Old-school drivers remember what Nissan 350z used to be like in early the 2000s. Back then, it was any sports car fan’s dream: fast, aggressive, and with a million-dollar look. Yes, it was a big hit. Sadly, the company discontinued it in 2009 (or, rather, replaced with the 370z). Still, it is one of the biggest Nissan nameplates. As a performance-oriented vehicle, 350z has always been about that extra edge on the road.
Now, if you’re not ready to spend big bucks on a new engine, exhaust system, or tires, an air filtration system might be the right investment. The best cold air intake for Nissan 350z will give the powertrain a nice boost with gains in horsepower, torque, and acceleration. So, join me, and let’s check out my list of the finest aftermarket air kits!
Best Cold Air Intake for Nissan 350z (Updated April, 2021)
Product | Product Information | View on Amazon |
---|---|---|
Editor’s Choice
|
|
|
|
Best Nissan 350z Cold Air Intake Review
1. K&N Cold Air Intake for Nissan 350Z
You can never go wrong with a K&N product, as this company is known to always meet the highest quality standards. And this cold air intake for the 350Z is an excellent example of that. First of all, it boasts excellent build and material quality. It is durable, reliable, and will instantly find a “common tongue” with your car’s engine. What I mean by that is the installation won’t be a problem: everything is easy and intuitive and can be done with simple tools.
This is achieved thanks to the bolt-on, OE-fit design. However, while the whole process is, indeed, hassle-free, the heat shield is a bit too large and heavy for some 350Z cars. Because of the bulky size, it applies pressure on some of the pipes, which is not very good. On the bright side, the included air filter (fitted with thousands of cotton fibers) is great at keeping contaminants at bay.

Easy installation, almost no maintenance, and impressive build/material quality – that’s K&N’s air intake in short for you. It’s available at a reasonable price, too, and does a wonderful job of protecting the engine from debris. Just make sure the heat shield isn’t hitting the pipes on every bump.
2. aFe Takeda Cold Air Intake for Nissan 350Z
As a big 350z fan myself, I always strive to make it just a little bit faster and more nimble. Well, you can achieve exactly that with the Takeda air intake by aFe. It provides a guaranteed boost in horsepower (+19) and torque (+16). The acceleration will be improved as well. Sadly, I didn’t notice any gains in fuel efficiency. But, that’s compensated by a highly efficient filter + intake tube combination.
The tube is crafted from cleat-coat (anodized) aluminum and doesn’t degrade over time. The filter, in turn, was specifically designed with performance in mind. I also want to mention that aFe takes very little time to deliver a package. I had to wait for only three days for this air kit to arrive, and that’s also a big pro. One last thing: TR-3001P is a 100% US-made product – designed, crafted, and tested.

While you won’t see any noticeable gains in MPG, the improvements in HP, torque, and throttle response will be obvious. Add premium-grade parts and fast delivery, and you’ll see why aFe’s air intake kit is a worthy investment.
Conclusion
350z owners disappointed by Nissan not releasing any new editions of this legendary performance car can take matters into their own hands. And a third-party air filtration system might be a very good place to start. It won’t cost you a fortune, but you’ll definitely feel the improvements once the new air kit is installed. I deliberately picked only two products for this list so that it’s easier for you to make the right choice.
As always, K&N is all about ease of use/maintenance, strong protection against contaminants, and durability. With aFe, in turn, you’ll get an impressive boost in horsepower and torque, along with a high-performance air filter and premium parts. Still got some questions left? Don’t hesitate to ask away in the comments section!
Add Comment