Nismo catback vs aftermarket
 

I want to upgrade my exhaust but not sure if the factory nismo cat back is decent. Or if I should replace it with aftermarket. Or would Axle Back be ok?

What are your reasons for upgrading? Power, sound, looks? What is your budget for an exhaust?

I swapped my FI mufflers for a Nismo muffler. Much, much happier. No drone, good sound when I want it, quiet when I just want to cruise.

Mostly sound. Would and after market catback make more power gains as well?

Yes but so little you would only know theirs a difference on a dyno. (>3%)

I tried the FI catback, too loud and DRONING (flame suit on) couldn't even carry on a conversation with passenger, switched to OEM Nismo $280, just perfect sounding now,,,,,some of this may depend on how young U are.

I drive a 2009 Nismo and IMO it's MUCH too quiet. Then again my Jeep has a header, 2.5" pipe, deleted cats and a Flowmaster 40 so YMMV.

I haven't heard stock Nismo. I have eBay resonated TPs, an FI mid-pipe, and Nismo mufflers. Best of both worlds, really, since the FI piping is a little larger than Nismo, but the muffler doesn't have the FI drone.

I run stillen cbe with stock cats. Perfect with no drone at highway rpm (~3k) and opens up at 4k vroooom.

In terms of hp numbers they are all relatively the same. It's like those how many different oranges do you see test. There is statically no difference.

Go to YouTube and listen to the different exhausts. Go to a local z meet (if you have them) and ask to hear people with exhausts.

Oh and I sold the stock sport CB to the local Nissan recycler for $185.it was brand new 3K miles

If mostly sound as you stated and no other planned engine mods, an axle back should be fine.

The 2015 Nismo supposedly has an improved sound. Would like a cheap take-off but at the same time I don't remember hearing much when I saw some on the road.

are you referring to the complete nismo exhaust or just the rear muffler?

I was under the impression that only the mid pipe was different between the nismo and the regular Z. I imagine the nismo muffler is probably very similar to a non-nimso muffler.

Pretty sure Nismo muffler bolts to the stock mid pipe.

Nismo mid pipe compared to base mid pipe.

Seems very restrictive for no good reason. I wouldn't ever consider an axle back on a base model after seeing this. I would consider adding an axel back to a Nismo though.

dogdamn, i accidentally deleted my post..

it's really the muffler dat's restrictive on the catback. unless u go turbo the stock pipes are fine imo.

Agree... the mid pipes are fine with stock motor.

while the muffler is more restrictive relatively, it is probably also ok with stock motor. most of the hp gain with aftermarket muffler is way up on the rpm band and might even lose a bit on the low end.

If you are looking for sound with a slight performance increase go with a NISMO (less expensive) or aftermarket mid pipe and keep the stock muffler (it's louder than the NISMO muffler). This will make the car sound significantly better without the cost of a full cat back.

'14 Nismo is much too quiet
 

I was very disappointed in the sound of my '14 Nismo. The exhaust note was a short step above a sewing machine - I couldn't really hear it at all while driving. I never heard it from the outside because I never quite mastered the art of driving while outside of my car. Besides I don't really care what everyone else hears - only what I hear inside the cabin.

I absolutely love the HKS. A Nismo should sound like this from the factory. Absolutely no drone and sounds fabulous when you accelerate, especially with the windows down.

Take a listen:

HKS Hi-Power Exhaust