Intake advice

[Jx2_ay]

I'm new here and am not very experienced with these sort of blogs. I was wondering if anyone could help me out with some advice with my first mod for my 04 g35 sedan. I'm looking at different cold air intakes and much of the ones I've come across are pretty expensive. I'm hearing it's a "you get what you pay for" type of situation but I have also heard some of the cheaper systems may work just as well with a decent filter. I've found this one on ebay for an affordable price. Does anyone know if this will suffice or have any suggestions on a brand I might find for around the same price? http://m.ebay.com/itm/161374635706

[Jx2_ay]

I'm seeing the jwt pop charger as a popular addition for about the same price. Also looking to add a z tube but was wondering if I could install the pop charger to my g tube and install the z tube at a later date. Does anyone know if this can be done? Again, probably a stupid question, new at this obviously.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Personally, I'm not a fan of replacing a plastic (read: insulated) air intake tube with an aluminum (heat conductor) intake tube... especially if it runs over the radiator or other hot area.

You might be better off just replacing the panel filter with an adapter and cone. Or spend more money and get an intake that actually has some kind of insulating coating on it (I believe K&N intakes have it).

[Jx2_ay]

Thank you. That's what I've been hearing. The oem z tube from the 350z is rubber though rite? I would think that it would be more resist full to heat than a standard aluminum pipe.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I don't recall what its made from off the top of my head, but probably sections of plastic for the long parts, and rubber and/or silicone couplers where it attaches to the throttle boddy.

[Jx2_ay]

As far as the filter goes, what gets the best result, a large cone filter like the pop charger or a performance K&n drop in. I understand the filter box will better prevent heat soak while drawing cooler air than a cone sitting in the engin bay would but how far apart are the gains if any? Also, could just installing a cold air intake solve all problems but the aluminum tube heat soak factor? Is like to get the most gain while maintaining a throttled sound if it only means giving up a very small gain in hp.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I think all that changes on a case by case basis. It all depends how well the factory intake was designed vs the aftermarket one.

The larger the filter element area, the less restrictive it will be, so cones are the best in that sense. If you can section off the area it will be pulling air from (so it doesn't pull in heat from the engine bay), that is typically your best bet.

To be honest, a normal air intake upgrade accounts for very little gains, if any. Not really enough to feel, but it should sound better and possibly result in better MPG due to increased pumping efficiencies. If you really want to go faster, forced induction is the way to go.

[Jx2_ay]

Thank you. I think you pretty much answered all of my questions I had. I appreciate the help!

[BusyBadger]

Z-tube and intake aren't going to net you much, and what you do gain is all at the top end of the the tach. You'll be better off with a plenum spacer and a tune from UpRev.

An alternate route, if you're on sacrificing some fuel economy would be a different final drive. You'll lose some top end but gain some acceleration. And like I tell everyone, the best performance modification you can make on your car is better tires.