Ok guys, it's in. I finally got my Firm Fabrications intake installed. I have to say I am very happy with it. The only hiccup in the installation was getting the coupler around the inlet on the engine. After that, smooth sailing. It has a very nice throaty growl when you begin to accellerate, but the growl goes away when you start to cruise, which I like. The throttle response improved a great deal, too. After talking to MaximaMan777 (who helped me install it), it sounds like it will take a couple of days for me to really feel the benefit of it, as the computer has to re-learn. That will be nice. I will probably end up replacing the filter that came on it, though. Probably something like a ApexI or something like that. The filter that comes with it is pretty small, and I'm not crazy about the way it is designed. But overall, I would say the whole thing was well worth the money I paid ($200 shipped).

One thing I did notice was that every time I changed gears and gunned it, I heard a slight "chirping" sound. Is that normal?

Oh yeah, also installed the M4 Polargs in the parking lights. WOW! What a difference. No more pee yellow light coming from there. Also installed the clear corners, which looks reeeally nice on Majestic blue paint. The Polarg bulbs give off a bluish/white light that matches very well with the paint color as well.

 

I’d like to see what this intake look like. I am still debating if I even want an intake. I order the Injen and then cancel the order

 

Hey man, I will try and snap a few pics for ya. If you'd like to see the intake by itself for now, check out www.firmfabrications.com. The polished aluminum looks reeeally sweet under the hood. I have done some reading on CAI's, and from what I can tell, it looks like the benefit of the cold air is negated by all of the tubing it takes to get it. I would recommend going with a WAI if you do anything. It seems to have the best power in the high end.

 

pics of it installed

 

Patience, grasshopper. The reason I didn't take any last night is because A.) It was last NIGHT and B.) It was raining here in Atlanta. They will come soon.

 

Cool, debating between Frankencar, JWT, or Firm Fabrications....

 

No rush I already have enough intakes I just would like to see how clean this looks in the bay compared to having the midpipe and stock MAF tube.

 

Thanks

 

I had 4 intakes at one point, for my old car(97 Maxima), I know the feeling....

 

all i have to say is that i LOVE my injen intake!!! I just cant wait till the summer time though and roll the windows down. After accelorating hard, when the tranny shifts gears u sorta hear like a blow off valve sound comming from it! And just hearing that sounds makes me go "ahhhhhh "

 

So can somebody please tell me if the "chirping" sound I am hearing between gears (6-spd) is normal when you put on an intake? The sound comes right as you hit the accellerator after changing gears, and only lasts for like a fraction of a second. Since some of you guys go through intakes like candy, I would hope you would know about this.

Lloyd

 

I had injen intake on my 2k2 and alos had that chirping sound. The noise that you hear is the plate in the intake that opens and closes when you press the gas. it only makes the noise and partial throttle because the plate is only open a little causeing the air the chirp and the noise disappears at WOT becuase the plate is parallel to the ground. Try accelerating slowly and you will hear the noise for a longer time.

 

 

You had the injen? why did you remove it?

 

$200 SHIPPED, WHOA! That seems very pricey considering what few components actually make up this intake (with the marginal air filter). Frankencar is less even with a good K & N filter. The Frankencar Apex setup may still be cheaper aswell.

 

This intake is shoter, and has a built in housing for the MAF. Plus it's polished aluminum. Looks very nice. I think it's worth it, even if I have to buy another filter eventually.

 

Any picture of it installed?

 

There will be as soon as it stops raining here in Atlanta.

 

i had injen for 2 days. And due to stupid drivers on the road my maxima is totalled. But its ok 2k2 super black maxima is on the way.

 

That is very normal, it is just that beast of an engine you have sucking for air. You will get that sound with any intake, and with a short ram such as yours, you will hear it even more. Wait until you drive with your window down

 

Do you feel like your getting better gas mileage with this intake?

 

LOL HELL NO! My foot is to the floor all the time to hear the awesome sound!

Other than that, I think there is a learning curve for the computer to figure out what you did with the car's guts, and once it gets used to the change, I think I will be able to more accurately determine any sort of performance increase/decrease.

 

Hey Lloyd did you notice any low end power gains?

 

i also lost like 40mpg with my Injen CAI

 

Since it's been raining here, it's been hard to say. The tires slip too easily for me to know for sure. The car does feel "lighter" if that makes any sense. The computer still has to have a few days to re-adjust to the amount of air coming through now before I will notice any real gains, anyway.

 

This is off topic but where in Lowes did you find the Peel and Seal. I want to pick up some of that stuff this weekend. I went to Home Depot and they didnt have it so im going to check out Lowes.

 

At the location I went to, I went to the VERY far wall in building materials. It was about 3/4 of the way to the back of the store against the wall. It will be in the roofing supplies. It's in big rolls, you can't miss it.

 

i got to see this thing installed, can't believe the price though.

 

I will try and take some pics tomorrow if it's not still raining. Oh, man. This beast is getting more and more fun to drive every day. Can't wait to put the FSTB/RSB on.

 

which fstb and rsb did you wind up getting??

 

c'mon people. just check the website for pics. it's not going to look any different in his car.

or just click here

 

FSTB: CourtesyParts.com
RSB: Cattman for $110 shipped