Nismo was worth every penny. Then again I got a hell of a deal on it used. I suggest you look in the classifieds.
Now that I have a FI exhaust coming soon Im forgettin about the Nismo.

 

im guessing you dont daily drive it... test pipes are not street legal (right?)

 

I was gonna go with nismo till one fatefull day an old asian guy came into my work (americas Tire) and he had a SICK Z with injen exhaust and he was showing me all the stuff he did to it and she started it up and revd it.. That day i went home and found an injen exhaust on here for cheap and bought it

 

I haven't seen anyone say that they regret getting Nismo.
Sure, the power gains aren't that great compared to others, but the awesome sound makes up for it.
I'm actually going back to Nismo myself after swapping it out for HKS, then Greddy Evo2(because Nismo will clear TS CS Diffuser).
It should keep me pretty satisfied until time for Amuse R1

Oh at to OP: don't be scared to run TPs. There are MANY So.Cal members here that run TPs

 

but i drive my chit everyday and on the freeway(will i start to hate it after awhile?)... and besides it won't pass smog right??

 

I have tps on my stock exhaust. At first I wasn't used to the sound, but you'll get used to it. Just being honest with you, if you're that worried about being legal, then just don't do it. If you're gonna do it, you better be mentally prepared for: 1..the louder sound(especially if you combine it with any other after-market exhaust system). 2.. the legal issue(but it's other the car, so it's not like the cops can see it). 3...the smell of gas(because there's no cat, you'll smell the gas fumes a bit more, but like I said, you get used to it). That's one of the main reason that I'm looking into the Nismo exhaust as well. One of the more quiet ones, won't be crazy loud with the test pipes that I already have, and won't call too much attention to it, appearance wise. You have a 05, so it's not like you're going to have to pass smog that often, and if you do have to...I'm sure that if you look hard enough, you'll find shops that are willing to "help" you pass that smog with the test pipes on.

After all, most of this modding hobby is all about breaking the laws, even from stuff as small as tinting the windows and lowering your car. You can technically get pulled over for fix-it tickets for having a lowered car and tinted windows. And with the new-found power, I'm sure you'll get the urge to go a bit above the speed limit and get speeding tickets. If you have to think so much about every possible angle, I'd tell you to just leave it stock.

 

Don't worry about the smog check. Let's just say WCN has something up their sleeve about that

 

word... good to know..

same goes for high flow cats?

oh yeah... and i already commited to purchasing the nismo exhaust from a member here (barely used [300mi]). I am picking it up tomorrow and me and my buddy are installing it on sunday...

 

+1, Can't go wrong, I love going under underpasses or tunnels, the sound is breathtaking when your on it.

 

If you want the stock sound a little louder, definitely go for the Nismo man. Its not screaming loud, it just sounds great. I've heard straight Nismo as well as Nismo with HFC/test pipes. The exhaust can actually get pretty loud with the HFC/test pipes, but it doesn't sound like that's your plan. Nismo exhaust alone is perfect.

 

I don't regret my Nismo.

At first I wished it was a tiny bit louder but on the other hand it sounds nice, especially combined with a intake. looks awesome. Dealer can never give you crap because it's their ****. There are really enough cars on the road that are loud as it is, do we really need more? Mine is getting a little louder with age, which is cool. If you're using a Pop charger or cold air it will sound more agressive.

Only problems I had was how crappy the exhaust was shipped and the resonater had a small but sharp dent in it. Also I had my mid pipe gasket blow out like 5 times in about 15 months.

I believe that when they first installed it that either they didn't torque the bolts down enough or one of the bolts just snapped because it blew out 2 hours after I had it installed. They replaced the gasket with one of their own types, which is not exactlly the same as the one that came with it.

The gasket thing was annoying but I would buy one again.

 

To the guy that said iti wont be crazy loud with TP's....you just havent heard it yet. Mine is very loud. Just not at idle, but its loud anything you are on the gas. Unless you shift under 2500 rpms.

 

well the nismo exhaust is ON!!! I love it! im so glad i went with my initial feeling... Bought it used (only 300 mi and spotless thanks Farseide!) for $775 and me and my buddy installed it in his shop (i bought him lunch).

The sound ---> it sounds incredible!!! especially in an enclosed parking structure... And imho it is DAMN LOUD (and this is with the windows rolled up. cant roll them down since i just got them tinted)... i cant believe people actually say that it is just barelly louder than stock... the best way i can describe it (and this already has been said before) is its the stock sound on steroids... i def will not be getting the TPs since that would be insanely loud... the drone on the freeway will also take sometime to get used to...

Bottom line: LOVE IT!!! If anyone is contemplating getting this exhaust... GO and GET IT!! right now!!!

 

Glad that you enjoy it. Yea don't get TP..it's just LOUD..lol
My car's probably like 5 times louder than yours..I'm not kidding..
I'm taking my TP out tomorrow..I've had it for 2 days and I can't stand it anymore.

 

good choice . . . love my nismo, it's got a nice throaty tone to it plus I got it for free from the dealership so no room for regret.

 

I've heard that w/o the test pipes, you really don't see much gains from the catback alone?

 

i had the nismo but i didnt like it so i went with the injen... but thats just me

 

I have NISMO Exhaust with the NISMO CAI and the NISMO Headers. Sounds good and I wouldn't change it for anything.... aaahhh... except maybe a porsche 911T

 

dont feel any gains... but it sounds waaaay faster lol..

 

did you get it all done at once or one at a time? just curious if you felt a difference in adding the CAI and headers to the catback... is it alot louder with the headers??