Right now I'm debating over the stock intake + K&N drop-in filter or Stillen intake . I'm also planning to get the air duct for the nismo bumper but this seems to be more for cosmetic purposes as some members pointed out.

Right now I have the Hi-tech (Aussie made) cat-back system and I absolutely love it. Their dyno was right, the Z does feel a lot nicer. I'm planning on adding Stillen headers within 2-3 weeks and after that I will be buying the intake. I'm not planning on getting test pipes (can't stand the noise) and have not yet considered other high-flow cats. I'm really looking at doing the Intake/Header/Exhaust for now. I don't feel like dumping a lot of money into N/A due to its high cost/low gain ratio but I do want to have the basics I/H/E.

What are your thoughts on the Stillen vs. Stock intake box + K&N drop-in? Any side comments on the airduct would be great too

 

stock air box w/ k&n. dont get headers too much $$$ on install. save your money and go F/I.

 

Just a tip.

Headers are useless on stock cats. They need test pipes to have any real effect.

Testpipes (despite their sound and smell) make gains on any system. Stock or highly modified.

 

Thanks for the input. Are there any other alternatives than test pipes? I'm really drawn away from test pipes due to their smell/high nosie output/and emission issues. Also can you elaborate on the reason why headers are useless on stock system?

Anymore comments on the intake issue would be great. Thank you

 

Headers + Hi-flow cats show good gains.

 

The stock cats make a lot of pressure drop so it doesn't matter much if you free up flow within headers because the flow is essentially still getting choked up at the cats.

Hi flow cats only work about half as good as test pipes.

 

just curious as to its a good idea to get all this tuned or is it just worthless to tune i/h/e?

 

In these two threads you will find pretty much the BEST damn info on the Stillen Vs Stock, good stuff...

https://my350z.com/forum/intake-exhaust/271674-stillen-cold-air-box-installed-w-pix.html

this one also is good...but its mainly about JWT and fighting heatsoak
https://my350z.com/forum/intake-exhaust/270773-better-heat-sheild-for-the-pop-charger.html

 

I would prob stay with JWT filter. Best bang for the buck, which, i think, you already know by now. I'm very iffy with headers because of the cost involved and the power gain associates with it. Sometimes it can also lose power as well. Believe me, i have headers on my Z, and it didn't do a damn thing eventhough Strup claimed 12-15 who gain with test pipes. But I highly recommend test pipes for power gains if you're staying NA.

 

+1

Headers without testpipes are expensive and worthless on this engine.

 

What about high-flow-cats?

 

I think it's already been answered:


BTW did you just become a PM?

 

Half as good? D'OH!

Yes, I finally became a PM. Like my new avatar?

 

I love it.

 

Alvin- don't do the headers man. comming from the honda scene I know that you know how great headers can be on those cars. However, from doing some research I have come to find headers in the Z are just not worth the money to buy or the time & effort to install unless you are running test pipes.

I run the Stillin airbox and am fine with it. Not really much in the "BLING" factor but I like the sound at WOT. Well I could hear it until I got my exhaust.

I just like not having to change the airfilter. Just a quick wash & some oil & I'm good to go.

 

anyone tried ported headers to see if they make any gains on the 350z? ive seen alot of vehicles with minimal to no gains at all from the after market headers but when they port their stock headers they gain decent hp.

 

Crawford long tube or Nismo R-Tune are probably the best headers for the Z/G... But they ain't cheap @ $1200 ~ $1300 + installation. Especially for the modest power gains they make.

 

What HFC's are you using??? Magnaflow???? LMAO Show me where test pipes make more then 2-3 ponies more than REAL HFC's.