What is the best air intake system for a 2008 Nissan Maxima? I want a bit more power and MPG. I would like to keep it under $300 if possible. Links and personal experience with the product are appreciated.
The best air intake is the one already fitted to it.
Unless you are going over the $1000 mark the best intake you can get is already on the car. Aftermarket intakes can provide an unnoticeable power increase at full throttle and near red line, but if you are in that range often you seriously need to review your driving habits. All inexpensive aftermarket intakes reduce fuel economy by eliminating preheat, causing the engine to run cold for too long following cold starts. The most serious complaints about aftermarket air intakes is destruction of the engine by sucking up water (happened to a friend of mine last year); the most common complaint is loss of fuel economy. Anybody who tells you their aftermarket intake noticeably increased power or increased fuel economy is either deluded or has a lame carbureted engine.
It's common for people to believe that a big free flowing intake should increase fuel economy, but that line of thinking is seriously flawed. when you are cruising down the highway it doesn't matter how restricted the air is going through the filter, because it is much more restricted by the throttle plate which is only open 10 to 20 percent at low highway speeds. It would be like expecting better mpg by increasing to size of fuel lines and injectors.
