Stillen vs. Smoky: your take on intakes

G37Sam · 03-27-2010, 05:12 AM

Must be that TS sticker on that intake, I know it!!

Forrest · 03-27-2010, 05:49 AM

I find it weird nobody is addressing Red370 or RCZ's valid questions. Only the positive questions are getting a response.

G37sHKS · 03-27-2010, 06:00 AM

man its simple... there is no way a SRI is better than CAI.. maybe in first run the SRI have a chance to win the CAI.. but after 2-3 runs it will drop to stock... and after 6-7 runs lol it will lose power bcuz of the hot air

BOLIO 671 · 03-27-2010, 08:24 AM

Dyno and AFR papers would be nice to see...Just like others I was surprised with the results...

All in all great job for doing a comparison on these two products

370Zsteve · 03-27-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Okay, 'fess up. You guys inserted a Turbonator in the pipes of the TS intake, didn't you?

370Zsteve · 03-27-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

I find it weird nobody is addressing Red370 or RCZ's valid questions. Only the positive questions are getting a response.

read this again:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baker-Jackson Nissan

The tests that were posted were done with the hood down and bumper on, so they were as "Real World" as we could get. As far as the validity goes, we had the Stillen Intake installed, and it was driven roughly 30 miles and WOT multiple times before the Dyno. It was then switched to the TS, and the same was done. Its a fine line between letting the ECU adjust and not taking too much time in between tests. In the end, no test is perfect, but this is as close as anyone can get.

As far as the mod's are concerned, (and yes we are aware that some of these do not add power, but still should be disclosed) so far they are:

Either TS or Stillen Intake
Stillen HFC
Stillen Headers
Top Secret Exhaust
AP Racing Big Brake Kit
B&M Short Shifter
ACT Clutch Assembly
NST Pulley Kit
I-Forged 20" Spring Rims
and a few others that don't affect a dyno run.

In the end, we are all still surprised at the results. We welcome any other questions that you guys might have. Bottom line, for the current set up that we have, the TS intake reaps greater benefits than the Stillen. Both excellent products either way. Maybe we will redo these tests with more mod's on next week and a few forum members can come watch??? Up to you guys!

370Zsteve · 03-27-2010, 08:36 AM

I'd love to see Stillen do the same comparison test.

ZforMe · 03-27-2010, 10:51 AM

$1,100.00???? Deal of the century! I hate it for anyone that falls into this trap.

Red370 · 03-27-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZforMe

$1,100.00???? Deal of the century! I hate it for anyone that falls into this trap.

you can find the Takedas and JWT's for less than $300!

dalparadise · 03-27-2010, 12:23 PM

The results surprised me too. I'm a complete noob to most of this and credit this forum for most of what I know. Given that, I expected the Stillen to walk away with this test.

Here are a couple of points I've considered:

The "bud" design of the HKS filters seems to be more directional than the "K&N-style" filters of other short rams, which seem to take in air from all around them. Could it be that the base of the bud filters acts as a heat shield and the airflow coming from the front and bottom of the car (where the buds are pointed) is not really heated at all at the point where it's taken in by the TS intake?

Could the length of tubing in the Stillen or Injen design be conducting heat throughout the intake, therefor containing the column of air through a longer tube than the short rams and allowing for more time and surface area throughout its length to heat the incoming air?

That said, could thickness of, or bends in, the tubing contribute to this?

Is the filter medium in the buds less restrictive than in the K&N-style?

Is a larger surface area actually facing the airflow in the buds? (Again, the "directional" aspect of their design)

Just some points I've pondered as to why the TS might outperform or equal (which was my vote, BTW) the Stillen.

In the end, the marginal advantage to the TS is not worth the cost for me. If money were no object and I only accepted the best, like on this Mothra car, yeah -- strap on plenty of Smoky's gear. But for a little more than half price, the Stillen performs almost as well. That's right on-mission with the 370Z and where most of us regular guys end up.

Still, you have to hand it to Top Secret and their ability to take designs one step beyond and eek out a little more performance. Those who appreciate that committment and who are willing to pay for it will always get their money's worth.

phelan · 03-27-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalparadise

The "bud" design of the HKS filters seems to be more directional than the "K&N-style" filters of other short rams, which seem to take in air from all around them. Could it be that the base of the bud filters acts as a heat shield and the airflow coming from the front and bottom of the car (where the buds are pointed) is not really heated at all at the point where it's taken in by the TS intake?

If they indeed managed to control where they're getting the airflow from on a short tube, that may be possible...for a limited time. I think it would only provide a short term boost in power, eventually heat soak will start to affect the intakes. The way the short tubes are set up in our engine bay, the entire intake is just too close to the engine to get a good amount of cold air into it. Which is why many of our forum members here are adamant that you need a long-tube CAI instead.

Quote:

Could the length of tubing in the Stillen or Injen design be conducting heat throughout the intake, therefor containing the column of air through a longer tube than the short rams and allowing for more time and surface area throughout its length to heat the incoming air?

If the air flow through the intake was really slow maybe. But considering driving at cruising speeds, you have a great deal of air moving through those tubes, the heat transfer from the surface would be minimal. Again, I think the concern was more towards the temperature of the air drawn in. Short tubes are already at a disadvantage by drawing in the hotter air in the engine bay.

Quote:

That said, could thickness of, or bends in, the tubing contribute to this?

This is where my design question came in. What material did TS use? What is the thickness? How did they design different from others (i.e. Takeda) that makes their short tube system work?

I'm not convinced applying a metal with a low heat transfer would suddenly allow it to beat a CAI. Unless I'm totally missing a heat shield that's been integrated to the design somewhere.

Quote:

Is the filter medium in the buds less restrictive than in the K&N-style?

Another design question, I'd have to compare the two designs since I'm unfamiliar with the inner workings of both.

Anybody wanna hook up an air flow sensor just beyond the filters?

Quote:

Is a larger surface area actually facing the airflow in the buds? (Again, the "directional" aspect of their design)

And again, see my above comments about having a 'directional' aspect to the design.

Quote:

Just some points I've pondered as to why the TS might outperform or equal (which was my vote, BTW) the Stillen.

In the end, the marginal advantage to the TS is not worth the cost for me. If money were no object and I only accepted the best, like on this Mothra car, yeah -- strap on plenty of Smoky's gear. But for a little more than half price, the Stillen performs almost as well. That's right on-mission with the 370Z and where most of us regular guys end up.

Still, you have to hand it to Top Secret and their ability to take designs one step beyond and eek out a little more performance. Those who appreciate that committment and who are willing to pay for it will always get their money's worth.

Mothra will really be a one in a million car I guess.

370Zsteve · 03-27-2010, 02:01 PM

One of the design advantages of the Stillen setup is supposedly the way it smooths out the airflow. Short intakes, again from what I've read, have too much turbulence around the MAF since the intake opening is much closer to the MAF. Again, this is what I've read put the flame gun away.

Red370 · 03-27-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

One of the design advantages of the Stillen setup is supposedly the way it smooths out the airflow. Short intakes, again from what I've read, have too much turbulence around the MAF since the intake opening is much closer to the MAF. Again, this is what I've read put the flame gun away.

I own one and im not afraid to use it!

Emotiongear · 03-27-2010, 06:13 PM

Y'all are welcome to come to Import Reactor and ask Smoky himself why is he so godly during his 1hr panel. rofl

Wait until he tunes that cars next week

Forrest · 03-27-2010, 07:27 PM

cant wait to see some one on the forums bite the bullet and dyno this intake and see what happens.

View Poll Results: Which intake do you think will come out on top?
Stillen G3	73	47.40%
Top Secret	48	31.17%
They will be essentially equal in HP gain.	33	21.43%
Voters: 154. You may not vote on this poll

03-27-2010, 05:12 AM	#61 (permalink)
G37Sam A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 1,507 Drives: RB'd G37 Rep Power: 21	Must be that TS sticker on that intake, I know it!! __________________ '14 Viper GTS '08 RB'd G37S - Sold

03-27-2010, 05:49 AM	#62 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	I find it weird nobody is addressing Red370 or RCZ's valid questions. Only the positive questions are getting a response. __________________ my pictures http://www.the370z.com/members/forrest-albums-370z.html

03-27-2010, 08:24 AM	#64 (permalink)
BOLIO 671 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GUAHAN Posts: 1,198 Drives: To & From then Back Rep Power: 3399	Dyno and AFR papers would be nice to see...Just like others I was surprised with the results... All in all great job for doing a comparison on these two products __________________ 2013 Nismo Z34 / FI TT #091 / IG: @lilzilla_z34

03-27-2010, 08:36 AM	#67 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	I'd love to see Stillen do the same comparison test. __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

03-27-2010, 06:00 AM	#63 (permalink)
G37sHKS A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,183 Drives: 09 G37S Coupe 7AT Rep Power: 20	man its simple... there is no way a SRI is better than CAI.. maybe in first run the SRI have a chance to win the CAI.. but after 2-3 runs it will drop to stock... and after 6-7 runs lol it will lose power bcuz of the hot air

03-27-2010, 10:51 AM	#68 (permalink)
ZforMe Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 238 Drives: 370Z Sport Auto PG Rep Power: 16	$1,100.00???? Deal of the century! I hate it for anyone that falls into this trap. __________________ 13.369 @ 102.73 Bone Stock. BERK HFC's installed 5/14/09 @ 1490miles, 13.212 @ 106.15. Cobb Post MAF Hoses installed 3/20/10 @ 5,043miles, future: FI exhaust with 18" res and s/s cans.

03-27-2010, 12:23 PM	#70 (permalink)
dalparadise The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 354 Drives: 2010 Z Roadster T/S Rep Power: 16	The results surprised me too. I'm a complete noob to most of this and credit this forum for most of what I know. Given that, I expected the Stillen to walk away with this test. Here are a couple of points I've considered: The "bud" design of the HKS filters seems to be more directional than the "K&N-style" filters of other short rams, which seem to take in air from all around them. Could it be that the base of the bud filters acts as a heat shield and the airflow coming from the front and bottom of the car (where the buds are pointed) is not really heated at all at the point where it's taken in by the TS intake? Could the length of tubing in the Stillen or Injen design be conducting heat throughout the intake, therefor containing the column of air through a longer tube than the short rams and allowing for more time and surface area throughout its length to heat the incoming air? That said, could thickness of, or bends in, the tubing contribute to this? Is the filter medium in the buds less restrictive than in the K&N-style? Is a larger surface area actually facing the airflow in the buds? (Again, the "directional" aspect of their design) Just some points I've pondered as to why the TS might outperform or equal (which was my vote, BTW) the Stillen. In the end, the marginal advantage to the TS is not worth the cost for me. If money were no object and I only accepted the best, like on this Mothra car, yeah -- strap on plenty of Smoky's gear. But for a little more than half price, the Stillen performs almost as well. That's right on-mission with the 370Z and where most of us regular guys end up. Still, you have to hand it to Top Secret and their ability to take designs one step beyond and eek out a little more performance. Those who appreciate that committment and who are willing to pay for it will always get their money's worth. __________________ 2010 Platinum Graphite Roadster - Tour/Sport/6MT/GReddy SE catback/B&M short shift If the top is up, it must be parked.

03-27-2010, 02:01 PM	#72 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	One of the design advantages of the Stillen setup is supposedly the way it smooths out the airflow. Short intakes, again from what I've read, have too much turbulence around the MAF since the intake opening is much closer to the MAF. Again, this is what I've read put the flame gun away. __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

03-27-2010, 06:13 PM	#74 (permalink)
Emotiongear Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 58 Drives: 2010 370z Rep Power: 15	Y'all are welcome to come to Import Reactor and ask Smoky himself why is he so godly during his 1hr panel. rofl Wait until he tunes that cars next week

03-27-2010, 07:27 PM	#75 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	cant wait to see some one on the forums bite the bullet and dyno this intake and see what happens. __________________ my pictures http://www.the370z.com/members/forrest-albums-370z.html

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