New wheels on the Infiniti…
car parts
Stillen Cold Air Intake
I’ve never done any mods to my “day to day” car, an 04 Infiniti G35x (which I love!) Lately, I’ve had it bad for either a Cadillac CTS-V (with the Corvette Z06 powertrain) or a new 2 door G35. Instead of going that route, I decided to put a few dollars (far fewer dollars) into my Infiniti’s performance. I’ve heard good things about using a cold air intake – a bigger breather box and air filter. Enter the Stillen Cold Air Intake Kit for the G35 – my first engine mod.
For around $240, you get a velocity stack and matching K&N Air Filter, a new high-flow air box and a rotomolded plastic “Z” tube to connect the airbox to the engine. The new air box is only loosely a box — it’s more like 1/2 a box and a few flaps of high-strength polyurethane. Disassembly involves 2 screws, a few plastic rivets and hose clamps – 15 minutes, max. Installation is as easy as disassembly. Post-install, the cold air kit seems to improve performance under throttle with a little deeper tone.
…the intake (independent of the Z-Tube) adds 11 horsepower at 6,100 RPM to the G35 Sedan… Comprised of a high-quality polyurethane intake port, washable and reusable cotton filter element, and STILLEN’s signature Aluminum Venturi Ring, the Intake draws air from outside the engine bay. The Venturi ring acts as a velocity stack, speeding up and directing the airflow into the intake chambers, making more useable and noticeable power.
I was concerned about how the engine would sound. I want performance, not to be in The Fast and The Furious. You can’t tell any difference with your windows rolled up and under normal throttle. When you put your foot into it, you can hear a bit of a tone produced. Honestly, I don’t like the “tin can” sound (I associate with cheap tuners) and this does have it a bit but i) it’s not bad and ii) the next few mods I make will change the sound even more, so my opinion is somewhat reserved.
Any thoughts? I’ve found the G35Driver Forum is a good place for info. for my particular car, but almost anyone can find guidance through a tuner forum like the one at ImportTuner.com or CarDomain.com.
Related Links:
VW Rear Trunk Area Carpeting
I finished carpeting the rear trunk area of the bug this weekend – will post some pictures in the near future. For this and the main carpeting kit, I went with “German square weave” from JBugs – seems like great quality, but you sure pay for it.
Carter Fuel Pump in the VW
Quick pic of the Carter 4070 fuel pump and Earl’s filter I put on the bug. The hose is 5/16″ from the tank to filter, then from the filter to pump. Fuel pump to the hard body line is 7mm VW made for fuel injected cars in the mid 70s. To get more gas in the system, I installed a larger fuel outlet in the bottom of the tank that I bought from Aircooled.net. I also added a relay to the pump’s + line to protect both the pump and my wiring from surges.
