High price for exhaust make it better?

[akgambler47]

Hey guys, wondering what the difference between the 2000$ exhaust and 1000$ exhaust systems out there are. Name? I am looking for a exhaust with good flowing piping that wont restrict anything. The hks system looks real good, but what makes it any better then say the agency power? They both look nice, does the hks make more power, 1000$ worth more? Is the piping bigger? Just want imput from ppl that arent biased on one name and just want best parts for the money. THANKS

[UNKNOWN_370]

Imho, you just have to do some serious comparison shopping. Some things you want in a free flow exhaust is...
1.True dual, not axle back.
2. 2.5"dia. Piping. (Some like 3" but its loud raspy and if not designed right? Can reduce power?)
3. High quality materials. 304, 409 stainless is good. Top notch would be titanium and lower grade would be aluminum.

Just an opinion. Fast intentions, ark and aam all make excellent quality true duals. I think FI is 1,100 if I'm not mistaken? And the others around 1300-1400. But sales change that up a lot as well. If you go over 2,000 then it better be titanium. Anything else would be sub-standard.

[zero]

I have to add QUALITY, built to last, and tested to the price. Unless you do not want to replace the exhaust within a few year because of crack and weld joint issue.

[spearfish25]

Does it make $1000 worth of more power? No.

The prices of exhausts are obviously set by their manufacturer for reasons unbeknownst to us. Perhaps it's due to exotic materials (titanium is difficult to machine and work with). However, more likely it's a number they've decided reflects their company name, product availability, exclusivity, etc. Do you think these JDM exhausts cost anywhere near $5000-6000 to produce? The size of the consumer market is also an issue. If you're selling a custom-made product to a handful of people, you'll have to charge more to get your investment back. Hence why a GTR exhaust costs, on average, more than a 370Z exhaust.

If you want exclusivity, pay more for an exhaust. However, there are very high quality exhausts for well under $2000 (See the Fast Intentions exhaust). Then there is the run-of-the-mill consumer aftermarket bracket in the $1,000-$1,200 range that includes very nice appearing, durable, power-producing exhausts on a reasonable budget.

Don't think that paying through the nose is going to get you double the horsepower gains though. You'll be woefully disappointed.

[akgambler47]

Thats why im asking the qustion, i like the FI exhaust, but i have seen agency power for under 1000, wanted to know the big differences. I will do research, thanks for giving me a heads up on what to look for when looking at exhaust. When buying an exhaust for my evo, i noticed the american made exhaust were better, and cheaper most of the time. I bought a AMS one, wish they made 370 exhaust.

[nolan1016]

Originally Posted by akgambler47

Thats why im asking the qustion, i like the FI exhaust, but i have seen agency power for under 1000, wanted to know the big differences. I will do research, thanks for giving me a heads up on what to look for when looking at exhaust. When buying an exhaust for my evo, i noticed the american made exhaust were better, and cheaper most of the time. I bought a AMS one, wish they made 370 exhaust.

I dont think the agency power gets as much power from what I saw on their dyno graph

[Endgame]

I bought an Amuse exhaust (catback and Y Pipe) for about $3400. I wanted the weight savings the others do not offer (many actually add weight), the exclusivity, the different sound it offers, and the cool blue color it will turn (although I will have to be under the car to see it).

For the extra power the typical aftermarket exhaust give, do you loose the benefit in adding the weight? Maybe not much, but I will take a couple less horsepower to actually cut weight from stock as opposed to adding weight. Everyone's standards are different....

[wolf370z]

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

I think FI is 1,100 if I'm not mistaken?

That's a little misleading. It's $1100 for the exhaust with SS mufflers and no resonators... carbon fiber mufflers is an option and lightens the exhaust by 6 lbs for a quick $175 (it also hides the huge canisters by making them dark lol). 12" resonators are another $130 and 18" resonators are another $30 on top of the 12", aka $160. The setup I want has transformed the exhaust from $1225.00 (including shipping to the east coast where I live lol) to $1530 (12" inch resonators w/ cf mufflers). So really it's up to you how expensive you want the exhaust. Looks really pretty either way you option it up though.

At least 12" resonators are a necessity on this exhaust unless you really don't mind being really loud after you've added hfc (if you desire). What really makes this exhaust attractive, however, is the gains/weight. It's one of the few exhausts (that I've noticed) that performs very well (20 extra rwhp -- off the Fast Intentions site) and is lighter than the stock exhaust (10 lbs with SS mufflers and 16 lbs with carbon fiber option).

In other words it's the best looking and great performing (in my opinion! ) The only downside is the exhaust is 3/8" lower than the stock exhaust so you might have issues if your car is lowered fairly decently.

All the other exhausts are alright but it seems like very few actually reduce weight and still make good gains. But hey.. I'm biased.

[akgambler47]

I bought a agency power used. Paid 700 shipped. So we'll see how I like it. Know it looks good, just waiting to see how it sounds. Hope its not too quiet. But has a nice sound.

[efuseakay]

Originally Posted by wolf370z

That's a little misleading. It's $1100 for the exhaust with SS mufflers and no resonators... carbon fiber mufflers is an option and lightens the exhaust by 6 lbs for a quick $175 (it also hides the huge canisters by making them dark lol). 12" resonators are another $130 and 18" resonators are another $30 on top of the 12", aka $160. The setup I want has transformed the exhaust from $1225.00 (including shipping to the east coast where I live lol) to $1530 (12" inch resonators w/ cf mufflers). So really it's up to you how expensive you want the exhaust. Looks really pretty either way you option it up though.

At least 12" resonators are a necessity on this exhaust unless you really don't mind being really loud after you've added hfc (if you desire). What really makes this exhaust attractive, however, is the gains/weight. It's one of the few exhausts (that I've noticed) that performs very well (20 extra rwhp -- off the Fast Intentions site) and is lighter than the stock exhaust (10 lbs with SS mufflers and 16 lbs with carbon fiber option).

In other words it's the best looking and great performing (in my opinion! ) The only downside is the exhaust is 3/8" lower than the stock exhaust so you might have issues if your car is lowered fairly decently.

All the other exhausts are alright but it seems like very few actually reduce weight and still make good gains. But hey.. I'm biased.

Money very well spent, IMO! You can't go wrong with FI!

[TeamARK]

I believe ARK Fits into all the criteria above

True dual 2.5" with X FLow and Dual Chamber
Sub 1200.00
High Quality T304 Only. Tig Welded and Mandrel Bends.
Dyno Proven.

[Daishi]

<--- went with FI

My review:
Fast Intentions Exhaust Installed