So tomorrow I'll be going to an exhaust shop owned by a mutual friend that's been around for about 10 years. They're very reputable around here with the hot rod / classic guys, and they do domestic and foreign car's a lot too.

So, I'm trying to figure out how I want to set it up. I'm looking for the best possible combination of sound / performance. I've settled on doing 2.5" (65mm~, as I've read it's the best for all around power on an n/a Z) piping from the catalytic converter back (I will not be running test pipes or HFC's, just keeping the stock cats), replacing the y pipe and going with a true dual setup that runs into a magnaflow x-pipe (Magnaflow 14386) right after the cats. After the x-pipe, I'm not sure what else I should go with, or if I should just run a straight pipe from the x-pipe?

I'd like it to not be too loud lol, just looking for a nice note and moderate sound.

 

So it getting 2.5" piping to have the best flow but leaving the stock cats in place. Why do u need to flow more if u still have the biggest restriction still in place

 

do it right get the HFC or test pipes or it will all be for nothing

 

+1. HFC's are higher up in price than test pipes, but there is alot more material that you are purchasing. I have test pipes paired with the Megan drift spec 3" and its loud as f***.

 

350z is extremely hard to make sound good. Exhaust does little but alter the sound.
Most custom exhausts ive heard sound horrible, why i dont know.

Stock sounds the best.. Then maybe the nismo.

Ifyou are na and have no tune, its all about sound. Watch youtube and select from there.
Choosing a hotrod shop that is not used to dealing w smaller engines, drone, resonators and placement, and the tone issues these cars have is a recipe for disaster, be warned.
Youre going to get a blatty crappy sounding exhaust, well built by HOT ROD pros or not.

Just telling ya..

 

Whenever you start fooling with an exhaust...adding parts as you go,you'll never know what you will end up with.Besides,there are clearance problems that designed systems have worked out.In addition,a great exhaust system is just that.A SYSTEM.
There's a bit more technology behind proper scavaging of the exhaust than welding pipes together.What you are describing thus far sounds like it will be loud.

 

Straight pipes w/ resonators. Ditch the stock cats if you want to see any real power gains. Resonated HFCs would be a good idea.

 

How much are they charging you? Is this all crush bent? Crush ftl.

 

Here is the end product on the car, it sounds absolutely beautiful. No rasp and gets very very exotic on the high end.

Extremely satisfied.

 

Sound clips!

 

Yeah we thought the usual...ie...the worst..
But that looks legit.. sounds clips or it didn't happen btw..ha..

 

in for clips..

 

It is crush bent, but it looks pretty damn good! I'm also in for clips.

 

I'll have clips up soon - I used my phone to take a sample of the exhaust, and it obviously does no justice with the phone's audio quality. I went and drove around for a good 4 hours. It is loud, but with the windows up on the freeway on cruise at about 2800rpm it's really not that noticeable, and you can talk normally and still hear each other fine lol.

There's a tunnel nearby that is on one of the highways, and I got on it. I got giddy from the sound haha.

Here's another shot from the catalytic converter end.

 

Well, my friend took a clip of us going through the tunnel. Audio quality isn't great and it was WAY louder than the video. I'll be getting a better clip soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sPNRnLmkaI

 

At least this came out better than that other guy asking for advice!

moar clips and congrats!

 

sounds like stock with the res removed. However congrats get better vids

 

Dont do it.

 

The welds dont look very good for a shop that's been in the business for awhile. Looks like you reused the Y pipe inlets, doesn't look good visually jumping diameter sizes like that. The crossing in pipes at the rear seems unnecessary and just adds extra weight and drag. These are just my opinions, as long as you are happy who cares. Sounds good. happy modding

 

This.