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

gsxr750

Its really hard to believe individual claims of vast improvements in speed power or accelleration for the CAI KITS, (humans are not biological engine dynos), unless your a "Terminator" under that skin.

So most of these claims are very subjective from individual to individual.

I would only go by actual proven dyno charts by reputable manufactures and private claims.

From what I discovered from different dyno posting here and other online sources, these cold air intake kits only really make 5-9 hp and with the addition of a good free flowing racing exhaust you could get it up to 10-15 hp.

The real problem is that there really is no magical cheap bolt on way to increase HP considerably, out side of TURBO CHARGING or NITROUS OXIDE and both of these effect engine life and reliability.

So if you PPL talk to any reputable engine or true performance shops that really road race or build cars and engines for winning racers and winning teams. They will tell there is no magic or bolt quick way to HP gains, the simple truth is that the engine needs to come apart pistons, cams, valves, head work, rods, stroking etc. Then along with some quality air intake kits and racing exhaust or turbo charging them, if necessary for the particular application.

You really can't trust to many of these little performance shops that just get a small rental building and buy a dyno. Then start doing all these simple bolt on mods and charging ppl for the dyno runs, along with the part sales and installation. Along side their 21" rim. tire selections and window tint.

Some of these small shops may know what they are doing , but most probably have little or no real world experience building or tunning engines.

You really want to find a shop that builds engines or sets up cars for most of the top regional racers etc. These shops can be found by going to a local track day event or getting a pit pass to some top amatuer events, most of the racers and mechanics will be glaid to share info on who to go to for the best work.

So in my opinion these current bolt on CAI and Cat back exhausts are just the new form of "Snake Oil " being sold to the young new car buyers.

If you have a few extra dollars and want to do something usefull for your 370z, then get a good clear car bra installed and some quality protective seat covers or leather seat upgrade.

Heres what I did, Nano Fusion Clear Bra on most of the cars front end and exposed panels,window tint and a set of Cover King ballistic black seat covers to protect the seats. Total cost $1000 for everything.

Speedy

Track times really tell the tale. Dynos can be manipulated way to easy.

For example, let the car completely cool and make a run. Then make 3-5 more back to back runs and the power will start to decline due to heat soak. What's to say the base line wasn't a dead hot run and the new and improved a bone cold run? A true 5HP gain now becomes 11-15 on paper.

Dynos are really nothing more than tuning tools. The times I've tested parts, I've done it back to back without ever unstrapping the car from the dyno. Same tire pressure, etc. I do three runs and take the average. That will give the best idea of what it actually gained. You also have to watch the correction factor and smoothing used as those can both affect the numbers.

Here's the testing I did on the Challenger with cat back and CAI.

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Now with the motor and blower it's right about 600RWHP and 600RWTQ.

ZMan8

I have read many members on this forum who bought various CAI's, HFC's, and/or exhausts and put htem on the dyno for proven gains. Many of these people even ran comparison dyno tests on the same day to get more accurate results. Read all the reviews for things like stillen intakes, stillen exhaust, F.I. exhuast, berk exhaust, berk cats etc. (there are too many to list off) I have also seen people claim faster track times, better throttle response, etc. with these "bolt ons". Many people make in the range of 25-35 hp more with intake, hfc, and cbe (no tune) and usually can make more usable power, bring back low end torque, and make 5 addition hp with a tune on top of all those.

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2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT | Fast Intentions | Swift Springs | SPC | Z1Motorsports | JWM | Redline Oils | 35% Window Tint
2015 Mazda6 | 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

Speedy

I've seen a couple of folks mention better throttle response, but I'm confused by that. I've not looked at the stock intake system on mine too closely yet, but does it have mufflers or baffles? That would be about the only thing that could cause any sensation of better throttle response going with an aftermarket system that eliminated any such baffling allowing a more direct shot for the air to flow, but it would have to be a significant change. Cooler air alone isn't going to help the throttle any.

Like I said early on, the 370z is a MAF based system (mass air flow) so it's PCM can and will adjust to more air flow by adding necessary fuel and thus more power is made. Same with Mustangs and Camaros. However, I think it'd be hard to really say you feel 20HP. It's just not going to be that obvious when it comes to moving a 3300 lbs car. Under IDEAL conditions and perfect driving you'll only realize about a 2MPH faster ET in the 1/4 mile with an extra 20 horses. That's not a lot considering and I'd be shocked if one could actually feel it driving.

The best bang for the buck will likely be a custom tune. My next thing to look in to is the tuning on these cars to see what's what. I can tell ya on the Challenger, adding 1 degree of timing to the tune gives an extra 15-20HP. I'd imagine it's similar on the 370z, but you have to be careful and run good fuel. So if the stock tune is uber safe, and they normally are, you could fatten up the AFR a tick and keep it around 12-12:5 and add a couple degrees of timing and gain 30-40HP just in the tune alone, and likely with throttle by wire make the throttle a bit more sensitive in the program, and have a REAL gain in throttle response.

ZMan8

From my reading on the forums better throttle response comes from the larger air filters that are less restrictive for the intakes. That's why many people claim drop-ins and post maf tubes almost equal the aftermarket CAI.
Aftermarket air filter allow the engine to take in more air and quicker, thereby giving the sensation of better throttle response. The car should revs up quicker. I do not know how it actually feels since I'm still running stock.

I think most people on here state you will not feel anything under 10hp. I would expect a 20+hp to be felt. The car should feel more lively.

From my understanding there is not much to tuning this car because they still haven't cracked vvel. Currently I would expect a tune to give around 10 hp if there are not other mods on the car my

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2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT | Fast Intentions | Swift Springs | SPC | Z1Motorsports | JWM | Redline Oils | 35% Window Tint
2015 Mazda6 | 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

Speedy

I don't buy it on the intake filters allowing better throttle response, but that's just my theory as of today. I'd need to see some data or drive one before and after to speak confidently on the subject.

As for a tune only giving 10HP...unless timing can't be modified that has to be inaccurate. Adding only 1 degree would make more of a difference than that.

sfearl1

i believe my car had a noticeable improvement in throttle response after adding the drop in filters.

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Scott

PaulZ370

Try this at home with your vacuum cleaner:

Turn it on, then use the attachments on the hose. You will notice that the more restrictive the attachment, the more "whine" the motor makes as it strains to pull the air through the attachment's opening. The more the motor strains, the more HP is being used to Pull the air into the attachment. In the case of a car, this means there is less HP to drive your wheels.

Same principle applies on the intakes and exhausts of cars as I've noted above.

Give the engine a larger "attachment", and it doesn't have to work as hard on "sucking" the air into the chambers. Free-er air flow = less work the engine has to do just to breathe, the more HP is now left over for the drivetrain.

Why do I know this? I am an engineer - and as such, I have dealt with calculating useable HP for Generator Engines considering pressure drops due to intake and exhaust piping. Piping (both intake and exhaust) have a tremendous effect on useable HP from the engine. This was a major factor in my choosing the FI exhaust system by the way - it has the least bends with the least angles (no 90's) which I know for a fact translates to less back pressure and more useable HP at the engine as a result. Intakes work the same way. The less bends and less pipes, the easier the engine breathes, the more useable HP is available for the drivetrain...

This is not hearsay, nor conjecture, nor abstract theory. This is something I have done as a matter of practical engineering - I make my living this way by the way, with 22 years experience in the industry, if that means anything to anyone out there...

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BD2ZBN :: 2011 BSM/TRG/SP/6MT/Stillen Oil Cooler/K&N CAI/Michelin PSS/Brake Light/EIBACH Sway Bars/FI Res. HFC+18" Res. CBE/Morimoto XB LED/DRLs/10mm Spacers

ZMan8

A couple threads regarding how much people get with a tune:

Uprev Tuned at Z1, results inside :)

My dyno results

Went to Uprev. Here's my results

There are many more like that if you search in the tuning section. My point is people don't get much hp out of a tune on this car. What a tune helps with is better usable power, corrects the afr, and gives it better feedback when you mash in the pedal. IF you go to an uprev tuner, they will most likely say you will gain between 6-15 hp. That number will depend on multiple factors of course.

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2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT | Fast Intentions | Swift Springs | SPC | Z1Motorsports | JWM | Redline Oils | 35% Window Tint
2015 Mazda6 | 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee