Is it really worth putting a Cold Air Intake on 370z and what HP gains

gsxr750 · 01-25-2012, 02:16 PM

If your going to run the stock air system , then you may as well just stick with the stock paper element or just the simple fram oem filters. These flat slided oiled filters are even more prone to getting dirt transfered to intake side of the filter after cleaning, than the round cone type. Like I said before in the original beginning of the post, you really want throw away your old air cleaner after 3k-5K miles and replace if with a new oem unit. I do it with every oil change, as they are so cheap.

Another note with these oiled air filters is that they flow more air mainly due to their larger screen mesh or filter material hole size or MICRON size. Meaning the actual diameter of a dust particle which can pass thru the filter mesh or media.

Interesting to note that the cheaper paper or disposable filters have superior dirt filtration when compared to the high price cleanable filters.

Your ultimate goal with the air filter is to protect your engine life span.

Another issue is that these complicated air intake sysytems may actually void the factory waranty, if you put one on it should be one that can be put completely back to stock after instally it if any issues develope.

elmz · 01-25-2012, 02:30 PM

Logically speaking, I think you're right. But just how small are these particles you're talking about? How much more pass through the after market ones than the stock ones? and what kind of damage are we talking? Negligible or enough to cause issues in the long run? Do you have any evidence to back up this statement? I've always put aftermarket intakes on my cars and I've never had any internal issues. I think there is more to it than just that, if so K&N would have been out of business a long time ago.

Masa · 01-25-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmz

I've always put aftermarket intakes on my cars and I've never had any internal issues. I think there is more to it than just that, if so K&N would have been out of business a long time ago.

I agree, I've run K&N reusable oiled filters on all my previous cars and none of them ever had any problems. My 03' Civic Si had an Injen CAI with K&N oiled cone filter on it for 147k miles and no problems ever arose from it or the car itself. Similar instance on my 00' GTI VR6. Electrical gremlins were abound in that car but the engine itself was rock solid up until I got rid of it at 97k miles.

gsxr750 · 01-25-2012, 02:50 PM

The key thing is that you want stop any dirt from getting into the engine. It doesn't take much dirt or road dirt to completely destroy an engine. Even a small amount of dirt as 1/4 teaspoon of fine dust or road dirt can destroy an engine. The fine dust or grit will get into the intake and get sucked into the crankcase and in short time destry the piston rings and crank bearings.

Look at in inside of a vacuum cleaner bag or filter assembly and you can see the possible fine dust that could be sucked into the engine.

You have to remember that a cars gas engine is nothing moe than a LARGE GAS POWERED AIR PUMP.

In my early STREET DORK DAYS in the late 70's we all seem to go thru it to some extent , it was the fashion to ride your bikes with open velocity stacks, that only had a small wire mesh screen on them, baking flower could pass thru the screen. I completely rebuilt the top end of the bike by thursday night and road about 150 miles on clean city streets just cruising with the screened velocity stacks, then at 150 miles the engine died due to lack of compression, I found out that the piston rings were completly shot and I ended up completely rebuilding the top end and bottom end to fix the engine.

elmz · 01-25-2012, 03:08 PM

I think it's different when we start comparing cars with bikes. And I don't have any experience with modding bikes. I do agree with what you're saying though, however in the end that's not how it turns out. I think you're over thinking it a little, because the same can be said with any mod e.g. HFC, CBE, Headers, pretty much anything that will gain more HP. I can now say that Nissan did massive R&D for the 370Z at it's current spec. Adding another 30+ HP can translate to more strain on the drivetrain, tranny, axles, etc...which in the end will damage the car in the long run. But hey! to each his own.

batman_4 · 01-25-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmz

I think there is more to it than just that, if so K&N (and any other intake system company) would have been out of business a long time ago.

01-25-2012, 02:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
gsxr750 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: west Posts: 443 Drives: 2012 370z man. sport Rep Power: 15	If your going to run the stock air system , then you may as well just stick with the stock paper element or just the simple fram oem filters. These flat slided oiled filters are even more prone to getting dirt transfered to intake side of the filter after cleaning, than the round cone type. Like I said before in the original beginning of the post, you really want throw away your old air cleaner after 3k-5K miles and replace if with a new oem unit. I do it with every oil change, as they are so cheap. Another note with these oiled air filters is that they flow more air mainly due to their larger screen mesh or filter material hole size or MICRON size. Meaning the actual diameter of a dust particle which can pass thru the filter mesh or media. Interesting to note that the cheaper paper or disposable filters have superior dirt filtration when compared to the high price cleanable filters. Your ultimate goal with the air filter is to protect your engine life span. Another issue is that these complicated air intake sysytems may actually void the factory waranty, if you put one on it should be one that can be put completely back to stock after instally it if any issues develope. Last edited by gsxr750; 01-25-2012 at 02:21 PM.

01-25-2012, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
gsxr750 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: west Posts: 443 Drives: 2012 370z man. sport Rep Power: 15	The key thing is that you want stop any dirt from getting into the engine. It doesn't take much dirt or road dirt to completely destroy an engine. Even a small amount of dirt as 1/4 teaspoon of fine dust or road dirt can destroy an engine. The fine dust or grit will get into the intake and get sucked into the crankcase and in short time destry the piston rings and crank bearings. Look at in inside of a vacuum cleaner bag or filter assembly and you can see the possible fine dust that could be sucked into the engine. You have to remember that a cars gas engine is nothing moe than a LARGE GAS POWERED AIR PUMP. In my early STREET DORK DAYS in the late 70's we all seem to go thru it to some extent , it was the fashion to ride your bikes with open velocity stacks, that only had a small wire mesh screen on them, baking flower could pass thru the screen. I completely rebuilt the top end of the bike by thursday night and road about 150 miles on clean city streets just cruising with the screened velocity stacks, then at 150 miles the engine died due to lack of compression, I found out that the piston rings were completly shot and I ended up completely rebuilding the top end and bottom end to fix the engine. Last edited by gsxr750; 01-25-2012 at 03:17 PM.

01-25-2012, 03:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 19	I think it's different when we start comparing cars with bikes. And I don't have any experience with modding bikes. I do agree with what you're saying though, however in the end that's not how it turns out. I think you're over thinking it a little, because the same can be said with any mod e.g. HFC, CBE, Headers, pretty much anything that will gain more HP. I can now say that Nissan did massive R&D for the 370Z at it's current spec. Adding another 30+ HP can translate to more strain on the drivetrain, tranny, axles, etc...which in the end will damage the car in the long run. But hey! to each his own. Last edited by elmz; 01-25-2012 at 03:11 PM.

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01-25-2012, 02:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 19	Logically speaking, I think you're right. But just how small are these particles you're talking about? How much more pass through the after market ones than the stock ones? and what kind of damage are we talking? Negligible or enough to cause issues in the long run? Do you have any evidence to back up this statement? I've always put aftermarket intakes on my cars and I've never had any internal issues. I think there is more to it than just that, if so K&N would have been out of business a long time ago.