I picked up a 2006 350Z roadster with only 22K miles to add to the stable.

I've been going a bit roadster crazy lately. See pic

It has a muffler delete and while I like the sound the car makes some of the time, there is a DRONE at 2500 - 3000 rpm's that is very annoying. Are there any exhaust gurus here who can help me with this problem?

On Facebook marketplace I've found several pre-owned stock systems that would be super easy to change out. These include the resonator, piping, muffler, and tips, and would put the car back to the stock exhaust note. But the sound I have now, which is quite a bit louder that stock, is starting to grow on me. I've never been one to have a loud exhaust before, but I think I'm changing my outlook with this car. I just don't want the annoying drone, or at least not as loud a drone. I do a lot of driving in third and fourth on back roads, and I'm often sitting right at that 3K rpm range.

I'm not concerned about losing any hp gains that may be there with the muffler delete. Of course I don't want to do anything that would end up with less than stock hp.

Maybe I can add resonators or small mufflers to each of the pipes just behind the tips?

Greg





2006 MX5 with 16K miles, 2007 SL550 56K miles, 2006 350Z 22K miles, 1997 Z3 2.8 141K miles

 

No need to go back to stock.

Get a Vibrant resonator and have a muffler shop weld it in. Like this: https://www.z1motorsports.com/others...YaAjy7EALw_wcB

Or just get yourself a properly designed performance catback exhaust.

 

If you want something more aggressive when you go WOT, get some Helmholtz resonators similar to the motordyne design. Otherwise, Invidia Gemini is a good cat back option which adds a decent growl accentuating the VQ sound but not obnoxious and relatively tame but still louder than stock.

 

Thank you guys for the good 'tips'.

A couple of questions. When I see a dual catback system, with two pipes straight back from the cats, it looks like one of them goes under the rear suspension bar where there is a 'u' shaped bend, and the other one goes over the suspension bar. Is that correct and does that work ok, or are there problems with the pipes hitting and making clunking noises?

MicVelo - would I add just one resonator? I don't see where it would fit unless it replaces the stock resonator. Is that what you are suggesting?

Is there a small resonator that could be added to each of the back pipes, just behind the tips? That what it looks like the Invidia Gemini has. sorry no, the N1 has that

Greg

 

That's correct as far as the routing is concerned - left side will go under the rear sway bar and the right side is routed above it. No issues with contact as long as everything is secure.



I'll let Mic answer what he was thinking as far as welding in one resonator just aft of the OEM resonator/muffler/silencer section, or two of them similar to the N1 design.

Also, forgot to mention, your rear diff bushing is toast. You can tell by the black ooze spilling down the rear subframe. It's a pretty common issue. The Whiteline polyurethane rear differential bushing kit is a pretty popular choice. A lot of good write-ups if you want to tackle it yourself without dropping the rear subframe.

 

Thanks Heel. I wondered what the black stuff was. This car is very new to me and I haven't had much time to look into things. Still baselining - so far we've done oil, cleaned air filter, checked diff fluid, topped off ps fluid, checked coolant, flushed brake fluid, checked belts and found and eliminated what the god-awful smell was inside the car - two cans that looked like cat food tins with cherry smelling stuff inside.

I bought a pre-owned stock cat-back exhaust for $100 today. Seemed to be in really good shape. I bagged up the muffler in big garbage bags and it just fit in the trunk of the SL550 with the top down. It would not have fit in the trunk of the z. I wrapped the mid-pipe in bubble wrap and plastic and shrink wrapped the whole thing tight so it could go behind the seats without doing any damage to the leather - only stuck out a few inches on one side. Had a great ride on some wonderful back roads here in TN in 66-degree sunny weather. A great time to be alive.

I'm going to try it with the stock exhaust and then evaluate. One thing I noticed is now heavy the stock muffler is! I bet I'm going to feel that extra weight when I get it on the car.

Greg

 

I didn't look closely and didn't notice you still had the stock resonator. All I read was "muff delete". The Vibrant wouldn't have made much diff replacing the original. To quiet down the boom you'd need a real muffler and the stock one you picked up should do the trick. Weight wise, sure, it's heavier than not having one but will you feel it? Not a chance. Only way you'd feel it is through the placebo effect when you convince yourself you can

 

Well I hope not. I really love the way this car handles and I don't want to feel like I'm wagging any extra weight out back.

I'm a bit surprised how much I like the 350z to be honest. My only experience with a Nissan was with a very cheaply built small pickup truck many years ago. Swore I'd never buy another Nissan. But my 350z seems very well engineered and put together. I'm finding it to be more fun to drive than my MX5. On par with my SL - in a completely different way.

Greg

 

There’s a considerable difference yet sameness between my Zs and my SL. I find that the Benz has an overall same grip level stock as any of my Z cars, stock Nismo to full suspension 33. But, that said, I prefer my Zs in the hills for fun. But if I’m heading to the winery to pick up my seasonal offerings along the same roads, the Benz. 😆

Find it interesting as well as you like the ZR over your MX5. Wild, Even Rawb at ZCG races an SM MX5! Haha!

 

Love driving the Cherohala/Dragon loop!


You would drive your uppity Benz to the winery since you're so fancy

 

Yeah, I haven't done that yet.

My loop isn't as intense, but on the other hand, it isn't as intense. Very relaxing 30-mile loop just a few miles from my home. Nice scenery, great corners, smooth road, and almost NO traffic. I drive it nearly every day now.

Greg

 

My "cheaply built" '87 Hardbody SE-V6 has 465k on it. Just sayin'.

 

I've replaced the rear bushings and I have the Z1 bushing removal tool to sell. Apparently I don't have enough posts here on the forum to be allowed to sell anything in the marketplace. Any chance one of you guys could help me sell it by posting it in the marketplace for sale? I'll chime in after you've started the post and provide my email address. Please let me know when you post it.

I'm asking $75 for it.

Greg