Ive read all the stuff about performance and all the debates over what intake is better for speed but what about sound? Does it actually make your exhaust sound different? I have the resonator cut out on an otherwise stock system, I wonder if it would make a noticable difference. Ive been thinking of getting one but some exhaust for this car is cheaper than the intake, and probly gets better gains in both sound and performance i.e. stillen intake/budget Y comparison. Any sound clips that somebody hasent posted yet?

 

An intake does not effect exhaust note. It is pure engine noise. It is the actual intake of sucking air to the Throttle Body you are hearing. For power gains just research in here and you can find your answers. As per intakes it has been stated that short intakes such as Frankencar and Berk give the best overall gain on our cars. CAI usually dont perform as well because of the wierd nissan design. As exhaust goes I dont know what componets youare talking about that are cheaper. Y pipes and header give the most gains exhaust wise. Headers are definately not cheaper than intakes and y pipes can run you a penny two if you get them from reputable company.

 

If you want cheap hp + sound from an intake, just drill holes in your stock airbox or do the GAB (instructions in the Stickies). Its free and if you do the GAB w/o cutting the airbox, its easily reversible too. Sounds just like any intake and dyno-proven to gain some hp.

There is are GAB and short RAM sound clips in the Exhaust Clips thread.

 

I have the holes in the airbox. The noise gain is quite minimal. I would go the GAB route.

 

which CAI does not perform well? you must be referring to the injen because any true CAI is always going to be superior to a WAI... the injen is just a super long WAI

 

hey ctrent, not to be off-topic, buit does that gas card thing really work? the thing in your sig

 

Even though it is off topic yes it does if you follow the steps.

In response to the CAI comment. Yes I am referring to the injen. It is themost widely used on here on the org. I have seen some custom made CAI that showed some promise but you always run the risk of uptaking water. I know not in every area of the US do you have to worry about that but here in the Florida were it rains frequentlyin places here it is a concern. Best bet out of the box in the way of ease of install and hassell is a short hybrid intake. You are right joebangaa cai are superior to short rams/hybrid intakes on mostly any other car but for some reason on maxima's due to engine bay config and design it doesnt allow cai to really do their magic. In fact CAI on max's murder your lower end. Hybrids give a more linear power gain. There are extensive posting on this. It has been shown as well that GAB prove good relible horsepower as an alternative that costs you nothing but time.

 

honestly.. i perfer the injen b/c that's what i have and i've noticed a slight difference in performance.. HOWEVER.. it sounds absoluately amazing..

i understand that ppl are often not willing to pay 250+ for a slight gain of hp and sound.. but i think you should keep an eye out for a used set on ebay or something cuz that's what i did :-)

 

To me 250 or even 100 is not worth the murder to the low end. A GAB or even a short ram intake in many peoples opinion here on the org simply works better than cai in our cars. Look thru the threads time and time again people give them a . Also people have tested and the temp in the engine bay and were a cai resides is not all that different. If I remember correctly only like 2-3 degrees. I might be getting old but I do seem to remember this info is near correct some vets chime in to confirm or deny.

 

I just installed a air intake (frankencar). I believe i actually lost some low end torque. It defenitely livens up the noise under the hood.

I only felt the gains in the upper rpms.

As mentioned above intakes does not effect exhuast tones.

my $.02

chas