I currently have an exhaust system in mind. The parts go as follows:

Tomei Expreme exhaust headers
Z1 high flow catalytic converters
ISR Performance Y-pipe
Tomei Expreme Y-pipe back exhaust

Would this pass the diagnostic part of the Georgia emissions test? Does anybody have advice on something similar to run that would be better?

 

A cursory look at GA laws on exhaust system modifications seems to indicate the only restrictions are “noise related”; but that there are no decibel level limits so if someone wants to ticket you or fail you on your car’s annual or biannual inspection (whatever applies), they can saying “The noise irritates me.” And that’s defensible.

Based on that restriction, can almost say for certain that exhaust will be asking for tickets and fails. Tomei Expreme single is almost obnoxiously loud (but admittedly, does sound good at WOT!)

Oh, and it goes without saying that cats are almost always required. I believe, however, that you can use aftermarket cats in GA (unlike CA and CA-emissions states).

But don’t take my word for it, I suggest you ask an inspection station to be sure before you lay out the $$.

Now, Opinion: headers are a pain to install and the effort:gain ratio is high and suggests they’re not worthwhile, but that’s just my opinion. There are gains, no doubt, just not a lot. And if you don’t plan on tuning after install, would stay with a catback only.

 

Thanks for the advice!

Are there any other Y-pipe back systems you like that you could suggest? I simply went with the expreme because it was name brand and I thought it sounded good outside of the huge weight reduction, of course. My only real wants in an exhaust are performance gains in both weight and opening up exhaust flow.

 

I added something to my earlier response. May want to re-read.

But in recommendations, I’m the wrong person to ask as I’m a diehard Nissan S-Tune exhaust fan. Had/have them on three Zs (33 & 34). They sound like stock (that “VQ sound”) but lower tone and only slightly louder. Any gain? Nothing I’d brag about but sounds good.

So, the most commonly recommended (and decently priced) system is the Invidia Gemini but may not meet your “lighter weight” criteria as it’s a true dual exhaust like the time honored HKS dual system that was really popular years ago but priced out by all the copies on eBay.

Now, that said, there a lot of different opinions on here with users of the eBay duals (~$300) to Invidia to really pricey systems from many other mfgrs.

My suggestions:

Go to Z1 or ConceptZ and look through the exhaust systems with your budget in mind. Narrow down based on your criteria and ask for opinions here if you want. But I’ll say this… while not all exhausts are created equal, there’s only a few degrees of separation between the units carried by these suppliers, performance wise. (There can be some fitment issues with the lower cost copies but that’s why they’re cheaper.)

If you”re mostly concerned with weight loss, only one solution: single, Titanium. That’s that.

 

i intially had art pipes and invidia gemini, tame until you get on it, then i changed to Motordyne tdx2. pretty dang loud

 

Are you looking for performance or sound.
If performance only just get test pipes.
Sound injen v2 with test pipes

 

I'm interested in some of both, I want a lightweight high flow exhaust system that sounds good and is EPA compliant, which means that test pipes are off the table for me. Georgia law requires catalytic converters in any car that comes from the factory with catalytic converters, I can run high flow cats, but not test pipes (so long as I pass the diagnostic portion of emissions testing)

 

Interesting, here in CA - world's most restrictive state on emissions - only requires a visual and OBD check on all my Zs from '03 on. But it sounds like in GA, they use a sniffer at every test or "diagnostic" as in OBD check?

Again, anything aft of the cats is legal so long as it's a full system that exits beyond the car's sides or rear. And isn't loud, per GA's regs. Kind of a dilemma.... Expreme is the only one that gives true weight savings but is loud. Might look at AAM single but its not Ti so no great weight savings that I'm aware of. I heard this one recently, sounds great going up through the gears!

 

What exactly do you need to pass? Visual, obd2 scan or both?

 

I need to pass a visual and OBD2 scan in Georgia

 

that sucks

 

If that's the case, gut the factory muffler and call it a day

 

Actually, you'll need to pass 3 parameters -
"Sniffer"- tail pipe measurement. Easy, you will pass.
Visual inspection for cats- Hi flows should pass.
Check Engine Light - If it's on it's a mandatory fail. The gotcha is alterations to the stock exhaust often trigger the light. The work-around is no-foulers on O2s or turn the CEL light off using UpRev. Gl from ATL!