I'm a pretty reasonable person, I don't usually go flaming vendors and manufacturers on boards - which I'm not going to, because I was happy with the parts I purchased. But to say that I'm frustrated is an understatement. I'm posting this in hopes for a little support or direction....

I purchased the Generation 1 Short Tube Dual Intake Kit when it first came out (there were no other stages at this time) and later upgraded to the Generation 2 Long Tube Dual Intake Kit when that was released. The first kit was installed with 20k, I'm rolling over 95k now, I own a 07 Z - yea, crazy commuting...

I've had two major issues with the kit(s):

First, the adjustment bolt on the OEM strut tower brace slowly ate (almost) threw one of the intake tubes. I tried adjusting the tubes as much as I could to try and keep it away from that bolt, any more adjusting and it would not correctly fit to the throttle body. There's basically nothing I could do here, I'm planning on purchasing a strut tower brace that will give a little more clearance. Tried adjusting as much as I could.

The second issue is mainly why I'm writing. I hit an extremely nasty pot hole one day, which created an exhaust leak - crazy. But also unbeknownst to me at the time, one of the filters had slid off the tube, and was just sitting in the air box, unconnected. I tightened the gaskets using sockets, not screw drivers, and tightened an adequate amount, I don't blame the install. I've also never had his happen before with this system, so nor do I blame the manufacturer. I blame the great state I live in (NJ) for leaving a crater in the road. Naturally, as this filter was rolling around in the air box for about a week, it became damaged. That sucked, but what sucks more is that in that short period of time my engine probably sucked up some dirt or possibly some other foreign objects - o well what's done is done.

I like the kit, I like how it sounds and looks, but right now the OEM system is on the car and my aftermarket intake is sitting in my garage collecting dust. I'd like to put it back on, but I can't do that with a bent filter that has holes in it.

I decided to contact your sales support, and got an immediate response. I sent an email asking if there was a model number for the filters so that I could buy replacements. I was told that they were "the filters on our STILLEN intakes are designed especially for us by K&N." I was then quoted a completely outrageous price for replacement filters. I replied by asking "Just trying to understand here, so these filters were uniquely designed by K&N for STILLEN and I cannot purchase them directly from K&N?" After that I never got a response.

Hey, I don't know everything and I don't claim so. I have a serious issue with the $130 I was quoted for air filters ($65 each.) If these are truly unique then hey there ain't nothing I can do about it. But if I'm misinformed, as I suspect because I never got another reply back, then I'm asking for a little help or direction because it doesn't seem right to me.

 

Sibble,

Wow.. I can definitely understand your frustration. I've never heard of a case of the intake tube having issues with the STB, especially to the point of almost wearing through. If you haven't, I'd like to put you in touch with our customer service manager to see if we've come across anything that might help.

Sounds like the pot hole of all times, and while I don't have experience with NJ, I've heard some horror stories, and it's unfortunate that the impact was violent enough to remove the filter from the tube, that must have been something.

We do have a lot of filters that are created specifically for us by K&N, with our longstanding relationship with them. I apologize, as this particular one is available from their catalog, and from other vendors. A lot of our customers will get them from us, because we have them in stock and can ship next day, where I can almost guarantee you none of the other vendors will have them, and increased shipping time will occur as they have to order it from K&N and reship it out to you.

Part of the cost of this system is in relation to the filters that we use, and using a quality filter manufacturer, that we've used from the beginning at STILLEN, and not had any issues of failure that I'm aware of, and even if we did, K&N would back these with their million mile warranty just like everything else.

The filter part number you're looking for is RX-4950, and as you'll see when you search, $65 is the going retail price for these filters, we're not attempting to take advantage of you in any way. I'd like to see this get resolved and get the intake back on the car, if you'll PM me with your contact information, I'll go the sales manager and see what I can arrange for a shipped price for you.

I hope this helps, and looking forward to resolving your situation..

Josh

 

For a $130 I would get a used complete CAI kit.

 

Goto advance auto parts and look at the price of k&n filters. They are not cheap by far. Stillens price is by far fair.

 

Thanks Josh for the info and quick reply I really appreciate it.

All I can say is wow, I really had no idea they could cost so much. I will be sending you a PM (as soon as I can get to a computer, been posting via phone.)

I will definitely be purchasing the filters from STILLEN, and I will be in contact with you today.

 

I also recall long intakes wearing a hole in the air conditioning line on the drivers side. Live and learn.

Look at the K&N site for universal cone filters. You must know dimensions such as inner diameter and length.

 

Can't say that I've experienced that with this system.