Im looking at upgrading my exhaust on my 03 touring....Ive been reading about "test pipes"( can someone explain what these are ).

What would be the first component to start with on exhaust upgrades?

 

well you will need to post in the right forum to begin with. but since your here...

what is the reason for your upgrade, is it more for better sound AND performance? or strictly performance?

what state do you live in? there are different emissions laws in some states like i think california, hawaii...

do you have any other mods?

 

Test pipes are used to eliminate the catalytic converters from the car. It is illegal to remove the cats in any state. That said, the catalytic converters are said to be one of the most restrictive components of any exhaust. Replacing your "damaged" catalytic converters with high-flow cats is a better and legal (at least in most states) alternative.

 

What DJMatrix1067 said, there is a better section of the forum for this. Moving on though, "test pipes" are straight through pipes that replace your catalytic converters. They are called test because they are not street legal anywhere in the US, so you must be buying them for "test only", lol. That isn't a bad place to start as cats do restrict your flow quite a bit, but high flow cats will open things up a bit (not as much) while still giving you the possibility of passing a visual and sniffer test for emissions.

 

sorry for posting in the wrong section....Im new to this board...that was actually my first post....Im looking for more horse power. I have just recently installed the JWT popcharger and looking at another mod.

 

Your best bet is to go looking through the exhaust/intake section:

https://my350z.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=334

Then deciding what kind you want and how much you want to spend $$$, everyone's opinion is different, I'm a fan of the borla true dual kit, the only downside is it's all clamps and a pain in the *** to install, or you could go in a different direction and go for the flame torched looked tips of Titanium exhaust, etc, the list goes on and on...

Do some research and you'll figure it out...

 

If you are wanting a full exhaust upgrade start with test pipes. You will get the most power out of them. however they can be pretty loud, so it depends on whether or not you mind that. After that go with an aftermarket exhaust. Having the exhaust on first will sound good but not give the full potential for horsepower without test pipes or HFC's.

 

if you're buying test pipes, don't be cheap - many members who've bought cheap TP's have had them crack...it's a PITA too replave them. There's lots of good places to buy them - I'm using AAM's Test pipes and love them.

 

Well if you have the 03 Z model you should get a plenum spacer.
I have one from AAM and while my 06 doesnt gain all that much from
it the 05 and below Z models gain 8 to 10 hp according to AAM. I would go with that if I were you but I will advise you on choosing exhaust.........if you go with bigger piping like 3 inch then u will notice or feel like ur car runs a bit weaker in the lower RPMS but better at high. I have the Magnaflow 2.5 inch piping looks like stock but def sounds way better. I didnt notice any low end power loss but definetly feel its gotten stronger when WOT. I had a 3inch system on mine and didnt like it, 1st off they are too damn loud and 2nd the low end power robbing feel wasnt what I was looking for. I hope this helps!

 

PM me if you have any other questions.

 

God you guys are too nice....where is the search police when you need them

 

Im making my own test pipes soon out of thick wall pipe. I have even seen some name brand pipes with .065" wall thickness. That is why they crack. Im using .085" pipe wich is what regular exhaust pipe uses it will not crack. Using no brackets will also break the welds on your headers due to the stress. So if i were you i would find test pipes with brackets already on them to prevent this from happening. If you use test pipes with brackets you can use cheaper headers and they will not break. My test pipes are going to have flex pipes in them with resonaters .