Cold Air Intake HP Debate - Is it worth it ?

hedly · 03-30-2011, 12:23 PM

Picked up my new 370z on the weekend. I'm waiting arrival of my Stillen Cat Back ( stock exhaust really does suck ) and contemplating ordering the G3 Cold Air Intake to bolt on as well. Been searching the forums but still I'm hesitating for a couple of reasons. First - Installation: not sure I like the idea of having to remove the front bumper to clean the filters. That just seems to be a PITA and I'm concerned over time the bumper "fit" will be compromised.

Second - and most important is, from what I've read there is no performance advantage until 5K RPM or more - and low end performance ( torque ) is compromised. I don't drive at 5000 RPM and have no intentions of running this car on a track - I do that on a two wheels...

Should I pass on this upgrade ?

pb23r · 03-30-2011, 12:26 PM

I am wondering the same.

I had the Stillen CAI on my G-37 (exhaust too) - and noticed less low-rpm power. But she ran like a scalded cat at, ahem, highway speeds.

Picking up my 370Z NISMO later this afternoon...

wheee! · 03-30-2011, 12:27 PM

If those are your concerns, then just order the Gen II CAI from Stillen. It has all the benefits of the Gen II in terms of style and sound, yet sits in the factory airbox location (new boxes) and is easy to service. HP Gains are less, but I don't race my car either... it's more for the look and sound under acceleration!

ANMVQ · 03-30-2011, 01:13 PM

I thought it was worth it.. Lossing lowend, I still a good punch down low,, and HEEMM HW for the win.

BLM · 03-30-2011, 01:31 PM

K&N filter's & HPS Post-MAF hoses...negligible difference in gains from CAI, at half the cost and installs in no time.

My new HPS post MAF tubes installed

The stock intake system actually has "cold air" built in. A more freely flowing intake pipe and filter are really all that is needed if you're after just performance. If you want a pretty engine bay and more sound then go with a CAI

Nitex · 03-30-2011, 01:42 PM

lol, drop ins and maf hoses should not come near the gains made from the gen 3s. And with an exhaust, HFC, and the intake you should see more HP across the whole powerband... not just up top. Yes i understand diminishing returns happens as well.

birdmanx1 · 03-30-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedly

Picked up my new 370z on the weekend. I'm waiting arrival of my Stillen Cat Back ( stock exhaust really does suck ) and contemplating ordering the G3 Cold Air Intake to bolt on as well. Been searching the forums but still I'm hesitating for a couple of reasons. First - Installation: not sure I like the idea of having to remove the front bumper to clean the filters. That just seems to be a PITA and I'm concerned over time the bumper "fit" will be compromised.

Second - and most important is, from what I've read there is no performance advantage until 5K RPM or more - and low end performance ( torque ) is compromised. I don't drive at 5000 RPM and have no intentions of running this car on a track - I do that on a two wheels...

Should I pass on this upgrade ?

Congratulations on your new purchase Hedly and welcome to the forum. There are two main groups in the forum: those who go for the CAI (Stillen Gen3 being the most popular CAI) and those who go for the Stock Catback with Performance Drop ins & Post MAF tubes. I personally belong to the second group.

The Stillen Gen3 CAI gives you a boost around 8hp-10hp (give or take), gains in power & sound will be most noticeable in higher RPMs range (don't know how often & how long you'll be driving at those RPMs during street driving). With the CAI, you'll lose low end torque and of course the cost, installation and warranty issues are to be considered in your final decision. Still, those who have the Gen3 love it.

The stock intake is pretty well designed and is actually a CAI. From changing the stock filters and replacing them with the K&N ones, I gained 3mpg within a few days, have better throttle and *feel* that the car is breathing better thus running smoother. With the addition of better Post MAF tubes, you should be able to get somewhere around 6hp, plus the advertised 1-2hp from the K&N filters. The combo above will give you gains very close to the ones from the CAI without loss of low end torque, no warranty issues and cost is a fraction of the CAI. This *to me* is a DUH WINNING situation

Those who have this combo love it as well.

Check Out This Thread

BLM · 03-30-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitex

lol, drop ins and maf hoses should not come near the gains made from the gen 3s. And with an exhaust, HFC, and the intake you should see more HP across the whole powerband... not just up top. Yes i understand diminishing returns happens as well.

I'm sorry but this is incorrect. Jordo! has dyno's showing 6 whp from just the drop-ins. Others have shown 10-12 whp from the combo. And the first breather mod always gains the most power. If yousee the Intake TV video, a stock 370z had a stillen G3 CAI, HFC, and CBE installed with an UpRev dyno tune. They reported the stillen G3 as only 6-7 whp, because it was installed last, and the exhaust system at 27 whp because it was installed first (and 10 whp from the tune). Stillen's site claims 18 whp from the G3 CAI, that is against a bone stock Z. I have seen dyno's of an otherwise stock Z with JUST a test pipe gaining 15-20 whp.

It's a matter of preference, but to say that the gains from the Stillen or any CAI are noticeably different from the drop-ins and HPS hoses is not correct.

'10Anamoly · 03-30-2011, 01:54 PM

OEM intakes are just fine.

GZ3 · 03-30-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLM

I'm sorry but this is incorrect. Jordo! has dyno's showing 6 whp from just the drop-ins. Others have shown 10-12 whp from the combo. And the first breather mod always gains the most power. If yousee the Intake TV video, a stock 370z had a stillen G3 CAI, HFC, and CBE installed with an UpRev dyno tune. They reported the stillen G3 as only 6-7 whp, because it was installed last, and the exhaust system at 27 whp because it was installed first (and 10 whp from the tune). Stillen's site claims 18 whp from the G3 CAI, that is against a bone stock Z. I have seen dyno's of an otherwise stock Z with JUST a test pipe gaining 15-20 whp.

It's a matter of preference, but to say that the gains from the Stillen or any CAI are noticeably different from the drop-ins and HPS hoses is not correct.

this is true...i'm one of the ones that gain 10rwhp from the combo, my dyno are on here also...somewhere dynojet SAE corrected

ANMVQ · 03-30-2011, 02:34 PM

Stokers are good but I have seen Dynos where the Gen 3's gave more than 18+.. Something like 23 WHP,, There was a thread on MyG37, Where he compared the R2C( Stockish intakes) and the Gen 3's.

Jordo! · 03-30-2011, 04:49 PM

Commentary based on review of numerous dynos here: An Open Challenge to the Aftermarket

ANMVQ · 03-30-2011, 04:53 PM

And here, An these are numbers on a 7sd AT AWD sedan.

Stillen Gen3: 294whp/238tq
R2c: 272whp/226tq

My Stillen Gen3/R2c dyno comparisons - MyG37

Nitex · 04-01-2011, 05:01 PM

Yeah sorry... you wont be convincing me that your drop ins and maf tubes equal the gen3 HP gains.. Just isnt happening. Call me ignorant, cause often i am!

GZ3 · 04-01-2011, 05:17 PM

wow all that thread proved was that r2c has better more useable power and g3 has higher peak numbers

under the curve > peak

03-30-2011, 12:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
hedly Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 4 Drives: 2011 370z Rep Power: 14	Cold Air Intake HP Debate - Is it worth it ? Picked up my new 370z on the weekend. I'm waiting arrival of my Stillen Cat Back ( stock exhaust really does suck ) and contemplating ordering the G3 Cold Air Intake to bolt on as well. Been searching the forums but still I'm hesitating for a couple of reasons. First - Installation: not sure I like the idea of having to remove the front bumper to clean the filters. That just seems to be a PITA and I'm concerned over time the bumper "fit" will be compromised. Second - and most important is, from what I've read there is no performance advantage until 5K RPM or more - and low end performance ( torque ) is compromised. I don't drive at 5000 RPM and have no intentions of running this car on a track - I do that on a two wheels... Should I pass on this upgrade ? VR4NIN likes this.

03-30-2011, 12:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	If those are your concerns, then just order the Gen II CAI from Stillen. It has all the benefits of the Gen II in terms of style and sound, yet sits in the factory airbox location (new boxes) and is easy to service. HP Gains are less, but I don't race my car either... it's more for the look and sound under acceleration! __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal Last edited by wheee!; 03-30-2011 at 12:31 PM.

03-30-2011, 01:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
ANMVQ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Framingham MA Posts: 2,732 Drives: 2014 Q50 AWD Rep Power: 19	I thought it was worth it.. Lossing lowend, I still a good punch down low,, and HEEMM HW for the win. __________________ 14 Q50 AWD, ARK, ECUTEK (SEB), Takda,

03-30-2011, 01:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
BLM Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 342 Drives: 2011 Silver M6 sport Rep Power: 14	K&N filter's & HPS Post-MAF hoses...negligible difference in gains from CAI, at half the cost and installs in no time. My new HPS post MAF tubes installed The stock intake system actually has "cold air" built in. A more freely flowing intake pipe and filter are really all that is needed if you're after just performance. If you want a pretty engine bay and more sound then go with a CAI ghostbusters and VR4NIN like this. __________________ K&N // GTM // BERK Last edited by BLM; 03-30-2011 at 01:41 PM.

03-30-2011, 01:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nitex Track Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 848 Drives: '13 GTI Stage 2 UNI Rep Power: 16	lol, drop ins and maf hoses should not come near the gains made from the gen 3s. And with an exhaust, HFC, and the intake you should see more HP across the whole powerband... not just up top. Yes i understand diminishing returns happens as well. __________________ 2013 Drivers ED GTI \| Stage 2 Unitronic

03-30-2011, 12:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
pb23r Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 1 Drives: 370Z NISMO Rep Power: 14	I am wondering the same. I had the Stillen CAI on my G-37 (exhaust too) - and noticed less low-rpm power. But she ran like a scalded cat at, ahem, highway speeds. Picking up my 370Z NISMO later this afternoon...

03-30-2011, 01:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 16	OEM intakes are just fine. ghostbusters likes this. __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd

03-30-2011, 02:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
ANMVQ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Framingham MA Posts: 2,732 Drives: 2014 Q50 AWD Rep Power: 19	Stokers are good but I have seen Dynos where the Gen 3's gave more than 18+.. Something like 23 WHP,, There was a thread on MyG37, Where he compared the R2C( Stockish intakes) and the Gen 3's. __________________ 14 Q50 AWD, ARK, ECUTEK (SEB), Takda,

03-30-2011, 04:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Commentary based on review of numerous dynos here: An Open Challenge to the Aftermarket __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

03-30-2011, 04:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
ANMVQ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Framingham MA Posts: 2,732 Drives: 2014 Q50 AWD Rep Power: 19	And here, An these are numbers on a 7sd AT AWD sedan. Stillen Gen3: 294whp/238tq R2c: 272whp/226tq My Stillen Gen3/R2c dyno comparisons - MyG37 __________________ 14 Q50 AWD, ARK, ECUTEK (SEB), Takda,

04-01-2011, 05:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
Nitex Track Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 848 Drives: '13 GTI Stage 2 UNI Rep Power: 16	Yeah sorry... you wont be convincing me that your drop ins and maf tubes equal the gen3 HP gains.. Just isnt happening. Call me ignorant, cause often i am! __________________ 2013 Drivers ED GTI \| Stage 2 Unitronic

04-01-2011, 05:17 PM	#15 (permalink)
GZ3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 3,296 Drives: Z Rep Power: 22	wow all that thread proved was that r2c has better more useable power and g3 has higher peak numbers under the curve > peak ghostbusters likes this. __________________ 09 GT-R 12' 370Z 7AT HANDED DOWN 12'+13' 5.0 SOLD

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