You often see people talking about how their exhaust setup turned out terrible, welp, i guess i'm one of them now...

My first mod ever on my 03 350z was z1 test pipes. After installing them, the car sounded somewhat nice. It sounded very bad at 2k-3k RPM, like a old honda pretty much but appart from that, it sounded nice.

I then decided to add a megan racing y pipe, tried to install it myself, took around 5 hours. Had to remove plastic cover under the car or else it wouldn't fit ( GRRR ). Turn on the car and hear a metallic rattle... Great .
I go for a test ride and oh my god... The very bad sound from the test pipes at 3k RPM is now in all RPMs!!! My question is: Since i still have the stock axle back exhaust thing (i dont know what its called exactly but you know what i mean, the back part of the exhaust), would changing the catback to an aftermarket one change the sound completely? Or should i just scrap the z1 test pipes, megan racing pipe and start all over again? Anyone with similar setup?

 

If there is rattling, more than likely your exhaust is hitting a heat shield. Test pipes = Rasp. Depending on what catback you chose, it will change a lot. If you hate the rasp, put on the stock cats or get Hiflows. Check youtube for sound clips of different exhaust with test pipes.

You could easily disconnect your muffler, if you like it, get a 'muffler delete', that would be the cheapest option or at least a temporary fix(if it sounds better to you) until you get the catback you want.

 

In my experience, once you remove the cats things sort of go downhill sound wise.

You can go with resonated test pipes and that helps somewhat, but the rasp is still really bad. My favorite setups are ones that have some sort of high flow cat, decent quality Y pipe, and a full y-pipe back exhaust that has some sort of resonator and muffler.

You will most likely not make as much power as if you had run test pipes compared to high flows, but your car doesnt sound like garbage or smell like burnt oil/fuel.

 

not always, the art pipes will make is sound better and remove most of the rasp

 

 

im actually in the process of purchasing my exhaust mods, which consist of some Tomei shorty headers, MD ART pipes, and the MD Shockwave...then an UPREV tune...but i dont want any sort of rasp or my car to sound anything like what i read urs is doing. I hope to God i dont have any of the same problems with sound...please tell me i wont!!!

 

Shorty headers = waste of time

 

I also have a Vortech Supercharger in my garage that ill be putting on as well in the near future. This is the only reason i was going to get the shorty headers along with the ART pipes. With that u still think its a waste of time?

Also, im only looking to really push for between 450-500 whp at most when my setup is complete. Im not looking to change any internals at this point in time so thats my safe limit.

 

Well you didnt mention vortec at first

 

But not sure you will get that high on a sc setup

 

ive seen setups get that high on vortec superchargers with the right pulley configuration. so u think they are worth it when doing the Vortech? im fairly certain the stock ones are effective past 500hp but just looking for incite as to how much more beneficial aftermarket headers will actually be and that way able to decide if its worth it.

I debated with myself between supercharged and turbocharged setups but i got the Vortech off another Z for next to nothing cost wise. If i want to push it more in the future ill sell the Vortech and get a Turbocharged setup. For now the range im looking for will suffice.

 

I am not a fi guy... so i cant tell you honestly. I know several people on here have them, but i think (key words.....i think) you will be sub 400. So many variables

 

03 Nissan 350Z Touring Street Car
V2 SC-Trim Vortech, 34/28 Cog, 2.87 Serp, TimRod Radius Rod, CJM Stage 2
577whp/446wtq, 18-20psi @ 7100rpm

These are the numbers from OldmanZ350, a member on here with the same Vortech supercharger i have in my garage, so i know its definitely possible to hit where i want to hit, just curious as to if the shorty headers are a necessity...ive never dealt with aftermarket headers on any of my other tuner cars so im just looking for incite bud.

 

You're not gonna see close to the same numbers on a stock block.

While it's likely not gonna hurt, the cost/benefit isn't really there for shorty headers. They're a pain in the dick to install as well.

LTH or bust.

 

Agreed, i wont see the same numbers as OldmanZ but then again im not trying to get the same numbers as him. I just know its possible, im not looking to changing internals on this car, my next project car i will go all out on but this one im looking to get around 450ish maybe more if possible and just have some fun in the summer. And yeah the more i read about them the more im thinking i dont really need them, and between the cost of them and installation by a shop im gonna save around 1500 bucks...which can most definitely be better spent elsewhere. Thanks man for the incite, it is much appreciated bud.

 

I love my shorty headers, but I did them myself. There is a gain, and some of us don't want to run catless =p

 

Add a magnaflow resonated x pipe off the y pipe or a high flow resonator before the y to reduce the rasp. Were the test pipes resonated? Cats do a great job of muffling audible sounds