New guy, exhaust question

Crissytal

I'm in the same boat. I'm happy with the performance, but would like the car a little louder. I'm looking into just the GT Haus Meisterschaft GTS axle back. It's far from cheap, but has a very nice sound. I don't know how just the muffler will sound on an all stock car.

I've read that a full cat back system can cause noticeable power loss in the low to mid range without any other breather mods. I'm trying to avoid that by just upgrading the muffler.

I've always wondered, those of you running the short tails and/or test pipes, what do you do about emissions and inspections? Do you just swap everything out each year or are your states more lenient?

BC416

Curious as to where you heard that. I run a F.I. catback and have no noticeable loss in power anywhere in the rpm range.

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F.I. / K&N / 180 / Forgestar

RanRich

Short tails/axle back mods have zero effect on passing/failing. Test pipe runners will either swap them out or get the car inspected at a shop that will pass it with a wink. Ask around - almost all local forums or FB groups have a section on this.

As for GT Haus, if money is no object and you're dead set against a full catback go ahead. For that price you could also get a Motordyne Shockwave E370 system which sounds incredible - have heard in person and can vouch.

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AAM | Dynosty | Ecutek | Eibach | Hawk | H&R | Nismo | Stillen | Stoptech | Z1

madeinjapan

axleback

no mufflers

fail

?

Crissytal

Several posts on this forum state there will be low end power loss with any breather mod with high end gains. I prefer the lower end over the high. Here's one thread I found quickly: TRUE OF FALSE Power Loss After Intake and Exhaust Setup

Which that probably points more towards intakes. I'll have to do some more digging.

Here's a reference: Fast Intentions exhaust is here! (continued)

BC416

I'll trust the dyno sheets that show power gains throughout the range over what people "feel" when they install a mod.

370Z "TDX" Cat Back Exhaust System, Fast Intentions

Gains are clear all throughout the entire rpm band. Only time I've heard of possibly losing power is if you go with a 3" system on a N\A vehicle due to backpressure changes.

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F.I. / K&N / 180 / Forgestar

Crissytal

No mufflers are illegal in NC. Maybe other states are different.

I'm still looking around. I haven't decided what I want to do yet. I wish I could hear the different exhaust systems in person. I live in an area where there aren't many Zs.

RanRich

Haven't had that issue in the midwest, sorry to assume. So do you want to only go axle-back or are you open to complete systems depending on sound? I just think $2K for a muffler is insane, that's a price more in line with mods for a six figure car.

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AAM | Dynosty | Ecutek | Eibach | Hawk | H&R | Nismo | Stillen | Stoptech | Z1

madeinjapan

i swap my muffler deletes every year to pass

test pipe swap would sux

Crissytal

I honestly don't know what I'm going to do yet. If low to mid range power loss truly isn't an issue with a full cat back I would consider it as well as an axle back.

I've emailed GT Haus some questions, I'm waiting to hear back. I actually found the Meisterschaft for $1500 new, but you're right, that is a lot of money. If I could hear it in person on an all stock car to be sure it's what I want, I would spend it. I wish I had never came across the Meisterschaft clips. I think it sounds really nice.

I'm not a fan of the Fast Intentions clips I've heard. Fast Intentions seems to be the most recommended, but I don't think it's for me. Perhaps the several clips of different configurations I've heard just doesn't do it justice.

I'm not looking for anything crazy. I don't want it ear bleeding loud, no drone, and a nice tone.

I'm sorry OP for hijacking your thread .

Chuck33079

Go to a local meet and hear them in person. Clips on the internet are too dependent on your speakers to get a good idea of how something sounds.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

Crissytal

If only it was that easy Chuck. There are no Z meets in my area. I go to a couple Cars and Coffees each month plus any car shows I can make. Often times my Z is the only one there. There are only a handful of Zs in my area, and even less 370s.

Chuck33079

Try posting in your region here and see if anyone will let you come check their exhaust out. A good exhaust is pricey enough to make a little more research time well spent.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

Landoz

Where in nc are you located at

RanRich

Fast Intentions 18" Resonated - Deep, refined and smooth. No drone
Motordyne Shockwave - Exotic, more rumble/burble. Drone
GT Haus axle-back - Decent noise increase. No drone
AAM short tails - Slightly louder than GT Haus. Slight drone
Top Speed axle back - Slight noise increase over stock. No drone

Axle-back parts have pretty similar sound characteristics between each other since you're changing a small section of piping that essentially just controls volume. As for a full cat-back, low-end changes will hardly be noticeable if at all unless you get something >2.5" piping (don't). You can also disconnect your battery during install to reset the ECU and help it learn the change quicker.

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AAM | Dynosty | Ecutek | Eibach | Hawk | H&R | Nismo | Stillen | Stoptech | Z1