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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 04:27 AM
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Default DE CAI & SRI misinformation

Hey guys!



I have a 2003 Track edition 350z.

Current mods are a HiTech exhaust and a [K&N Air Filter](https://www.knfilters.com/air-filter...5l-v6-gas/2003).



I'm looking to make some more power cheaply and have decided on a plenum spacer (haven't picked a specific one yet) and I've also been researching Cold Air Intakes & Short Ram Intakes.



Unfortunately through searching I am finding a lot of mixed responses. I have heard everything from:

- CAI & SRI making less than the stock airbox.

- CAI making less low rev power than stock airbox but more power 4.5k revs and up due to the extra travel distance of air.

- CAI being susceptible to getting wet from a puddle as they're mounted just behind the grill.

- SRI making less power than the stock air box and people just buy them for the noise.

- SRI receiving heat soak due to being inside the engine bay.

- SRI ONLY receiving heat soak when stopped at a light as there is no air flow.

- Both CAI & SRI making no more power without a tune.

- Both CAI & SRI are a noise gimmick and the 2006+ air box is better than both.



It seems most people posting (here and on a few other forums) project their personal opinion as fact rather than providing any evidence.



With all of this misinformation out there it's hard for a newbie to know what to think. I was just wondering if anyone has any (or could link any) before and after dyno results of stock vs CAI, SRI or both.



Keep in mind, as my car is a 2003 model I am aware it has the less powerful DE engine, if anyone actually does have dyno results, I ask that they're DE only.



Replies are greatly appreciated, but I ask, please provide something constructive instead of the usual "use the search bar idiot" I see on almost every thread. Thanks!
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 04:42 AM
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Can't wait for responses..
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 04:57 AM
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all intakes except for oem are essentially just for looks and noise makers
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:02 AM
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What makes you say that, do you have any evidence?
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:07 AM
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Just here to watch.


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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:11 AM
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Originally Posted by TMACTM
Replies are greatly appreciated, but I ask, please provide something constructive
So far the first three posts have ignored this. This is what is wrong with this forum.
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:15 AM
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your car in particular has been out for 16 years, anything and everything you will ask has been covered on here. if you dont like the responses here, i suggest you fine tune your google skills. i will even give you the best way to search this site. when on google, type this without the parenthesis (whatever you want to search) site:my350z.com

heat soak is an issue with the metal piping, most sri/hot air intakes suck in hot air from the engine bay.
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:20 AM
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Originally Posted by travlee
your car in particular has been out for 16 years, anything and everything you will ask has been covered on here. if you dont like the responses here, i suggest you fine tune your google skills. i will even give you the best way to search this site. when on google, type this without the parenthesis (whatever you want to search) site:my350z.com

heat soak is an issue with the metal piping, most sri/hot air intakes suck in hot air from the engine bay.

Did you read my post? I am asking for evidence to clear up the confusion above. And like I stated, I have searched, which is where I received all of the misinformation I quoted. I specifically mentioned that I didn't want people to reply with "use the search bar".

Again, you've mentioned that they're overpriced noise makers and suck in hot air from the engine bay (two of my examples in my original post) but even after asking twice, you've provided no evidence.
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:39 AM
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dont like my answer, dgaf..... search for yourself. but since you are too damn lazy

https://www.google.com/search?q=cold...e%3Amy350z.com



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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:43 AM
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Originally Posted by travlee
dont like my answer, dgaf..... search for yourself. but since you are too damn lazy

https://www.google.com/search?q=cold...e%3Amy350z.com


Mate why do you continue to waste you're time commenting? I've specifically asked for constructive comments with actual evidence but you can't seem to get it through your head. Your personal opinion on whether you like CAI's or SRI's is worth **** all to me.
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:52 AM
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Originally Posted by TMACTM
Mate why do you continue to waste you're time commenting? I've specifically asked for constructive comments with actual evidence but you can't seem to get it through your head. Your personal opinion on whether you like CAI's or SRI's is worth **** all to me.
Lol...

Your attitude isn't going to get you any of the information you desire. I could sense from your very first post the kind of attitude you were going to have, and the exact direction this thread would be racing headlong into, hence my response.

Think about this..

You want dyno results and other solid evidence. I promise you that my350z is not a collection of know-it-all gods. The information is out there, you just have to know where to look for it and how to find it.

I can see you are heading quickly in the direction of becoming someone's signature, just like Dugan, Hunter350z, and several others.
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:54 AM
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Originally Posted by TMACTM
Mate why do you continue to waste you're time commenting? I've specifically asked for constructive comments with actual evidence but you can't seem to get it through your head. Your personal opinion on whether you like CAI's or SRI's is worth **** all to me.
now i am doing it just to annoy ya
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 05:56 AM
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part of the top 100 FAQ's at the top of every page




https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...ml#post2489732
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 06:30 AM
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Originally Posted by TMACTM
Hey guys!



I have a 2003 Track edition 350z.

Current mods are a HiTech exhaust and a [K&N Air Filter](https://www.knfilters.com/air-filter...5l-v6-gas/2003).



I'm looking to make some more power cheaply and have decided on a plenum spacer (haven't picked a specific one yet) and I've also been researching Cold Air Intakes & Short Ram Intakes.



Unfortunately through searching I am finding a lot of mixed responses. I have heard everything from:

- CAI & SRI making less than the stock airbox.

- CAI making less low rev power than stock airbox but more power 4.5k revs and up due to the extra travel distance of air.

- CAI being susceptible to getting wet from a puddle as they're mounted just behind the grill.

- SRI making less power than the stock air box and people just buy them for the noise.

- SRI receiving heat soak due to being inside the engine bay.

- SRI ONLY receiving heat soak when stopped at a light as there is no air flow.

- Both CAI & SRI making no more power without a tune.

- Both CAI & SRI are a noise gimmick and the 2006+ air box is better than both.



It seems most people posting (here and on a few other forums) project their personal opinion as fact rather than providing any evidence.



With all of this misinformation out there it's hard for a newbie to know what to think. I was just wondering if anyone has any (or could link any) before and after dyno results of stock vs CAI, SRI or both.



Keep in mind, as my car is a 2003 model I am aware it has the less powerful DE engine, if anyone actually does have dyno results, I ask that they're DE only.



Replies are greatly appreciated, but I ask, please provide something constructive instead of the usual "use the search bar idiot" I see on almost every thread. Thanks!
The stories are true. There is no "cheap" power to be had on a VQ35. A 5/16 plenum spacer is a good mod with a reflash/tune. A long tube CAI runs the risk of hydrolock, most are metal (heat soak) and I know from personal experience the intake charge is only 6F cooler than stock location. I measured with a laser thermometer. Both the long and short ram intakes produce no meaningful power on this motor. If spending US $3-400 for essentially sound effects sounds good, go for it! I speak from my own experience and my tuner's advice.
IMHO the money is better spent on wheels, suspension, sticky tires or even audio but to each their own. Gl!
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by jhc
The stories are true. There is no "cheap" power to be had on a VQ35. A 5/16 plenum spacer is a good mod with a reflash/tune. A long tube CAI runs the risk of hydrolock, most are metal (heat soak) and I know from personal experience the intake charge is only 6F cooler than stock location. I measured with a laser thermometer. Both the long and short ram intakes produce no meaningful power on this motor. If spending US $3-400 for essentially sound effects sounds good, go for it! I speak from my own experience and my tuner's advice.
IMHO the money is better spent on wheels, suspension, sticky tires or even audio but to each their own. Gl!

Thank you for the genuine reply! Out of interest, which CAI/SRI's did you use/test?

Was this on a DE?
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by TMACTM
Thank you for the genuine reply! Out of interest, which CAI/SRI's did you use/test?

Was this on a DE?
DE, yes. Z1 Motorsports CAI and plenum spacer.
I'm currently building a Vortech V3. Happy to sell you my long CAI at a nice price. pm if interested.
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by TMACTM
Keep in mind, as my car is a 2003 model I am aware it has the less powerful DE engine, if anyone actually does have dyno results, I ask that they're DE only.
the reason people don't make power with the aforementioned mods is because people don't make power with the aforementioned mods. Believe it or not, Nissan did a pretty good job designing the OEM intake … when Nissan designed the plenum they didn't have room to leave any significant amount of power unrecognized (outside of a factor of safety).

It was the early 2000s gas was expensive, emissions regulations are crippling, and everyone valued their money. a watered down 220hp 3.5 liter engine wasn't going to cut it for the re-release of the next Z car.

If you want a tiny bit of power above OEM on the DE it'll come from modifications AND a retune. If you want more power than OEM it'll be from a turbo or supercharger, if you want even more power it'll be from a built block, cams, and a turbo - simply put … love it or leave it

Last edited by bealljk; Dec 3, 2019 at 09:57 AM.
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Old Dec 3, 2019 | 11:33 AM
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Minimal power to be made, the choke point is partially the MAF housing. For a daily, pick one and be happy
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Old Dec 4, 2019 | 03:26 AM
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Agree with JHC - you'll see minimal gains with just an intake and no tune. In order to maximize gains, you'll need to tune it in order to account for the increased air flow.

Personally, I went with the 3.5" Admin Tuning intake, 75mm TB, and plenum spacer with HFCs and exhaust. I made about 270 at the wheels on my '05 DE after the tune. It's up to you whether you think it's worth it.
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Old Dec 4, 2019 | 08:15 PM
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Ok, I'll bite...I've had 7 different setups on 2 DE engines. Did not do dynos in different setups because nobody is going to do that. All that said I have yet to run an oversized set up, that will be the best but it will be the most expensive as it REQUIRES a tune. Nismo themselves use a modified stock box, 06 is better than stock, Stillen is better that stock IMO, and CAI and NOT worth it, I've had 2 they do make more power but are a lot less responsive. This is what I would do, if you are willing to spend about $1000 go admin, $300 get Stillen and if that's too much go 06. If you want a CAI I have a Z1 I can sell you too lol.
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