im looking to buy a nice sounding exhaust but im totaly confused with all the terms Y-pipes, cat deletes, final muffler.

What exactly do I need to buy if I want to keep my stock headers.
money is not an issue.

help

 

stock system goes...headers, cats, y-pipe, b-pipe, muffler

most aftermarket systems...headers, testpipes/hiflow cats, y-pipe, exhaust (basically what you get when you buy most exhaust systems)

other aftermarket systems (better)...headers, testpipes/hiflow cats, true dual exhaust

Basically each thing seperated by a comma represents a different part of the exhaust that is purchased seperately

 

hi
thanks for reply

can i mix, parts from different manufacturers, or should I stick with one?

ex. will hks true dual fit borla y pipes?

what should I get for performance gains with a great sound?

 

the HKS does not need a Y-pipe, it connects directly to the cats

 

Headers and cats are interchangeable among brands.

True duals are all cat back complete systems and all designed differently, so there is no interchangeability among them but they also don't use a Y pipe.

Some systems come with a Y some do not. The Y pipe joins the two banks into one pipe (usually a 2.5" input and 3" out). Also, some systems claim to be cat back and are only Y pipe back, so if you don't know what you are buying ask or you may not get what wanted.

There are more systems for the Z than you can shake a stick at. They all sound and look different and the only way to really pick one is to find some other Zs in you area and check them out.

If you ask around most will say they have he best exhaust out there, so it's really a personal decision.

Chris

 

you wont need a Y pipe with anything that is a dual exhaust design. I take it you have know Idea the structure of the cars exhaust system, so dont be offended if you know what I am going to tell you.

Without going into headers and new cats (aka catalytic converters.), there are basically two types of exhuast design structures:
Single pipe to dual outlet.
Dual pipe to dual outlet.
Go outside right now and look under your car. Stock design is a single pipe to dual outlet. Meaning that...coming off of your two sets of headers (that you cant really see from the underside of the vehicle.) one on each side of the engine, you have two catalytic converters. Off of those cats there is a Y-pipe, whose purpose is to merge two pipes into one. Then you have a single mid-pipe with a resonator (which is basically built like a turbo resonator, which helps to muffle the sound a little) This mid-pipe goes directly into the large muffler directly behind the vehicle which has a dual-outlet.
Dual piping to dual outlet is a little different in that there are constantly two pipes running from the catalytic converters out, there are different variations of this, but they are all the same principle. This picture of this Stillen SS, is a good example of a dualpipe dual outlet design:
http://performancenissanparts.com/ca...roducts_id=277
(just click on the picture to enlarge it.)
As for a schematic of a single pipe dual-outlet, someone else will have to hook you up with it, I dunno where to find one.

New catalytic converters and new headers are not necessary for a exhuast system BUT you will see the most HP gains if you open up the entire exhuast system which includes the headers and catalytic converters. (then start on the intake.)
Also, no aftermarket exhuast system that I know of includes headers and cats, both of those are seperate, and some are just as expensive, if not more expensive than the entire exhuast system itself. As for best sounding, best exhuast, the debate is endless and it all comes down to taste. I couldnt tell you what to do except for if you can actually listen to the different exhausts in person, that would be best, if not, then there are soundclips of them all over the web. You will just have to do some digging.

hope that helped.
l8er

 

I wouldn't say that exactly. Personally choice on which exhaust sounds the best..yes, but not so much on which one actually is the best. Its basically impossible to define "best" but there is definately a way to tell what is "better".

True dual will always be better than a system with a y-pipe (less restriction). Similarly, a titanium exhaust will always be better than a stainless steel exhaust (lighter weight). Also, some exhausts have better fit and finish than others or different wall thickness of the piping.

 

I can't do it right now but I think someone needs to post pics of each part and explain it to him, that would help him AND others who have these same questions. If no one does it by tomorrow, I'll do it after work.

 

Here is the diagram from the 03 factory service manual...

 

Yes you can mix items from various manufacturers. But the performance of the end result will be a guess.

 

On the picture above:

9 = Y pipe with flex joints
5 = B pipe with resonator
3 = Back box, aka Rear muffler (the number (3) points to the muffler diffuser attached to the actual muffler).

6 is the gasket that connects the Y pipe to the cats so although they are not numbered the two cats are shown.

Chris

 

thanks to all that replied

im getting the greddy body kit with single hole

so im looking for a nice single pipe exhaust, any suggestions?