I wonder what the improvements would be if these were installed with stock exhuast? Also, when you say that there is some tig welding involved, is it critical that it is done or just better to?

 

Speaking of which Dan are you going to the Nov1 Dyno day? I was with b18bvudoo we taded off test drives and its really hard to see via seat of the pants impression what mods do what can only feel gains in terms of rpms which isnt that accurate. Nice ride BTW b18bvudoo I feel it when you come on the cams.

steve

 

I'm sure there would still be hp gains. Exactly how much, I have no idea.

The Borla exhaust being true dual and with less bends is free flowing compared to stock. Therefore, the stock exhaust should not allow as much exhaust flow as the Borla and, should not produce as much horsepower. What would I guess? 8 hp - 10 hp?

I suggest that you replace the stock exhaust to maximize gains. My recommendation would be to do the exhaust before or at the same time as the test-pipe with resonator.

No, I don't think the tig welding is critical if you define critical as absolutely necessary. But, if the brace was welded stock and you don't weld after installation, who knows what the weld is for and what exactly is being braced? I didn't pay for my installation but, if I didn't have that good fortune, I would cough up the $60+ bucks for installation to make sure something doesn't go snafu and then fubar.

I'll be there. I'm going to try to get the 2 runs for $45 deal that they have on their website. Of the modifications done, by far the one that changes the drive characteristic of my Z the most is the lightweight JWT flywheel. The car is so much more free reving because of the flywheel that all other power gaining modifications just makes getting to redline so much quicker. You should try my Z out then because I'm sure you're wondering about Danny's comment.

 

Sweet!


The LBMS test pipes seem like they're very well made. Has anyone installed them with the stock exhaust? If so, I was wondering if the raspiness is still evident. I was thinking that the stock resonators would cancel out the rasp or am I off on this one?

I'm throwing around the idea of going for these pipes before I commit to an exhaust kit and/or a turbo kit.

 

Very cool dan, i'd love to get a ride on dyno day...

And maybe a quick 5-60 or 60-100 highway run somewhere safe? We both have borla's but it'd be nice to get a good impression of the flywheel and test pipes in action.

 

The only way you're going to get a good impression of the flywheel and test pipes is if you take the car for a spin. Which of course you're more than welcome to do.

Steve might want a run too.

Update

After four days of driving, I can say that the raspy sound is for all intents and purposes eliminated with a qualification.

There are occasions when there is a slight hint of the sound that lasts a moment before fading. The sound is not comparable to the raspy sound existing without the resonator. It doesn't happen always. It never happens during regular driving. But, on a rare occasion, during WOT, there is a brief hint of the sound. I have to emphasize, it's not the same annoying raspy sound that exists without the resonator.

I wouldn't even bring this up based upon it's frequency and lack of annoying presence. But, I must qualify my first post that said "eliminated" because, in my opinion, even a hint of that sound may be a put off.

That said, I am entirely pleased with the LBMS test pipes with resonator. I expect to have pics very shortly.

 

Here are the highflow cats to start:

 

Weights:

Stock 26lbs
Testpipe 6lds
Testpipe with Resonator 12lbs
Highflow Cats 12lbs

Images:

Testpipe vs. Stock cats



Installed:







Testpipe with Resonators



Installation



This baby is a piece of sculptured art!



Note the weights were each. So, the testpipes alone is a 40 lbs savings. And, the testpipes with resonator or the high flow cats is a 28 lbs savings.

 

spoke with 350z4steve, and he says the placement of those cats may cause scraping over speed bumps, etc. if your car is lowered too much

 

I have the "raspy" noise with the Random tech cat pipes... Do your cat pipes "eliminate" the raspy like your resonator pipes??

 

Yup, I would agree with that.

There is a court house with a garage that has a going up followed by a going down movement that could be described as a bump. And, recently, I noticed some scraping noises over the past week. I didn't realize what it was until your post.

That could be even worse with Steve's pretty JIC set-up, or the Nismo S-Tune I plan to install in a few months.

Oh well, drive slow over bumps. Small price to pay for some amazing pipes.


350z4Steve has the highflow cats. He would be a better source to answer your question. But, as far as he's told me, there is no raspy sound at all with the highflow cats.

 

i've driven steve's car....i didnt notice any raspy noise

i didnt even hear his 2-way kaaz

he has a nicely track-prepped car

 

Thanks Khang,

As far as any rasp im not hearing one when I was driving behind you in your car wow I could def hear the roar ..so much for being subtle huh.

im kinda concerned though about this new recall on the nissan engines ( and defective sensor) I heard when it heats up it will cause your car to die even while moving..you know what im getting at dont you Khang.It hasnt happened yet to me but it happened to you though..think any relation?

 

not sure steve, although it does make you think.....i did notice your car idles pretty low; seemed like below 750 if i remember.

and your car died on me while shifting, i think the first time was from 3rd to 4th. the second time was from 3rd to 2nd (i think). well i guess the important thing is that it doesnt happen to you

 

so how much for the resonated testpipes! I want some!
Whoops, just read it. 500 dollars is very steap for a bent with a hole for an o2 sensor and a flange mounted to both sides. I mean, 300 and even 250 is too much! I would be willing to spend close to 300-350 for these pipes, but even that would be pushing it. I love the design and such though.

 

I agree, it is not cheap. Unfortunately, it's the resonator that significantly bumps the price. In my opinion, getting rid of the raspy sound is worth it. And, the price vs performance is comparable to or better than other similar modifications.

In hindsight, going with the LBMS highflow cats is another option but, having the few extra horses is nice. This is a good test pipe option for those that don't want a raspy sound. And, you have to really have driven a car that makes that noise to appreciate just how Gilbert Godfried that noise can be.

 

OK... is it 480 for the hiflo cats, test pipes and resonators or what is the price breakdown? Thanks.

 

Will I still get the "raspiness" if I install the LBMS testpipes (w/o resonators) with the stock exhaust?

 

bump, any sound clips? and have you gotten any CEL's?

 

Why did this thread die off, these LBMS test pipes with resonators seem like they are pretty sweet kinda spendy but very nice. I cant stand that raspy noise so this may be my only route.