Tougeznut

I've spent numerous hours at work, home, etc doing various searches for a very specific question and I haven't been able to find a satisfactory answer.

Right now I (once again) own a 2004 350Z. My wife bought it for me as a wedding present (I'll share the wonderful story soon enough) and it came with many mods I would have chosen myself. Motordyne 5/16 spacer. JWT Popcharger (w/ heat shield). Motordyne XYZ (with straight pipe). ART test pipes (replaced with the factory cats due to the unbearable headaches the odor causes). COBB Access port. Tanabe Touring Medallion cat back exhaust.

So, my previous Z had the Tanabe Hyper Medallion exhaust and it was the absolute best sound I could imagine. This car and it's Touring medallion sounds VERY similar, but it lacks the distinct "popping and gurgle" on decel. Here's a video my last Z with the exhaust: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QkIK71ol8zc?list=FLPuz4Im6S75mRJhFY7jByEg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

notice the off throttle "pops" from the stationary revving portion of the video.

Is it possible to get that same effect/sound from my current Touring/XYZ set-up?

craig12895

iTrader: (7)

Did you old Z have the factory cats in place? When I recently installed my test pipes is when I started getting that sound

Tougeznut

The only thing I had done on my previous Z was that Tanabe exhaust and a different air filter. The cats and the rest of the exhaust was stock.

I've read that the Motordyne Y pipe may cause less exhaust gas recirculation and that's what makes the gurgle/pops go away? But nothing directly regarding my specifications.

I've also just found out that Tanabe discontinued that exhaust spec, or at least nobody sells it anymore.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

my art pipe and tdx2 combo does that....

Tougeznut

Well, my mech engineer friend suggested we take the ART test pipes and cut out a section of the pipe to weld in a catalytic mesh. That should increase the volume over the stock cats, get rid of the horrible stench of running test pipes, and cost much less ($120) than buying new/used high flow cats. I just really want that popping sound again without having to replace the entire exhaust system since that just seems like such a waste. Thanks for your feedback so far guys.

Conway_160

iTrader: (1)

Dont destroy art pipes!!! Just get high flow cats.

Tougeznut

High flow cats = $400+
Destroy ART pipes I would never otherwise use = <$150

The *other* option I guess, is to buy the XYZ catalytic converter ($250), and use the ART pipes together with that. I have no idea how that would affect the sound though. If it makes the car sound droney, or raspy, then it would be a waste of money since it wouldn't help me achieve what I want.

This is all just theorizing anyway, since I won't actually have time to get under the car and mess around with everything until January at the earliest.

I guess I was just hoping for an easy "oh I have experience with that, and I have the solution to your problem" on these forums.

craig12895

iTrader: (7)

I am willing to bet you any money that you could list the ART pipes on here for trade for a set of high flow cats and people will actually pay for the trade.

That doesn't cost any money, it could actually gain you some money

waffoo

Interesting, I am a new owner, not a techno I'm afraid. I have a 2008 convertible with a standard system. I am wanting a bit more noise without changing the whole system. Can I just remove the back box and split the end to two from the singe exhaust pipe after the cats?

craig12895

iTrader: (7)

Not exactly sure what you mean by back box? Are you talking about the muffler?

travlee

iTrader: (8)

i will sound like poop, but yeah it will make it louder.

waffoo

Lol....thanks. I will look for a system, hopefully someone may have a decent system they are replacing. Back box is the muffler yes..sorry for the lack of
knowlege.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

high flow cats will make it louder, so will test pipes... but if you get test pipes get resonated ones

craig12895

iTrader: (7)

And make sure you won't have problems passing inspection with test pipes. #PAprobs

Tougeznut

thanks for the suggestion, feeler post made

travlee

iTrader: (8)

if he has art pipes now and not throwing a code, he won't with high flow cats

craig12895

iTrader: (7)

In PA the ode isn't the issue (well yes they will fail you for have an engine light on). But they do a visual inspection to see if you have cats. If they look under and just see test pipes or resonated test pipes they will fail you, unless the resonated test pipes look like cats.

Edit: Just saw you mentioned high flow cats. High flow cats will not be an issue, resonated test pipes might.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

damn, sucks to live up there. not sure what KS does but in TX as long as you don't have a light on you are good

craig12895

iTrader: (7)

Well the way around it if you want test pipes is to hollow out your cats... But thats "frowned upon"

Tougeznut

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about anymore... but to answer travlee there are no emission laws in Kansas as far as I know. I'm not concerned about throwing any codes or anything like that since it didn't have that problem with the test pipes when they were on - I don't want them simply because the car isn't drivable with them on. The smell caused headaches almost immediately and it was droney on the highway. I simply want my current car to have the same "crackle" that my old car had.

The more I'm driving it though, the more I'm picking up on the unique character of this exhaust set-up compared to the Hyper medallion on it's own that I had on my previous Z. I'm assuming the sound isn't exactly the same because the Touring has a slightly different muffler than the Hyper, and the Motordyne Y pipe has the merge point closer to the engine than the stock Y-pipe. While driving it tonight I started noticing more "pops & crackles" off throttle than I had before. I'm not sure if that means I wasn't paying enough attention before, or what, but they're somewhat audible now.