Help Finalizing Decision on Exhaust in California

2016 370z · 07-10-2016, 11:41 AM

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.

VQZ34 · 07-11-2016, 01:44 PM

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.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Breadz · 07-11-2016, 01:54 PM

Fast intentions 18 inch res with carbon mufflers

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

mults · 07-11-2016, 02:06 PM

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.

ban25 · 07-11-2016, 07:57 PM

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!

2016 370z · 07-12-2016, 02:09 AM

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.

VQZ34 · 07-12-2016, 01:51 PM

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.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

370zirv · 07-12-2016, 07:35 PM

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.

s2krazyyy · 07-13-2016, 03:38 AM

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.

2016 370z · 07-13-2016, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ban25

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!

Funny that you envy me because I envy your twin turbo kit.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2krazyyy

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.

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

zero · 07-13-2016, 04:11 PM

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

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

Trips · 07-13-2016, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zero

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

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

Ditto

Nice to see you finally chiming in Paul

Jhill · 07-13-2016, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2016 370z

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.

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.

wideglideleon · 07-14-2016, 01:08 PM

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.

2016 370z · 07-15-2016, 01:56 PM

I ended up ordering the HKS last night. T_T

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

07-10-2016, 11:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
2016 370z Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 101 Drives: 16 370z GM 6MT Rep Power: 8	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.

07-11-2016, 01:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Breadz Base Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Clovis Cali Posts: 240 Drives: 12 370z sport 6mt GM Rep Power: 10	Fast intentions 18 inch res with carbon mufflers 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 Sales@F.I. Inc. likes this. __________________ Fast Intentions Non res CF, CF Duckbill, Stillen G3, Fujimura Diffuser, Swift Springs, 180 Headlights, Forgestar F14Bronze

07-11-2016, 02:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
mults A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Age: 69 Posts: 1,830 Drives: 2010 (40th) #706 Rep Power: 16885	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. __________________ mults 40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune) Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706 Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club

07-11-2016, 07:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
ban25 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 339 Drives: 17 C7 Z06 M7 Rep Power: 65	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! Sales@F.I. Inc. likes this. __________________ 2017 Corvette Z06 7MT \| 1LE \| Stage 3 \| DSCSport

07-13-2016, 04:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
zero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,259 Drives: MK 7.5 Golf R Rep Power: 22	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 Here is the sound clip, https://youtu.be/ybRdgturuVs Trips likes this. __________________ Last edited by zero; 07-13-2016 at 04:31 PM. Reason: Adding sound clip link

07-11-2016, 01:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
VQZ34 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Stockton Posts: 197 Drives: 97 acura CL Rep Power: 10	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. Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

07-12-2016, 02:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
2016 370z Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 101 Drives: 16 370z GM 6MT Rep Power: 8	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.

07-12-2016, 01:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
VQZ34 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Stockton Posts: 197 Drives: 97 acura CL Rep Power: 10	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. Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

07-12-2016, 07:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
370zirv Base Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 12 Drives: 12 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 9	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.

07-13-2016, 03:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
s2krazyyy Base Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: California Posts: 162 Drives: 2010 40th 370z Rep Power: 44	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.

07-14-2016, 01:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
wideglideleon Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 569 Drives: SC 09 370Z LG 7AT Rep Power: 64085	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.

07-15-2016, 01:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
2016 370z Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 101 Drives: 16 370z GM 6MT Rep Power: 8	I ended up ordering the HKS last night. T_T Is anyone going to the car meet in San Jose tonight?

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