Hey everyone,

I want to install test pipes on my 08 350z, with a stock exhaust.

I know a lot of you will say why stock exhaust, cuz $$$$$$$$$.

My question is, if you have a stock exhaust, does it matter what test pipe you get? It should sound all the same right?

A test pipe is literally a pipe from the headers.

TEACH ME!

Thanks ,

Zo

 

Well the test pipes are easy enough to install assuming you don’t have bad rust/corrosion (you’ll also want to get some 02 sensor extenders). There will be a difference in tone but probably not so much until you hit a few thousand rpm. Remember that the cats are basically porous ceramic filters - Removing them and replacing with something else will always cause the tone to change.

In your situation the other awesome thing about test pipes will be the weight savings. My Berk RTP’s were like 30lbs lighter than those stupid cats. Charlie (YouTube: Full Throttle) has a really good video on removing them.

The only thing that sucks is my beautiful Z smells like a ‘73 Pinto...

 

Is there a reason you're replacing the catalytic converters in the first place?

Doing test pipes will likely have you throwing engine codes, and make it difficult to pass inspection testing depending on the requirements of your state. The anti-fouler 'fix,' doesnt always work for the engine light.

Not to mention you will likely feel a loss of power at lower rpms, and your air fuel ratio will be sporadic compared to the stock configuration, which will require tuning to correct.

 

Yeah not worth it. Check engine light and will not run as good. Full exhaust and a tune is the way to go.

 

Test pipes are cheap. A new (quality) exhaust is not. OP mentioned $$$ in his post so I'm guessing he's trying to make some cheap power.

 

As we all are! I only mentioned it because I did the same thing. Planned on doing it piece by piece. But it ran like **** with test pipes.

 

The other issue is that simply adding test pipes without a tune will not help performance. Besides throwing a CEL, the VQ will not be improved with a retune. So if the OP is trying to save $$$, he's going the WRONG DIRECTION.

 

To answer the question, it really only matters if you get resonated, or non-resonated test pipes. The resonators would help prevent rasp, and still change the sound. Overall, I'd ask what the goal is, and where you're going with your build. If you want to improve the sound, I'd look into getting an exhaust. If the goal is performance, I'd save for intakes, test pipes, cat-back exhaust, and a tune. That would put you in the 290's to 300's depending on the parts selected. That costs $$$ though. The OP says money's a factor, so in all honesty, if you're looking to get the best bang for your buck, aiming to get the best sound possible, it may be worth looking into used high-flow cats, or exhaust. Just throwing some options on the table

 

I'm running test pipes and the stock exhaust. Yes, I have a code. I just delete it when it pops up and I'm good for 3-4 days.
Gonna try for the o2 extenders.

It doesnt sound bad at all. Previously I had cats and deleted the mid pipe rez. Sounded ok, a bit buzzy. When I put the test pipes on, wow, the buzz was crazy, so I put the mid pipe rez back in.

 

I have an 06 with less than 35k miles and it has test pipes with an invidia gemini exhaust. I bought it a few weeks ago and I’m still working on check engine light issues. I’m going to call a speed shop tomorrow to see if a tune will fix the issue. Anyone know if that will solve my problem?

 

It will have to get tuned out.

 

06 with 60K - ART pipes with Invidia Gemini exhaust = no check engine light.

 

So I reset the O2 code several weeks back and it hasn't came back on again. Unsure why but I'll take it.