[Official] "Which intake should I buy for my Z?" thread.

[spotlighter]

Hey everyone!
I just got my first Z (2013 Nismo in Magna Red). I'm looking for the best air intake for the Z. Would like to hear your thoughts? What you chose and why? I'm thinking the Stillen 3.
Thanks.

[Jordo!]

Budget + Ease of installation for decent gains: Cobb (or similar) smooth tubes plus K&N (or other high flow) panel filter.

Money to burn + unconcerned with periodic removing of the front bumper to get a few more ponies up top: Stillen Gen 3.

Un-heat shielded short rams, however, do not seem to perform as well, so those might be passed on unless you intend to construct airboxes for them.

[luigi90210]

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Budget + Ease of installation for decent gains: Cobb (or similar) smooth tubes plus K&N (or other high flow) panel filter.

Money to burn + unconcerned with periodic removing of the front bumper to get a few more ponies up top: Stillen Gen 3.

Un-heat shielded short rams, however, do not seem to perform as well, so those might be passed on unless you intend to construct airboxes for them.

please post proof when making claims like this

my short rams intake 8 above ambient when moving at any speed above 25mph

for the most part i think people should buy a CAI, but if one truly wants a SRI or is given one like i was, it doesnt mean its bad and wont perform, heat shielded or not

[Jordo!]

Originally Posted by luigi90210

please post proof when making claims like this

my short rams intake 8 above ambient when moving at any speed above 25mph

for the most part i think people should buy a CAI, but if one truly wants a SRI or is given one like i was, it doesnt mean its bad and wont perform, heat shielded or not

To be fair, I only have clear evidence of the first two claims; the third is admittedly unconfirmed, to the best of my knowledge.

Moreover, it is indeed possible to pick up gains from a higher flowing cone filter that compensate for any losses due to increased ambient heat -- HOWEVER -- it is unclear whether that will be detected on a dyno with the hood up and a large fan blowing anyway.

If you have some form of heat shielding, and the filters are pointing towards the OEM front bumper duct work, you are probably fine, but if they are wide open, with the hood down, you are drawing in air that is significantly hotter.

While moving, they should approach ambient, so fair enough. But every time you sit, the temps are climbing. That's true even with shielding, but the effect is much greater without shielding.

[DEpointfive0]

Originally Posted by luigi90210

please post proof when making claims like this

my short rams intake 8 above ambient when moving at any speed above 25mph

for the most part i think people should buy a CAI, but if one truly wants a SRI or is given one like i was, it doesnt mean its bad and wont perform, heat shielded or not

I know you "gained" power with your SRIs.
Did you run at a dyno? I forgot.

If you did, was your hood open? If so, you can stop saying your WAIs make power.

Datalogging several days doesn't equate to much if there is no SOP, especially when trying to prove out that WAIs are beneficial over stock.


There is no reason an intake sitting inside the engine bay makes power over stock boxes (let's say with K&N panel filters so we don't start arguing over flow)
And when I say no reason, I mean NO REASON. The stock boxes pull in outside side through the radiator support. SRIs, ESPECIALLY non shielded ones EXCLUSIVELY pull warm to hot air that has either flowed through the 180 degree radiator and/or has been heated by the engine.

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

I know you "gained" power with your SRIs.
Did you run at a dyno? I forgot.

If you did, was your hood open? If so, you can stop saying your WAIs make power.

Datalogging several days doesn't equate to much if there is no SOP, especially when trying to prove out that WAIs are beneficial over stock.


There is no reason an intake sitting inside the engine bay makes power over stock boxes (let's say with K&N panel filters so we don't start arguing over flow)
And when I say no reason, I mean NO REASON. The stock boxes pull in outside side through the radiator support. SRIs, ESPECIALLY non shielded ones EXCLUSIVELY pull warm to hot air that has either flowed through the 180 degree radiator and/or has been heated by the engine.

Short rams on this platform are worse than stock in every measurable way except sound and aesthetics. A hood-closed dyno run with one would most likely show less power than stock. Even if it's free, it's overpriced.

[critical]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

I know you "gained" power with your SRIs.
Did you run at a dyno? I forgot.

If you did, was your hood open? If so, you can stop saying your WAIs make power.

Datalogging several days doesn't equate to much if there is no SOP, especially when trying to prove out that WAIs are beneficial over stock.


There is no reason an intake sitting inside the engine bay makes power over stock boxes (let's say with K&N panel filters so we don't start arguing over flow)
And when I say no reason, I mean NO REASON. The stock boxes pull in outside side through the radiator support. SRIs, ESPECIALLY non shielded ones EXCLUSIVELY pull warm to hot air that has either flowed through the 180 degree radiator and/or has been heated by the engine.

mike has never been on a dyno. his gains are purely speculative. ebay intakes only serve to demean a 40k dollar car.

[jwick]

Originally Posted by critical

mike has never been on a dyno. his gains are purely speculative. ebay intakes only serve to demean a 40k dollar car.

Anyone that has actually worked in the engine bay would know which intakes work and which ones don't

[Spstone]

Waying out HKS CAI over the Stillen. I know as a community we love the stillen and it is best proven, but when the hood is open the HKS looks more impressive. My question is does any one know the HP trade off from on to the other?

[Zteve]

to be honest, there is no such thing as "best" when it comes to bolt ons only personal opinions and choice. what it boils down to is what you want to spend

[SOUTHZZ]

Ambient,spambient...lol.Bolt on any CAI,you will not feel any difference
when you are driving.If you are concerned about temp,put your thermometer
away and drop in some K&N's in the stock airboxes.

[G37Sam]

Keep your stock boxes. Intakes are not worth the money spent and the pain to clean them especially if they're the cold air types.

[Roddy1]

K&N drop ins and Post Maf tubes.

[jcasti07]

Getting back to OP, I paid a little extra for the nismo CAI. Love the powder coated look and there is no cutting involved on install. They also have the air bypass valves that prevent hydro lock if you happen to pick up water. Kit comes with everything you need to replace the washer fluid reservoir. I'm happy with it!