I installed the Injen SES tonight. I love doing the work myself even though I do not always have the best tools to make the job as simple as it could be. This install was quite easy. The hard part is getting the dang stock exhaust off. Since I have had my car for a little over a year, the nuts needed some soaking time with the WD40. The hardest part was getting the rear section of the exhaust off the rubber hangers. Once past that part it took very little time to install the Injen SES. As always it is nice to learn from what others have already learned. I knew to lift the first section of the exhaust up while tightening to keep them off the plate to prevent rattling. I also made an adjustment to the driver's side rear hanger by placing some washers between the car and the plate to allow the exhaust pipe to hang a little lower and match the passenger's side. I know that some have had issues getting the two to match up but after this adjustment mine is pretty dang even. It was close to begin with but I wanted it a little better.

The initial sound, is very deep and throaty as everyone has mentioned. Some say this is a loud exhaust, not even close. I took my wife with me and she even commented on how she felt the stock exhaust was louder and I agree. The stock exhaust has a much higher pitch that is much more audible. This exhaust is simply deep and you feel the sound more than you hear it. I think I may need to add some test pipes to get the sound a little louder. BTW, I did not install the silencers. I have a 69 SS Camaro with a dual exhaust, headers and straight pipes to the rear. Now that is loud and sounds awesome. I think that will be the way to go eventually, but will wait for headers.

The feel, is somewhat odd at first. I was expecting a very noticeable addition of power. Not the case in my experience. I felt that the car was definately breathing very well, maybe too good? Can that be? I felt that I may have lost a little kick in the lower RPMs but the car is definately climbing to redline much faster. It may be that I once again have a more linear acceleration. When I added the Crawford Plenum, before the exhaust, I definately felt the lower RPM gains. I am hoping to find a local shop that I can Dyno the car at.

I went with the Injen based on the deep sound and the overall build quality. This exhaust is built superbly and fits nicely on the car with very little tinkering. I avoided the Borla only because of the many pieces and the connecting method used. I do not weld and did not want to take my car somewhere in I didn't have to. That saves me money for more mods My next performance mod, after test pipes, will be an ECU, probably Technosquare. From my conversations with them the ECU should work well with my 5AT and current performance mods. My gunmetal Volk LE37T 19 inch wheels and tires should also be in soon and the car will only be waiting for a nice set of coilovers before I take a break for a while and simply enjoy driving it. I will try to get some pics if anyone is interested.

 

Odd, you should not be feeling a loss with an exhaust. Maybe your ears teasing you?

Trying pulling the CAI out and replacing it with the stock airbox... that should give you back your lost torque. CAIs have always been known for robbing low end power, in a return for potential top-end.

Congrats on the new exhaust... and thrilled to have another good review about the SES!

 

I just installed mine on Friday. I had a stock exhaust with the resonator removed, and I definately think that when downshifting as the revs are coming down the stock exhaust was louder. I love the Injen though very muscular, it sounds nice cruising between 2-3K rpm. I felt a little loss down low also but up top it does pull better. Im going to throw on some test pipes to get that loudness I want....overall i am very happy it looks so good, definately doesnt sound "ricey", anybody that calls these fart cans hasnt heard one in person.

 

I listened to all of the sound clips I could get my hands on when trying to decide which exhaust I would go with, but none of them truly capture the depth of the sound this exhaust creates. More bass than the Premium Bose Well maybe that will be fixed with the latest TSB! I could definately try the stock air box but I like the RED/Polished finish inside the engine compartment with my red grounding kit, plus at highway speeds I think there is more benefit with the Injen CAI. I have seen good increases in gas mileage with the CAI and Plenum installed. The acceleration of this car plays tricks with your head. I want to upgrade the ECU to get the throttle body to open up all the way. I think that combined with an increased rev limiter will really kick @$$.

 

Pictures:

#1

 

#2

 

#3

 

#4

 

#5 to show Plenum, CAI and grounding kit

 

Sorry if the pics aren't the best of quality. It is too dark outside to get a great picture. I will try to remember tomorrow when the sun is out to get some better ones.

 

yes..would luv to see ur LE-37 when u get them....pleeeeease!!

 

Glad you're happy w/ your SES. Wait til you put about 1k miles on it. The sound becomes sweeter.

 

After driving the car more today, I can definately tell the improvement in power. The thing that is playing with my head is the change in the sound. I was so used to the stock exhaust sound that I could tell you what my RPMs were without looking. I hit the rev limiter a number of times today because this exhaust is so quiet that it fools my mind. At lower RPMs 1500-3000 it is too quiet during acceleration and almost makes you "feel" like you are not accelerating. It is weird but I started to get a handle on it as the day went on. It is funny how we become used to things in our surroundings and start to use subtle nuances to help us determine opinions and make decisions. Numbers would be nice to have but I haven't found a Dyno place yet to put hard facts with my feelings. Hopefully the track will give me some idea of the improvements.

 

Here's a link to find your nearest dynojet equipped shop.

http://www.dynojet.com/lauto.shtml

 

Thanks! There is one fairly close that will give a call!!

 

take that ugly dealer badge off! YUCK!

 

I have been looking at what exhaust to get for my Z. The injen was most impressive to me with the #'s they claim. I was a little sceptical about them becuase I thought they would be too loud. After reading this I am glad to hear that they aren't too loud, or almost quiet.

I think that when the time comes for me to get my hands on this exhaust I will also get some test pipes either built or buy some pre fab ones. I think that if I can get some flanges then one of my buddies will be able to make me some test pipes. He has built them for me before on other cars and for quite a few trucks.

BTW, I love the way your car looks with the intake and ground kit. And I'm with greddy4777 I want to see the pics of your volks when you get them

 

I started a new thread in the wheels/tires section with my silver 19" LE37ts on the car!!!