The Infiniti G37 runs the 3.7 liter VQ37VHR, among the most intake-responsive V6 engines Nissan ever built. From the factory it breathes through restrictive airboxes and resonators, so a properly designed cold air intake is one of the few bolt-on upgrades that wakes up real top-end power, sharpens throttle response, and adds that signature VQ induction growl. The catch is that the VQ37 uses mass airflow sensors that are very sensitive to tube diameter and filter placement, so a poorly engineered intake can throw codes, lean out, or simply move the air filter into a hot engine bay.
We focused on intakes that actually suit the G37 platform, both the dual short-ram designs that mount in the factory MAF locations and the true sealed cold air kits that pull from the fenders. Below are seven real options we rate for power, sound, fitment, and long term reliability, ranked best first so you can match a kit to your goals whether you daily drive a G37 sedan or track a coupe.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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K&N 69 Series Typhoon Performance Air Intake for Infiniti G37 Best Overall Dual mandrel-bent aluminum tubes, washable cotton filters, 50-state CARB legal |
9.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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AEM Cold Air Intake System for Infiniti G37 3.7L Best True Cold Air Sealed dual intake tubes, Dryflow synthetic filters, no re-oiling needed |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Injen SP Series Cold Air Intake for Infiniti G37 Best Sound Polished or black aluminum SP tubes, MR Technology tuning, dual filters |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Takeda Stage-2 Pro DRY S Intake for Infiniti G37 by aFe Best Heat Shielding Roto-molded dual tubes, Pro DRY S filters, one-piece heat shields |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Stillen Generation 3 Dual Ultra Long Tube Air Intake for Infiniti G37 Best for Tuners Dual ultra-long-tube design, multiple filter options, MAF-optimized |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Spectre Performance Dual Air Intake Kit for Infiniti G37 Best Value Dual chrome tubes, washable conical filters, bolt-on fitment |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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PPE Dual Cold Air Intake Kit for Infiniti G37 VQ37 Easiest Install Dual aluminum tubes, high-flow cone filters, direct drop-in fitment |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. K&N 69 Series Typhoon Performance Air Intake for Infiniti G37: Best Overall
K&N’s 69 Series Typhoon is the intake we recommend to most G37 owners because it hits the rare combination of real power, factory-grade fitment, and a CARB Executive Order that keeps it legal in every state. The dual aluminum tubes drop straight into the VQ37VHR’s stock MAF housings, and because K&N validated the calibration in house, the car keeps fueling correctly without a tune. On a dyno the gains show up exactly where the VQ wants them, in the mid range and toward redline, which is where the factory airbox chokes the engine most.
The honest weakness is maintenance. These are oiled cotton filters, so you have to clean and re-oil them on a schedule, and over-oiling can in rare cases foul a sensitive MAF sensor. If you would rather never touch the filter, a dry-filter kit suits you better. But for a G37 owner who wants the most complete, worry-free package and values street legality, the Typhoon is the easy first pick.
- Twin powder-coated aluminum intake tubes calibrated to the VQ37VHR MAF locations
- Reusable oiled cotton gauze filters rated for roughly one million miles of service
- CARB Executive Order number included for emissions-legal street use
Pros: Strong, repeatable dyno gains across the mid and upper rev range; Carries a 50-state legal status that most G37 intakes lack; Backed by K&N's lifetime warranty on the kit
Cons: Filters need periodic re-oiling and cleaning to stay sealed; Less dramatic intake noise than open short-ram designs
2. AEM Cold Air Intake System for Infiniti G37 3.7L: Best True Cold Air
If your priority is the lowest possible intake air temperature, AEM’s cold air system is the standout. Rather than leaving the filters exposed in the bay like a short-ram kit, AEM seals each filter in its own enclosure that draws cooler air from lower in the engine compartment. On hot days and during sustained driving, that isolation is the difference between an intake that keeps making power and one that heat-soaks, and the VQ37 rewards a cooler charge with cleaner top-end pulls.
The trade-off is character and labor. By sealing the filters, AEM deliberately tames the loud induction roar that draws many people to an intake in the first place, so this kit feels refined rather than rowdy. The fender-area routing also takes longer to install than a simple drop-in, and you should budget extra time. For a daily-driven G37 in a hot climate, though, the consistent cool-air performance is worth it.
- True sealed airbox design that isolates filters from engine bay heat
- Dryflow synthetic filters that simply wash clean with water
- Mandrel-bent tubing tuned to keep the VQ37 MAF reading accurate
Pros: Genuine cooler intake charge from the sealed, isolated filter boxes; Dry filters mean no oil to risk contaminating the MAF; Crisp throttle response improvement noticeable on the street
Cons: Sealed boxes mute the induction growl enthusiasts often want; Tighter fender routing makes installation a bit more involved
3. Injen SP Series Cold Air Intake for Infiniti G37: Best Sound
For owners who modify a car as much with their ears as their dyno sheet, the Injen SP Series is the most rewarding intake here. The open dual cone filters and SP tubing turn the VQ37VHR into a genuinely vocal engine, with a deep, growling intake roar that builds toward redline. Injen’s MR Technology tuning helps keep the air/fuel ratio in check so you get that sound without throwing a check engine light, and the mid-range gains are real, not just theater.
The honest downside is heat. Because the filters sit open in the engine bay rather than in a sealed box, intake air temperatures climb in stop-and-go traffic and on hot days, which can shave a little off the cooler-air gains a sealed kit holds. Many G37 owners pair the SP with a heat shield to claw some of that back. If sound and looks top your list, the Injen delivers more personality than almost anything else for this platform.
- SP Series mandrel-bent tubes with show-quality polished or black finish
- Injen MR Technology airflow tuning to protect the VQ37 air/fuel ratio
- High-flow dual cone filters that amplify intake tone
Pros: Aggressive, deep VQ induction howl under throttle; Eye-catching engine bay presence with the polished tube option; Solid mid-range power without needing a tune
Cons: Open filter placement runs warmer than a sealed kit; Polished finish needs occasional cleaning to stay bright
4. Takeda Stage-2 Pro DRY S Intake for Infiniti G37 by aFe: Best Heat Shielding
Takeda is aFe’s enthusiast line, and its Stage-2 Pro DRY S intake threads the needle between an open short-ram and a fully sealed system. You still get the easy fitment and accessible filters of a short-ram, but Takeda adds one-piece heat shields that wrap each filter to block radiant heat off the VQ37’s exhaust and block. That gives you a meaningful chunk of the cool-air benefit without the tighter routing of a sealed fender kit, and the Pro DRY S filters skip oil entirely.
Where it gives a little back is presentation and volume. The roto-molded plastic tubes are functional and heat-stable, but they do not have the mirror finish of a polished Injen, and the heat shields tame the induction note compared with a fully open cone. If you want lower intake temps and a no-oil filter without committing to a full sealed system, the Takeda Stage-2 is a smart middle ground for the G37.
- Roto-molded intake tubes that resist underhood heat soak
- Pro DRY S three-layer filters that never need oil
- Integrated one-piece heat shields to block radiant engine heat
Pros: Heat shields keep intake temps lower than typical open kits; Durable dry filters wash clean and reinstall quickly; Clean, OEM-style fit in the factory MAF locations
Cons: Roto-molded tubes lack the show shine of polished aluminum; Intake note is more subdued than open-cone competitors
5. Stillen Generation 3 Dual Ultra Long Tube Air Intake for Infiniti G37: Best for Tuners
Stillen has built VQ intakes longer than almost anyone, and the Generation 3 dual ultra-long-tube kit reflects that experience. The extended runners are tuned to take advantage of the air column dynamics the VQ37VHR responds to, and on a G37 that already has a tune, exhaust, or other supporting mods, this is the intake that tends to show the biggest numbers on the dyno. You can also spec the filter type, so tuners who want dry filters or oiled cotton both have a path.
The flip side is that the long-tube routing is the most involved install in this guide, and the kit shines brightest as part of a larger build rather than as a standalone bolt-on. On a completely stock car the gains are present but not dramatically ahead of simpler kits. If you are building a G37 in stages and want an intake that keeps scaling as you add power, Stillen is the tuner’s choice here.
- Ultra-long intake runners engineered specifically for VQ-series engines
- Choice of dry or oiled filters to match your maintenance preference
- Velocity-optimized tube geometry that pairs well with an ECU tune
Pros: Long-tube design supports strong gains on a tuned G37; Brand with deep VQ engineering heritage and proven results; Filter and finish options let you tailor the build
Cons: Long tubes make for a more time-consuming installation; Gains are most noticeable once paired with supporting mods
6. Spectre Performance Dual Air Intake Kit for Infiniti G37: Best Value
Spectre, part of the same group as K&N, is where we point G37 owners who want a real intake gain without overcomplicating the build. The dual chrome tubes look the part, the conical filters are washable and reusable, and the whole thing bolts into the VQ37’s stock MAF positions with basic hand tools. For a first modification on a daily driver, it delivers a satisfying bump in throttle response and induction sound that punches above what you would expect from a value-oriented kit.
It is fair to set expectations on refinement. The open filters live in the heat of the engine bay, so intake temperatures are not as controlled as a sealed or heat-shielded design, and the tuning is not validated as thoroughly as the premium options above. For a budget-conscious owner who wants a noticeable, good-looking upgrade and accepts those trade-offs, the Spectre dual kit is a genuinely sensible choice.
- Bright chrome-finish dual intake tubes for instant engine bay upgrade
- Washable and reusable conical filters for long service life
- Straightforward bolt-on install in the factory sensor locations
Pros: Strong qualitative value for the power and sound delivered; Bright chrome look stands out under the hood; Simple installation friendly to first-time modders
Cons: Open filters sit exposed to engine bay heat; Finish and tuning are not as refined as premium brands
7. PPE Dual Cold Air Intake Kit for Infiniti G37 VQ37: Easiest Install
The PPE dual cold air kit earns its spot as the easiest intake to live with for a first-time G37 modder. The aluminum tubes are pre-shaped to drop into the factory MAF locations, the included cone filters need no extra adapters, and the hardware count is low enough that most people have it installed in under an hour with simple tools. Out of the box it gives a clear improvement in intake sound and throttle feel that makes a stock G37 feel more alert.
The honest caveat is that you get what you pay for in materials. The filters and tube finish are a notch below the K&N, AEM, and Injen options, and there is no heat shield to manage intake temperatures, so on hot days the kit heat-soaks more readily. As a low-stress introduction to modifying a G37, though, it does exactly what it promises and leaves you room to upgrade later.
- Direct-fit dual aluminum tubes shaped for the VQ37VHR bay
- High-flow conical filters included for immediate airflow gains
- Minimal-hardware install that most owners finish in under an hour
Pros: One of the fastest, simplest intakes to fit on a G37; Pleasing intake growl for an accessible kit; Good entry point for owners new to engine modifications
Cons: Filter and tube quality is a step below the premium brands; No heat shielding, so intake temps run warm
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a cold air intake add real horsepower to my Infiniti G37?
Yes, within reason. The VQ37VHR is genuinely restricted by its factory airbox and resonators, so a quality intake typically frees up a modest but measurable gain, most of it in the mid range and toward redline where the stock setup chokes the most. You will feel sharper throttle response and hear a stronger induction note immediately. Do not expect a huge jump from an intake alone, though. The biggest dyno numbers come when you pair the intake with a supporting tune and exhaust.
Do I need a tune after installing a cold air intake on a G37?
For most quality G37 intakes the answer is no, you do not strictly need a tune to run the kit safely. Reputable brands engineer the tube diameter to keep the mass airflow sensor reading correctly, so the factory ECU continues to fuel the engine properly. That said, a custom tune is how you unlock the full potential of the intake by optimizing fueling and timing around the new airflow. If you want maximum power, budget for a tune. If you just want a safe bolt-on with better sound and response, a well-made intake works on its own.
Are dual short-ram intakes or true cold air intakes better for the G37?
It depends on your priorities. Dual short-ram style kits mount filters in the engine bay, install quickly, and produce the loudest, most satisfying VQ growl, but their open filters absorb more underhood heat. True cold air kits seal the filters and route cooler air from the fenders, which keeps intake temperatures lower and power more consistent on hot days, at the cost of a quieter note and a longer install. Sound chasers lean short-ram, heat-conscious daily drivers lean true cold air, and heat-shielded kits split the difference.
Is a cold air intake legal for street use on my G37?
It varies by kit and by where you live. Some intakes carry a CARB Executive Order number, which makes them legal in all 50 states including California and emissions-strict regions. Kits without that certification may be sold for off-road or show use only and can fail an emissions inspection in stricter states. If street legality matters to you, look specifically for a CARB-legal option and keep the EO documentation. Always confirm the rules for your own state or province before buying.
How do I keep my G37 intake from throwing a check engine light?
Most intake-related codes on the VQ37 trace back to two things, a dirty or over-oiled filter contaminating the mass airflow sensor, or a tube that places the sensor at the wrong diameter. Buy a properly engineered kit designed for the G37 so the MAF location is correct, and if you choose an oiled cotton filter, avoid over-oiling it during cleaning. Dry synthetic filters sidestep the oil risk entirely. If a code does appear, cleaning the MAF sensor with a dedicated cleaner usually resolves it.
Our Verdict
For most Infiniti G37 owners the K&N 69 Series Typhoon is the best all-around cold air intake, combining real, repeatable power with proper VQ37VHR fitment and a rare 50-state CARB-legal status that keeps you out of trouble at inspection time. If your climate runs hot or you want the coolest, most consistent intake charge with no filter oil to worry about, the AEM Cold Air Intake System is the runner up and an outstanding true cold air choice. Match the kit to your goals, sound, heat control, or street legality, and the G37 will reward you with sharper response and that unmistakable VQ induction growl.
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