Sound upgrade - Choices - Exhaust, HFC, Short Tail, or K&N
 

Hey Folks,

So I've been trying to do some research on what my options are to get a better sounding car. As we all know the Z doesn't sound too great stock.

I don't want anything extremely loud causing a lot of attention, causing drone or giving me a headache. From what I've read these are what test pipes are for.

I've also read that the K&N Typhoon air intake improves engine sound but I'm not sure if this is what I am looking for.

The AAM Short Tail sounds good from the videos I've seen but this may be too loud and I read that by removing the emissions canister shield that it may void the car warranty. Also this system may cause drone.

The Stillen exhaust system is more than I want to spend but I really don't know what this system can produce or what I can expect. The website says no drone and is suppose to sound great and open up real nice when I get on it. Who knows?

Last but not least is the Berk HFC. This is suppose to make the car sound great at a reasonable price.

So what do you guys think is the best system I should get to give my car some great sound?

Keep the stock boxes get drop ins and post MAF tubes, you said it short tails are LOUD heard them in person,
Stillen is a good system but pricey and can get FI or ARK for the just about the same. HFC's will make any system noticeable louder.

you want something loud but not something that catches too much attention; i would say scratch the short tails of that list lol a friend of mine has them and they are loud...I have ART pipes, what i love about them is that at low rpms 3k or below its close to stock but when you hit the gas pass that it sounds real nice, they are not the cheapest test pipes by any means but are some of the best ones. FI is very popular, ARK has a great sound to it as well...you should see if there are more z's in your area that have any of these modifications so you can hear them in real life..GL!

What's your budget?

Z1 HFC's and quality exhaust of your choice:driving: I love my Gemini! Nice and deep but not too loud. Great paired with the HFC's.

I appreciate all the responses guys!

The Fast Intentions CBE is obviously the forum favorite. And I have no doubt it's a really good system but I do not want to spend $1400 shipped

I have scratched the short tails off the list because they are too loud!

I am strongly considering the Invidia Gemeni CBE. I have read that this sounds great and does not have much drone. It may be lacking on wheel HP. It may produce around 8WHP i think, but I'm more interested in sound and if I pick up a few horses then great!

Does anyone have any opinions on this??

I don't have the Invidia, but I have the Tanabe Medallion with their y-pipe, and it sounds great. I think you're going to find yourself to be pretty happy with any of the exhausts mentioned in this thread. Our motor howls with any decent setup.

A full CBE is your best option. Short tail axle back exhausts that delete the mufflers are simply obnoxious.

Also there are many quality CBE's for the Z that are in the $500 to $600 range -- Garageline; CNT; Beluga etc. -- so you don't need to break the bank.

Finally, don't get hung up on the alleged HP gains of aftermarket exhaust. Any aftermarket exhaust with 60mm diameter pipes will get you around 10 to 15 additional HP.

I appreciate the recommendations.

After listening to a few videos from these three companies I like the way the Beluga sounds, but I can't find it on their website and I don't know how much it would cost.

Any other recommendations around this price range are welcomed :)

I love my MXP exhaust. Not many people seem to have it, but from everybody that does, I have yet to hear a bad review.

Beluga exhausts are readily available on eBay. The exhaust and Y pipe run about $550 including shipping. And yes, the Manzo, Top Speed and J2 exhausts are all essentially the same as the Beluga exhaust.

Is this what your referring to?

Beluga Racing 370Z 09 13 VQ37VHR 70mm 2 75" High Performance Resonated Exhaust | eBay

Also, is this Y pipe necessary?
Can I not just use the existing one?

Beluga Racing Infiniti G37 370Z VQ37VHR Performance Y Pipe Ypipe Sedan Coupe | eBay

I have ARK DT-S exhaust + PPE LTH's.
Before the headers the sound was good, but loud, and there was noticable noise in the cabin.
After the headers it isnt as loud and there is absolutely no noise.

It is different story at wot, the car screams :)

I would think long and hard if tame is what you're really looking for. Initially I wanted the same things in an exhaust, but if you are around any other Zs that have other exhausts, it might make you regret it. For me, hearing a tame exhaust around others that are not so tame, I was quickly jealous of the other exhausts. Obviously your price range seems to be on the low side, but realize that there ARE options that are pretty quiet when cruising but really open up at WOT. Either way, it's not a cheap regret to fix. Good luck in your search. I'm curious what you decide to go with and how you end up liking it.

Thanks for your input. I haven't really looked at it that way.

I'm never around any other Z's so I'm not sure if there will ever be an opportunity to get jealous lol.

From the video I've heard it sounds good to me. I didn't really classify it as "tame." Sure it's quiter than some other ones out there but I don't want amything super loud. Needless to say I found the Invidia Gemini and I said hey that sounds great and the price is nice too! Then wanker recommended the Beluga and it pretty much sounds the same and at more than half price!!

Yes, the price is low and attractive to me. The budget also allows me to go higher if I want but was thinking on putting those savings towards a Stillen Gen 3 intake.

Is the Fast Intentions exhaust worth it? Not to mention a 3 month wait time!! I'm not going to wait till spring next year to get an exhaust on my ride