jkotel

A quote from the infamous FAQs:

"A Pop Charger gives good high RPM gains but some owners report a low end 'lag' or power loss. Automatic owners seem to feel this low end loss more".

I'm looking into buying a used Stillen intake to keep things simple (trying to avoid any complications from a CAI) However, I don't want low end power loss... if I could search I know I'd find an infinite amount of discussions on this, but I can't, so.... can anyone elaborate? I have an auto and theres no way I want to spend money on an intake thats gonna make me lose low end power over my stock intake. So, is this a prevalent problem or i don't need to worry?

Smithdogg1

Most auto owners say it does lag a little at low RPM's, i think that this is pretty common. But why not just get a frankencar intake. $130, its a hybrid setup so no lagging and you still get good top end. The website is www.frankencar.com

YUTAKARNB

iTrader: (2)

I had the same problem with you. The low end loss power at low rpm makes me sick. I just purchased the Franken car Midpipe to replace the air box. I don't know it is going to improve the low end loss or not. But that is the cheaper way to do without buying INJEN CAi or etc and to keep my Stillen Pop charger. I 'll let you know the result. If the result are not what as I expect. I am thinking to buy INJEN CAI. I drove my freind car that has INJen cai. i FELT TOTALLY DIFFERENT at low rpm, no lack of low end power.............. So far Injen is pretty good in my opinion if you have AUTOtragic Maxima. GO with INJEN

SoLid97SE

i just installed the frankencar midpipe/stillen cone filter combo and i noticed no low end loss at all. there is definitely more midrange, and the top end doesn't seem to drop off as much as with the stock airbox. the only thing is the midpipe is kinda loud at idle...makes is loud constant sucking noise.

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

The low end power loss for me was pretty significant. The addition of a mid-pipe really did not do anything. Maybe a little, but that was probably just in my head. If I want power I know where to shift.

Gen8888

I also noticed some low end loss with the Stillen pop installed. I hope that the Frankencar midpipe solves the problem. .

Also those with the Stillen Intake, this is probably a dumb question but do you also have a hole on the end of the intake, on the chrome part where it says Stillen across it? Is that normal? Is that for earlier years to put in the sensor or something? . Anyways did you cover up the hole with something so dirty air etc doesn't go in it?

SoLid97SE

yeah i have that hole. my intake was designed for the 95-96, but since i installed it on my 97 thers just an empty hole. its for a sensor, but i don't think its that big a deal...i just taped it up so nothing crazy gets sucked into my engine without going through the filter element first.

CaLSoNiC

I had a pop-charger before I installed my midpipe. Before I installed my midpipe I felt I had lost a little low end, and when I did install my midpipe I felt I got most of that loss back.

MaximaMoJo

So where is the midpipe located on the frankencar. I have a stillen intake and I don't think there is room to add a midpipe, due to the stillen intake almost being next to the engine bay wall now. When I purchased the car it had the Stillen Popcharger on it.

ZeRo MaX

iTrader: (4)

i'm gonna be getting a midpipe with a stillen popcharger... hope that DOES solve the problem!

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

It replaces that square box right after you MAF. You should be able to fit a mid pipe in there. Especially if you make it your self, then you can custom make it to be shorter than a frankencar.

MaximaMoJo

Thanks! I know exactly what your are talking about! Is there a write-up about making the custom mid-pipe. If there is can someone please post the link or thread. Thanks in advance for your help!

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

http://www.drwebdesign.com/mymaxima/upperintake.html

MaximaMoJo

Thanks Again! I30Mike is the Mannnnn!

Maxman2000

iTrader: (5)

What's the difference between a frankencar and a stillen??

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

Frankencar is a midpipe paired with the filter of your choice. Sitllen is just a filter, a good filter with a velocity stack. You could have a Frankencar with a sitllen filter.

happyricefob

iTrader: (7)

stillen filter= $100+
frankencar hybrid w/ filter= $130
BOMz racing CAI w/ K&N filter= $80

before i had a K&N drop-in, now i have a bomz CAI and i felt no lag at low-end and better HP/torque gain from 2,500rpm -5,500rpm =) the setup was not too hard, jus unscrewed everythin from stock intake system, trim a hole under the fuse box, connect the CAI + K&N filter, put the battery back, done.

i did this with another friend without any instructions....

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

Just a little advice when making the mid-pipe. In order for it to fit with a large filter set up(which is what I have as well) drill the holes for the fittings vertically not horizontally. As in, one above the other, not side to side. This will give you room to have the mid-pipe as short as possible. I ran into this problem of having my fittings next to each other. I only have about 3 inches of pipe exposed and I am just barely fitting the filter under the hood.

bb0ys

If I bought the BOMz CAI with K&N filter, could I just use the midpipe section of hte tubing and attach the MAF to that followed by the filter? It isnt one solid pipe that goes from the TB all the way to the MAF is it? Arent there two rubber or plastic connectors with clamps on each end? One to connect TB to mid-pipe, one ot connect midpipe to ColdAir downpipe, which then connects to MAF and then to filter....right?

Gen8888

thats good to hear i'm not the only one. I also just covered up the hole with some clear tape. I hope it will be ok.

MaximaMoJo

Well, I am going to be making my homemade mid-pipe tonight and will post later to let you guys know how it went. I am going to be putting the hose fittings just like the fitting in the pictures on that website. Talk to you guys later!

happyricefob

iTrader: (7)

i jus stick the MAF into the mid-pipe

squinty

On the franken car website is there any real advantage to the apexi dry filter or should i jsut go with a K/n filter and save some money?

jkotel

let me know how the homemade midpipe goes, but as someone mentioned, it sounds kinda loud even at idle? i dont want that... it seems like the consensus is id be better off with a franken intake from the start and to not even bother with a stillen intake... I'm going to look into a homemade intake, but I don't want to mess up any stock parts

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

The apexi filter has a built in velocity stack which reduces air turbulance. I noticed a difference between a my old cheap filter an the apexi.

MaximaMoJo

Well, I made the homemade mid-pipe tonight and it took some patience but it was pretty easy overall. I followed the exact directions from the website posted earlier in this post. I am painting it on Saturday as well as installing it later on Saturday. As far as the it being loud only time will tell! I will keep you guys posted!

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

it makes no noise at idle, well a little hissing sound but really nothing. It only makes noise under load after 3.5K rpms. No intake is going to be loud at idle.

Making a homemade intake has nothing to do with the stock parts. There is no risk in ruining anything.

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

does it look like it's gonna fit with the stillen filter?

MaximaMoJo

Yeah, it will fit fine! My mid-pipe that I made is only 5.5 inches rather than the 8 inch one on the website. There will probably only be about three inches showing from the clamps. I think it will work great and thanks for the link!

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

congrats.

SoLid97SE

actually...mine does make a significant hissing sound at idle. standing next to the car you can definitely hear the intake.

MaxWolf

iTrader: (1)

your just hearing the air being sucked in. This is due to the removal of the resonator and that ever so free flowing oem air intake that is now gone.

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

that's what I said.......

rtolliver

That hole is designed for the oxygen sensor for the 95-96. Failure to connect the 02 sensor before starting the engine will cause the check engine light to come on in those models.

MaximaMoJo

Well I installed the homemade mid-pipe tonight! It is awesome! it is no louder than with just my Stillen popcharger until I hit WOT. It sounds like a V8 as everyone else had said. I do think I notice a slight difference from before. It is just a little quicker not much. Anyway, just giving the update!
Also, I think I am going to have a muffler shop put some spot welds around the fittings that way they will be leak free forever!