So after searching around and waiting for a good price, i finally bought my Stillen Gen 3 Intake. I should receive tomorrow...i cant wait! Now ive read several excellent reviews for this intake, one thing that i keep seeing is that it seems to be a tough install. Is that true? If so, why? Im also im planning on having a shop install it for me because this G37 is my baby and i dont want anything to go wrong. Does anyone know how much i should expect to pay for this install? Any good places around the Miami area?

 

some people claim they can do this without removing the bumper,
but I think most agree it's easier to take the bumper off for the install.
Also, some say there is cutting involved as well.
As far as cost goes, you can probably expect anywhere from $150 - $250 for the labor

 

Unless your completely mechanically challenged, I think it's funny people pay shops for bolt on things like this. Granted the GEN3 is a little bit more involved than a SRI, still easily accomplished. You could always ask a friend who may have a little experience.

 

I installed my G3's this weekend. Take off the bumper, or at least drop it down. It's a lot easier that way.

Also, you're gonna need a dremel or something to cut that plastic. I used a jigsaw then followed up with a dremel. Good luck! I'll go ahead and tell you, it's a pain in the ****, but well worth the gains. They were immediately noticeable, that's for sure.

 

I somewhat agree, but I'd just let the shop do it if the price is reasonable,
I just don't have time to do it myself, nor do I have a dremel or a proper saw to cut the bumper.

In the end, if you don't have time or proper tools to do it yourself, just let the shop do it, if they can give you a reasonable quote on labor.

I went with the R2C, and installed it myself 2 weeks ago, and it took about 3 hours,
from rounding up all the tools, the actual install, clean up, to getting in my car and driving. 3 hours total! which is not bad at all
And gains??? I didn't notice it right away, which is weird, but after driving it around for a few days, I could tell the difference.
I just love the R2C sound!! it's so NICE!

and I'm NOT! trying to start a Gen3 R2C debate! lol
I love both, i just went with R2C for the ease of install

 

i wouldnt consider myself mechanically challenge. But for the right price prefer to have someone else do it and have the peace of mind that if anything goes wrong they will take care of it.

 

Wow - 3 hours to install? How many breaks did you take in between? lol

OP - it shouldn't take you 3 hours to install even with dremeling. Find a friend that's a little mechanically knowledged to help out. I have the Injen SRI and it took me maybe 45 minutes to do mine with clean up.

 

it's cuz I didn't have proper tools,
maybe i over exaggerated on the 3 hours but it wasn't too much less haha

but 45 minutes?? really?? i dont think so, unless you've done the G37 before.
I followed the directions step by step making sure i didn't miss anything.
putting together the R2C took me 20 minutes alone following the directions properly, but w/e
i'm not arguing

if i did it again from the beginning now that i know how everything goes, it will take me 45 minutes to an Hour

 

I agreed 100%. Unless you are just completely mechanically challenged, do it yourself. One thing I've come to find out is that I will do a better job when it comes to just about anything then the person I pay to do it. Painting, pluming, hvac, car mods, etc.....no one cares more about your stuff then you.

Obviously there are exceptions like with big jobs that one person could not do or you dont have the tools to get the job done. It's just like getting new tires and I have to tell the guy to be careful not to mess up my wheels.(has happened in the past). and watch them the whole time.

 

Time vs Money is a different story. If you just DON'T have time, I can understand paying someone I suppose. I use to not have that luxury, but the older I get, more money and less time, the time is sometimes more valuable than the money.

I disagree because of the comment and what I'll say below. I think you have more of a chance of having trouble with someone elses work and more trouble getting them to take responsibility if something does go wrong.

You sound IDENTICAL to me. I'm fortunate enough to come from a mechanic background and all the guys in the family building and racing muscle cars. Growing up I also held a job in every trade field - Plumbing, Electrical, General Contracting, Carpet, Roofing, and more that I can't think of. I can and do EVERYTHING to my car or house myself.

The few times I'm around contractors or mechanics and get into conversations, I can't believe they do these things for a living and I'm more knowledgeable and capable than them. Of course there are those who really do pride themselves in their work and are perfectionist, but they're few and far between.

I've often contemplated how much money I've saved in my lifetime doing these things. Although there has been plenty of frustration that has come with it

...over the years I've even resorted to cutting my own hair

 

Gen3 is not hard to install, just a little more time consuming. Just take your time. There are a few writeups here on the forums with photos exactly where to dremel the plastic hole open a little wider so the tubes can fit through. That is the only part of the install people resist and complain about. Other then that, its a pretty straight forward install.

 

buy a dremel at home depot do it yourself return the dremel total cost of install = 0... also i did mine without removing bumper very easy

 

I started with the dremel to get the holes bigger, but found that to be extremely tedious. I used my jigsaw with a longer blade, then followed up with a dremel to clean it up. I was able to pad that entire plastic area the tubing went through and prevent any potential rattling that could end up happening.

 

found a local shop here that will do it for $125. Is that bad? How can you do it without removing the bumper?

 

lol ill do it for 125!! bring it to my garage on a sunday