Failed attempt at new muffler
 

Just went to a very reputable custom exhaust shop in Tampa to inquire about a new stainless steel muffler/tips. I wanted to open up the sound of our cars at idle and during acceleration. The stock exhaust isnt aggressive enough for me. However, the expert tech there wouldn't touch my car because of our setup. The two pipes into the muffler with the two tips out is apparently a nightmare to work on....no aftermarket mufflers have that setup.

Before you ask why I did what I did, I cant currently afford a 1,500 stillen/nismo/F. I. system.

What do you guys think about the info I just shared. Anyone have any luck or suggestions.....and dont reccommend to buy the cat-back, I have heard that already and prob will do that after I get out of law school, 1500 is a TON of money for me right now.

I feel ya, and am in the same boat. I started a thread like this last week. I just want to change my muffler. It pisses me off when I hear stock G35 sound so nice and the z sounds like a cadillac cruising by.

I cantr plunk down $1600 right now.......just bought a TV. The sound of the Z is by far the most dissapointing thing for me.

I got my HFC's used for $300 bucks, you wanna talk about a change of the exhaust note, thats your best bet, and I picked up 12whp and 10ft/lbs. This baby screams between 3500-5500 rpms!

Wait until you have the $. If you can't afford to do it right, don't do it at all.

Buy a set of test pipes , my car is far from sounding like a caddy but the vq35de's tone will go down as one of the best sounding motors out there. Mine is viscious with just test pipes though. Very raw a little raspy but sounds good. It sounds way better outside the cabin than inside though . I'm looming into dynomatting my trunk for that though

:iagree: get HFC's. I don't want an exhaust now that I have these since it changed the exhaust note so dramatically.

Look for a new shop. This is a common configuration from Magnaflow and others...(2 in, 2 out) Configured as a Crossflow set-up for Camaro's and others.
Here's just one example for $110. A few tips, a little welding. This is not rocket science

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-12568/

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...pe-12599_w.jpg

yes, HFC definitely makes things better... but if you don't want to go that route... look into Invidia's CBE (gemini), which is no where close the price range of the $1500 exhausts... thats what I have and I love how it sounds...

The problem with this is that the inflow and outflow are generally on the same side.

Magnaflow:

---> muffler --->
---> muffler --->

The Z needs

---> muffler --->
<--- muffler <---

You just need to select the proper core. This is a traditional Camaro layout (an in and out on each end). They are available!

cool, never looked into them but I know I have seen the same flow on each side before :tup:

honestly I'd wait until you save enough money to invest in a nice cbe. No point in getting pissed at other cars being louder than you. Just save enough money to buy a good one and you'll be set, look for used ones too I believe there was a used Stillen CBE in private classified for like 675. Sold already but keep your eyes open dude. you don't need $1500 for an exhaust.

Have you considered replacing the whole muffler section with two pipes? Just yank the muffler off and see how you like the sound.

^ Thats what Im doing to my Stillen... replacing everything after the crossover with straight pipes...maybe mufflers...

Like Drone? Spearfish tried this and sold the conversion off immediately....Apparently was not to comfortable inside the car!

Check out our Pre-order specials for the 370z. One of the best exhaust that we produced. Sound is perfect, no fitment issues to date, no rattling, and the Price is under all mentioned above. If you have any questions you can ask any of our exclusive vendors or myself.

Alex

x2 :iagree:

A good set of earplugs highly recommended.

Well it wouldn't be impossible to put some in line mufflers or even go super ghetto and do some sweet cherry bombs and dumps. Heck, now I want to see that!

Keep it stock until you can afford a proper cat back. Otherwise, you're just as bad as the guys who have Civics and put fart-cans on them from walmart and think it sounds awesome...

There is an axle-back available, but from waht I've seen it costs nearly $900, which I think is too much when you can get a full catback for not much more than that, and have some gains...

^ I dont thiink a "proper" catback is defined as one which has a brand name. You can get a really good exhaust custom built just as long as the person that does it knows what they are doing.

+1. I took my girlfriend's Mercedes to a reputable custom shop around here and the guy built a very nice cat back system... top quality!

Won't you get a better system when buying from a company like F.I or Stillen since they have done many hours of testing on the design:confused:

Every bend, every weld, add 'em all up and you should get a better system than a one-off made at a local shop, no?

^^ want to hear a response to this questions as well

Certainly you get something that has been tested and proven, but I think most good exhaust shops should be able to custom fab a quality system.

I think the biggest difference between a custom job and one of the already designed and proven systems is that with the latter you know what you are getting. It almost doesn't make any sense to have a custom system done when there are so many pre-built ones tailor made to this car.

Or if you want something that isn't currently available on the market like a 2-1 with a fat 3.5 center pipe.

Completely agree. And I should also state that there is no reason somebody who is a real craftsman could not make a custom build that outperformed the rest....

I meant proper as in, not something that is simply a fart-can replacement and some hack-job welding.

I'm not saying replacing the mufflers with straight pipes is something I would like but there is at least one guy on the forum who liked the sound. It's all personal opinion and it's free to try. Just a few bolts.

Where is Ark Performance located and is the exhaust available? BTW are you in NJ?

Here is a little secret for you....do you really think anyone really gives two-cents what it sounds like besides you? :rolleyes:

Don't get me wrong I would never replace an exhaust system that has research behind it for one thats been put together in 20 mins at a custom shop. I just don't think everything that comes out of a muffler shop is garbage. I like getting something researched on and then make it better by removing the compromises.

Sometimes a little bit of innovation / trial and error can really pay off, in my experience anyway, but I have never gone with the grain

$$ for my mods are limited these days as the Family has expanded and its Xmas!

For example
I am going to throw on some test pipes - stock exhaust to axle - then a muffler delete but with twin resonator - should free up enough flow over all and make resonable power.
On the intake, its a set of HKS drop in's and drilled out stock air boxes just for a bit more induction sound.

Still waiting on a fully developed EM option - Dam it