Im new to the 350z scene and recently bought an 03 enthusiast and the previous owner had an aftermarket exhaust put on, not sure of brand, and said it rattled due to the back exhaust bushing being broken. Replaced the bushing, and of course, still rattles, it seems as though it is hitting a brace halfway back and the rear sway bar. I was going to take it to an exhaust shop to have a hanger added but any other suggestions you guys have to avoid that?

 

Is it smacking on the diff?

 

depending on the exhaust, you may have to either space down the M brace, and adjust it up by the sway

 

Sorry for the ignorance, but how would I space down the M brace?

It's no longer banging on the sway and not hitting the diff, just on the brace, guessing the M brace, about halfway up from back to front.

 

no worries, i know the motordyne exhaust came with like 1/4 solid spacers, you could use good ol washers. another thing you could do is wedge a piece of exhaust hanger rubber up there.

 

Theres rubber wedged up in there right now :thumb: but was thinking as a short term fix. So if I understand this right, I can actually lower that brace a bit? At first glance I thought it looked to be welded on there, but I guess not?

 

4-5 bolts hold it on

 

Awesome! Thanks for your help! Ill update when I get to lower it down a bit!

 

i wouldn't do more than a quarter inch or so. not sure if you are lowered any, but take that into consideration

 

Would it just be spacing between these 4 bolts? Is this all it takes to remove the M brace?

 

Stock ride height, with stock enthusiast wheels right now.

 

There are more bolts at other end, not sure how many, sold my z like year and half ago so going by memory

 

Ok thanks for your help !

 

curious, i find myself in a situation where I am thinking about deleting the m brace. Would it cause any serious long term harm? are there aftermarkets available? I have a motordyne tdx2 exhaust and I want to buy the new muffler they are making that would make the car not as loud. I can install it, but the m brace would have to go away. Would the gt spec 4 point brace fit it? Hard to say without measuring.

 

The short time Ive been a part of this forum, I did a lot of reading when I had this issue and a few people have asked the same question. From what I've read it definitely decreases the structural rigidity of the car, so I wouldn't unless you want to severely sacrifice handling. Im sure they make aftermarket ones, but not certain. This is just what i've read, I can't say first hand tho, but I wouldn't remove it.

 

they do make one, can't remember who it is though hit up rustyschopshop on here, he bought one

 

ok gents, you guys posted as I was editing, so i'll put the new content as a new post:

Would the gt spec 4 point brace fit with the new muffler? Hard to say without measuring.

 

i wouldn't buy gt spec, they hang lower than the factory one... you will drag it if lowered

unless they revised it

 

I think you answered your own question !

 

travlee: car isn't lowered, but good note on the hanging low

nr350z: lol yep maybe i did. was wondering if anyone had a bad experiences but more research apparently not