I just purchased a JWT pop charger for my 06' Z which I have not installed yet. I've read a few threads that have mentioned that an 06 Air box with a K&N drop in air filter is a better set than the JWT pop charger. Some have even stated a loss in hp not to mention the heat soak issues with the JWT. Can anyone elaborate further on the pro's and con's of switching from the 06 air box to the JWT PC.

Lastly does installing a JWT pop charger affect my warranty?

 

I have an '04 and love my JWT pop charger. And yes, I'm sure that pop charger is more greatly affected by the heat soak (especially summer) than the stock airbox, simply because of an open / closed design.
Any aftermarket part proven to cause the problem will void the warrenty.

 

Since you already have a charger, i will put them on and see.
you can always switch back to stock.

 

I was planning to do that but I may end up selling it and it has more value being a brand new - never installed piece. I was hoping to get some feedback from 06 owners that have switched to a JWT pop charger.

 

Hey,
I switched to the PC immediately after purchasing my z. The audible change is pretty sweet.
Before I had my motor swapped out, due to OC, I put my oem box back in and I did notice a difference.
I would recommend you stay with the '06 box.

 

Same here. I had a poop charger, but was unhappy with the heat soak. Went back to the stock box and it's much more consistent. But if you care more about intake 'sound' than actual performance, the poop charger might be just the ticket~

 

I went from the popcaharger to the stock 06 airbox as well.

I couldn't stand the sound of the popcharger. I like to be able to get on the gas and not have the popo hear me blocks away.

 

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

Read up on that. In most cases a bolt-on will NOT void your warranty. Messing with forced induction and nitrous will.

 

Looks like I will be selling a new pop charger.

Thanks for the advise and feedback!

 

Most people here will agree that the Popcharger does increase horsepower on the 03-05 models. The Popcharger will just make more noise for the 06 and up models.

Heatsoak isn't too much of an issue. If you live in Florida, SoCal, Phoenix, etc then it may be more of an issue.

I have checked air intake temps using cipher. Both the stock airbox and the popcharger get heatsoaked while idiling in traffic. The temps drop quickly once you get moving.

 

^^^so youre saying the popcharger is more beneficial for the 03-05 than the 06+?

i dont have a popcharger but how bad is the heatsoak? Is it very noticeable? I have an 04 so my stock airbox isnt as efficient as the 06.

is it: 06 > pop > 04?

or more like: 06 > 04 > pop?

 

if i may add to your Q :
04 350Z intake mod ,is 06 box with k&n filter enough ? (performance not sound)
(i did a dayno 04 350Z non-rev-up ,and the shop told me i need a better intake to clear the acceleration ,just to know why i ask ,,thanks)

 

The 06 box has a velocity stack. The others don't. Not sure how much exactly the velocity stack helps. IMHO, I'd stay away from the poop charger altogether... Heat soak for me was so noticeable it was maddening. It only makes HP on a dyno cuz the hood is usually wide open with a big fan blowing cool air over it. But - Back in the real world with stagnate hot air under the hood at stops & low speeds, the poop charger simply suks.

 

On the 100 questions sticky it talks about the Stillen being a better intake because there isn't as much hot air being sucked in. Can anyone comment on this intake compared to the JWT? What about the Stillen compared to the 06? Is there a reason why I don't see more posts on the Stillen. Is it because the JWT is so affordable compared to the higher priced Stillen.

 

Heatsoak can be an issue if you live in a very hot area and you are stuck in traffic a lot.

I live in RI and I am almost never stuck in traffic. Heatsoak is not an issue for me. I've checked intake temperatures using Cipher and it showed that the air intake temps drop dramatically as soon as you get up to speed. When idiling in traffic the stock air box temps were almost the same as the Popchargers. The temps do rise faster with the Popcharger but they also drop faster once you get going.

So if you have an 03-05 and aren't stuck in 90 degree traffic all the time the Popcharger will work fine. If you do live in those conditions then look for an 06 airbox and k&n filter.

It has been proven time and time again that the Popcharger makes power. It's effect is also amplified once you add other breathing mods. They all compliment each other.

 

^+1 on what he said. Majority of the time, your car is moving so cool air flows in and negate the heat soak.

 

Temperatures here in Toronto can get up there during the summer (over 30 degrees celsius) but I tend not be in much stop and go traffic. At the end of the day is the JWT PC equal to the 06 air box - only difference it makes a more aggressive sound at high RPM?

 

I agree with everyone, the popcharger is good for 03-05 years. I put one on my 03 and defiantly felt a difference, plus that whistle is pretty cool. If you get the bumper duct it will help out alot with heatsoak.

 

From everything I've read, yes.