Air Intakes

[KrackaC8]

Intakes [much like exhausts] are always a balance of compromise, and OEMs need to make a lot more compromises than the aftermarket does. Emissions, noise levels, sound requirements, filtration, cost, etc. Increasing outright flow is easy, doing so successfully while balancing the other aspects is where it takes true engineering with legit R&D. I personally think AMS, Mishimoto, and K&N all did a very good job with that on the Z.

Pick which are your most important aspects and get (or stick with) the intake that most closely resembles your desired outcome.

 

[Racebox]

I would love to see racebox do a stock intake w/ filter delete dyno pull to add to their intake shootout video.

We unfortunately will not be testing this as we do not recommend running intakes without a filter

 

[Tranzor Z]

Outfits such as AMS are lying about gains from intakes?

What's a gain for you? 3 horsepower for $700

 

[thesilverbullet]

We unfortunately will not be testing this as we do not recommend running intakes without a filter

Just curious. i don’t think anyone is recommending running without a filter. I think the stock box can match the after market intakes or better without a filter. It hangs pretty good to 4.5k with the stock filter.

The next best info would be with a k&n filter and would be a better fight compared to the aftermarket intakes with high flowing filters.

shifting gears - what’s you opinion of full catless dps vs catless lower only w/ 80mm ams or 3” b6 intakes.

 

[alienpoker]

I can't believe people put big money into a mod that has no reward on investment, no power gains. Every time I hear "intake" I think I've time travelled back to the 90s

Not exactly true. While the stock airboxes are good, having cold air intakes (which are designed properly and with an ECU tune) can improve performance. Example would be AMS see:
https://www.amsperformance.com/wp-c...Air-Intakes-Calibration-Guide-2025-10-02.xlsx

They do come with slots and you move the stock MAFs to a new position. Your performance gain? Maybe 15hp from 80mm intakes once tuned. You need to decide for yourself if 15hp (or so) is worth it for $400+ But - it will sound better in my experience.

I agree just putting cones inside the engine bay without doing a tune makes no sense at all. Better to stay with stock boxes and just add decent filters.

 

[alienpoker]

What's a gain for you? 3 horsepower for $700

AMS claim 15+ WHP gain (with calibration). But I’m sure that’s measured under ‘best case’ conditions, and before the engine bay gets heat-soaked. They can be purchased maybe $475.

Disclaimer: I’m not fitting them, just saying there may be a noticeable difference.

 

[Mr. Mac]

What's a gain for you? 3 horsepower for $700

No, I don't make intakes. As previously stated, I asked you specifically about reputable companies "such as AMS" that have been developing specialty high-performance aftermarket products for the Z platform and others for decades now.

You said "I can't believe people put big money into a mod that has no reward on investment, no power gains." I'm simply asking you if such companies are lying when they claim power gains from intakes? Here's an example for reference, where AMS is claiming substantially more gain than a mere "3 horsepower", and btw is $400 at full list price, not "$700." Is AMS lying here?

Source: https://www.amsperformance.com/product/ams-performance-nissan-z-80mm-air-intakes/

 

[thesilverbullet]

I wonder how close our smaller turbos will get to those numbers? not sure why ams can not update the dyno results for the new Z?

 

[Drago86]

Not exactly true. While the stock airboxes are good, having cold air intakes (which are designed properly and with an ECU tune) can improve performance. Example would be AMS see:
https://www.amsperformance.com/wp-c...Air-Intakes-Calibration-Guide-2025-10-02.xlsx

They do come with slots and you move the stock MAFs to a new position. Your performance gain? Maybe 15hp from 80mm intakes once tuned. You need to decide for yourself if 15hp (or so) is worth it for $400+ But - it will sound better in my experience.

I agree just putting cones inside the engine bay without doing a tune makes no sense at all. Better to stay with stock boxes and just add decent filters.

The stock air boxes are cold air intakes and use the exact same cold air inlets in tthe chassis as the AMS/Nismo intakes.

Those 80mm intakes would be hot air intakes on the Z.

 

[Bluenoser]

I can't believe people put big money into a mod that has no reward on investment, no power gains. Every time I hear "intake" I think I've time travelled back to the 90s LOL

No reward? The sound alone is well worth the money.

 

[alienpoker]

No reward? The sound alone is well worth the money.

My take exactly. Suddenly it sounds less like a Vacuum Cleaner and more like a 3L TT. Bigger turbos and external waste-gates would sound even better. But then you’re looking at $4K+ and not $500.

 

[5amp5on]

The money I spent on the Mishimoto CAI was worth it because:

1. I got to spend 2-3 hours with my Z switching out the air intake systems.
2. The sound difference is awesome when I run them open.
3. They look cool.
4. I may or may not have gained power, but I really don't care about that. If I did it's a bonus.

 

[Bumflik]

For now til spring ill slap 2 K&N filters in my OEM CAI boxes.

 

[Lvckv99]

intakes don’t add any noticeable power. Our stock intakes are as good as they are. For the sound, you’d be better off with a BOV. Not only it sounds better, but it also helps to protect the turbos.

I have the alpha500 package using stock intakes pushing 494 on 85. Eventually i bought the ams intakes just for the “looks”.

 

[VR30Z6spd]

I would love to see racebox do a stock intake w/ filter delete dyno pull to add to their intake shootout video.

tried it on dyno with no OEM filter (lost power)