Stillen vs. Smoky: your take on intakes

Forrest · 03-27-2010, 07:34 PM

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!

So did you run 30 miles with the Top Secret intake or did you just swap it out after you dynoed stillens?

Baker · 03-27-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

So did you run 30 miles with the Top Secret intake or did you just swap it out after you dynoed stillens?

We did two dynos on the Top Secret -- an extra one to confirm our initial findings.

Drove about an hour (mix of freeway and stop-and-go) on the Top Secret before the final dyno. It confirmed the first pull, in which we simply installed it immediately after the Stillen dyno.

Matt · 03-27-2010, 09:11 PM

Wow, good luck to anyone that wants to compete against Stillen's G3 gains....no one will believe you if you do!

nuTinmuch · 03-27-2010, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Wow, good luck to anyone that wants to compete against Stillen's G3 gains....no one will believe you if you do!

It doesn't have to do with being Stillen -- people would be doing the same thing if it was Injen. It has more to do with it not being a CAI.

BalanBro · 03-27-2010, 09:38 PM

From a fluid dynamics standpoint, air/liquid passing through two tubes of equal diameter will experience less resistance in the shorter pipe (i.e. less of a pressure drop=more flow). The advantage of a CAI is pretty much limited to the cold air aspect alone.

As someone had alluded to, it is possible that the dyno setup may have provided sufficient airflow to keep warm air from entering the SRI (or perhaps the water temp was low enough that the thermostat was closed and the radiator didn't really heat the air).

Basically, an SRI can make more power, provided it is somehow shielded from incoming hot air. That said, I do not really see anything special about this design that makes it unique in this regard.

nuTinmuch · 03-27-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BalanBro

From a fluid dynamics standpoint, air/liquid passing through two tubes of equal diameter will experience less resistance in the shorter pipe (i.e. less of a pressure drop=more flow). The advantage of a CAI is pretty much limited to the cold air aspect alone.

As someone had alluded to, it is possible that the dyno setup may have provided sufficient airflow to keep warm air from entering the SRI (or perhaps the water temp was low enough that the thermostat was closed and the radiator didn't really heat the air).

Basically, an SRI can make more power, provided it is somehow shielded from incoming hot air. That said, I do not really see anything special about this design that makes it unique in this regard.

Yes, pretty much this.

Either it increases airflow greatly or reduces the temperature of the air into the engine which, as a side effect, increases air being received by it.

Red370 · 03-27-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

It doesn't have to do with being Stillen -- people would be doing the same thing if it was Injen. It has more to do with it not being a CAI.

Exactly, it has nothing to do with brand, it has EVERYTHING to do with it being a CAI against a hot air sucker AKA SR intake.

TurboFC3C · 03-28-2010, 12:28 AM

Hell, I'll ask the man myself.

We will be interviewing Smoky next week (through a translator).
With that being said, are there any particular questions you want asked?
-keep it professional

I will do my best to ask him about his thoughts on other aspects of the Z as well, just let me know what you guys have!
--David--
David@maydaygarage.com

drisko · 03-28-2010, 01:44 AM

Someone needs to show some pics of this intake, inside and out, so we can answer some of the questions Phelan and others have posed.

Assuming this intake DOES NOT lean the car out, then it's got to have some sort of unique design element that is allowing it to draw in a lot more air into the engine. Maybe some sort of special velocity stack or vanes on the inside of the piping...I'm really not sure.

I do commend them for doing a closed-hood dyno though, I haven't seen anyone do that with a short ram yet.

Zsteve · 03-28-2010, 01:54 AM

Me personally I dont think anyone is going to come up with a super CAI that out performs all others by marginal amounts. As long as the CAI is pulling air from the outside of the engine bay, they are gong to be very close. I mean lets face it, its just some tubes, a filter and a MAF. Small changes in any of these may produce gains but Im sure all companies have done every variation possible to get the most out of a CAI. So if one does better than another by a few hp, can we really say its better when one can not, and I repeat, can not excatly duplicate the conditions every time? I say choose the one that looks good to you and that you can aford.

SE · 03-28-2010, 02:50 AM

whats the release date on top secret intakes? pricing?

ZForce · 03-28-2010, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

Me personally I dont think anyone is going to come up with a super CAI that out performs all others by marginal amounts. As long as the CAI is pulling air from the outside of the engine bay, they are gong to be very close. I mean lets face it, its just some tubes, a filter and a MAF. Small changes in any of these may produce gains but Im sure all companies have done every variation possible to get the most out of a CAI. So if one does better than another by a few hp, can we really say its better when one can not, and I repeat, can not excatly duplicate the conditions every time? I say choose the one that looks good to you and that you can aford.

Well put, I agree.

Not that it prolly matters, but did they shoot any video?

370Zsteve · 03-28-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Wow, good luck to anyone that wants to compete against Stillen's G3 gains....no one will believe you if you do!

LOL it's maaagic

My take: My knowledge of Smokey (Smoky?) is very limited, but I know one thing...he took his name as homage to Smokey Yunick, the legendary NASCAR engine builder. This new Smokey had better be as good as his name suggests.

This thread should become epic. In for updates.

370Zsteve · 03-28-2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BalanBro

From a fluid dynamics standpoint, air/liquid passing through two tubes of equal diameter will experience less resistance in the shorter pipe (i.e. less of a pressure drop=more flow). The advantage of a CAI is pretty much limited to the cold air aspect alone.

As someone had alluded to, it is possible that the dyno setup may have provided sufficient airflow to keep warm air from entering the SRI (or perhaps the water temp was low enough that the thermostat was closed and the radiator didn't really heat the air).

Basically, an SRI can make more power, provided it is somehow shielded from incoming hot air. That said, I do not really see anything special about this design that makes it unique in this regard.

From what I have read about the Gen3, the length and bend of the tubes promotes smoother airflow at the MAF, negating your comment about resistance in the shorter pipe.

370Zsteve · 03-28-2010, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboFC3C

Hell, I'll ask the man myself.

We will be interviewing Smoky next week (through a translator).
With that being said, are there any particular questions you want asked?
-keep it professional

I will do my best to ask him about his thoughts on other aspects of the Z as well, just let me know what you guys have!
--David--
David@maydaygarage.com

If this is true, ask him to reveal his secret intake design. Good luck!

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, 09:11 PM	#78 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 41 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	Wow, good luck to anyone that wants to compete against Stillen's G3 gains....no one will believe you if you do! __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

03-28-2010, 01:54 AM	#85 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 22	Me personally I dont think anyone is going to come up with a super CAI that out performs all others by marginal amounts. As long as the CAI is pulling air from the outside of the engine bay, they are gong to be very close. I mean lets face it, its just some tubes, a filter and a MAF. Small changes in any of these may produce gains but Im sure all companies have done every variation possible to get the most out of a CAI. So if one does better than another by a few hp, can we really say its better when one can not, and I repeat, can not excatly duplicate the conditions every time? I say choose the one that looks good to you and that you can aford. __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

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03-27-2010, 09:38 PM	#80 (permalink)
BalanBro Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 318 Drives: 40th Anniv. 370Z Rep Power: 1111	From a fluid dynamics standpoint, air/liquid passing through two tubes of equal diameter will experience less resistance in the shorter pipe (i.e. less of a pressure drop=more flow). The advantage of a CAI is pretty much limited to the cold air aspect alone. As someone had alluded to, it is possible that the dyno setup may have provided sufficient airflow to keep warm air from entering the SRI (or perhaps the water temp was low enough that the thermostat was closed and the radiator didn't really heat the air). Basically, an SRI can make more power, provided it is somehow shielded from incoming hot air. That said, I do not really see anything special about this design that makes it unique in this regard.

03-28-2010, 12:28 AM	#83 (permalink)
TurboFC3C Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 23 Drives: 98 S14 90 FC Rep Power: 15	Hell, I'll ask the man myself. We will be interviewing Smoky next week (through a translator). With that being said, are there any particular questions you want asked? -keep it professional I will do my best to ask him about his thoughts on other aspects of the Z as well, just let me know what you guys have! --David-- David@maydaygarage.com

03-28-2010, 01:44 AM	#84 (permalink)
drisko Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Age: 43 Posts: 160 Drives: 09 370Z PW Tour S 6M Rep Power: 16	Someone needs to show some pics of this intake, inside and out, so we can answer some of the questions Phelan and others have posed. Assuming this intake DOES NOT lean the car out, then it's got to have some sort of unique design element that is allowing it to draw in a lot more air into the engine. Maybe some sort of special velocity stack or vanes on the inside of the piping...I'm really not sure. I do commend them for doing a closed-hood dyno though, I haven't seen anyone do that with a short ram yet.

03-28-2010, 02:50 AM	#86 (permalink)
SE A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 4,236 Drives: 370z/STI/EVO X/IS-F Rep Power: 23	whats the release date on top secret intakes? pricing?