Long tube intake

bigZ

If I isntall a long tube intake and want to clean the air filters do I need to remove the bumper every time?

Is there a big preformance difference between long tube and short tube intakes?

I have no interest in taking the bumper off except on install since I m going to pay someone to do the work($190) any way.

toxik

Most people will come in here and tell you that taking the bumper off takes 15 minutes and is extremely easy, which is true. But if you're really determined to not take your bumper off, look into some short ram intakes with heatshields, such as R2C or K&N, they won't give you the same horsepower gains as the long tube intakes but their gains are quite substantial on their own as well.

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Project Pearl Necklace - PW 370z 05/01/2010 - 07/06/2011 (sold)

BLM

Agreed. Stillen does make the best hp gains, but what you read on here about short rams gaining "nothing" is not true. IMO, an aftermarket intake allows for smoother acceleration and improved throttle response. There are power gains as well, but if a short ram make 8 whp and a stillen makes 18, can you feel the difference? Butt dyno's are more a measure of torque anyway, and the only thing that will give you noticeable torque gains are forced induction. Even with an intake, header, and full exhaust with ecu tune you're only going to gain about 20-25 lb-ft of overall tq to the wheels. It will be noticeable, but it's also at least $2000 without installation and tuning fees.

Replacing intake hoses and K&N drop-in seems to be the cheapest intake mod. Stillen makes the most gains but also has the most cumbersome installation and requires removing the bumper and using dremel tools to allow for proper fitment of the intake pipes. I really like the HKS intake but the price is outrageous. HKS makes quality parts but that's a bit much.

red6spd

You can put like 15 20 thousands miles or more (not sure of exact number) before you have to clean them, it is very worth it. You can put as many heat shields as you want to around a short tube intake your still going to be sucking in hot air from the hot engine bay. Your from TX correct, imagine how hot your engine bay is going to be on a summer afternoon, dont you want those filters way outside the engine bay?? Just my two cents.

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2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness.
???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

theDreamer

Bold part:
Really? Because my dyno results have proven otherwise in the past. Short ram is sucking in hot air, it might show results on a cold engine but the moment you move up to operating temps or higher (which will happen) you are sucking in hotter air.

On the topic of Stillen G3, you have a long time before you have to remove the bumper to even clean them. It is a 20 minute job to take the bumper off and that is if you are taking extra time to be careful. If you want an upgraded intake stick with Stillen G3 or Injen.

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BLM

Which short ram did you dyno on the 370? Do you have the graphs? I'm just curious. The Stillen is clearly the best out there in terms of performance. I just want to see how crappy the short rams are on the dyno

If they were comparable or even beneficial I'm sure the manufacturers would quote them in their product description as stillen does. I just cant see how there's zero improvement over stock when you are replacing the intake hoses and increasing the surface area via a replacement filter.

I know this happens a lot where one manufacturer is able to clearly out-perform the competition in terms of a specific aftermarket part. It's been a while but IIRC the AEM CAI for the RSX-S gained something ridiculous like 20 whp and the Hondata ecu re-flash completely changed the car.

bigZ

BLM,

That is good advice on the Heat! I am buying Stillen for sure.

What about Exhaust? Any reccomendations?

theDreamer

Before install:


After install:


Takeda short ram intakes.
Which if you follow the design of them all, are the same basically. Where the filters sit and pump air from, will always be hot air after a certain amount of time.

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BLM

Wow, that's impressive (in a bad way). So it looks like Stillen G3 is really the only worthwhile aftermarket intake mod

bigZ

Takeda short ram's are just as good as long tubes?

theDreamer

The Injen is good also if you would like to skip the cutting.
I believe it showed maybe 2HP less at the top end but the whole curve was similar. Only issue with Injen is you have to be careful with water as the filters are much lower, now a small puddle is fine but 1 foot standing water is a no go of course.

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theDreamer

No, skip the Takeda, they are horrible.

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BLM

Yea that injen isnt an option for me for that reason. Also dont you have to re-locate the washer fluid reservoir or something? My only issue with the Stillen is finding someone I can trust with dremel work. I've been down the road of heavy modding before and as soon as things start to get cut and re-attached it bothers me. The last thing I'd want is someone rushing through it and making the whole not large enough and having the intake pipes rattling. I wish I had the skills to do it myself. I'm NOT mechanically inclined at all. It's sometimes a challenge to find speed shops who will treat the customer cars as if they were their own, and not charging $90+ an hour for their work.

theDreamer

You replace it with a smaller washer fluid reservoir, so in the same location but less volume.

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Trips

Stillens are the best performers and removing the bumper for a once in a long while maint isn't a big deal. I'm on stillens Now coming from Injens and couldn't be happier. All short intakes have an advavantage of easy maint but little hp gain, You're better off with the stock boxes and K&N drop ins.

Op: I'd suggest looking at this DiY to have a good idea on how to remove it so you're not paying someone to do it also suggest going to a local meet and talk to members who have done it, and show you exatly how to do it if you're still unsure.

DIY: Front Bumper Removal

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