Got the intake installed a couple of weeks back. It is beautiful with red upper and polished chrome lower pipe, with the MAF and bypass in the middle. Only problem is that when I popped the hood today to clean inside, I noticed that about half a dime size of paint has burnt off the upper pipe. It so happens that the frame on the underside of the hood is rubbing against it. This sucks, because the intake cannot be moved down because of the air bleed pipe which hooks into the upper pipe, and I am scared to take a hammer to the hood frame so it can clear the intake pipe, but I may have to do that. Any other suggestions? I guess I can put some touchup paint on the pipe, but I wonder if it'll stand up to the heat. Maybe some high temp paint will do, but I'm sure it'll stick out at me like a sore thumb. This sucks...bigtime.

 

Sorry to hear of your problem! Who did you have install the CAI?

 

TK Performance by Regency. They are a spinoff of Tire Kingdom, but deal with sports car stuff. You should drop by there one day. They carry the spinning wheels you're planning to put on your Z.

 

Do you have a pic of where it is rubbing? I installed mine and I don't have this problem. If you don't have a digital camera, here is a pic of mine. Maybe you can download it and put a circle on the spot in question.

 

Those weren't for my Z....they were for the Escalade you were looking to buy......

 

I'll post a picture when I get home from work tonight. I need to put the rubber thingy that Nissan already has stuck on the hood frame to save the strut bar from a similar misfortune. As to the area of paint that has peeled off, I will try some touch up, or some high temp spray paint.

 

Took the car by the shop which had done the install. They turned the upper pipe inwards just slightly, so it clears the hood frame, and also the rubbed spot is nearly hidden from view. I will put some touchup paint on it. I had them put a 3m soft tape on the spot on the hood frame which it was rubbing against...just to be on the safe side.
I dunno, the car seems faster after they turned the pipe inward. Just kidding
I can see everyone turning their intakes to get more power.