i cant decide. i just looked up test pipes and they are way cheaper, but the test pipes are not exactly very (not even a little bit) healthy to the environment. idn. im not a tree hugger, but im sure there are some people who could relate. i'm really liking the price of those test pipes. what would you guys do? as you can see in my sig. i have an amuse r1 titan on the way. so what i want to know is what would you do? i have about 6 weeks to get it and i kind of want y-pipes too. sooo anyway. what would you guys do?

 

It's your decision. Know the pros and cons, and decide. No one else can tell you how you're going to use your car, or what's important to you. Take a poll, it's probably half and half.

 

Since you're in california like me... I'll just tell you I went with the kinetix cats beacause they look fairly stock. Nothing shiny, nothing that stands out. Plus no check engine light, and no need for non-foulers.

If I was in one of most of the other states, I'd go with test pipes...but california, just in case, cats is the way to go... but don't get any of the flashy looking HFC...

 

what would be the fine for having test pipes in cali.?

 

Chances of a cop actually looking under your car or doing the mirror test on the floor are pretty small, but it would most likely be a fix it ticket, or if he is a D then $1-200.

 

To be honest I have no idea about the fine, or the consequences...

I'd be interested if you find anything out...

 

Give a hoot, don't pollute.

No, seriously, the hp gains (to me) aren't worth the futher destruction to our air quality. My $.02

 

Its your choice, and whatever you end up researching, its up to you. And its true it will be about 50/50 just because there are the hardcores who wants every bit of hp gains they can get, or others who it really isnt worth it. So dont let others choose for you. Just like the example of people telling you what exhaust to get. Its your decision, you have to drive it.

 

For what it's worth, when the car is running at low load cruise or idle (which it is doing 95% of the time for most drivers), the air fuel ratio stays at stoichiometric 14.7 and there is virtually no NOx or unburned hydrocarbon emissions even without cats.

People have passed emissions sniffer tests with test pipes, provided the car is warm. (When the car is cold it runs much richer)

True, the car runs cleaner with cats, but compared to diesel trucks, semi's, and pre-OBDII cars, running a 350Z with no cats is relatively harmless to the environment.

My research at ucla actually involves chemical catalysis... I'm somewhat of an expert in this field

 

so if im going w/ test pipes, im getting the amuse exhuast in 6 weeks and want to get an y-pipe and test pipes by then. the amuse pipe is 76mm which is 3 inches i think. what test pipes and y-pipe would fit with my stock headers

 

Agree. For performance go test pipes. If you have to pass a visual emissions inspection, go high-flow catalytic converters.

 

and what would should i get.

 

The best y-pipe I've seen is probably the tanabe, it goes from 60mm inlet to 70mm outlet which would be fine if the amuse is 76mm

After that my second choice is the JIC, I think it has the same sizes as the tanabe but not totally sure.

For test pipes or HFC go with anything that is about 2.25" , the big fat test pipes are for turbo guys.

crawford and kinetix HFC are both 2.25"
I've never shopped for test pipes before so I can't help you there.

 

I can't believe no one has mentioned the rasp associated with test pipes. Thats the main reason I'm going with HFC's. I have a friend that can pass me with test pipes, but I've listened to sound clips and they totally take that mellow rumbling tone away.

 

Perf. is identical for test pipes and hfc's. +-1-2 horse.

 

The fine for tampering with a SMOG device is in the area of $2500. This is not a guess BTW. I am in CA as well. I have the Kinetix and love them. BTW, raspiness is not limited to test pipes.

 

test pipes!

 

Resonated test pipes . . .

 

I only read about half the thread so I'll just throw out my 2 Lincolns:

Test pipes usually make the Z sound ricey. You may like that, however I don't and I actually had test pipes on my Z and hated every minute of it. If I were you, I would go for the gain over stock by going Hi-flow and be happy with a less rice sounding Z.

 

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