OEM And Custom Upper Intake Plenums For The VG30

Nissan-made VG30 Intake Plenums

• This is the stock 300zx intake.
• A strange intake, it is a hybrid of styles, a twin log with vanes to force air into each cylinder
• The main advantage of this design is equal air distribution.
• On the negative side, it is fairly restrictive at higher engine speeds due to the small runners with multiple bends; however this is offset somewhat by turbocharging.
• Since it was designed for a turbo application, it has small chamber volume for quicker boost response

• This is a Nissan Gloria upper and lower intake manifold, it is very similar to late 80's/early 90's Maxima

• A split log configuration, each side of the V6 gets a common straight log mated to a twin throttle body

• It uses a rather small throttle body so throttle response should be soft and linear

• Like the Maxima, uses a different 45-degree turned distributor cap but otherwise same distributor

• This is the supercharger and adapter manifold found on the Frontier and 1st gen. Xterra trucks.
• Directly underneath the supercharger is a small, short bowl with the 6 holes for the straight lower intake.
• Having very little chamber volume, the boost and throttle response should be quick.
• Cooling the intake charge would be difficult, as using nitrous or water injection before the supercharger can de-laminate the teflon clating from the paddles.
• It is tall, height may limit it's application to trucks

• A very compact 87-88 200SX SE V6 intake, good space potential
• Appears to be a common log design without any turbulation aside from idle controls and EGR. Should flow slightly better than the stock Z31 intake.
• Doesn't seem to be optimized for even chamber distribution, merely space saving.

• Nissan Pathfinder VG30E plenum (note this one has been polished)
• A tapering log design, it has 6 long intake runners which should promote chamber filling even at low speeds
• It's generally accepted to flow better than the stock z31 plenum
• Requires using a Pathfinder distributor and cap, with a spacer and indented driver's side valve cover.
• Will not clear stock hood without shimming.
• Pathfinder plenum mod page (link).

• This is an early Maxima stock intake, like the z31 but backwards
• Should perform very similar to the stock z31 plenum, the only change is the removal of a wide arc
• Having the throttle-body hang off the front again makes pipe routing is very easy
• The only real benefit this intake has is that it frees up some space at the side and rear of the engine bay .

Modified VG30ET Intake Plenums

• This is a stock intake, but with the interior carved out and a top plate welded on. This is the most common form of modified intake for the VG30.
• Commonly called the "gutted plenum" or "Engloid style".
• It has no internal baffles or ribs so it produces much less restriction than the unmodified intake
• All factory locations for accessories are maintained, the idle and emissions devices could remain but in this case they were removed
• Each runner port inside was smoothed into funnels, this helps it flow well at low and high rpm

• This the LP Performance modified intake plenum.
• Similar to the gutted or "engloid" style, but without tubes welded in for bolt holes. Instead, the bolts are installed inside and plugs inserted in the top. This should (in theory) give more interior volume and better flow.
• Note the end of the plenum has been modified so the end port is not shrouded by the plenum wall, this should help air distribution with the modified chamber.
• All factory locations for accessories are maintained, the idle and emissions devices could remain but in this case they were removed.
• Each runner port inside was smoothed into funnels.

• This is another modified stock intake, but the roof of the chamber has been extended about an inch, resulting in greater volume and flow capacity.
• Polished to a brilliant shine.
• Designed and built by: Rick88ss

• This is a modified stock intake, the throttle body and main orifice were moved to the passenger side
• In all other aspects this will behave like a stock z31 plenum
• Placing the throttle-body to the passenger side allows easy pipe routing for an opposing outlet intercooler

• This is a smooth and very compact plenum very similar to the one below except designed to clear the stock Z31 hood.
• Placing the throttle-body out front and tilted down, pipe routing is very easy
• This intake would cause very little restriction and provide superior air-flow at the top end
• Designed and built by: World Wide Racing

• This is a very smooth and compact custom intake
• A tapering log design, this should provide good airflow distribution among cylinders
• Placing the throttle-body out front and tilted down, pipe routing is very easy
• This intake would cause very little restriction and provide superior air-flow at the top end
• Designed and built by: World Wide Racing

• This is full non-tapered log design with the throttle was moved to the passenger side
• Having a substantial volume, this intake could increase boost lag a bit, but flow should be evenly distributed
• Should perform well at higher rpm
• Designed and built by: Mike-HKS

• This is a sheet metal log design with a small taper at the end.
• Large volume chamber and large throttle body mean good flow potential, though engine is lowered for hood clearance.
• Front mounted throttle-body allows shorter pipe routing
• Should perform very well at higher rpm
• Designed and built by: 88Hybrid

• This is a sheetmetal design similar to that of the stock intake.
• Has slightly larger volume than a gutted stock intake.
• Retains idle control device.

• This is a sheet metal tapered log design, but with a triangular log
• The shape will try to force the air simultaneously up and down under boost and will even out pressure pulses
• The inward taper toward the runners will act as a venturi for normally aspirated vehicles and improve cylinder filling
• Front mounted throttle-body allows shorter pipe routing 
• Should perform very well at higher rpm
• Designed and built by: viperSLAYER

• Used on a non-turbo 300ZX in the GRM  $2003(4,5) Challenge events.
• Common tapered chamber with very short intake piping
• "Clown" intake, very colorful
• www.worldsfastestclown.com