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Nissan 350Z: Exhaust and Air Intake Mods Andrew Totolos makes a few enhancements that help a new-generation Z-car breathe easier — and go faster. From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-407

(Continued from page 2)

Cold Air Intake

In this first segment, host Andrew Totolos begins the first of three performance modifications: installing a cold air intake system to help boost horsepower. A cold-air intake is a fairly simple and inexpensive install that should typically increase the engine's muscle by about 5 horsepower.

Materials and tools:

cold air intake
standard shop tools

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This intake kit can be installed as either a simple short-ram or a cold-air intake.

Short Ram or Cold Air? That Is the Question.

Installing a short ram or cold-air intake is a popular upgrade among sports compacts because it's a simple procedure and, by installing one, you can typically pick up 5 to 10 horsepower for just about 200 bucks and an afternoon's work.

The most important part of the system is the high-flow filter that allows the engine to freely draw in fresh air. Aside from being a more open and efficient design, the filter on this one is also washable, so you don't have to keep buying paper filters like you do with the stock intake.

The main difference between a short ram intake and a cold air intake is simply the placement of the high flow filter. With the short ram intake it's placed closer to the engine, which makes them easier to install and service. The cold-air intake it goes deeper into the fender well or behind the bumper — away from the heat of the engine so it can draw in that cold dense fresh air from outside giving it more power than the short ram intake. The aftermarket system Andrew chose for this project can be installed as either as a short ram intake or a cold air intake. Andrew chooses to install it as a cold air intake system. With this kit, it's your choice.

	Figure A
	Figure B

Mod #1: Install Cold Air Intake System

In order to get the new air intake into the project car, the old one has to come out.

• After removing the mass airflow sensor wiring, loosen the worm clamps on the factory intake pipe. Back out the intake mounting bolts, before popping out the filter, removing the long black intake pipe, and pulling out the filter box.

• On the workbench, unscrew the mass airflow sensor from the factory intake, and transfer it over to the new pipe (figure A).

• Next, the new intake pipe slides into the car (figure B).

• Since it's custom made for the project car, the new pipe lines up with the existing mounts and hoses in the car.
  

  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• Pop everything into place. Push the silicone coupler onto the throttle body, lock down the worm clamp for an airtight seal (figure C), and plug in the mass airflow sensor (figure D).

• If Andrew were installing a short ram intake, he'd put a high flow filter on at this point, and he would be finished. But he's going to go deeper behind the bumper in order for the intake to access fresh, dense, cold air.

• To make the job easier, Andrew pops off the front bumper. The bumper is held in place with a few plastic fasteners across the top of the cover near the radiator, some 10-millimeter bolts underneath the car along the front lip, and a couple of 10-millimeter bolts in each fender. Once these have been removed carefully pry off the bumper.
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• Once the bumper is off, snake the black silicone 90-degree bend through the radiator support, work it onto the chrome pipe, and snug up the worm clamp to hold the piece in place.

• Behind the foam bumper pad, pop out the fasteners that hold the dummy trim panel in place and remove it before sliding the third and final tube on the other end of the silicone bend, tightening the worm clamp, and screwing it into the bumper for extra support (figure E).

• After all of the pipes are mounted, slide the filter on the end (figure F), tighten it down, and replace the bumper pad and cover to finish up the install.
  
  
  

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  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Nissan 350Z: Exhaust and Air Intake Mods