thoughts on aem eti vs stillen gen3

[ziaprowler]

Hi I'm looking to start modifying my z and it's come down between the aem eti or stillen gen 3 intakes. In searching the forum I haven't found much about the aem etis so I was wondering if anyone had experience with them or what you thought. The only thing I've found online was motoiq tested the aems and netted 15 hp on a mustang dyno. Also I was wondering if it'd make a difference tuning since on the aem the maf readings are being corrected. Thanks in advance for your feedback

[DEpointfive0]

The G3's sit in a good place, and from my understanding, the AEM MAF sensor thing is BS...

[ziaprowler]

Thanks for your input. I agree that the stillens are the top dog. The only thing that has me wondering is motoiq tested both at different times and got 9 hp bumper on 12 hp with it off on the stillen and they got 15 on the aem. I have no clue if this is credible or what that deal is its just surprising. So I started this thread to see if there is anyone who owns the system and would be willing to vouch for it. If not I guess I'll go the tried and true route

[DEpointfive0]

The AEM's are in a better place, not gonna lie, but I don't like where they are at the same time...
I HAVE heard of people (I know them personally) that have had water get into their intakes... Nothing major, but they had to clean the MAFs, and let the intake system dry...


Also, you have to put a smaller windshield bottle... I like my windshield bottle, lol

[AlexRaymond19]

I wouldn't worry about posting numbers with the bumper off... Do you drive the car with the bumper off? No, so it only makes for a pretty number... I may be a little biased, but i say go with the Gen III's, a lot of people have them, and they have worked out just fine. The cutting is very minor and easy to do, and you do not have to change your windshield washer tank. As for water getting sucked up, with the gen III's it is nearly impossible, and if it was i would have done it already. I live in Maine, and it gets very wet here... Huge puddles everywhere, i have not had an issue so far. GO FOR THE GIII's!!!!!!!!!

[DEpointfive0]

Originally Posted by AlexRaymond19

I wouldn't worry about posting numbers with the bumper off... Do you drive the car with the bumper off? No, so it only makes for a pretty number... I may be a little biased, but i say go with the Gen III's, a lot of people have them, and they have worked out just fine. The cutting is very minor and easy to do, and you do not have to change your windshield washer tank. As for water getting sucked up, with the gen III's it is nearly impossible, and if it was i would have done it already. I live in Maine, and it gets very wet here... Huge puddles everywhere, i have not had an issue so far. GO FOR THE GIII's!!!!!!!!!

/endthread


LOL

[XwChriswX]

The AEM's make me cautious because why do we need to "trick" the ECU? Isn't that the point of getting a tune is adjusting the ECU to your mods... Oh well. Not to mention they use the same filter placement as the Injens in the spaces in front of the wheels which get no Direct airflow unless you make modifications. So you're sticking them in a closet without access to free air... Kinda shooting yourself in the foot imho.

As for the Stillen Gen III's, they do make good power, slightly more difficult to install due to needing to expand the air duct in the front dam. But it's not any different than having to swap washer fluid reservoirs for the Injen/AEM so it's 6 to one, half a dozen to another.

The biggest problem with the stillens is Cost. $500 for the set, then if you wanna get them powder coated that only adds to it...



But don't forget there are other options out there. Akuma, Takeda, and a few other vendors are bringing their intakes online here soon. So if you're still debating, it might help you to take a gander over in their directions.

With the Takeda it's the same piping as a Stillen, so Plus. But it's only a Single filter both TB's draw from, to me personally thats a push at best, if not a minus. But to each unto their own...

With the Akuma's, they are a single pipe design, with similar filter placement as the Stillens. Both use a K&N oiled filter so thats up to the user if they want that or a Dry filter. I'll most likely be going dry filter when I get my intakes.

[DEpointfive0]

The Takedas are a dumb design IMO. If you need a new filter, you're f'd

[dP3NGU1N]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

The Takedaa are a dumb design IMO. If you need a new filter, you're f'd

I thought the point of that filter is that it's washable. For the position I don't see how anything can damage the filter without severely damaging your front bumper as well, in which case you've probably got bigger issues.

[XwChriswX]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

The Takedas are a dumb design IMO. If you need a new filter, you're f'd

I'm not a fan of it personally, but it's not without it's reasoning.

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

I thought the point of that filter is that it's washable. For the position I don't see how anything can damage the filter without severely damaging your front bumper as well, in which case you've probably got bigger issues.

It's in the same place as stillens, but I'm just wondering how it would work with the two intakes drawing through the same filter, if there isn't some internal divider inside, I wonder how the different banks pulsing might affect the actual "intake" of air on both sides. Would they combat each other hindering performance?

[dP3NGU1N]

I've wondered about that myself however not having to modify your car is a very nice selling point. In the end I think it's up to personal preference. They both have pros and cons. I think the g3s use and oiled filter which I have heard (no first hand exp) is a small hassle to deal with when its time to change it out.

Then again, no idea how often you really need to change out the filters.

[XwChriswX]

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

I've wondered about that myself however not having to modify your car is a very nice selling point. In the end I think it's up to personal preference. They both have pros and cons. I think the g3s use and oiled filter which I have heard (no first hand exp) is a small hassle to deal with when its time to change it out.

Then again, no idea how often you really need to change out the filters.

Well I believe with the Takeda's as well, as with any intake with a pipe OD of more than 1.5" you have to expand the front damn holes. So that's why they're all relatively the same about of labor required.

Yes, I believe the Takeda use a Dry filter.

The Oiled filters only need to be cleaned (depending on climate/use) every 20k, or more. When I was in AZ due to all the dust, I had my K&N drop ins cleaned every oil change, it was just easier to do since the hood was open anyways. Now that I'm not in AZ anymore, I haven't cleaned them since... Which I really need to do. But it's not worth the cost of the re-oiling kit. When I get the intakes I want, I'll be getting dry filters for them regardless of if they come with K&N's or not.

[dP3NGU1N]

The takedas were designed specifically so that no body work needs to be done. Well, from what I've read anyway since I don't have them. I'm just waiting to see if one of these pops up for sale, I'm in no hurry for them.

[XwChriswX]

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

The takedas were designed specifically so that no body work needs to be done. Well, from what I've read anyway since I don't have them. I'm just waiting to see if one of these pops up for sale, I'm in no hurry for them.

No cutting, then I'd like to see a pic of the silicone section that goes through the opening if it flexes at all to accommodate the small gap...

[Hotrodz]

Originally Posted by XwChriswX

The AEM's make me cautious because why do we need to "trick" the ECU? Isn't that the point of getting a tune is adjusting the ECU to your mods... Oh well. Not to mention they use the same filter placement as the Injens in the spaces in front of the wheels which get no Direct airflow unless you make modifications. So you're sticking them in a closet without access to free air... Kinda shooting yourself in the foot imho.

I totally agree with this statement. I have had an AEM CAI installed for about three months and just removed it yesterday as I could not get it to work without the check engine light coming on and having problems with air flow. There was quite a bit of hesitation during shift changes and the engine would periodically shut down when under load going up hill. After discussing the issue with Seb at SpecialtyZ, he recommended I remove the CAI and replace it with the OEM set up and get K&N drop in filters since I'm getting a tune anyway and with the mods I have the horsepower loss is minimal and the vehicle will perform better. A very expensive lesson for me. As the saying goes "keep it simple...stupid!" Got Z1 silicone post-MAF intake hose on the way as well. This setup has been suggested by many on the forum.