I have had the HKS exhaust for a month now. It is not loud as I thought it was going to be and also like I’ve heard in videos. I’m starting to think there is a leak where the pipes connect, either the cat to the Y pipe or the Y to the muffler. Could that be the cause?
The exhaust gets loud after like3.5- 4rpms , other wise not really loud. At 3.5 4 the sounds is more high pitch which is what I like other wise the sound is more like a low tone
How can I check if there is a leak? Or is this the way the exhaust sounds and I’m just being paranoid. I don’t get any lights or anything the car runs fine.

 

It is very likely that on all the sound clips you have heard, the Z also has test pipes. That would be your problem. However, I think the only time this exhaust sounds good is when you DON'T throw on test pipes. The sound is nice and not obnoxiously loud.

 

i installed the whole cat back set up. i mean it sounds nice but i dont know

 

Yeah, but it didn't include cats (or test pipes) did it? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think the exhaust is all the pipes up to the stock cats...meaning you still have your stock cats on.

 

no it comes with cats
and the test pipes is just the conection between the cat and mufler, right? from what i research thats what i understood

so the HKS comest with cat, test pipe and muffler? or am i wrong? i'm not sure bro

 

No...test pipes are pipes that go in the cats' place...removing them. They are in between the mid/y pipe and headers.

 

so the order of pipes is: headers, cats, regular pipes, muffler?

 

yes, headers, cats/test pipes, y pipe, muffler

 

Hi Jason,

I also have the HKS setup. I've had mine for 3 months and I was disapointed at the sound. It makes little to no sound on the outside untill you are in the 3500+ RPM range. I did plenty of research and everyone claimed this was a great exhaust. I guess I had high expectations for the money I paid. Even with my High-Flow cats on, it still isn't as loud as I'd like.

And yes, that is the order.

 

Well I actually enjoy the HKS being a bit low keyed at normal or lower rpms. I don't like an exhaust that's so loud to a point that that's all you hear ringing through the cabin.

 

No I agree I’m not disappointed, I just expected it to be louder so I thought I installed it wrong but I guess that’s just the way it is. I like that it’s not loud at low rpms thats good. i mean there are cars(rice) that are going at 20mph and it sounds like they are flying doing 100. maybe i will get headers + test pipes. will adding does two give me more HP and torque

 

Yes, headers and test pipes will give you a noticable boost. It will be loud as ****, too.

 

All mods like pop charger, cat back exhaust, spacer claim an increase in hp of about 8hp. I’ll just use 8hp for my example. Now what happens when you star adding all this things to the car. Do you actually get all that increase in hp? Do all the parts retain their claim in increase performance? Or by combining all this parts you actually don’t get that much hp.

right now i have jwt pop charger, 5/16 motordyne, hks exhaust. but i want MORE POWER.

 

The newer version HKS are not as loud as old ones.
Mine, even with all my mods aren't as loud as Nismo Exhaust with HFC.
For a car with headers, my car's pretty damn quiet...

 

hp gain results are different for each car.
Only way for you to find out is to get a baseline dyno, and then dyno the car again after you get each mod.
Your car will free up more hp from combining exhaust mods..eg. headers+cats+exhaust etc
Next mod you should get is either high flow cats or test pipes. Free up that restrictive airflow leading to the exhaust.

 

This thread is funny.

The HKS exhaust does not have a Y pipe, it is a true dual exhaust nor does it come with cats. The true dual exhaust is all the way to your stock cats. High flow cats or Test pipes will replace your stock cats. If you want your set-up to be louder, then get test pipes. If your worried about rasp .. then go for some resonated test pipes like I did. Trust me when I say it will be plenty loud after that. The reason why this exhaust is so great is becuase it is not obnoxiously loud until you punch it or get above 3.5k This allows for city driving without getting attention from the cops or not pissing off the neighbors every morning. Another great thing about this exhuast is that there is no drone. Anyone with a loud exhaust set-up knows how sh$itty drone is. My set-up listed in my sig screams ... most ppl tell me it sounds like an exotic car but still maintains that VQ touch. HKS has one of the best HP gains Ive seen on the VQ yet.

 

Yes TP will make ANY exhaust LOUD...
I just can't stand the smell though..been there and done that.

 

My comments were directed towards the OP as I was answering his questions .. where you came from I dont know . ... but thanks for your .02.

The key is not just making the exhaust note loud, but tolerable. The smell of test pipes should go away within a week or so. Otherwise I have just become immune to them, I dont know. I used to smell them horribly when I came to a stop light or stand still but again in my accounts this went away after about a week.

BTW gsazabi, you have a nice N/A set-up there. If you dont mind what did you dyno at with the UTEC. We have similar set-up's and Im thinking of going to GTM for my UTEC as well. Was your clutch and flywheel worth it ??? Thanks alot.

 

thanks every one this helped alot.

is it hard to install headers and test pipes?
considering i installed the hks alone without a lift just stands.

which headers and testpipies do you recomend? what you guys do everytime the car needs to be inspected cause they are illegal

 

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