So I'm at the Zconvention on Saturday and stumble into the HKS booth where on display is their new true dual exhaust system with side mount resonator tank. It looked great! (take my word for it as the battery in my camera fizzled out before I could take any pictures). Oh, and it sounded awsome! The best I heard yet, nice and deep but not LOUD. The sound quality surprised me considering the car it was bolted to was also running HKS's new supercharger. It's a Rotrex (SP.) unit they claim they've been developing for over a year now (originally shown at SEMA). It'll be carb approved (look out Stillen) and mounts in a similar fashion to the ATI/Vortech setups but is a little smaller. The rep. there claimed an 80whp increase on mild boost.
The catch: MSRP for the supercharger according to the HKS rep. was $7200.00. OUCH!!
The exhaust has an MSRP of "around $1800.00". Double ouch!

Both he claimed will be available to retailers within the next 2-3 months.
Has anyone else here heard anything on these little jems?

 

very expensive for an sc but might be worthwhile if it includes solid engine and fuel management solutions. was it a centrifugal type or eaton style sc?

 

I think the exhaust is already out, it's called the LegaMax for the 350Z, but I'm seeing it for around $2k from most vendors. Is this a different design?

 

I did a post on this exhaust a while back:
Write up post

Glad you got to hear it though, I agree that is sounds sweet. It is not the Legamax, that is a different system.

The S/C is cintrifugal type with and intercooler. And yes it comes with it's own engine management called the FCON SZ. It is similar the the FCON S only you can't reprogram it. Any system that will get a CARB # can't have an adjustable management system. Obviously if you can easliy change the tuning for the worse from an emissions stand point they won't issue an CARB# for the kit. In anycase at least you know since it is programmed by HKS you know your getting the right tune and you don't have to worry about some guy you barely know doing it for you. A friend of mine there even told me Kitigawa (the K in HKS) had a hand in the program. Also I may have to check my facts on this one but an upgrade to the FCON V Pro may be possible later as I believe they use the same harness. Here is a link to my IAS pictures, the exhaust and S/C are in there:
IAS '04

 

Gabe35Coupe, the exhaust in your write-up is different from the one HKS had on display. The muffler cannisters are similar in design to the Injen unit but incorporate a side mount resonator.

 

Speedform,
I'm not trying to clown anyone here but I double checked to make sure they hadn't changed the system on thier Z. I get my info from a friend who is the Manager of Product Development & Support at HKS and he says they are still using the exhaust on my write up and pictures on the car you saw. So the infomation on my post is correct. Maybe since you weren't able to get pictures you remeber it in your head differently than it looks in my pictures. Anyway, I can't wait for the G coupe version.
Regards,

 

Sorry Gabe,
I can't open your pics and was referencing another exhaust that someone had posted under your write-up. My apologies for the mistake.

 

No big deal. Looks like some guys posted more on my original thread so I'll try to answer some of those questions as best I can. Sorry, wasn't trying to hijack your thread, I just wanted to get you guys the right info since I have the means to get it.

 

The other reason the HKS SC kit has a higher price is because it also comes with an oil cooler and new injectors. Their rep also hinted at the fact that they may release an "off highway use only" pulley upgrade down the road.

 

The FCON S that is being used with the Supercharger kit is very similiar to the Greddy E-Manage... it can, like the E-Manage, extend injector pulse width.... but since it has its own injector drivers, it can actually reduce injector pulse width as well... this is something the E-Manage cannot do. The advantage of this is being able to run an oversized injector without having to drop MAF signal voltage and screw up your ignition timing.

I am almost positive that the FCON S is tunable... but only like the FCON V-Pro... it has to be done by only authorized HKS Prodealers that have the software for this.

The FCON-S does share a harness with the V-Pro... however the V-Pro is not a 100% plug and play into the FCON-S harness because the FCON-S harness does not have a TPS signal interception for the FCON. The V-Pro will not run a car well without some sort of TPS signal... where as the S does not need the TPS signal because the stock ECU will be able to still take care of the accel fuel trim.

The only issue there is the fact that the 350z doesnt have an official TPS sensor. Perhaps intercepting the 0-5v gas pedel potentiometer (sp?) will work.

-Charles

 

Wow Charles, I really wish I knew what you were talking about. My brain hurts now, I think I need a nap...

 

The Supercharger kit will come with FCON SZ, a newer version than the S, but the one with the S/C kit is a version that can not be adjust, not even by a pro dealer. This is probably A so that they can CARB it and B to ensure reliability. I only mentioned the S and the V Pro if you hang up was that you couldn't adjust the computer. Maybe they'll be offered in an "off road" higher boost tuneable package later, who knows.

 

the day that supercharger ships we will have a step by step install up...

its a beautiful system and carb aproved! includes an oil cooler and intercooler...

 

to expand my previous answer they may offer a stage 2 or even a stage 3 upgrade which of course would have to include an updated f-con program. otherwise, any upgrades would have to have a pro-dealer make a custom program using a v-pro if it's possible. I'm not sure on all the details needed to get the V-PRO running on the Z/G at this time.

 

I am, in my spare time, working on the FCON in the 350z... i have one... I had it in the car but I have a few things to work out before it will start.

I was talking to a tech at HKS on Monday and I really want to say that I beleive they are keeping the MAF before the compressor!!! That is awesome, and that is how you know this kit is going to make the car run perfect... if im right anyway.

 

Phunk,
The air flow meter will be located on the compressor inlet (suction) side like you thought. That is ideal as compressed air will have a higher temp and the reading isn't as accurate.

Also, they are working on the G35 Coupe S/C kit also

 

does anybody know why HKS went w/ SC instead of Turbo?

 

Probably easier packaging, easier to CARB certifiy (since you dont have to touch the location of the cats for a s/c) = appeals to more customers. If you can make it street legal I think more people would buy it right? Cars are going to be harder to turbo with more stringent emissions laws so I think they are developing these as an alternative. Personally I have always been a turbo guy but this s/c kit is nice and I'm giving a hard look.

 

easier to install and maintain