SniperHunter

iTrader: (9)

Intro

If you're a frequent visitor of this section you are well aware of Motordyne's all new ART Pipes. Tony's own tests show amazing torque increases in low-end, and gains nearing 10WHP across the entire power band. The release of this product caught me at the right time, as I've been itching for a bit more power and so I wasted little time on grabbing myself a pair. Now, below was my list of mods:

Borla True Dual
Magnaflow X-Pipe
Ultimate Racing HFC
MotorDyne 5/16 Iso Thermal
K&N Drop In
UpRev Osiris Tune

With all of that, my car felt superb. It was more than quick enough, so it was a surprise for me to see such gains from something that looked like a test pipe with a resonator attached to it. But I know Tony's not a liar and quickly solidified that belief when I saw some of the dynos posted by G35 driver Silencer_0 with a 5AT just like mine and with virtually the same list of mods.

Powaaaaaah

So how does it feel? Well, it's definitely what I was hoping for it to be. The low-end torque can be felt when just puttering about as the car accelerates a lot better as early as 1800RPM to 2500RPM. So the gains in torque are not just had when WOT, as someone suggested, but they are always present for you to tap into at a moment's notice.

Naturally, because of the increased torque, passing power is more prevalent in my AT's 5th gear, which I always find to be a very crucial aspect of judging increase in performance. I gauge power increase if my pulls quicker in top-gear from a highway speed of 60 or 70, and with the ART Pipes it does.

But let's talk about how it feels when you're ripping it wide-open throttle. Obviously, off the line the car feels menacing because of all the torque. Normally, our VQ35DE feels a bit hollow when launching from a dig up until it reaches ~3700RPM. The ART Pipes completely eliminate that feeling and you are constantly pinned into the seat as you accelerate. I was really taken back when I first felt that rush and noticed how my back was completely pressed against the seat. I mean, I was expecting a difference...but didn't think it'd be THAT much. And to think, I still need to have this retuned a bit.

One of the best comparisons I can make is simple. Basically, if you're a stock VQ35DE and you are kicking yourself for not getting a 2007-08 VQ35HR because it's a torquier motor, simply replacing the OEM cats with the ART Pipes will cure that regret - I am more than certain. You get the torque in the low-end, just like the HRs have, increased torque all throughout the powerband, and a notable increase in horsepower, as well. I'd actually be curious to see what the torque curve of a VQ35DE with ART Pipes is vs. that of a stock VQ35HR - I wouldn't be surprised if the VQ35DE w/ART Pipes show better results in certain spots.

Sound

Lastly, claims of reducing drone and being even quieter than HFCs and test pipes are absolutely true. I used to have a very slight case of cabin drone at around 1800RPM (or so), only at a cruising speed in 5th gear (~35MPH). It didn't bother me much, because it wasn't that loud, and it literally only happened at 1800RPM...if I cruised at 1900 or 2000RPM, there'd be no noises. Either way, with the ART Pipes there is absolutely no drone at all.

I do hear a "shhhhhh" noise when on the throttle, is that normal? I wouldn't say it's rasp, it simply sounds like air moving through. We checked for leaks and all, but there were none. I'm just assuming that's the free-flowing nature of a test pipe-like design?

Weight Reduction

The ART Pipes weigh virtually the same as the HFCs. But, because they have no hangars, there is no need for the hangar support bar anymore. Removing that sucker sheds close to 5lbs. Every bit counts.

Conclusion

So, is it worth the coin? I think so. If you're an HFC owner, you can offset the cost of the ART Pipes by putting them up for sale. I got my asking price of $200 for my Ultimate Racing HFCs, and had people offer me more ($250+) if I canceled my sale with the purchaser. Fortunately, there is also a non-polished version of the ART Pipes on their way in about 2 weeks, which are almost $100 cheaper. Moreover, Tony ships every set with new gaskets and bolts, so you don't have to spend $30 on new gaskets from Nissan - and that's awesome!

All in all, this is definitely a must have bolt-on for any N/A Z; it really transforms the way the car feels and drives.

Voboy

iTrader: (58)

good review, thanks for sharing! one question, how's the smell of the exhaust fumes vs hfc?

SniperHunter

iTrader: (9)

Smell's not that bad at all, barely noticeable. And apparently it'll be gone after the break in process is over. No biggie.

stevehl

iTrader: (29)

with the x pipe and the art pipes, would you say your exhaust is really quiet now? Almost like having a stock exhaust?

procustomize

iTrader: (18)

Did you do any dyno runs? What about engine light? any sign of engine light?
Please do share. I can't to get a pair for my HR.

THanks again for the write up, its really good to see how much difference i had even when you already had a tuned HFC.

Please comment on the engine light concern. Thanks!

and grats

Frostydc4

iTrader: (3)

Nice review


I cant wait until these are released for the HR.

SniperHunter

iTrader: (9)

Quieter at cruising speeds, louder at WOT. It sounds pretty amazing, and definitely "exotic" as some would call it.

No dynos. I never baselined the car, so I wouldn't be able to measure gains. And so far, I've driven about 60 miles on them with no engine light. Though, as far as I know, these are practically guaranteed not to trigger a CEL anyways.

Oddly enough, and this could be just in my head, but the car feels more and more powerful every time I drive it. Either that, or it's the feeling of a depleting gas tank lessening the weight.

onagao

It's too bad you couldn't get the before/after dyno's, but it's awesome to hear another positive review. It's always great to actually feel the improvement from a new mod. My MREV2/Spacer combo and the ART Pipes are probably the only two times that's happened for me. Welcome to the ART Pipe club

bluezee

Great review! Enjoy the pipes. I know I am!!

Bob

StillAlive2029

iTrader: (1)

I bet your purchaser is so happy that you didnt sell for $250 to someone else!

SniperHunter

iTrader: (9)

Haha, yeah it feels nice and exclusive. We're some of the very first Z owners to have these. Feels cool. =)

I bet he is! Hahaha. =)

pony_killer

iTrader: (23)

do these throw any CEL's?

sradenton

iTrader: (19)

NOPE

whitez33350ztt

iTrader: (4)

i have kinetix hfc on my vortech setup on my 03 along with headers and catback.. would these art pipes increase my torque..? and is there really a retune necessary?

Hydrazine

iTrader: (53)

I'm sure it would increase torque and not need a retune. Would you like to dyno it?

SniperHunter

iTrader: (9)

I seriously cannot believe how fantastic these ART Pipes are. I've put on 400 miles on my car in the past week I've had them. That's twice than my normal amount. My Audi has just been sitting in the garage, haha. New York's weather has been so nice and night times are brisk, so I've been driving around late at night sometimes running into some cars.

At the risk of sounding juvenile (you've all done it too, don't judge), I had a little run in with an E92 BMW M3 and a B8 Audi S4 within the same hour and neither car could pull away from me on highway rolls to 100. In fact, I believe that had I gone further with the S4 I'd have end up passing it (4000lbs + AWD + Supercharger = worse top end). Either way, after I let off on the Audi, the S4 kept driving like a douche.

Meanwhile the M3 guy asked if my car was turbo or supercharged, I told him it wasn't, but he said he heard a slight whistle from it, so I had to explain to him how odd 350Zs are with exhaust mods and that it's from the ART Pipes. I just told him my car is fully bolted on, tuned, and weighs about 700lbs less than his M3, and has more torque.

Anyways, just felt like sharing how extremely happy I am with these.

procustomize

iTrader: (18)

Heh nice Arnold, to think that you can come even close to M3 really means something. I can't wait for the HR.

Drive safe

0jiggy0

iTrader: (13)

I might have to come to the meet tonight I want to hear these things.

bencurtis

iTrader: (4)

Definitely next on my list of things to get! Anybody used these with the dual v1 shockwave exhaust yet?

o2sys

iTrader: (27)

Yo i see you got them on....if you dont mind lets go for little run at the Cross Island racetrack (lol PKWY) Lets use my car as a baseline and how much your call pulls away.