Greetings - I just bought a 2004 Black 350Z Touring. 37k miles, clean Carfax, passed Nissan dealers 200-point pre-purchase inspection. All good. Guy I bought from took out all dings and repainted the front and back bumpers, so it looks brand new with the exception of some rock chips on the hood and a couple of hairline scratches. From a couple feet away, it looks brand new unless you make a CSI style inspection. Paid $18k, seems like a good deal so far.

I am considering some upgrades. First to the exhaust system. I don't mind the OEM exhaust, but I'd like something a little more throaty, but not over-the-top. I see a lot of younger guys with these real loud, agressive systems, but I'm a late 30-something guy that drives this around for work and I can't get too aggressive.

Any ideas for nice throaty system that sounds a little meaner at idles and in low gears, but is quieter in the cabin at normal driving speeds?? Does something like this exist? I have an TRD cat-back system on my 2008 Tacoma, pretty nice, but a little noisy in the cabin at normal driving speeds.

Finally - any recommended air intakes? Is this work the money and which ones are recommended based on the above.

Thanks!!!

 

Welcome and congrats on your purchase.

As for your exhaust, it sounds like you'd enjoy the Nismo exhaust. Throatier, but not over-the-top, too loud, or droning.

As for an intake, you have many choices. The cheapest/simplest way is to get the JWT Popcharger.

If you're looking for a little more power, look into plenum spacers. 5/16" will let you retain your stock strut bar and give a good amount of hp gain.


Here's a clip of the Nismo exhaust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAyIl-9gKtU

Or maybe you'd like the Borla TD exhaust.
Here's a clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWbg657B7zc

 

Thanks!

Does intake change the harmonics at all? I am willing to pay for good one...doesn't have to be the cheapest.

Will these mods change fuels efficiency, and if so how much?

 

Intakes do change the sound. Gives the engine bay a nice growl.

For the best provable gains... an '06 airbox is your best best. It also resists heatsoak.

If you want to pay a lot for little gains in the intake department, there's always Gruppe M.

Many people opt for the Popcharger.

For fuel efficiency... It will change very little if at all... And most likely it should be a gain in efficiency due to easier breathing and less working of the engine.
However, with the new mods, you may drive heavier and it could result in a slight loss of efficiency.

 

Check out the exhaust sound clip thread.

The stock CAI is a very good intake. The popcharger, and 06 intake is the only way to get any gains there. Although, pop charger does have heat soak issues being a short ram style intake.

the deep throaty idle is more of a V8 thing, I havent heard a Z with that sound your describing. The Z has a very unique exhaust sound, its beautiful! I personally liked the Bassani exhaust for the balance having a more aggressive sound without sounding like an 18 year old ricer. There are a few very popular exhaust, do some research and listening...then decide.

Plenum spacer is my next mod.

 

Can you just change the exhaust, or do you have to change out the headers too?

 

You can do a Y back exhaust or you can do a cat back exhaust. IMO I would do cat back to eliminate the restrictive Y pipe, and go with a true dual w/ X, H, or straight pipes. I believe the X pipe works a little better than the H, and it eliminates rasp. IMO X pipe is the way to go.

 

One more question - where is the best kind place to install - dealer, muffler chain, small shop, specialty shop? Once I decide, I'd like to fish on eBay or a online discount seller and then have it installed, but what is the best kind of shop or place to have this done?

 

For the not so loud exhaust but throatier option you may want to check out the Greddy SP2 exhaust. its a axle back so you may look into adding an aftermarket better flowing Y-pipe at least with it and im certain you will be happy. ...

we did a sound comparison between my car with Greddy SP2 and a Nismo and many really liked mine for its deeper tone..

As for intake, just keep your stock airbox and drop in a K&N and call it a day!
the stock intake was designed well already and i have yet to see any real gains out of anything over it and most will agree...

Greddy SP2: https://my350z.com/forum/intake-exha...-axleback.html

Ypipe: http://www.hopupracing.com/icststyni35i.html or ebay is good for something like this...

K&N filter: your local autozone



-J

 

in your garage

second best would be a muffler shop, I think 150 seems typical for an exhaust install

 

Add a Y pipe? Y pipes are stock, and nothing special. Axle back? Your talking about cat back?

not doggin on yu, your post confused me man.

 

im saying add an aftermarket Y-pipe with the Greddy SP2 axle back exhaust...

if your not familiar, the Greddy SP2 is similary shaped and designed like the 350z stock exhaust and it replaces the muffler portion only - as in Axle back, rear axle back, all other piping stays stock......im just suggesting a higher flowing aftermarket y - pipe for the OP.

im not talking about cat back, greddy sp2 is axle back....im suggesting it cause it does give the throatier sound the op is looking for with out being all out rice..
-j

 

understood, thanks for the clarification. I'm not familure with the sp2. Actually, I didnt know people only upgraded the muffler...weird. I guess I think the Z deserves a better upgrade than that, so my mind had a hard time computing...

to be honest, I dont like that idea, but you know what they say about opinions...

 

So can I just buy a single kit (i.e. Nismo, Bassani or Borla TD) and take it to a shop? Is that all I need? It looks like all of these run between $800 to $1,100 on eBay + shipping. Then ~$150 for installation. Is that about right for total cost?

 

yup

 

Thanks to all of you - great stuff....

 

if your a handy man try doint it yourself and saving a couple of bucks it would probably only take about and hour 1/2 to do with you and one of your buddies if youve never done it before.... all you need is some socket wrenches and wd-40 and you should be good to go!

 

Don't use WD-40 on any rubber hinges because it will eat them away. Exhaust will take about 30 min to take down and put back in with he help of a friend. To take the exhaust out of the rubbers just use liquid soap (good lubrication is key).

My .02 before you guy an exhaust is stay away from youtube clips because they are not close to the sound in real life. Before you buy your exhaust hit up a few z/g meets and hear these exhausts in person.

I liked the topspeed exhaust from youtube, because it sounds amazing, but in person that thing is a screamer. I will either go with hks or evo2 exhausts, depending on what deals i can find.

 

And after reading my post I just realized I should take my time at spelling...Dumb**s . Sorry I'm at work and i'm trying fast to sneak in some forum time, lol

 

Greetings and salutations.

If it were me, I'd probably go with one of these, as per 350zluva's comments.
One of my mates is running the Nismo, slightly deeper growl than the stocker, but not OTT at all.

+1 = equals a happy camper.