Haha, MicVelo, you're kinda right. Made me reconsider all the options.
This weekend I visited a friend with 350z HR, modified with DC headers, HFC and Invidia Gemini catback. That thing sounds nice but it has lost a bit of a VQ sound. I might try and do a custom mid-pipe first and see how that goes. Still on a lookout for Nismo S-Tune. Although I suspect it will be too quiet. Al least in the cabin.

 

Headers will do that, I lost a bit of the VQ sound but still like the way mine sounds with Tomei headers, Z1 cats and HKS twin

 

Since I would rather stay Y pipe than X pipe and HR's Y pipe is quite good I checked Tanabe Medalion Touring. Seems like the exhaust has a bit more sharp growl compared to Gemini. Would you agree? As mentioned previously, due to costs and government legislation, I will stay on stock cats. Therefore I am leaned towards Tanabe. Any experience? Let's compare it to stock or Invidia Gemini, since it's most known.

 

I listened to a friend's Z with the Tanabe years ago. Sounds decent and almost bought it but then stumbled upon my present S-Tune (and another and another and bought all three but have since sold one and gave one away with my Z33N when I sold that. ) But I personally liked the sound of the Tanabe you mention. As long as you go into it knowing that it's both kinda quiet and, like most catbacks, don't give much of a power gain, you're good. But it is a mental "good thing" when driving with the window down. Laff....

 

Well I actually found an S-Tune in the States but the seller stopped responding. I think he thinks its a scam - troubles when you live in Europe and try to buy stuff from the States.

All the hassles getting a used STune aside I am deciding between Tanabe Touring and Invidia Gemini now. Probably listened to the whole youtube ...

 

You are aware that the Gemini has an x-pipe right?

 

Yes I do. I heard it in person with headers and HFC’s and didn’t particularly like it. I think Y pipe is keeping more of the VQ sound. And Tanabe is more similar to Nismo.

 

So if I get this correctly you want the VQ "howl" while being louder, lower pitched and not raspy?

 

If that is your goal you have to stay single OEM style. I'd definitely say the Fuji is the best in that department. I loved it and wish I could get my hands on the titanium version but it's discontinued

 

My HKS is similar in design to the Gemini, but it has an H-pipe instead, gotta say that while I do like the sound it's very inconsistent. At partial throttle it sounds like a pissed off VQ, also when revving without load. At full throttle it sounds European and most of the VQ is washed out.

 

I gave Fuji a chance but just didn't like it. All in all I think Gemini or Tanabe will be the way to go. Although Nismo sounds the best from outside, AFAIK you cannot hear in in the cabin. This is corrected by Gemini or Tanabe Touring. I found some postings where one describes Gemini being loud up to 3.000rpm, but from 3.000 on it goes more quite. Since I am looking for low RPM rumble which can be heard from inside the car I think Gemini would satisfy my need. Though Tanabe Touring comes close to S-Tune I think Invidia Gemini sound a bit better down low. Tanebe supposedly should be no louder than 93 dB while I couldn't find these numbers for Invidia Gemini. I managed to find dB test of 370Z with OEM exhaust, Invidia Gemini with stock cats and Invidia Gemini with BERK's. Invidia Gemini on stock cats actually isn't louder than OEM exhaust, which is suprising, BUT due to different output frequency it sounds louder. If I decide going with with HFC some day Invidia sounds just right and Tanabe screams too much. On the other hand Tanabe's single pipe, Y pipe design makes it easy to modify middle pipe for different sound.
I guess this is the bottom line - Gemini or Tanabe. Will have to pull the trigger on one. Price wise it makes it the same for either of them. I live in Europe and prices vary from US market.

 

I think the Gemini will work for you then, hard to get a good mix of it all. I've had 3 setups now and I have to say the sound and simple layout of the Fuji made it my favorite, this HKS is growing on me due to how unique it sounds but I would definitely like to see how the Fuji sounds with headers and HFC.

 

We can go on and on and on but it’s really real world experience that counts. Unfortunately there’s basicly no Zed’s around here and my only (quite expensive) choice is hit and miss.

 

Of course, I'm only speaking from real world experience. I can't go off of the internet for stuff like that, I've had the exhausts I was talking about, my borla is currently sitting in my garage lol. I was in your shoes when I bought my HKS as there is ONE video on it, I ultimately got it because it's a quality part and I like the design. All the JDM exhausts I like are JASMA approved so they sound mild, I'm not into loud exhausts anymore.

 

How much louder actually S-Tune is? On the outside there’s noticeable difference. But what about inside the car? Is it quite like stock? Sound insulation is quite good on 350Z which is kinda unusual for japanese car.

 

In normal operation, S-Tune isn't much louder than stock (inside the car, windows down). But even at WOT or under moderate acceleration out of corners, still pretty tame except in tunnels. Haha. S-Tune is merely a larger piped, smoother version of the OEM exhaust.) I have no real idea of what mine sounds like from the outside.

 

Yeah, the thing is all those are JASMA approved and to get such approval they must be under a certain db level. However adding headers or HFC will change that, depends on how loud you want it to be. The Fuji was only noticeable under 3k and about 5k+, borla is stock plus a few db. If you want I can try to snag a quick video of mine on Friday but my setup is quite expensive, it should give you a close idea of what the Gemini would sound like with headers and HFC.

 

Can someone help me with the answer if Tanabe Medalion Touring is louder than Invidia Gemini. On stock cats? I know there's a few videos of Gemini and even less of Tanabe Touring. Watched all of them. But since it's not the same camera, nor the quality and cameras tone down the sound, you cannot really tell how loud these things are. I've heard Gemini in person so I know it's not that loud at all. Just adding nice deep frequencies. So if can someone compare Tanabe Touring to Gemini would be a great help.
Also, does Tanabe Medalion has the same diameter at the Y-pipe as HR's stock Y pipe?

 

So, went it Gemini in the end with single layer stainless steel tips. Hopefully next week I install the thing. Will post here for sure how I like it.

 

OK, so I finally installed Gemini yesterday. Was late in the morning - 1AM - so I haven’t installed exhaust tips. Drove today all day enjoyed the sound a lot! So like an hour ago I installed the exhaust tips. Went for a ride and ... DISAPPOINTMENT! With exhaust tips car is way too quiet
Exhaust tips - PITA to install. You have to tighten the clamps fully which results in exhaust tips becoming oval. And they stick out too much. This part ain’t gonna cut it for me. Probably gonna make some custom exhaust tips. Smaller - 90mm not 115mm like they are now.

Anyways, I took the tips off. Sound becomes deeper in the cabin a bit boomy even, but not too much. It sounds great! I urge you to try it. BUT now I am a bit afraid I will melt the bumper. Bumper Cutouts become really hot. Hard to hold with hand. So I am thinking how to make an exhaust tip which wouldn’t be connected to muffler. You know, like new cars - they have regular exhaust and than just facia on the bumper. Car looks stoopid with these small straws ... but I tell you, sounds WAAAY better in the cabin.