Stillen Exhaust and Stillen twin intake combo

Zatanna Z

Thinking of doing this set up sometime... I would like to hear opionions on this combo and if anyone's tried it and have done a dyno?

Jhill

I like mine. The intake is probably going to be the most common one for the 370z, the exhaust you will have a lot of people recommend the fast intentions. The FI is very nice and sounds great but I just don't like the look of the big mufflers being visible from the back, although I did see the carbon ones on a z last week and it didn't look bad. All in all though I have zero regrets with the stillen, quiet for DD and loud when on it which is what I was after, no drone.

Zatanna Z

Was the intake pretty easy to install? I'd imagine it'd be kind of a pain since you have to remove the front bumper, right?

OhioYJ

So my Z is just my daily driver so I didn't want to go crazy on it. I was still hesitant to pull the bumper and need to pull the bumper every time the filters needed to be cleaned. After doing it once, I'll say it's easy. The initial install is a couple hours if you've never done it. I'd have someone help as you don't want to drop the bumper and handling something carefully that large is much easier with a second set of hands.

Once you've done it the first time, You'll understand, there's nothing to it. I am mechanically inclined, but this really is a pretty straight forward project. The only thing I used above and beyond what I would call basic tools I would say is a Dremel, with a sanding drum (these typically come with a dremel) which made quick work of enlarging the hole in the core support.

DIY Writeup here. <-- I left the strut tower brace in place. I didn't see a reason to remove it. I removed the lower splash panel, the front inner fenders, and the front bumper.

Zatanna Z

I read the DIY and it doesn't look too bad. My dad would probably be a big help with this kinda thing, he's pretty smart with cars. I'm not super mechanically inclined but I've never done something like this before so maybe I'd be better off taking it to a mechanic. I've changed my oil and have done tire rotations so I'm not an expert by any means lol but I think it'd be cool to branch out and learn more about mechanical work.

Jhill

Well I was a professional auto tech for 12 years up untill about a year and a half ago so no it was very easy for me. The z front bumber is maybe one of the easiest I've seen as well, not a lot of wires connected (just the two led if 2013+ and 0 prior), no headlight washer lines etc... extremely simple. One thing I will note is that it is easier to remove the front crash bar, then fit the filters and reinstall the crash bar rather than trying to squeeze in the filters also do yourself the favor and go with the AEM dry filter option.

PS if you plan on doing any sustained aggressive driving or track days now is the time to install an oil cooler while your there.

Zatanna Z

Yeah I think the stillen intake might be too much hassle to deal with especially since I'll have to take off the front bumper anytime I need to do cleaning... I looked into K&N typhoon intake and that seem much more easier to install and to maintain since I don't have to take the front bumper off every time I need to clean. But I don't think the K&N are near as good performance wise as stillen right?

Zatanna Z

And I'll need to do an oil cooler sometime! Our oil gets hot easily when we get on the pedal!

Jhill

Well then there ya go, bumber is coming off sooner or later so might as well go with the better system. Honestly the bumper is very easy to come off. Hardest part of the whole install will be the cutting but it's not bad at all, just use a dremel and a the carbide bur toolbit. Be good practice for when you do a cooler which will be much more in depth.

OhioYJ

I didn't see a reason to remove the crash bar, but to each their own. I would wait to see if you think it's in your way before removing it.

As for the AEM filter, I was looking AEM used to have a graph on their website, they've since apparently removed it, probably smart. AEM's website used to even specifically say "Many of our competitors emphasize flow as a primary means of power production in intakes.", because their primary focus was filtration, and how long they could go between cleaning intervals while still providing "enough flow requirements for the engine as designed" or something to that degree. As much as I won't touch a K&N oil filter (even though those have been improved from what they once were), I would get the air filter, and just learn how to properly oil one. It doesn't take much oil.

Definitely the time to consider an oil cooler if you've thought about one. Also have a look at this link, DIY: Force fresh air to your air box. <-- Thats on my list of things to do. Just to further force more cold air up to my Stillen intake.

Don't get the typhoon, you'll just suck in hot engine air. You'd be better off getting K&N drop in filters for your factory air box, seriously. At least your factory air box gets relatively cold air. The Stillen Intake is the "go-to" for a reason. Yes you will have to pull the bumper off roughly every 30k miles (Stillen / K&N claim 50k), however if you want the most performance from an intake, that's the price you pay. Don't want to pull the bumper, buy the drop in filters for the stock boxes.

Jhill

To each their own I guess. I did it both ways first instal was with crash bar in and second was with it off while doing the oil coolers and just removing the 8 12 mm bolts makes it much easier than trying to squish the filters in without snagging the mesh on any of the upper support.

I know the graph your referring to and the flow rate difference vs filtration rate difference made more sense to me to go with the AEM, it's my DD and not a race car that I'm seeking every 1/8 a HP.