I've done a lot of searching and read through a ton of threads but am simply confused. Maybe I'm just looking for information that isn't there?

I'd like to get an idea of what the proven HP gains are with different exhausts available for the Z. If I can find out that has better performance, without producing drone in the cabin, I'd really be interested. I'm also thinking of HFC if I can find one that won't throw a code on an '06 MT.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

HFC's shouldn't throw CEL's. Test pipes will 100% unless you had an 03.

The Motordyne exhaust has been proven to give probably the best gains.

 

Thanks. That is the type of pointer I was hoping for. I've been looking at the Motordyne site and the nicest thing about them is they seem to back up their products with solid (and believable) numbers.

Any idea as to droning with the Motordyne exhausts?

 

From what I've heard, the exhaust is relatively quiet. I'm guessing this is without TP's or HFC's tho and retaining the stock cats. There's a video around here somewhere, I'll post it here.

 

More independant dynos will be posted soon.

With test pipes or HFC's the Shockwave will drone a little between 4K-5K RPM.

The VQ exhaust won't drone under any circumstance no matter what you hook it up to.

 

Take a look at the Sport Z magazine shoot-out. Several years old but very informative.

 

Is this on all 03's or something that people "get lucky" on? (Other cars seem to be that way... some people get CELs, some don't, on the same exact model)

 

if a code is thrown on an '03 over test pipes then the computer is very easy to trick with O2 bungs. The other years seem to give people problems. My '03, i dont think i've seen the check engine light, did it come equipped with one?

 

No. The ECU just doesn't have the same sensitivity parameters programmed into it.

 

Thanks. I'd really like to see them.

I don't want to change exhaust just for sound or looks, but for performance. Having said that, when/if I do change exhaust for performance, I'd just as soon it sound and look nice.

A little drone between 4K-5K wouldn't bother me since that is not the RPM range that I daily drive in. As long as there is no drone up to 3K to 3k, then I'd be happy.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll see if I can find it.

 

So if one particular exhaust made 2 wheel horsepower more than another exhaust, you would get the one that made the additional 2 wheel horsepower?

That's stupid. You should base your judgement on design and sound preference. Horsepower gains from exhaust systems are negligible.

 

amen ^

they are all going to produce within a small % of one another. Where they really differ significantly is looks, sound, cost, and weight