I know that this has been discussed before, but I want to make sure I get the best set up right now for the price. I will not be F/I my car for awhile (that means probably not until after school in 2yrs.). I want a exhaust system to sound louder, but also want the horses to match up. I know everyone says that buying a exhaust the person should go by the sound and not the hp gains. But also have seen that true dual systems seem to not make as much as people with y-pipes and the rest some other type.

I was wondering if it would be better to go with high-flow cats, a unlimited y-pipe, and dc headers then going with the already order Invidia G200 Dual Exhaust. I can probably get the headers and stuff for about the same price I payed for this exhaust system. It just seems to be more worth it as to the hp gains you will see. Will the y-pipe and cats change the sound as much as the exhaust will. I want something really loud and deep.

 

IMO... just do resonated test pipes or high flow cats... and y pipe.... or full exhaust. my choice is the first, for much of the same reasons you listed. then gains from cost make sense. the headers will make the cost a lot more, especially with install, and really will just make it louder, with a different looking dyno curve. the gains versus cost becomes rediculously ghey... might as well not do anything to give yourself a third of the boost money.

 

Any other opinions? Seems to be a hard one to call these days.

 

You want loud and deep, I say go with the Injen SES +HF cats. I wanted a more mellow (yet more aggressive than stock sound, thus went with Borla). Good luck, its a pain in the *** to decide

 

If you want really loud and deep, go with intake, headers, test pipes and catback. As mentioned the headers + install can cost quite a bit. If you can manage the install on your own then you can save some dough. If you have all 3 installed at the same time, you could also save on install charges. There are some exhausts that will be loud without any other mods. Injen, RS-R, Tanabe, Apexi just to name a few of the louder ones. The Nismo, Borla, Fujitsubo change the character of the sound but are not really much louder than stock. Adding straight pipes and headers will increase the loudness, but not change the character much. A different intake (Injen or Popcharger for example) can make the exhaust louder than headers or HF cats. As far as power, the exhaust manifolds, cats and y-pipe is where you need to start. The stock exhaust isn't really that bad at all.

 

crawford headers give godly power, DC has shown no gains
stillen exhaust gives teh most power
and some nice crawford hi-flows will help too.

 

If you want a louder sounding full cat back exhaust system go with the NISMO... It includes the Y-Pipe / Mid Pipe / Muffler...

Next would be Injen but not as loud... it is a full cat back system...

remember there are also Fujitsubo and JIC / BULLET Y-Pipes availble...

Tanabe is probably the loudest exhaust system...

here is a link to most of the available exhaust systems for the Z...

http://www.performancenissanparts.co...th=153_176_381

 

I don't care about actual sound like my post say's, just about hp made and the cost it will be for the best setup. It seems like it would be better to buy DC Headers, Y-Pipe, and Race Cats or Test Pipes and get more Hp then a full exhaust. Most full exhausts cost around 800-900. The Nismo to me is a waste of money and I have heard it before and would not spend a dime on it, rather buy a borla then that.

 

How about Apex n1 exhaust? talk about loud , decent hp gains and pretty light on the wallet.

 

JIC has some nice exhausts for a decent price. I went with the AEM intake , kinetix cats , and stillen full system (not to light on the wallet). And i have not heard another Z like it... not obnoxiously loud (neighbors would argue this) but very deep. The Butt dyno says it was good for a few HP.


PS. the tires agree with the butt dyno.

 

Don't waste your money on the DC headers. Waste of time and money for little to no gains.

 

yea i am confused also..but i think im going to end up with the new injen ses and rt cats...cant afford fi so i need the most na power.. and i think thats the best combo....