Help understanding Post MAF Tubes, Test Pipes, Drop Ins

Haras1687

Hey all. First off, I am new to the forum and have read some threads, but don't have time to research too much. I am a chick and by no means a mechanic or tuner head, but have just enough knowledge to be dangerous. haha. I used to own a 240SX, and of course fell in love with her. My brother helped me with some maintenance and mods on her, so I have a very basic understanding of automobile anatomy and physiology. Here is what I am hoping to find help with. I want to spiff up my lady (2012 manual 6spd 370Z stock touring edition). I want a mod under or right at $500. I care about power, speed, sound, and appearance. Mostly, I just want to make her unique and special, instead of stock and boring.
From the research I have done, I think the route I want to go is Post MAF tubes and K&N Drop Ins. However, I have also seen good feedback about the r2c filters. Also, I have read some threads about test pipes. My problem is that I don't really understand what all these things do and how they work together. I like to understand the why and how of something works.
So, I get the purpose of air filters and that the cone ones allow more air in than the factory ones. however, i don't understand if the k&n drop in filters are just the filters or is there different piping/tubing with them?
Or like at this link for the R2C filters, do I need to purchase anything to go with them to connect them, or just the filters?
https://www.tunerzstore.com/Nissan-3...rs-dual-intake
And i keep hearing k&n drop ins but just r2c filters. Is there such a thing as r2c drop ins?

And with the Post MAF tubes/intake hoses, how do they work and are some better than others? like are these ones good? https://www.z1motorsports.com/z1-pro...d02df8b3b45962

Also what are test pipes? I have seen threads saying good things about ART pipes and Fast Intentions Resonated test pipes, but I don't really understand what they are.

Also, would I use all 3 parts in conjunction? test pipes, post MAF tubes, Drop ins?

thanks in advance for your help. Feel free to laugh at me for my ignorance. We can't all be good at everything. lol

Jhill

The drop ins are just that, drop in replacement filters for the Oem air box nothing more. The post MAF tubes just eliminate the accordion style Oem for a smoother bore to supposedly reduce turnulence. If your going to the trouble of going test pipes you might as well go all out and to the full long tube intake.

abm89

Based on the price range and what you are looking at, I would suggest picking up a set of long-tube intakes. Z1 Motorsports makes an excellent intake kit with good gains, and it's easy to install.

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Haras1687

thanks guys :-)

Raidernation

If you go the long tube style intake you will need to take the bumper off when you need to change/clean the filters. That was a deal breaker for me.

I went with post maf silicon tubes and the k&n drop in filters. I also added the silicone breather hoses. These will eliminate a few more choke points. As for the install it is easy and should take an hour. Performance wise I can hear a little bit more of rumble at cold start ups. Throttle response is improved a tad. This setup is about $350. Then maybe put the rest towards a future exhaust?

The test pipes are not the easiest thing to install and may open Pandora's box. Once bitten by the mod bug it is very easy to let things spiral out of control. Have fun with the new car and let the modding begin.

Crissytal

Hello Haras! I am also female and trying to learn!

Yes, there is such a thing as R2C drop ins. I have a set in my 370Z. They replace the filters that are in your air boxes. They are literally just that, drop ins. I am currently running R2C's short ram intake with cone filter on my 350Z. I really like the quality of R2C's products and that they are dry filters (no oil). The filters are also lifetime and should never need replacing. They will just need to be blown out or rinsed from time to time.

njobe89

you're not going to feel any change in power from doing intakes. test pipes are a pain the arse to install but do yield a nice gain in hp. like stated above your best bet is to do the intakes. when/if you decide to the exhaust then you can do the test pipes (if you don't have emissions where you live). you feel the gains once you tune your car.

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Ventruck

Wanted the R2C's, but in another thread I read the material supply took them out of production.

I'm about to do aFe drop-ins and HPS tubes (these are in the house already). Main reason being is end of the day, I want a very hassle-free daily driver, which is kinda what the Z originally is by principle compared to other sports cars.

I'm also in the camp that believes that the stock setup is already very well-designed overall. Just hitting on where it comes short, which isn't necessarily changing the overall setup.

...and not to derail the thread, but people really need to take off the strut bar for the tubes? Is it that hard to wrestle these things together at the TB end, even if I use silicone grease?