Cai or exhaust

Crazy8 · 04-07-2010, 05:13 PM

Which one would be your first mod?

Matt · 04-07-2010, 05:19 PM

CBE is generally much more expensive to upgrade than CAI. HFCs are generally a little less expensive compared to Intakes.

CBE has higher gains and will be noticeable at all RPMs. HFCs show very good gains as a "first mod", also noitceable at all RPMs. Intakes show great gains at the higher RPMs, but only small gains at lower RPMs.

Cosmetically, CBE and CAI both look good, depending on the manufacturer. HFCs have zero cosmetic benefit.

I would always choose the CBE if I had the money. HFCs if I wasn't looking to spend a lot.

FuszNissan · 04-07-2010, 05:19 PM

I would do exhaust just for better sound IMO.

azn370z · 04-07-2010, 05:21 PM

Aftermarket Exhaust makes the 370z sound like a z and not a Lexus.

djpathfinder · 04-07-2010, 05:23 PM

CBE first...followed SHORTLY by intake.

fatcat777 · 04-07-2010, 05:24 PM

bang for buck? go with some HFCs.

Reaper42 · 04-07-2010, 05:36 PM

I actually would go with the Cold air intakes first. At least with the stillen gen 3 intakes (one i have on my car) I noticed a big difference in engine sound and performance, but when I put the new exhaust on (fast intentions with test pipes) I cant here the intake at ALL anymore lol exhaust is too loud. SO go with the cai first, its cheaper, you will be VERY happy with the improved sound, enjoy it for a lil while, then get an exhaust. If you go the other way around, you will end up buying an exhaust, love the sound, then buy the cai, and wont notice anything and feel like you just blew 500 bucks. But if you buy cai first, you will be like DAMN! that was worth 500 bucks, then when you add exhaust on top, you will be like DAYYYUMMMNN I just made something awesome even better.

Just my .2 cents

efuseakay · 04-07-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatcat777

bang for buck? go with some HFCs.

This is the truth!

G37sHKS · 04-07-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper42

I actually would go with the Cold air intakes first. At least with the stillen gen 3 intakes (one i have on my car) I noticed a big difference in engine sound and performance, but when I put the new exhaust on (fast intentions with test pipes) I cant here the intake at ALL anymore lol exhaust is too loud. SO go with the cai first, its cheaper, you will be VERY happy with the improved sound, enjoy it for a lil while, then get an exhaust. If you go the other way around, you will end up buying an exhaust, love the sound, then buy the cai, and wont notice anything and feel like you just blew 500 bucks. But if you buy cai first, you will be like DAMN! that was worth 500 bucks, then when you add exhaust on top, you will be like DAYYYUMMMNN I just made something awesome even better.

Just my .2 cents

+100 to what he said

Red370 · 04-07-2010, 06:17 PM

HFC's best bang for the buck hands down, G3's will pick up power, but much higher in the RPM band than a CBE or HFC setup. If you have the coin, CBE or HFC will net you better power throughout the power band.

Zsteve · 04-07-2010, 07:18 PM

CBE, look at the dynos from the differernt companies, they make 20+ hp and give great sound. Also note that the first exhaust mod you do will result the most gains,, and then thereafter the exhaust mods will only net a few more. How much duckies you got to spend?

djpathfinder · 04-07-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red370

HFC's best bang for the buck hands down, G3's will pick up power, but much higher in the RPM band than a CBE or HFC setup. If you have the coin, CBE or HFC will net you better power throughout the power band.

Do HFCs make your exhaust louder (obnoxious)?

theDreamer · 04-07-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djpathfinder

Do HFCs make your exhaust louder (obnoxious)?

No, it will great a deeper tone a bit but it more so amplifies the stock sound.
I have heard it and it is nice, but I love my exhaust more.

terbo · 04-07-2010, 07:46 PM

CBE, get that great look from the rear and makes the exhaust sound much more like a sports car. Also, why waste money on intakes when you're only going to replace it with intercooler piping in the future? Oh wait, I guess not everyone is going to go that route...

Red370 · 04-07-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

No, it will great a deeper tone a bit but it more so amplifies the stock sound.
I have heard it and it is nice, but I love my exhaust more.

It will make your exhaust sound a bit louder, but it sounds beautiful, racey even. I got my Berks for $300 and added 15whp, you will NEVER see that kinda bang for the buck anywhere.

04-07-2010, 05:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Crazy8 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 255 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 15	Cai or exhaust Which one would be your first mod?

04-07-2010, 05:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 41 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 18	CBE is generally much more expensive to upgrade than CAI. HFCs are generally a little less expensive compared to Intakes. CBE has higher gains and will be noticeable at all RPMs. HFCs show very good gains as a "first mod", also noitceable at all RPMs. Intakes show great gains at the higher RPMs, but only small gains at lower RPMs. Cosmetically, CBE and CAI both look good, depending on the manufacturer. HFCs have zero cosmetic benefit. I would always choose the CBE if I had the money. HFCs if I wasn't looking to spend a lot. __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified. Last edited by Matt; 04-07-2010 at 05:21 PM.

04-07-2010, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 541	I would do exhaust just for better sound IMO. __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

04-07-2010, 05:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 489	Aftermarket Exhaust makes the 370z sound like a z and not a Lexus. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

04-07-2010, 05:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	CBE first...followed SHORTLY by intake. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

04-07-2010, 05:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
fatcat777 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 220 Drives: BlackPersimmonSport Rep Power: 15	bang for buck? go with some HFCs.

04-07-2010, 05:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Reaper42 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,030 Drives: GetLucky370 Rep Power: 18	I actually would go with the Cold air intakes first. At least with the stillen gen 3 intakes (one i have on my car) I noticed a big difference in engine sound and performance, but when I put the new exhaust on (fast intentions with test pipes) I cant here the intake at ALL anymore lol exhaust is too loud. SO go with the cai first, its cheaper, you will be VERY happy with the improved sound, enjoy it for a lil while, then get an exhaust. If you go the other way around, you will end up buying an exhaust, love the sound, then buy the cai, and wont notice anything and feel like you just blew 500 bucks. But if you buy cai first, you will be like DAMN! that was worth 500 bucks, then when you add exhaust on top, you will be like DAYYYUMMMNN I just made something awesome even better. Just my .2 cents __________________ Sponsor roll call: Get Lucky Brand \| TOYO TIRES \| Element Graphics \| Unique Fabrication Follow on fb- Jon Sackett and Instagram @GetLucky370 GetLucky370

04-07-2010, 06:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Red370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Posts: 4,391 Drives: your mom to church Rep Power: 295	HFC's best bang for the buck hands down, G3's will pick up power, but much higher in the RPM band than a CBE or HFC setup. If you have the coin, CBE or HFC will net you better power throughout the power band. __________________ 2011 Mustang 5.0 \| 3.55's \| Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe \| Magnaflow Muffler Delete \| JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs

04-07-2010, 07:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 21	CBE, look at the dynos from the differernt companies, they make 20+ hp and give great sound. Also note that the first exhaust mod you do will result the most gains,, and then thereafter the exhaust mods will only net a few more. How much duckies you got to spend? __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette Last edited by Zsteve; 04-07-2010 at 07:20 PM.

04-07-2010, 07:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
terbo Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 143 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 15	CBE, get that great look from the rear and makes the exhaust sound much more like a sports car. Also, why waste money on intakes when you're only going to replace it with intercooler piping in the future? Oh wait, I guess not everyone is going to go that route...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
AAM Comp. Exhaust Sale: 2.5" and 3'' True Dual Exhaust Exhaust, HFC and Test Pipes!	Rob@Altered	Exhaust/Intake	33	04-02-2012 07:03 PM
TANABE Racing Development Exhaust for 370Z: TANABE Medalion Touring Exhaust	AK370Z	Intake/Exhaust	13	03-23-2011 07:10 PM
Nismo S-Tune Exhaust (15-5850) vs. Nismo H-Pipe Config Exhaust	scruffydog	Intake/Exhaust	7	07-17-2009 06:33 PM
X-pipe exhaust system....take a look, boombop shop exhaust	genki370z	Intake/Exhaust	2	07-03-2009 02:27 AM
Catback Exhaust vs. Exhaust System	DinoJ	Engine & Drivetrain	3	05-07-2009 03:18 PM