Stock w/ K&N filter is the best.

But I have the Injen short-ram intake, for the shiny chrome piping and the scream at high RPM's.

 

I have had my NISMO since day one and am happy with it. I like the sound, but cannot vouch for any performance gain since I was never without it. It was installed and thrown in by the dealer so I really cannot complain. Plus I have no warranty issues by staying all NISMO.

 

JWT for low-cost and results. See my dyno's for proof.

 

Hey - this is my first post, so i though i should start my time here with a highly debated topic! Plus, i bought a 2003 Z touring M/T w/ Navi last night - so, i can post now without being a poser!

My new (to me) Z has an 06 airbox on it, which sounds like a good option for the NonREVUP, however - it also came with uninstalled AEM CAI - after reading a bunch the last few days - its now for sale! Anyone want it? ha ha.

Anyway - i hear a lot of posting on using K&N drop-ins with with stock airbox. My research indicates the K&N drop-ins doesn't flow much more than stock and let's more dirt it and clogs much faster, so that after about 2000 miles (or so) the gains it *may* have provided are gone and its performance actually decreases to less than the paper element after that. Unless you clean the drop in every 3000 miles, i woundn't bother - and even then the extra dirt that is let in doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy. BTW - this isn't the only forum I post on, so I'm not a newbie and didn't make this stuff up. I'm into performance diesels, muscle cars, motorcycles, and snowmobiles FWIW. Of course they are all modded too.

How's that for a first post?

 

Good first post, looks like you did some searching.

I don't think you can really go wrong with the K&N but the stock paper intake filter is totally fine IMO and much cleaner as you mentioned.

 

I am really surprised how many people voted on the JWT intake. Because the Stillen is the same type of filter as the JWT, but comes with a much better heat-sheild with less chance of heat getting into the engine. On test's it showed to be the better intake.

 

Thanks wired...

yes I searched, yes i read the 100 question post, and yes I read even more.

My point about the K&N is simple and applies to all intakes. You can get more are into your motor two ways - a filter that is less restrictive or a bigger filter. A drop-in isn't any bigger, so it has to let more dirt in period. That's not an acceptable performance gain to me - plus its short lived as oiled filter clog very quickly compared to paper, or a few other types out there now. I'm into performance and love the sound of a good intake (my Duramax is putting nearly 400HP to the wheels and over 800lbs of torque.) - but not at the cost of longevity of a pricey motor. The filter needs to be bigger and high quality for it to be a good intake IMHO. The popcharger looks good to be for that.

 

JWT is just the most popular. People will just vote for whatever they bought usually.

 

Yep - that's the lame though

 

Actually I had a blitz high performance drop in my 06' and it provided great gains plus didn't get too dirty like the K&N's.

 

You know why it didn't get dirty right? It wasn't filtering well. That is why the K&Ns and even the stock filter does.

 

I'm surprised not many people have suggested Apex-i, lots of tests carried out on both the Supra MKIV and GTR's in England showed best filtration was from Apex-i filters and they generally gave higher hp gains..

 

+1
This goes for K&N drop-ins for all cars, not just the Z. Brand new, it probably flows air better than the stock filter, but after the first couple times you "clean" it, it is just not as clean as it used to be when its new and might be even more restrictive than a stock filter. I speak from experience owning one on my Maxima. I've had one for a few years and when I try and clean it now, it just does not look all that clean. It might have been better just to buy new stock filters each time I needed to, since they are not that expensive anyways.

 

+1 about the JWT and its heatsoak problems... that is why i am not getting it.

I narrowed it down to two ---> Stillen or Nismo. Stillen is cheaper, but with nismo, nissan got my back if something goes wrong, but waaay overpriced. Just want to be sure Stillen is a reliable purchase, is it? Also i've never installed an intake myself, but dont want to pay the $100 install fee, will it be difficult for a newb like me to install the intake??

P.S. im also having the nismo exhaust put on next week. Will the nismo exhaust and stillen CAI complement each other well? Im guessing they will after all an intake is an intake (sound wise).

 

FYI, NISMO will only have your back if a dealer installs it.

 

ooooo, thank you, excellent piece of info...

so i either pay even MORE for the nismo (LOL) to have it installed or get the stillen and do it myself... the choice is becoming more and more clear.

 

I voted OTHER - the Stillen is the best all around out there...BUT

You didn't even list the ABSOLUTE BEST intake you can possibly get...

VORTECH!!!!