Changing exhaust
 

For whatever reason my test pipes are getting worse. The smell from them seems to be getting stronger as it now smells like straight pollution even inside my car. I feel that it is only a matter of time before I get pulled over...So I've decided that I'm going to remove my test pipes and put back my catalytic converters. Don't care about the "gains" I'd just rather be able to drive my car without having mini heart attacks every time I see a cop. I am going to have a custom built exhaust now because I'm somewhat over the Stillen CBE tone. It's too low and too quiet for a car that is begging for attention ;) So what are some of your setups out there? There's no need for me to straight pipe it since I'm putting my cats back on, but what's another way to get some volume out of them? Besides a straight muffler delete?

F.I. non res CBE. Sounds great with stock cats all while not having smell or smog issues :tup:

or HFC+CBE

I already have test pipes on my car and if they get more airflow then HFC then I think the sound would be about the same, I'm just trying to get a little (a lot) more volume out of my exhaust I have now.

I have Gen 2 intakes, CNT test pipes, and Stillen dual CBE. And she's quiet as hell...I know that the Stillen CBE supposedly gives you the most gains but when I"m over the quiet car phase. Originally I wanted a "quiet" exhaust to stay under the radar mainly due to my test pipes, but I figure if I make my car "legal" (with cats) then I have a little more freedom when it comes to being loud

Actually it doesn't. There are a couple of others that give better gains, one of which was mentioned earlier ;)

Well then I guess it's good I want to upgrade, I'm most likely going with custom piping though and I'm trying to see if there's something else I can have the shop do besides just chop off my mufflers.

If u run 76 100 octane unleaded or VP 101 (R+M/2) octane unleaded, it will SMELL so, so sweeee+! (no cats of course!):D

Stillen makes a really quiet exhaust. I have heard numerous on 370z's and they are all great sounding but too quiet.

If you arent interested in the gains, sell the test pipes, put the stock cats back on and then just run 2.5 inch piping to the rear and add a set of resonators. Youll have the performance gains you want from getting bigger piping, youll have the sound you want from no muffler, and the resonators will help with the drone.

You can probably get $500-700 or whatever for your stillen exhaust, custom exhaust will cost $300 or so if done properly.. More sound, money saved.

I'll look into this setup. I'm going next week to talk to this muffler shop again and I'll ask them about doing something light this then. Thanks :tup: :tiphat:

If getting pulled over is what worries you, unless your car is spewing smoke or flame out of the back, technically in CA, what you need to worry about（reason for cops to pull you over) is actually noise. The CARB regulations (pollution) are enforced at the time of smog check.

Relevant V.C.

V C Section 27151 Modification of Exhaust Systems
V C Section 27153 Exhaust Products

I just don't want a cop to sniff me out and then have him try and find a reason to pull me over. If it came down to it, I'd rather get pulled over for a loud exhaust than for no cats. I'm just tired of the low tone exhaust I have now so I want to try something different I suppose

If you are dead set on having cats then BERK HFC + HKS Hipower catback sounds AMAZZZZZZZZIIIING and its not quiet at all but its def not loud enough for you to get pulled over....Downside is $$$....If you want to go stock cats and save money then AAM short tails sound pretty good IMO.

hey man I have an extra muffler. it can be modified at an exhaust shop to be like a 'muffler delete.' luigi90210 wanted to buy it off me to do this

I'm getting rid of my mufflers though, I don't need an extra one

going back to stock cats seems like a terrible solution as these vq's feel like tractor motors up top with them in...

why not just go HFC?