I was having big problems w/my car and didn't know why. So i took it into the nissan dealer, and while I'm waiting on hearing what the problem is, I get a call from them saying that they cannot determine the problem just because I have an aftermarket intake on my car (BULLS***), but anyway just cuz i want my car back and running I brought back my stock one and they put it on and fixed what was wrong w/the car (completely unrelated to the intake). Now the funny thing is that even though I really miss the loud sound I had w/my stillen intake, i feel like the car pulls a little bit more on the low end then it did w/the intake? I mean maybe its just me, but it feels that way...I plan to put the stillen back on when i put on my Y pipe, but I was just wondering if anyone else knows if putting on the stillen intake takes away anything from the car in terms of lower end HP

 

Got the same feeling when I took my POP intake off. Times ET were about the same.

 

TexMaximum, your car looks tight! but hmm i wonder then if the stillen intake does much at all by itself, I was originally told it was like 5-8 hp or so.

 

its said that with the pop you have a little more power down low and the pop intake adds up higher

 

dont worry youre not alone, thats what everyone feels... when youre doing about 20 it feels like you gotta push it hard and rev high to get it to move, it sux

 

Isn't that supposed to be: "... with the stock you have a little more power down low...."?

I don't know... even though there's a loss of power down low, I still feel it's still all good. I can still pull away from a stop pretty fast, and I wouldn't trade the up-top pep for nothing.

 

yea but still you be slow lol

 

yeah sorry about that, Im tired and not thinking straight

 

No problem ... and I know the feeling.

 

W/the intake, is there anything I can do to compensate for that loss of low end power? maybe the Underdrive Pulley? I know it doesn't do much in an auto, but I really wanna keep a little bit of that low end.

 

I think this is only true with auto trannies. . . It seems that people who own 5-spds don't have this complaint but those with autos do. . .

 

Hey clee130, you got rid of Calvin!

Great new sig tho.....

 

just from reading experinece...people with 5-speeds feel an increase in power because in every gear, the powerband always reaches towards the intake's most effective range (3500+).

 

All by itself, the intake might add 3 or 4hp at most. It is better combined with other mods.

 

yes like a y pipe

 

The issue regarding loss of low-end power with underhood intakes has been discussed a great deal in previous threads. It appears that underhood intakes alter the intake geometry. They also permit the engine to ingest warm air until the car is moving at sufficient speeds to create cold air circulation under the hood. And 5th Gen Maxima engines are VERY SENSITIVE to heat soak. As a result, underhood intakes tend to sacrifice low-end power in favor of high-end power.

Track results indicate that the best intake available for 5th Gen Maximas (other than a true CAI) may be the lowly OSCAI conversion. The OSCAI retains the stock airbox. It thus maintains the proper intake geometry for maximum low-rpm acceleration. It also prevents the engine from ingesting warm air at low speeds. Conversely, it creates an additional cold air source when engine demands increase. Thus it's able to maintain low-end power while gaining high-end power equivalent to that provided by an underhood intake . . . all for a total outlay of around $65.00!

ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY OSCAI, THE BEST BANG-FOR-THE-BUCK PERFORMANCE MOD FOR 5TH GEN MAXIMAS !!!

 

Ditto on the OSCAI.....but it's not only for 5th gens...the 4th gen has a similar setup

 

You're right, UMD_MaxSE. This only applies to 5th Gens. I suppose owners of 4th Gen Maximas would have to install a true CAI to overcome the loss of power some of them experience at low-rpms with underhood intakes. That's not a bad alternative, of course. In fact, it's undoubtedly the best intake option for either 4th Gens or 5th Gens. But it's not cheap.

 

The 4th gens have the same scoop/resonator box setup. mzmtg and DaveB are running similar intake setups. The only difference is in the scoop hole. It is 2" rather than 3" for the 5th gens.

 

That shouldn't be a problem. I'm using shop-vac hose and a 3" to 2" adapter. My OSCAI works great!

 

How does the CAI sound? I've never heard one on a max before. My friend has the Dinan one for his M3 and it sounds pretty nice, but to be honest I love how much the stillen intake ROARS at high rpms.

 

This is going to be long winded, but I think I've got some useful data for you guys since I drag quite a bit and put my mods to the test.

I've dynoed both with the Poorman's CAI (OSCAI) and with the HKS intake (POP). During the dyno of my HKS intake I still had the resonator box on between the filter and throttle body. I made 175fwhp and 194fwtq. When I tested my Poorman's CAI, the resonator was removed and the fan was facing towards the two intake inlets. I made 174fwhp and 193fwtq. Peak power occured within 100pms of both intakes and there was NO TORQUE LOSS in the lower rpms vs the Poorman's CAI.

This is where it gets interesting. While peak power was the same, the HKS intake was making 3-5fwhp and 3-5fwtq MORE than the Poorman's CAI from 4000-5400rpms. I didn't think much of it and I figured at speed, the Poorman's CAI would make up for the loss of power.

In March and April, I was consistently in the 14s with lots of 14.7s and 14.8s at 93mph plus. The season before I was running low 15s with a random 14.9 here and there (most runs were in the heat too). Most of these runs were in the 94mph. The only differences to the car between the seasons was the addition of the Poorman's CAI and new struts and tires all around. The struts and tires made a nice difference on launch. Lowering my 60 foots .1 consistently. Here's where it gets interesting. Last season I was consistently in the 94mph range and now I'm consistently in the 93mph (regardless of heat or cold). I've run a few 94mph traps, but not near as many as last year in the heat.

What am I making out of all this? As much as I want to believe the Poorman's CAI works (it does work), I just don't think it has the mid range and top end the POP setup does at speed. I've lost some top end somewhere and I think it's in the intake setup. Recently, I swapped out my Poorman's CAI for the HKS. This time the HKS is running without any resonators. I've also fabbed a heatshield and I've left all my intake plumbing from the Poorman's CAI along with the stock lower airbox. The intake doesn't get hot unless you sit for extended times at idle. At the track, heat should not be a problem with cool down. To my butt dyno, the car definatly feels like it's got more power in the 4500rpm plus range. From a stop it feels the same.

I'll let you guys know the results as soon as we get some cooler weather here.


Dave