My gaskets seem to be fine at this time but out of curiosity, what gaskets are you guys having issues with? Top or bottom or both?

Kostick, My rattling literally hung around until the 1500 mile point. I really did not think it was going to go away. I drove the car as much as I possibly could on the highway. This past weekend I started up the car and I was like, woah, I don't hear it anymore. drove with my head out the window (ace ventura style) and was smiling all the way home.

Top part close to exhaust manifold.

Hmmmm .... that's not what I remember taking off but I'll call the dealer to confirm.

I agree with you though, we should not have to change these out like this. I tried using high temp rtv on the last set and they still only lasted about 1000 miles.

I may have to try the Berk Copper gaskets again - they seemed to hold up the best.

I haven't been able to enjoy the new Gemini yet because of these freaking gaskets!:shakes head:

^^

I wonder if climate is a factor. Texas and Oklahoma have been roasted this summer. 107 yesterday ....

Thank you wind.zero.

And yes, a leak will reduce gas mileage because when air gets into the exhaust, it fools the sensors into seeing a lean condition, the ECU tries to compensate by richening up the mixture and thus gas mileage goes down.

Tony... if one were to make a template and cut it out of aluminum... would that work? If so, what size would be best to do so? I figure aluminum would be best in case it needs to bend a little here and there to conform to whatever pipes it's mating up with.

It would need a bead rolled into it.

oh ok... well can't do that one then lol.

and geez man... get some sleep... you're a nightowl like I am.

Tony I pm'd you regarding gaskets for my replacement set of pipes.

So, on g35driver.com I was told that AWD version will come very soon! My friends on the russian Infiniti forum (club-fx.ru) are waiting for them too, as I made some presentation of the ART pipes and people are interested in them (btw, we all got AWD sedans, no RWD option for the Eastern Europe).

Currently, on my VQ35HR I have: Berk's HFC -> Moroso Spiral Flow 2.5" resonators -> Borla H-pipe true dual cat-back. Borla itself is rather raspy and loud, but when I installed Berk's HFC the rasp and drone were unacceptable to me, so I put Moroso Spiral Flow resonators between HFC and cat-back and it really helped.

My question is: should I remove these Spiral Flow resonators when I install ART pipes to my Borla or leave them at place? I beleive ART pipes would be less raspy and loud than Berk's? And I'm not sure if these 2.5" Spiral Flow resonators affect the perfomance (hp/tq) - though they shouldn't...

The ARTs are almost identical in volume to the Berks. When I made the switch it sounded exactly the same volume wise, there is actually a little more rasp on lift off but you don't really notice it while driving.

Yes, we are working on it now. In fact, the change is already made. What needs to be done is confirmation of fitment on a number of the AWD vehicles. What fits on one test vehicle doesn't necessarily insure it will fit on all AWD vehicles due to car to car tolerance variation. But this will be quickly resolved once it goes out to several local AWD vehicles to confirm fitment. As for the Moroso resonators, keep them in, I can't see how it would hurt in any way.

We also used the change opportunity to make a couple other new improvements.:tup:
1) The hardening fiberglass has been eliminated so there is no longer a break in period.

2) The retainer screen has been eliminated. Its what originally trapped the beads and created the bead rattle problem.

3) Many people have been requesting the Chrome ceramic coating. ...And now we can. It couldn't be done previously due to beads getting trapped behind the screen but the screen has been eliminated. So now there is no longer a particle trap of any kind. The chamber is easily and completely cleared out before installation by simply turning it upside down before putting them on.

4) Vibration dampening tabs that connect to the stock catalytic converter brace are now included. These connecting tabs are not connected to, or for structural support, of the main pipe. The tabs (or bracket) is connected to the side branch only. These connecting tabs greatly damp the engine vibrations transmitted into the resonator and make for a quieter ride while cruising.

5) High temperature silicone RTV is now included in every kit. It is to be applied to the inlet gasket upon installation and will insure a good permanent seal.

.

Tony: Regarding #4, can you send me pictures of how I can have my shop apply these themselves? Would a simple weld job of these dampers suffice if I were to buy them from you? Or are you doing something a little more intense to make sure they don't crack from the vibrations during low revs?

If you could send me a picture for reference, I'd really love to have these fabbed up for my ART Pipes. I'm getting some pretty loud shifter-slap/rattle in my gearknob when in 5th gear at 1600-1800RPM. It's not a major issue since I don't really drive in that range much, but I would still like to dampen the amount of vibration in my gearknob, regardless.

Its a small "L" shaped bracket welded to the side branch. About 1" x 1" x 1" with a bolt hole in it. It has nothing to do with cracking but it will damp out vibrations. I'll get pictures of them taken this weekend and have them posted shortly.

Are the tabs something I cAn add to my art pipes and how much??

By cracking I meant how should it be welded to prevent the welds from cracking - but I guess anyone worth his grain welding should know that.

Look forward to the pics. Let me know if you'll ship these brackets separately - I will gladly order one.

Its a small L bracket easily added on. Other than damping vibration its not really a load bearing piece. Its only connected to the side branch and doesn't support the weight of the exhaust system.
Send me a PM if you would like a set.

I really don't understand why some people worry so much about not having the brackets, such as the car bracket. With my ART pipes and my CBE when you get under the car you CAN NOT move the exhaust more than a half inch either way... it's a solid set-up. I'm not saying that it's impossible to have a problem, but I think it would be very difficult to do so... just IMO of course.

Hi Tony,
So is it safe to say that the current pieces that are available for the 370 have had these revisions done to them. One other thing if I were to want them in chrome ceramic how long would the wait period be. I also need to ask a question using pm.
Best regards,
Tom

Chrome sounds good... especially the whole no break in period lol. I'm almost to mine though so oh well :)

Tony: PM sent.

I only want it to dampen the vibration and rattle in the shiftknob.

I don't think I have that... i've never noticed it anyway.

Hi Tom,

Yes, it is the latest production run and is in stock now.

Tony

Wtf. These are ever-changing

Always got to perfect your craft.

Haha my work fine without the tabs.

If there is ever a way to significantly improve the design, lower the cost or make it better for the consumer, we're on it. ;)

btw sound clip of the test pipes + cnt exhaust

http://www.the370z.com/track-autocro...al-course.html

comments from my track instructor:

he thought it sounded great. When i told him i had test pipes he got out a battery operated com device (basically mic and headphone connected by wire for driver to communicate with passenger. After the run he said it wasnt needed, car was suprisingly tame for having test pipes and exhaust. he also notedno drone.

wow... pretty tame. I'm really surprised.

About to get a before dyno and then finally putting on the art pipes:happydance:

im not sure if your saying that as a good thing or bad thing. depends on your preference i guess but for me thats great.

Can't wait to see the results.

Placed order today...we'll see how these things work on my SC :tup:

Any updates on the new exhaust system development? Really interested to see what you guys come up with.

Getting close yet? Just curious because four weeks ago, you had estimated it would be ready about now. I totally understand if there's delays, just hungry for an update.

Awesome

Fix your SES issue?

Yes, in fact, I was just under the Z today with my fabricator discussing the details of resonator placement and experimentation. There has been excellent progress and its at about 90% complete.

One configuration is completely done and finalized.
Another configuration which is radically different from the first is @ ~90%.

The laser cut merge collector distance and merge angle is optimized and finalized.
The axleback section ground clearance has been greatly maximized. It's finalized and jigged up for production.
The only thing left to do is some final experimentation with resonator location on the primaries and that's it.

Its really close to completion and I am very happy with how it is shaping up.

This will probably be the most unique/exotic exhaust design of probably any exhaust in any market or platform. ...IE Compare it against anything. Not just 370Z exhaust systems.;)

You can quote me on this^ :) When the pictures are posted, let me know what you think. :tup:

It will feature interchangeable modularity like our exhaust for the 350Z but this modularity is an all new design and is even better.

From the very start the system was designed with strong emphasis for clearing lowered vehicles. So even though it features dual 3" stainless tubing for most of the system, it has lots of ground clearance.

In fact, it will be a good point to test it on a fully slammed Z. And I mean SLAMMED.:happydance:

Can't wait to see the finished product :excited:

Not sure. I got under the car a few days ago and put some muscle behind the bolts with a breaker bar. A few bolts had a 1/2 turn in them. So we'll see.