I know, search the posts... I have read many dozens of posts but I haven't found the exact thing I'm looking for. I am a newbie to mods and I'd like some opinions on this. I'm not going FI. I want to replace the entire exhaust system from the headers back, cats, exhaust, muffler, etc. What would be the best setup for the money? I'm thinking of starting with TS headers, but not sure where to go from there as far as cats and exhaust. I am a newbie to mods and my local Nissan performance shop will be doing the install. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Stillen

 

So TS headers with Stillen cat-back exhaust like this:

http://www.stillen.com/Sportscars_de...d=22652&page=1

is the way to go?

 

Depends if you are looking for performance, looks, sound, etc.
The Stillen does seem to give you the most power but it just depends what you are looking for. Personally im prob goin to go with the Nismo exhaust.....doesnt put out the power Stillen does but the sound is more exotic, to my liking.

 

The Stillen and Nismo are both fine choices.

 

cwest350, are you changing your headers too? If so, what are you going with?

 

WHat do you guys think of the Injen Exhaust, nice deep tone, im sure it performs decent, prolly not as good as the stillen, but im sure its up there with nismo... and it can be shipped for around 800 bucks..

 

But cost-wise Nismo is alot more expensive. And I don't believe the Nismo gives you true dual exhaust like the Stillen. Is that correct or not?

 

At this time im not goin to change the headers. I havent really looked into that area so i cant give you any credible feedback on whats good. Im kindof a name brand ***** when it comes to my car....more partial to the JDM stuff, but thats just me and my taste I like the Nismo headers but they are pretty pricey.

If i was you i would get the Stillen exhaust, Stillen headers, and some high flow cats for your setup...that'll give your Z a niiice bump in power for sure!

 

I like the Borla true dual, myself. Deep, throaty sound and mounts up easily.

I said "deep, throaty" and mounts.

 

well your name is badmonkey afterall we kindof expect that from you lol jk

 

Stillen is a lot heavier than Nismo, and similar pricewise. The whole "true dual" thing is a myth. As long as you have sufficient overall pipe diameter, a single pipe can actually be better for a given application. I've explained the physics of this too many times already on this forum and I don't feel like doing it again, so please do a search. Crawford headers are the best...get them jet-hot coated for under hood heat management. Nismo headers are also good. Crawford or Ultimate racing cats have a stock-like look, superior constuction quality, and a bearable sound. Go for top notch NA parts or do nothing. The cheaper stuff can actually make your performance worse.

 

Stillen SS. nuff said.

 

If I go with Stillen or Nismo, should I also go ahead and upgrade the cats? Is there any advantage and any particular brand/model I should go with? Also, once all the exhaust work is done, will I need to do anything to the ECU to take into account the changes? Thanks for all the advice.

 

since we are on the subject of exhausts. In your personal opinions which cat back is the loudest while still being 50 state legal?

 

loud and legal are not words that coincide

as speedracer said, it makes ZERO difference what exhaust you pick. A true dual will net you equal power when compared to a Y pipe + catback

So, pick what is in your budget, and what you like the looks and sound of

 

Dude... The perfect bolt-on combo is the JWT intake and nismo exhaust. Period.

 

NISMO!

Stillen is heavier... The tips just stick out straight look odd (IMHO)... It has this weird high pitched rasp to it at WOT test pipes or stock cats...

NISMO - 10lbs lighter, smooooth sounding like stock but louder and fuller but not too louder... fits with the car perfectly style wize

 

Does the the JWT make the Nismo sound alot better?

 

I would prefer to go Nismo but Nismo headers and exhaust run about $2500 while Stillen runs $1880 and claims more horsepower gains. Is there dynos out there of both setups? Stillen claims 16HP/14LB gain from the exhaust and 11HP/18LB gain from the headers while Nismo claims 6HP/3.5LB from the exhaust and 13HP/13LB from the headers. If these numbers are anywhere close to accurate then I would have to go with Stillen.