Performance numbers or objective reviews of aftermarket exhaust vs Nismo

KingJoseph · 10-21-2012, 04:08 PM

I have an FI CF CBE on order w/ 12" resonators, but the more digging I do, the more I realize that I haven't seen any performance numbers on aftermarket CBEs vs. the stock Nismo exhaust.

I'm really interested in understanding if these exhausts are actually less restrictive, more restrictive, or the same as the stock Nismo unit. Further, with the conversations I've had lately with people that have said it's possible you could actually lose power with these exhausts due to them being overly unrestrictive, I'm even more perplexed.

Does anybody have any pre/post CBE numbers for comparison with the Nismo? I know they are commonplace for the base Z. If not, I'd love to hear what your seat-of-the-pants feel was after installing the FI (or really any other aftermarket) CBE.

Thanks in advance.

Realale · 10-21-2012, 04:22 PM

My car feels like its a bit better after the FI exhaust installed. Don't have numbers but I like it. When I get the car dyno'ed it will be with exhaust, G3's and tune.

NISMO370BC · 10-21-2012, 04:48 PM

I just did 4 pulls on a dynojet here in San Diego, CA (Santee.) My Nismo only has an oil cooler and HKS drop in filters.

DCNISMO · 10-21-2012, 04:59 PM

The stock Nismo exhaust is pretty good. I had nismo cold air intake and berk cats with stock exhaust and tune. Then I added the FI exhaust and I lost power. Now, I did not retune and if I did I would have gainec it back. But for me the FI was too loud and got too many looks. So I went back to stock.

LakeShow · 10-21-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCNISMO

The stock Nismo exhaust is pretty good. I had nismo cold air intake and berk cats with stock exhaust and tune. Then I added the FI exhaust and I lost power. Now, I did not retune and if I did I would have gainec it back. But for me the FI was too loud and got too many looks. So I went back to stock.

I thought that was the point. What set up did you have?

DCNISMO · 10-21-2012, 06:40 PM

I don't want looks from a loud exhaust, I'm past that age. Been there and done tht with cars and bikes for 25 years. To those that do, that's okay but it's not me anymore. It's just gives cops a reason to pull you over. The stock Nismo exhust with Berk cats and the Nismo cold air intake is just about right for me.

Rusty · 10-21-2012, 06:45 PM

Bone stock. I got 282HP and 230 Tor. With LTH, 12" res,a G3 cai, and a UpRev tune. I got 320HP and 269 Tor.

KingJoseph · 10-21-2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCNISMO

The stock Nismo exhaust is pretty good. I had nismo cold air intake and berk cats with stock exhaust and tune. Then I added the FI exhaust and I lost power. Now, I did not retune and if I did I would have gainec it back. But for me the FI was too loud and got too many looks. So I went back to stock.

This is exactly what I'm concerned about. I've already put down the $300 non-refundable deposit and my delivery is coming up, but I don't want to drop another $1300 to lose power. I don't have a problem with the way my Nismo sounds right now. Perhaps I should have done more homework ahead of time.

That being said, the FI website shows a 20 *wheel* horsepower gain over the base 370 and the Nismo exhaust (which I think is the only component of the Nismo that adds horsepower) nets an 18 *crank* horsepower gain. Translate the FI exhaust wheel horsepower gain into crank horsepower (by adding back in the drivetrain losses) and it would seem that it'd have to be greater than 20... is my thought process wrong here? I have the feeling it might not be an apples-to-apples comparison, but maybe somebody who's more knowledgeable can correct me.

At the very least, the CF FI exhaust is 25 lbs lighter than the stock Nismo exhaust.

gomer_110 · 10-21-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingJoseph

This is exactly what I'm concerned about. I've already put down the $300 non-refundable deposit and my delivery is coming up, but I don't want to drop another $1300 to lose power. I don't have a problem with the way my Nismo sounds right now. Perhaps I should have done more homework ahead of time.

That being said, the FI website shows a 20 *wheel* horsepower gain over the base 370 and the Nismo exhaust (which I think is the only component of the Nismo that adds horsepower) nets an 18 *crank* horsepower gain. Translate the FI exhaust wheel horsepower gain into crank horsepower (by adding back in the drivetrain losses) and it would seem that it'd have to be greater than 20... is my thought process wrong here? I have the feeling it might not be an apples-to-apples comparison, but maybe somebody who's more knowledgeable can correct me.

At the very least, the CF FI exhaust is 25 lbs lighter than the stock Nismo exhaust.

You're also forgetting that the Nismo ECU tune is slightly different than the standard Z. As a result the 18hp difference is a combination of the exhaust and better tune.

Personally I questioned whether it was money well spent while I was waiting on mine to arrive. After it showed up and I put it on that buyer's remorse went away entirely. While I don't have actual dyno numbers to back up my claim I can definately say that the butt dyno says there were gains.

forza370z · 10-21-2012, 08:14 PM

OP, this is a good thread and I hope people here be honest and tell the truth.

Before I got everything on my g35 coupe 2 years ago, I did whole lot of researches on the forums. People on the internet were singing of how awesome the F.I. exhaust sound like yet not to be too loud, how hard it pulls, how much hp gained... I was super excited to order mine. After I installed FI HFC and FI carbon fiber exhaust here is what I can say. It sounds really awesome no doubt. It's loud(not qieut like some people declared but I liked it). It looks great too especially the carbon fiber canister. Top notch quality hands down. As far as the performance gain from my butt dyno, it's definitely different from the stock. I lose low end but gain at high end. The annoying part is at 2-4k rpm when the exhaust starts to get really loud the car doesn't go faster. This was my only complaint. When I switched back to stock the car felt much faster and responding. But the FI exhaust kickes in after 5k rpm while the stock gets sluggish.

So if you ask me about the performence gain, I am not very impressed(as almost all aftermarket exhausts on NA cars). You might feel power lose at normal driving. F.I. declared 20 wheel hp gain and that might be true after a fine tune. But will it make day and night different? Don't get too excited. Think about this way, the Nismo declared 18 hp gain over the stock. But if you check the entire forum, how many people actually saying the Nismo outperform the stock. Bottom line is it's a sick exhaust but not really makes much differences on performence gain.

Armhunter · 10-22-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forza370z

OP, this is a good thread and I hope people here be honest and tell the truth.

Before I got everything on my g35 coupe 2 years ago, I did whole lot of researches on the forums. People on the internet were singing of how awesome the F.I. exhaust sound like yet not to be too loud, how hard it pulls, how much hp gained... I was super excited to order mine. After I installed FI HFC and FI carbon fiber exhaust here is what I can say. It sounds really awesome no doubt. It's loud(not qieut like some people declared but I liked it). It looks great too especially the carbon fiber canister. Top notch quality hands down. As far as the performance gain from my butt dyno, it's definitely different from the stock. I lose low end but gain at high end. The annoying part is at 2-4k rpm when the exhaust starts to get really loud the car doesn't go faster. This was my only complaint. When I switched back to stock the car felt much faster and responding. But the FI exhaust kickes in after 5k rpm while the stock gets sluggish.

So if you ask me about the performence gain, I am not very impressed(as almost all aftermarket exhausts on NA cars). You might feel power lose at normal driving. F.I. declared 20 wheel hp gain and that might be true after a fine tune. But will it make day and night different? Don't get too excited. Think about this way, the Nismo declared 18 hp gain over the stock. But if you check the entire forum, how many people actually saying the Nismo outperform the stock. Bottom line is it's a sick exhaust but not really makes much differences on performence gain.

If your car is tuned for the Nismo exhaust then yes, you wont feel the gain, you guys need to get the car tuned for the exhaust installed or it wont do you any good! I dont think people should talk down a company, unless they have done everything they can. If you got your car tuned for the FI CBE and still lost power etc.. then fine, talk crap.. but until then, why?

fuct · 10-22-2012, 11:52 AM

to say the FI exhaust will net you 19 addition HP is a stretch without getting a tune....

forza370z · 10-22-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armhunter

If your car is tuned for the Nismo exhaust then yes, you wont feel the gain, you guys need to get the car tuned for the exhaust installed or it wont do you any good! I dont think people should talk down a company, unless they have done everything they can. If you got your car tuned for the FI CBE and still lost power etc.. then fine, talk crap.. but until then, why?

I am not trying to talk down a company here why would I. I am simply telling the truth what happened to my car. Matter of fact I still think FI exhaust is a sick exhaust system. But I just want to give OP a heads up the exhaust won't give you much differences on NA cars. Not just fast intensions but all aftermarket exhaust in general. It's better then misleading people here. I probably will get FI exhaust myself again but I could care less about the performence gain not untill I boost my car.

280z/300zx · 10-22-2012, 01:17 PM

The nismo exhaust has been shown to give 7 HP gain on a regular 370z. When you consider that fi CBE yeilds roughly 15-20 gain its easy to say that the fi exhaust is the better of the two. I didn't bother dyno testing mine but there was a noticible difference on the butt dyno. The sound alone is worth it, the power gain is just a plus. Those who lost power were because of multiple other nods in conjunction with the exhaust with out a tune. The more mods, the more a tune becomes important.

gomer_110 · 10-22-2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

The nismo exhaust has been shown to give 7 HP gain on a regular 370z. When you consider that fi CBE yeilds roughly 15-20 gain its easy to say that the fi exhaust is the better of the two. I didn't bother dyno testing mine but there was a noticible difference on the butt dyno. The sound alone is worth it, the power gain is just a plus. Those who lost power were because of multiple other nods in conjunction with the exhaust with out a tune. The more mods, the more a tune becomes important.

10-21-2012, 04:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
KingJoseph Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 180 Drives: 2012 Nismo 370Z Rep Power: 12	Performance numbers or objective reviews of aftermarket exhaust vs Nismo I have an FI CF CBE on order w/ 12" resonators, but the more digging I do, the more I realize that I haven't seen any performance numbers on aftermarket CBEs vs. the stock Nismo exhaust. I'm really interested in understanding if these exhausts are actually less restrictive, more restrictive, or the same as the stock Nismo unit. Further, with the conversations I've had lately with people that have said it's possible you could actually lose power with these exhausts due to them being overly unrestrictive, I'm even more perplexed. Does anybody have any pre/post CBE numbers for comparison with the Nismo? I know they are commonplace for the base Z. If not, I'd love to hear what your seat-of-the-pants feel was after installing the FI (or really any other aftermarket) CBE. Thanks in advance.

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10-21-2012, 04:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Realale Track Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Covina, CA Posts: 515 Drives: 2012 PW 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 14	My car feels like its a bit better after the FI exhaust installed. Don't have numbers but I like it. When I get the car dyno'ed it will be with exhaust, G3's and tune.

10-21-2012, 04:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
NISMO370BC Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States Posts: 10 Drives: '12 NISMO 370z Rep Power: 13	I just did 4 pulls on a dynojet here in San Diego, CA (Santee.) My Nismo only has an oil cooler and HKS drop in filters.

10-21-2012, 04:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
DCNISMO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: washington dc Posts: 995 Drives: Nismo Z Rep Power: 178	The stock Nismo exhaust is pretty good. I had nismo cold air intake and berk cats with stock exhaust and tune. Then I added the FI exhaust and I lost power. Now, I did not retune and if I did I would have gainec it back. But for me the FI was too loud and got too many looks. So I went back to stock.

10-21-2012, 06:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
DCNISMO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: washington dc Posts: 995 Drives: Nismo Z Rep Power: 178	I don't want looks from a loud exhaust, I'm past that age. Been there and done tht with cars and bikes for 25 years. To those that do, that's okay but it's not me anymore. It's just gives cops a reason to pull you over. The stock Nismo exhust with Berk cats and the Nismo cold air intake is just about right for me.

10-21-2012, 08:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
forza370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: 403 Forbidden Posts: 2,512 Drives: 2009 NISMO 370Z Rep Power: 18	OP, this is a good thread and I hope people here be honest and tell the truth. Before I got everything on my g35 coupe 2 years ago, I did whole lot of researches on the forums. People on the internet were singing of how awesome the F.I. exhaust sound like yet not to be too loud, how hard it pulls, how much hp gained... I was super excited to order mine. After I installed FI HFC and FI carbon fiber exhaust here is what I can say. It sounds really awesome no doubt. It's loud(not qieut like some people declared but I liked it). It looks great too especially the carbon fiber canister. Top notch quality hands down. As far as the performance gain from my butt dyno, it's definitely different from the stock. I lose low end but gain at high end. The annoying part is at 2-4k rpm when the exhaust starts to get really loud the car doesn't go faster. This was my only complaint. When I switched back to stock the car felt much faster and responding. But the FI exhaust kickes in after 5k rpm while the stock gets sluggish. So if you ask me about the performence gain, I am not very impressed(as almost all aftermarket exhausts on NA cars). You might feel power lose at normal driving. F.I. declared 20 wheel hp gain and that might be true after a fine tune. But will it make day and night different? Don't get too excited. Think about this way, the Nismo declared 18 hp gain over the stock. But if you check the entire forum, how many people actually saying the Nismo outperform the stock. Bottom line is it's a sick exhaust but not really makes much differences on performence gain.

10-22-2012, 11:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	to say the FI exhaust will net you 19 addition HP is a stretch without getting a tune....

10-22-2012, 01:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
280z/300zx Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 689 Drives: 280z, 300zx, Vette Rep Power: 272	The nismo exhaust has been shown to give 7 HP gain on a regular 370z. When you consider that fi CBE yeilds roughly 15-20 gain its easy to say that the fi exhaust is the better of the two. I didn't bother dyno testing mine but there was a noticible difference on the butt dyno. The sound alone is worth it, the power gain is just a plus. Those who lost power were because of multiple other nods in conjunction with the exhaust with out a tune. The more mods, the more a tune becomes important.