Here is a pretty interesting intake system. It looks like it is a good design and would probably fit just fine on the 350z. A quote from their web site: “Our range of Airforce Kits takes induction theory one step further and aims to enclose the cone filter within a case so as to prevent warm air from being drawn into the induction system. The cone filter has been designed internally and externally to be more streamlined to help increase air flow. The carbon look casing keeps the cold air in and the warm air out. All kits are universal but some have been adapted to fit specific applications”

http://www.jetex.co.uk/website/airforce.php

Some pictures:

 

I do not like the flexible tubing. It looks like it is for clothes dryer ventilation. And where does the MAF sensor fit?

 

A photo of an istallation, VW Beetle.

 

Same concept as the Groupe-M intake. You need some kind of scoop on the end of the tube to mount behind the grill, or just use EVO-R's Blitz replica scoop.

Problem I see with an inatke like this is that it may not perform well coming off the line; it has to pull all it's air through the tube into the filter and no ram effect to help feed it, as opposed to say, a Popcharger that can easily pull air directly through the side of the filter.

 

A few words about the "ram air" effect. I have an old book on sports car racing from the 1950's that has a whole section on the effectiveness of ram air. the book noted that in experiments with both cars and aircraft, that ram air could provide a significant positive effect. At a road speed of 150 MPH ram air could provide a 4% increase in power. At 70 MPH the effect drops to just .7 %. Also, they noted that this effect was also directly related to the air moving in a straight line into the carb mouth. Every 90% bend reduced the effect by 10%. Therefore, ram air, with several turns before it reached the intake manifold, at highway speeds, is almost zero.

 

interesting. i'm waiting for a cost effective IM with the TB on the front a-la 'Vettes and Vipers

 

Here's another intake part that's kind of interesting. It's a carbon fiber aerodynamic shield that is supposed to channel the airlow and isolate it from heat. With a short plastic tube on the front, this might work.

 

2 words:

Hell No.

 

Keep in mind that with a completly enclosed filter and outgoing tubing you wont get the amazing intake sound anywhere near as loud during WOT and 4k+ rpm as you will with ie a popcharger, cai or K&N etc.

IMO best with an aftermarket intake is the sound it makes If it generates a few extra ponnies that a pure bonus.

/Roger

 

Here's another air filter set up from these folks. Kind of interesting too, althourg I'm not sure I understand how the ait gets filtered with this arrangement. The air goes directly ito the end of the cone?

"All DCAF kits are a universal fit, and therefore can be modified to suit many applications. They would ideally suit an engine with an air box that can be removed without having to disconnect any breather pipes or sensors. However, you can fit crank case type filters to the end of breather pipes so these do not normally present any problems. Temperature sensors or vacuum pipes require more thought. Ideally you would want these type of pipes inserted into the air flow (i.e. through the filter rubber)."*


Normal induction cones have a rubber or chrome end. With DCAF kits (and colour filters), an inverted cone has been designed as part of the end cap. This allows a cold air feed to be connected to provide a continuous cold air source.