Help Finalizing Decision on Exhaust in California
 

Hello brothers and sisters in the Bay Area,

I have been itching on pulling the trigger on an aftermarket exhaust system lately but it is very hard to choose from just sound tests from videos online. Having a fellow Z owner that would be kind enough to show off their aftermarket exhaust to me in person would definitely help me get over my hesitation in deciding on an exhaust.

So far I am leaning towards to HKS Hi-Power Exhaust. Just based off of videos, I THINK I like the sound the best and it seems the best for me because it is not too loud. I hear a lot about Fast Intentions but I am worried about it being too loud and it droning. But what is too loud for me? I don't because it is very hard to tell through just videos.

It would definitely be nice to meet you loves out here in the Bay Area / Northern California before I put an impulse buy on the HKS. :yum:

I actually, thought about the hks hi-power too, but went with Ark Grip V2, best money I've spent, only drones I found was on 6th gear at 3k rpm, but other than that it's hella quiet, and loud when you want it to be. Also the ark grip v2 looks the same as the hks hi-power.

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Fast intentions 18 inch res with carbon mufflers :stirthepot:
Ive only seen a few people say its to loud for them.
Which i dont really understand as i think my non res is perfect

Don't live anywhere near the Bay, but I have the Berk CBE and I love the way it sounds. It was almost too quiet, but once I installed the Berk HFC, the sound has really come alive. Loud when you want, and absolutely no drone on the highways. There is a little bit of the famous "hiss", but l like that sound.

BTW...anything you choose will be better than stock.

Take a look at the Fast Intentions exhaust. F.I. also makes long-tube headers, which I have, as well as their TT kit. Since you have a 2016 Z, you don't have to get smogged for 5 years. I envy you!

I do believe anything will be better than stock. Stock is practically silent until you're really on it. Sound is just too subjective and there are just too many choices.

What made you choose the Ark Grip over the HKS? I was comparing the two for a while as well, but eventually favored the HKS in the end. I like the deeper tone of the Ark, but the HKS higher pitch of the HKS sounds nice as well when it opens up.

The Berk sounds nice too, but for me, the HKS, ARK and FI are more pleasing to me aesthetically. I may have settled on the HKS in my mind. I probably am just afraid of regretting my decision. Information on the HKS Hi-Power is just so limited online. :yum:

For me the Ark was 250$ cheaper when I found it in SoCal, so I had my brother picked it up for me and the hks hi-power was at Florida, so I didn't want to pay for shipping.

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I can't really say on the Hks, I have AAM on mine and it's pretty loud, I was told they can hear my car turn on when I'm getting ready to leave from work.

An exhaust is extremely subjective! Id recommend you get some rides to figure out what you like. Ive been in an Z with a cnt exhaust which is pretty much an hks clone and it was pretty tame. If you are looking for quiet id go hks.

Funny that you envy me because I envy your twin turbo kit. :tiphat: The only thing about Fast Intentions is that I am afraid it may be too loud for my taste. I am not trying to be the loudest car out there, but I also want to be loud enough to be noticed (since OEM is practically silent).

As for ARK, it looks like it is the other way around now. HKS is $250 cheaper than the ARK when looking at Kamispeed.

AAM sounds amazing but it is out of this world LOUD.


How tame would you say is the HKS? I know it will be louder than stock, but then I don't want it to be too quiet. At the same time not too loud. Man, sound is such a difficult matter. I really need to find some meets to hear different systems in person. :3

You cannot go wrong with HKS. I got mine since 2009. It's quiet at cruising speed, and it comes alive when driving aggressively; It's not loud and obnoxious. I got mine with HFC :tup:

Here is the sound clip, https://youtu.be/ybRdgturuVs

Ditto :iagree:

Nice to see you finally chiming in Paul :tup:

I live in Bay Area and you can drive with me if you want to hear the Stillen. I went with theirs after talking to them and being re assured it would not be too loud. Coming from a previous car that was more track than street and loud drone I didn't want to go that route again. It's cool at first but gets old and annoying. So since my z is dd I gave the Stillen a go (especially after reading all the complaints of it being too quiet) and couldn't be happier. Also no low hanging mufflers visible from the rear which I think looks ugly.

I have had the Stillen CBE, first with stock cats then I added the berks HFC. Now I have the FI with 18 in resonators and CF mufflers with the berk cats. I love the sound, it's loud enough to know its not stock and has an exotic sound but not loud enough to anger the neighbors or the police.

I ended up ordering the HKS last night. T_T


Is anyone going to the car meet in San Jose tonight?