Jun 18, 20202 min read

Respirando. Z34 Air Filter Install

Several weeks after placing the order, I finally got my air filters in from Courtesy Parts! Looks like they were a bit backed up with the quarantine situation throwing things off. They've also updated (but not necessarily upgraded) their website which looks way different than how I remember it. I liked the old style, but the new one is more along the Nissan corporate theme. Perhaps that led to them forgetting about my order somehow. No harm no foul, they were great over customer service and expedited shipping after a quick phone call.

With the new OEM Nissan Air Filters in hand, I'm impressed by the quality. You could drop a K&N badge on the side of these and I wouldn't be the wiser. Nicely oiled from the factory. I'm not sure what oiling a filter does, is it to prevent the fibers of the filter from getting sucked into the engine? Or does it smoothen out airflow somehow? At any rate, the filter was a very nice quality. From the looks of the car's original air filter, who knows how long it's been since they were last replaced (if ever?) I'd say they've got the minimum 10k miles on them that's for sure.

This is the first car I've had with two air filters to replace. I love the dual intake setup on this VQ engine mA. Nice and symmetrical. :)

After installing the filters, I'm truly impressed and excited. It seems like the miniscule throttle delay I was sensing is gone! I'd initially been thinking that the electronic drive-by-wire throttle was the cause for the slow throttle response. I could really sense a delay before. Now, I can barely notice the delay when I blip the throttle. Sure it's still perceptible, but I'm suprised by just how big of a difference the clean air filters have made on the throttle response. I guess DBW throttles are not so bad after all? Will wait to see how they feel on the road. I've heard of something along the lines of a throttle signal amplification kit for the 370Z. The stuff I read seemed to indicate that it doesn't exactly help with fine tuned inputs to the throttle and is only helpful for Wide Open Throttle applications.

Steps to change out these dual filters are quite simple, although just slightly different than the cars I'm used to:

Yes there are metal clips on a plastic housing. However, instead of those clips removing a cover over the air filter, the clips release a sub-housing into which the air filter is inserted.

Once clips are released and a bit of wiggle-force is applied (towards vehicle front), the sub-housing slides upwards and out, with the air filter resting inside it.