Sub $1000 Exhausts
 

I recently purchased an 09 370Z and know I am a noob on here, but like every other person who has gotten a Z I am looking for an exhaust for the car.

I have been doing some research on the boards and prefer to get a CBE for preferably less than $1000. I have looked at many threads and reviews on here about different exhausts. I have narrowed down my choices to a few exhausts, and was just wanting to know if I was missing any good choices out there in the $1000 range.

From searching I see that a lot of people simply just ask what exhaust they should get without saying what they actually want from their exhaust. Personally I want something that will make the car a "true" dual exhaust (Rules out AAM Short Tails and Top Speed). I also don't really care for overall gains, if that was my main concern I would dish out the little bit of extra cash for the Fast Intentions TDX (which is an awesome exhaust!). I want something to make my Z louder, simple as that, and also get somewhat of performance gain (at the very least on my butt dyno :driving:).

My three main choices from what I have researched so far are:

Invidia Gemini

Agency Power Exhaust

ARK Grip

I am also interested in the Altered Atmosphere, but not sure on what the price is of that one yet. Maybe someone could elaborate on that.

As of right now I worry that the Invidia Gemini will not be loud enough for my tastes. I do not care if the exhaust has some drone because I know that is the price you pay for wanting a louder exhaust. I am leaning more towards the Agency Power Exhaust at the moment and just wanted to ask yall if there is another CBE out there that I should take a look at from the information I have given so far.

Also from reading reviews on these exhausts, I also worry about the hit or miss quality of the ARK Grip. It seems that their packaging is not the best, and some members exhausts have come with holes in the packaging, dents in the pipes, and even parts missing! :eek: The Invidia seems to be a rock solid choice as far as quality, "What the 370Z stock exhaust SHOULD sound like."; however I want something louder (Have heard a 370Z at a local autocross with one).

I honestly don't know too much about the Agency Power Exhaust, but it seems the members on here that have it love it. However, some have switched to an Invidia later on because of the sound/drone. I really don't think the sound/drone will bother me though... I come from driving alot of Hondas :ughdance:

Sorry for the long first post though, please let me know if you have any other suggestions about the exhausts I listed or any others that you think I might be interested in.

EDIT: read through your post. If you just want your car to be loud, just get test pipes and make a custom exhaust with straight pipes going all the way down. If I were you though, I would just get test pipes and non-res fast intentions exhaust.

Buy a used FI. Thats what I did.

TopSpeed. problem solved

Well I want the car I be loud to a certain extent. Not like all out GT Haus, F.I. With test pipes and no resinator, or straight pipe/track exhaust loud. I drive the car every day and just want something that costs less than a grand and has the loudness similar to a F.I TDX with 12" resinator. I would really like to keep my stock cats and have something that is just a direct bolt up CBE. Don't want to start messing with too many factory components.


That actually isn't a bad idea, and I am an idiot for not thinking of that. Who in the world would want to get rid of their Fast Intentions exhaust though? That is pure madness!

If you see this thread and are thinking of selling yours, feel free to send me a PM :tiphat:

Option 1, But a Used FI exhaust as previously mentioned.

Option 2, ARK, it's the best of the 3. AP is too raspy, invidia is shotty manufacturing.

I have 3 different Invidia exhausts on 3 different vehicles. Absolutely no problems with welds, quality or fitment. Invidia quality is quite good and with several forum sponsors carrying them, reasonably priced. I've read of issues with Ark on this forum.

Another option: You can get an OBX exhaust from eBay for under $500, I think. It's a HKS knockoff that sounds virtually the same as the genuine HKS. Personally seen it and heard it on a G37S.

The only problems with invidias have been the welds on the flex pipe... read through or search through some threads about it. Invidia replaced them, but still a hassle. Hopefully the problem is no more.


And agreed with above, the only difference is the $2k HKS nameplate that isn't tacked on, if you can live without it, you'll save yourself the $2k.

I actually had an Invidia exhaust on my first car, a 2000 Toyota Celica GT-S, I had no problems with it at all. It was a very well made exhaust and that is why the Invidia was one of my first choices for the Z.

From what I have read there is definitely reason for concern of quality for the ARK.

I will definitely have to check out this OBX exhaust though. I definitely don't mind not having the HKS brand name on my exhaust, as long as it sounds pretty similar.

You can rep me for the good word for Invidia or the OBX idea then. :roflpuke2:

Pfft... rep... ha. Yeah, riiight. :ugh2:







:inoutroflpuke:

How about the Berk. It's about a 1K

Now I may be wrong on this, but I was under the impression that the Berk was essentially the same thing as the Invidia Gemini?

Yeah you should definitely look into used exhausts as well. I have seen plenty of FI exhausts for sale, but they are usually slightly north of $1k. I got my Berk exhaust used for only $700!

Also agree with the HKS replica exhaust. If I hadn't gotten mine, I may have gone for that one. Good luck :tup:

i personally have the invidia gemini and i think it sounds great. i get a lot of compliments too. However, if your solely concerned with the loudness and aggressiveness,, then i suggest you just cough up a little more cash and just go with the berk or FI. i think the berk sounds REALLY sexy and they've been having a lot of sales on the berks recently. Car parts are a investment,, a couple hundred to keep you happy for 5, 8 or even 10+ years isn't such a bad idea =D

I just think if you dropped the money to get such a nice car, why skimp when it comes to mods. If you're going to try and penny pinch, then just leave it stock, and enjoy it as it is. Just save up a little bit longer till you can afford what you Want vs getting something now 'to have something not stock' and not be 100% satisfied by it.


Just my :twocents: :tiphat:

The Berk is much better IMO.

You can pick up a FI exhaust for under 1k, just have to wait for a deal. I've already made a deal with a local member for my FI exhaust, otherwise I would ship it to you (under 1k btw).

:iagree: Do it right the first time, or else you'll end up spending more money.

Well if anything happens to that deal then make sure to send me a PM. I would definitely be interested in taking it off your hands!

You are definitely right about me having to drop a pretty penny for the car! But I really don't feel like not getting the exhaust with the largest performance gains is really skimping out on my mods purchased. I have no plans on the car being tracked or taking it to the strip etc. If there was anything that I would be doing with the car it would be autocrossing it. I got actively involved with my local SCCA when I had my NA miata.

Even at that putting any type of exhaust besides a Nismo in that case would most likely put me in a way more competitive class anyway than the 370Z's stock class.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the F.I. TDX exhaust, and I do believe that is the best overall exhaust for our cars from what I have seen. My main concern with that exhaust is that it seems with its design that the mufflers become the lowest point on the car. That is a big turn off to me when it comes to buying the exhaust. The last thing I want to is be riding around town scraping my $1200 exhaust on every other speed bump. At stock ride height how much of a problem is scraping?

To bad you can't afford a Tanabe. Awesome quality and sound.

I agree with the ones that suggest to buy used. If you don't mind a few knicks and scrapes that is the best way to go.

1. At stock ride height, unless you do something completely idiotic, you will not have to worry about scraping. Even with the 1st Gen of FI exhausts.

2. Tony took the "fear of scraping" inputs from owners and redesigned the system for the cans to sit a little higher giving you even more clearance.

3. I currently am dropped on K&W v3's with a 1" drop all around and have never once scraped. And I have a 1st Gen FI Exhaust.

As long as you approach steep angles and speed bumps as you should, you won't have a problem. Almost 2 years and not one exhaust scrape, knock on wood. :tup:

I wish I could make that statement as well. Killeen is awesome when it comes to road construction and driveway design.............:ugh2:

I agree with djpathfinder about the OBX. I did the install on it with my friend that owns the G37S. The exhaust looks and sounds like the HKS original (I know, I have it) and the build quality is awesome for a sub $500 exhaust. The only difference that is noticeable is the exhaust tips. They are single wall SS (and welded on) and have an OBX plate tacked on, versus the removeable burnt Ti tips on the HKS.

There are always used systems too, if you're interested in that. PM me for details if you're interested in a used Stillen CBE system. I know of two for sale.... both were removed for other upgrades.

CNT imo is the best exhaust u can buy for under $1k. amazing quality and great sound

The CNT actually looks really good! I actually read your little review on it.

http://www.the370z.com/intake-exhaus...w-w-video.html

Looks like you were very pleased with it. This will definitely be a choice I will consider. It looks alot like the ARC Grip exhaust in my opinion. I could be mistaken on that though.

I have to make my mind up by this Monday. There is a really good Black Friday sale on the Agency Power Exhaust, it will be hard to pass it up.

And I really appreciate you explaining the F.I. scraping issue and changes they have made Chris. Repped you for that, whatever little it is worth from me. lol

+1 on the CNT, had for about 4 months now, no issues at all.

The design is basically exactly the same as HKS/ARK, fitment is perfect though.

Top speed. Love mine!!

+1 on cnt. Installed yesterday no issues. Great sound!

since your right here, you could gander over to Z1 motorsports and take a look at my CNT exhaust thats sitting around. You can see all the marks from where we tried to get it to fit correctly, and it just still wouldnt fit correctly.

1. After hearing the AP exhaust myself, I can honestly say it's just plain 'Loud'. Almost as if it wasn't even resonated. Just lots of volume, plus rasp. Unless that's what you want, I would venture to shy away from it. IMHO of course.

2. All rep is appreciated, no matter the numerical value. :tiphat:

I saw it myself under the car. Took a lot of :confused: to figure out exactly what wasn't working, and how to fix it.. which while I was there at least, couldn't be solved.

I'm also not a fan of this exhaust because it burned me. :mad:



:inoutroflpuke: Damn your car Dai. :bowrofl:

Pssh! Look who's the rep whore now!!!! :icon17:

:icon08:

Well maybe I will! :happydance:

Of course I don't see you post though until the weekend is almost completely over (been camping all weekend). Is this CNT no longer on your Z, or was just installed on your Z? I would actually love to come up there to Z1. It is only a 2 hour drive for me.

I would love to hear what the CNT sounded like in person, as well as see the fitment.

No what do you mean by loud? Hopefully not to the level of just a full muffler delete like the AAM Short Tails. If there is one thing that I want to stay away from it is having that horrible rasp sound with an exhaust. I had that on a Civic hatch in my past life (It was dark time in my life), I don't like to talk about my ricer days. :ugh:

I personally had no fitment issues with my cnt. It was actually one of the nicest fitting exhausts I've come across yet. I guess not everyone had the same luck from what I see

Just really loud. I mean it's hard to explain exactly what was the cause. But as far as I knew he only had the AP exhaust. Not sure about test pipes or not. But it was very honda volume sounding with rasp. It's just not near the top of my list for sub 1k exhausts.

Well I am not sure how it is going to sound either, I honestly am running out of time on choosing an exhaust. The Black Friday sale in the Agency is going to be over after tomorrow. Right now my two main choices would be the CNT and the Agency of course.

I just haven't really seen enough to sway me to get the CNT over the Agency. I like the exhaust and think it would be a good fit for me, but I just think the Agency at this time is more what I am looking for. It would have really helped to have been able to hear both in person, but that was pretty impossible to do living in Central Georgia unfortunately.

From what I have been able to research the Agency seems like a pretty good fit for me. It is a true dual CBE, louder than the Invidia, gets some performance gains, and is less than $1k. I hope it doesn't end up being too raspy, I know it won't be too loud, just can't stand having an overly raspy Honda ricer sound. If it does I will just have to cut my losses sell it and pick up something else.

I really do appreciate the help and suggestions y'all have provided though. This forum has been more helpful than any of the car model specific forums I have ever been on.

This is why I'm still standing by your best bet is to wait just a bit longer and save for a Used F.I. exhaust. Why buy an exhaust that you're not 100% sure of and risking buying it, then not liking it and having to buy Another exhaust, losing money both times... Don't be impatient or rush just to get Something.

But it's of course your money and you'll do what suits you. Hope you enjoy whichever route you choose. :tiphat:

:iagree:

Well in all honesty I don't think I would ever be 100% sure on any exhaust that I end up purchasing. I always like to over think and over analyze relatively simple things. I guess that is one reason why I became an engineer though.

I was just about 100% sure in my head that I was going to get the Agency... before I made this thread. lol The main reason I made this thread was just to double check that there wasn't another sub $1000 exhaust out there that I was over looking in my research. I was shown some good CBE's out there that I had not really looked into (OBX and CNT).

I do like the F.I. though and just as I worry about the Agency being too raspy, I would worry that the F.I. would not leave enough ground clearance (even though you have explained to me that it is not really a concern anymore). It is just the way my head works.

TL;DR: No matter what, I am going to doubt my purchase until it is installed on the car, and I realize my fears were not that big of an issue in the first place.

I completely understand since I do the same thing. Make 1000 questions and rationalizations before ever making a choice to make sure my dollar goes as far as it can in the direction I want it to. So I understand, which is why I can say it would be better to wait.

Not just FI because of gains/looks/sound, but also Tony's Customer Support is the best in the business I've seen. AP is ehh since I know where it comes from and OBX or CNT aren't really common in terms of quality of service when and If something were to break.

I think maybe just giving tony at FI a call prior to making your final final decision, not really to order a New exhaust, but just to get his opinion on what alternate setups might get you where you wanna be. (HFC's/TP's)