fblue

I want to change the stock exhaust on my 350Z. I will also be adding a JWT popcharger. To me, the sound doesn't matter, as long as it doesn't sound like one of those mufflers the kids put on the Civics that sound like lawn mowers. Besides, I just sold my Pontiac Formula Firehawk with 345HP and nothing sounds as good as that did.


I just want HP and quality. Money isn't important either, at least not when it comes to my Z. What do you guys suggest?

PoWeRtRiP

stillen is the most, injen second, borla third, all of these are within 2 hp of each other in output so its all a matter of personal taste aNd $$$

VandyZ

iTrader: (2)

There are all sorts of sound clips out there.

From what you have said, I think you might like the borla the best.

But look at me I am running stock exhaust cause I cant decide. Right now Nismo is my number one, Borla two, hate to say it but the Apex is going quickly up the list to three.

But I am going to wait it out a little longer. As I understand it there will be a few new offerings out shortly.

fblue

Thanks, guys. Where is the cheapest place to buy exhaust systems? Additionally, how much can I expect to pay for installation?

Sz28r

I have Nismo and love it - - - one thing to remember, HP numbers are nice but TORQUE is what you feel - - - I've attached some text I recieved from a guy when I was deciding on my exhaust - - -

Steve



Exhaust Shootout notes:

They used two cars (2% Hp difference).
Car 1 Baseline = 233.2 Hp - 222.6 ft/lbs torque
Car 2 Baseline = 237.5 Hp - 224.0 ft/lbs torque (stronger engine - lighter wheels)

All manufacturer's systems Hp and torque numbers were lower than advertised. Not a surprise.

Borla (car 2) = 8.2 Hp - 2.7 ft/lbs torque (peak values)
A top end system. Little HP increase until the 5600 rpm to 6500 rpm range. Lost HP & torque below 1800 rpm. 60mm (error actually 58mm). Weighs 52lbs. 1 million mile warranty. Installation - Hard (17 pieces)

5Zigen (car 2) = (-3.4) Hp - .02 ft/lbs torque (peak values)
Lost Hp, no real torque gain. Most expensive. Loudest. 58mm pipe. Lightest @ 25lbs. 1 year Warranty. Installation - Medium

Stillen (car 1) = 8.1 Hp - 7.3 ft/lbs torque (peak values)
Hp and torque increase starting at 3000 rpm to redline. Lost a little HP & torque below 1800 rpm. 60mm pipe. 74lbs - 10lbs heavier than the stock system. Lifetime Limited Warranty. Installation - Easy

Injen (car 1) = 7.6 Hp - 5.1 ft/lbs torque (peak values)
Small torque loss at 2800 rpm. Torque gain starts at 3300 rpm. Small Hp increase starts at 3300 rpm, max Hp from 5800 rpm to redline. Major loss in Hp and torque below 2200 rpm. 49lbs.
1 year Warranty. Installation – Easy

Nismo (car 1) = 6.3 Hp - 4.5 ft/lbs torque (peak values)
Torque increase starting at 3000 rpm. HP increase 4800 rpm to redline. No power losses below 1800 rpm. 54lbs. 3 years, 36K miles id installed by Nissan dealer. Installation - Easy

fblue

Awesome! Thanks for all of the numbers. Right now I am leaning towards Nismo because I think it doesn't void my warranty, or at least I think it doesn't.

leemik

iTrader: (2)

If it's dealer installed($) they should warranty the exhaust..(don't know for how many miles though).

However, the Borla has a million mile warranty... warranteed by Borla.. The Nismo is not a true dual exhaust if that matters to you..

--mike

fblue

Does installing another exhaust void the entire warranty, or does
it just void the exhaust coverage? If the former is the case, then I won't be as worried.

Lateapex

iTrader: (9)

Your vehicle warranty should be unaffected by changing mufflers.

As to your original question... noone knows. There are about 100 systems out there and there hasn't been enough time for a consensus to develop on the best ones, although there are some favorites that make nice gains, as you've already read.

Like any car, the Z exhaust note can be made to sound pretty atrocious, but it'll never sound as bad as 4-banger w/ a coffee can.

BTW, my previous car -- a 99 Cobra w/x-pipe and factory h/p catback -- sounded better than your Firebird. ;-)

fblue

I got a quote of $1495 installed for Borla exhaust and Injen Intake from a local Nissan dealer. Is that a good price?

The guy said they would put in two high flow catalytic converters for another $900 with no installation cost.

whatever

iTrader: (2)

if money is no object, look at Ti exhaust such as Amuse Ti R1, Fujitsubo Ti, HKS Ti, Veilside, etc.

the weight saving you get will be consider extra HP on top of what the HP for the exhaust actually do.

Btw, the exhaust shootout was done on my car and overall, I like the sound of the Nismo the best. Not too loud but very exotic. I believe there are some sound/video clips I made that were sent to be posted on the SportZ magazine site somewhere. (Not sure if the one they end up posting were the ones I made.)

GY-Z

[QUOTE]Originally posted by whatever
[B]if money is no object, look at Ti exhaust such as Amuse Ti R1, Fujitsubo Ti, HKS Ti, Veilside, etc.

the weight saving you get will be consider extra HP on top of what the HP for the exhaust actually do.
QUOTE]
agree, amuse Ti exhaust system(that with y-pipe and test pipe)
gives u rougly 23 whp .
and it saves arund 25kg for ur car..
but itz a bling bling exhasut to be honest!

350Zteve

iTrader: (6)

Tell this dealer you'll kick him in the nuts for free. This guy is on crack. Don't pay more than $1000 total for a Borla and Injen intake, both installed. The exhausts go for $700 installed where I'm at.

A good set of high flow cats are a great choice. There are many out there for $400-$500 a set and figure another $80 to install them.

swifty949

just be careful, stay away from slip on exhausts. They tend to leak. I dont know how Greddy is, but I've had a lot of friends that have had thier exhausts rust through. I've seen Borla, it is heavy, and the welds are ungodly messy looking. There is a lot of choices on the market. Its mainly a personal opinion, until you change your intake system (intake, headers, throttle body) add teh exhaust, and redo your ECU. Thats when the upgrades make it worth while.

fblue

Thanks! I wasn't sure if it was too expensive or not.

alex30327

How about no exhaust at all! Would this not yield the most power?

apharmdb

iTrader: (1)

Haven't done the dyno yet but I love the RS-R GT II exhaust. Quality in the welding is top notch, it looks great, and the sound is awesome too. It's very...very loud but it does come with optional silencers that makes it pretty much equal to stock except at WOT (and it doesn't sound like some Civic with a gigantic can.) Local installation around this area is approx. $70.00 for cat back.

ajk4

no it would probably lose power. there needs to be some amount of backpressure for their to be any power gain.

leemik

iTrader: (2)

That's a horrible price.. You don't need a dealer to install that stuff. They will always charge you more and it's not real difficult to install.

--mike

fblue

Thanks. I figured it was expensive, but I just trust the dealer to do better work and I know they will stand behind their work. Maybe I'll go to my guy at Meineke and buy the stuff on my own. Where do you think I can get the cheapest prices?