Alright, I've done my research. Let's start this thread back up with a pic of the headers!



From what I hear, this is a custom fabrication for my car. The outlet is 2.25 inches wide. I think they look like a major improvement over stock, but I'm unsure about the pipes being welded in the middle like that. Then again these are my first headers. I don't know the difference between good and bad ones.

I have finally decided on a plan though. After watching some vids on youtube and getting an idea of the sound I'm looking for. I settled on a y-pipe from the headers into one Berk HFC and then connected to a single pipe cat back, whether it has 1 or 2 muffler tips.
Nismo S-Tune Example:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hR4RTn0I-WM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Of course, I also like this setup with the Bassani cat back, but that would require 2 hfcs, either that or not really sure how it would work.
Bassani X-Pipe Example:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i_E648BmwmQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Now I need opinions and recommendations for a cat back that goes with this build. Maybe also recommend a y-pipe. Thanks.

 

again, I recommend exoticspeed, my friend Quinn (Qtip on here) just posted some pics and a sound clip of his (ours, i recommended it to him)


https://my350z.com/forum/intake-exha...und-clips.html

 

pics of the inside of the pipes

 

I'm curious as to why, are these satisfactory?

 

You have girls hands

 

Everyone says this...I'm a computer programmer. I do as much car stuff as I can though.

 

Those look like ****, and may very well be eBay Motorsports produced headers. I won't put that on my car! Look into something more quality, or HR OEM headers!

 

What in particular makes you think it's not constructed well enough? These are going on my car. And who cares what they look like, I'm intending on wrapping them.

 

I'm not the expert on the wordage to use to explain it to you, but here are other eBay headers for comparison!











We actually have a active member 2bad240 I believe who is running similar products and he's has one of the fastest NA Z's! So I'm not knocking them just you started off as if they where something special, if I'm not mistaken!

 

I'm not making them into anything special as I have already put the evidence forward and you can see what they are. I figure that they are handbuilt and there's no machining templates they've used to make perfect pieces, so they may not be pretty, but they should perform at least better than the OEM headers. I will do dyno tests, and if they're producing less power, I will want to take them off. But remember, i'm not in the hole for anything here, highway robbery as far as I'm concerned. I look forward to putting them on.

At this point, I'll probably have the headers installed first, or the exhaust installed first and get a separate dyno run, so I can test everything separately.

 

I'm indifferent on headers. As long as you're going into it knowing your power gains will likely be minimal and your motivation is auditory, then go for it. As for cat-back...$1200 is a good number. Motordyne is a favorite around here. I'm currently running a Momentum Dual, but have thought about switching to the Motordyne setup which comes with the "XYZ pipe" which will cover your y-pipe section. It's also one of the best (according to the forums). I'm currently running an AAM competition y-pipe since the Momentum kit didn't come with a y-pipe.

Best of luck

 

If I am not mistaken, it should be Headers->HFC->Y-pipe, so you can't go with one Berk HFC.

 

I was originally looking at the motordyne xyz pipe which has the hfc before the catback. I was thinking I could do that with a berk also.

 

if that's the case, you either need long tube headers (which it seems you aren't going to do) or test pipes between the header collector and the Y pipe, the shorty headers you are installing won't bridge that 18"+ you'll have between them, where the oem cats go...and to my knowledge, there isn't a Y pipe that incorporates the test pipe/cat length into them, maybe 'm wrong though and someone else can chime in, but regardless i still recommend you at least look at the exoticspeed exhaust...

 

There is a y pipe and test pipe made into one piece. Someone just put one up for sale on here, but I wanna say its only for a DE engine.

 

Ugh, so many modular pieces, I was getting confused. Let's see if I have this right. The cats go in the place between the header and the y pipe. The y pipe, or x pipe is INCLUDED with the exhaust, hence it is an exhaust from the cats BACK.
That changes things. Now I can consider TD systems as an option.

I really like how the Berks sound on videos. All I need to know is which berk HFCs will fit in between a catback system and the headers I have, the 03-06 or 07-08 ones. What's the difference? Will I need to use any extra fitments? Thanks, you guys really helped figure this out.

As for exhaust, the amuse replica is nice, looks great and is lighter because of TI. I think I like the nismo s- tune sound more. Which makes more power? What about true duals?

 

Generally speaking:

Headers > Cats/TP's/HFC's > Y-Pipe

Y-Pipe is included with most exhausts unless it mentions muffler only or axle-back (eg. Meisterchaft is muffler only, y-pipe optional, Greddy Spectrum is axle-back, etc.)

If you have HR headers you'll need HR cats/tp's/whatever - something about the bolts/flanges being diffeent. So, assuming you have OEM HR Headers, look for Berk HR HFC's. Getting a Motordyne y-pipe allows you to have an HFC in place of the straight pipe usually found on y-pipes. Their TDX2 exhaust system also has optional HFC's for the midpipes.

What makes more power? Who knows, bunch of dynos posted here or there, but from what I've read, most recommend not going over 2.5" in terms of piping. I like my TDX2, definitely worth looking at. Do remember, although you liked how the berk hfc's sounded on a certain setup, sound will differ based on total exhaust setup.

Edit: Just saw you had some aftermarket headers. If they're meant for an HR, then get HR hfc's. If they're meant for a DE, then get DE hfc's.

 

I've made my exhaust recommendation, as for hfc...You mention Berks...what about Fast Intentions' hfc?

 

Edit, i don't know wtf i just said, watching 24hr of Daytona at the sane time. so de exhaust and de cats for de headers? I read that de headers fit on the hr, otherwise I wouldn't have accepted these. Thanks!

 

^ Most exhausts, if not all, fit all years (03-08). So DE cats/hfcs/tps for DE headers, any exhaust.