3rd-party source in an online article I stumbled on. It also mentioned that the shape of the bend coming around to the filters was crucial for the smother flow.

I'm beginning to think Semtex may be right and that Smoky put a Turbonator in the unit.

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03-27-2010, 08:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
BalanBro Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 318 Drives: 40th Anniv. 370Z Rep Power: 1113	From a fluid dynamics standpoint, air/liquid passing through two tubes of equal diameter will experience less resistance in the shorter pipe (i.e. less of a pressure drop=more flow). The advantage of a CAI is pretty much limited to the cold air aspect alone. As someone had alluded to, it is possible that the dyno setup may have provided sufficient airflow to keep warm air from entering the SRI (or perhaps the water temp was low enough that the thermostat was closed and the radiator didn't really heat the air). Basically, an SRI can make more power, provided it is somehow shielded from incoming hot air. That said, I do not really see anything special about this design that makes it unique in this regard.