Question about test pipes?
 

New 370 owner here. So I recently ordered a pair of FI resonated test pipes, with the recommendation of several other Z owners. A few weeks after I learned about ART pipes. As I did more research, I read that test pipes can cause a significant loss of low-end torque, which the ART pipes do not. Not only that, it seems that ART pipes can give an overall gain of more HP and TQ as compared to the test pipes. Noise is not really an issue for me, but I definitely don't want to experience torque loss and miss out on HP and TQ. The reviews I read have been mixed, however, with some users saying that ART pipes and TPs are fundamentally the same, with the major difference being mainly noise supression.

I know that long tube headers are generally the best solution for power, but they are not within my budget. So should I attempt to cancel the order and go for the $200+ more expensive ART pipes? I do feel silly for jumping the gun and not doing as much research before I purchased (I have only put down a $100 deposit, and pay the remaining amount for the TPs prior to shipping, which is not for a couple more weeks.)

Thanks for your input.

I have not experienced any significant loss of low end after installing my test pipes. I don't have any dyno sheets to prove this; however, the car feels faster across the entire rev range.

i have used both motordyne art pipes and the FI double resonated test pipes in my car both paired with the FI exhaust with 18" resonators.
I can tell you that the butt dyno does not detect any increase/decrease in torque for motordyne vs FI. Yes there is a noticeable loss of torque at the lower rpm compared to the stock catalytic converters.

Im currently running the FI double resonated test pipes simply because they sound better. performance wise i could not detect any difference between the two.

FI TPs were my first mod with stock exhaust. My car felt like it pulled harder across the entire power and torque curve. The sound was too raspy, so I found a used Nismo exhaust and now it sounds great and runs strong!

I have a coworker with Art pipes and FI exhaust/12" resonators. Her car has a deeper and louder tone than mine.