Install of Stillen G3 Intakes complete - review, etc.
 

I finished installing the Stillen G3 Intakes tonight. It wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be. The front fascia does need to be removed -- I can't quite imagine how else one would accomplish this installation. But it's not as big a deal as one might think.

Car with fascia removed:
http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...ia-removed.jpg

The top brace has to be unbolted per the instructions:
http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...e-unbolted.jpg

Engine bay with stock intakes removed:
http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...es-removed.jpg

We used an air-powered reciprocating saw to expand the holes for the tubes to pass through:
http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...les-easier.jpg

Close up of one of the holes:
http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...ss-through.jpg

The finished result:
http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...hed-result.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...ture1667-a.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...ilter-view.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...-structure.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...s-recessed.jpg

The front fascia fit back on perfectly:
http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...k-together.jpg

View from underneath the car with the undertray removed. (Shows there's still plenty of room for air to reach the radiator.)

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...h-radiator.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...rneath-car.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...rneath-car.jpg

Altogether it took us about 90 minutes. (It wasn't nearly as frustrating as removing the stock cats was.)

I did take it out for a quick 'shake-down' drive. My initial impression is that it does seem to pull stronger, and I expect to notice even more of a difference over the next few days as the ECU adapts. I didn't notice too much difference in sound, but that's probably because the sound from my exhaust combo (Stillen/Berk) drowned it out. That might change as the ECU adapts as well. If it does change significantly, I'll make another video clip. If it doesn't, then I won't as it'd be pointless. I plan to get another dyno next week some time. I want to put some miles into it before I dyno to make sure the ECU has adapted.

I'll update this thread with developments as they become available.

Dyno results (4/1/09):

Here's the dyno I did a couple of weeks ago on a Dyno Dynamics dyno. Max = 291.7whp. My only mods were the Stillen cat-back exhaust and the Berk HFCs.

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...1467494cd8.jpg

Here's today's dyno, back on the same dyno, with the addition of the Stillen G3 intakes. Max = 306.4whp.

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...re-14-7whp.jpg

Net gain = 14.7whp.

For comparative purposes, I also went and got a dyno on a DynoJet. The DynoJet run was performed about 2.5 hours after the Dyno Dynamics run. No change to ambient temperature, but my oil was running about 20 degrees hotter from driving across town. Not sure if 20 degrees is going to make much difference, but I figure I may as well mention it.

Here's the DynoJet chart. Max = 321.3whp.

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...d-321-3-dj.jpg

Video

YouTube - 370Z Comparative Dyno Results

awesome!! looks like that beast is:yum: tt!!

Awesome job! I will be installing mine possibly tomorrow if I have time...

man. u2 guys are on point with the mods!! i gotta start earning more lol. for me it was the test pipes, next these G3s, then my audio system, the headlight mod, and the stillen exhaust. lemme know how these intakes are!!

Very nice writeup. You saved me the work of taking pics of my install now, thanks :)

Did the front bumper come off pretty easily?

Please take them.. you never know.. and you get one chance.. love to put a compilation together for the blog and give all installers credit.. :)

Depends on your definition of 'easy'. A lot of bolts to remove, and it's not a quick process. So for a lazy person it probably wouldn't be considered easy. But it's straightforward and there were no surprises, no 'wtf??' moments (like discovering that the bolts are so tight on the factory cats that your tools actually snap off, for example!). So from that perspective it was easy.

Hey Semtex, where's the pic showing the filters up front? C'mon man you're kill'n me here!

Nice write-up = rep points!

Nice :tup: Look forward to seeing the dyno with the whole combo now.

+repped. Though also requesting some pictures of the filter

Yeah I have to apologize. I actually forgot to take that pic. It was late and I just wanted to get it finished so that I could go to bed. :yawn:

Full disclosure -- I am prone to occasional bouts of uselessness.

:iagree:

Sexy, I got mine in too. Will have a thread up as soon as I get the first set of pics.

That is nice! Does you car know you posted pictures of it without it's bumper on?

Cooling Reduction?
 

Are you concerned that placing the intakes in front of the radiator will reduce airflow to the radiator and higher temperatures?