Installed a new exhaust on the Z!

[iceburns288]

Sorry for the long write-up, skip it if you'd like. I wrote this post for the Z forums, so it's got a lot of info (I took some out for this forum though). Videos and a little review at the bottom.

Information: I bought the Topspeed exhaust from eBay for 300 bucks. 47 for shipping. Came with all gaskets and bolts required.

Pictures:
This is how the exhaust came:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6517small.jpg

These are the gaskets and bolts it came with:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6518small.jpg

One of the mufflers (small things, eh?) with silencers in (they're out now, of course! ;))
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6519small.jpg

Unwrapped:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6523small.jpg

It was so hot I sweat this much just jacking up the rear!:eek:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6526small.jpg

Stock exhaust off (the lube was the most important tool!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6528small.jpg

Stock exhaust (and my lawnmower bag, sorry)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6530small.jpg

The stock muffler fell on me and cut me when I wrenched it out of the rubber hanger
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6532small.jpg

Burned by my diff:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6533small.jpg

Not much muffling in there, is there? :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6535small.jpg

[iceburns288]

Just a look in the cavern the stock muffler left:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6542small.jpg

You can see the new gasket already on the stock y-pipe:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6543small.jpg

Comparing tip size (not a very good picture, the mufflers got in the way)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6547small.jpg

Shined em up with a t-shirt before putting them on, of course:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6549small.jpg

Fitment:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6550small.jpg

No rubbing issues on the cross-member:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6551small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6552small.jpg

Another fitment picture:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6554small.jpg

Installed!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/iceburns288/Topspeed/IMG_6556small.jpg

Installation: was a total *****. It wasn't difficult, per se, it was just really hard. Everything is torqued down to 5 million lb-ft and the rubber hangers are vulcanized Satan. Took about an hour and a half for the whole thing, including opening it, taking pictures, etc. I'd glady do it again, it wasn't a problem, it's just the sheer brute force required to do the work will wear you out. Putting the exhaust on took 1/4 the time of taking the stock off, it was a breeze.

Videos:
Before and after installation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_M8aFAGDec

Video I made today with a bit more action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaWKnq0q8nQ

What they know and you don't is that this exhaust is well-known to the Z guys for being very, VERY loud. My friend has an open wastegate on his R32 and it's definitely louder than his car at half the RPM. Very, very, very, loud is all I have to say. The videos don't do it justice. Sometimes when I pass cars I hear the sound of my car echo off theirs!:eek:

[infected]

Wow, nice rumble :thumbsup:

[rc2002]

Noooooo...... Why do you want such a loud car?

The stock 350Z exhaust note is :drool:

[Sky]

I would have that exhaust if I had a Z.....or the Amuse Ti if I got $$ to burn..haha

[scat19]

nice install job, the sound is a little too loud for me

[Ekliptix]

It sounds pretty loud but I like the tone. $300, that is cheap.
Try putting those restrictors in.

[stevieo]

like ekliptix said, I liek the tone, but it is a bit loud. (maybe try getting one more resonator on it?)

[djayz]

its loud real loud...but the growl is so nice

[Darkane]

I think it sounds amazing. Good work. 300 bucks is a steal too :thumbsup:

[Canmorite]

Sounds nice!

[4doorj]

nice!

[dj_rice]

Sounds nice but yeah too too loud and will attract alot of attention from po po....wonder if they make the same exhaust for a Pathfinder :rofl: :rofl:


Your before and after link doesnt work so heres the right one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_M8aFAGDec


But after watching that, I like the stock exhaust note....but good job :thumbsup:

[Ekliptix]

That evil laugh was good stuff.

[SilverBoost]

Yeah that laugh made it all worth while. I remember the first day I drove my SPEC V after the turbo install and went from 150whp to 300....

pretty much the same laugh, but I couldn't stop. ;) :D

I like the new exhaust. Certainly looks like it flows better, and you dropped some weight there as well with that SUV muffler gone. :thumbsup:

[iceburns288]

Yeah, I was laughing like that for a few hours, it's just so loud:D As far as I could tell it's a little bit louder than a Z with test pipes and a 'normal' aftermarket exhaust.

Thanks dj_rice for the link, I went ahead and put that one in there.

[dave101]

hahahaha the laugh was the best part. Brought back memories of when i installed my exhaust. had the biggest grin on my face:D Sounds good man

[NickGT]

Pretty nice man, good work :thumbsup:

[habsfan]

nice sound but definitely loud, 300 bucks is a damn good price though.

[Dj_Stylz]

I live the sound just a little loud but sounds good.:bigpimp:

[chris]

Originally posted by SilverBoost
Yeah that laugh made it all worth while. I remember the first day I drove my SPEC V after the turbo install and went from 150whp to 300....

pretty much the same laugh, but I couldn't stop. ;) :D

I like the new exhaust. Certainly looks like it flows better, and you dropped some weight there as well with that SUV muffler gone. :thumbsup:
if exhaust made him do that, imagine his laugh if he got the greddy twin turbo kit for his Z.

as for the exhaust, it sounds really nice

[Kirbs17]

:clap: Sounds and looks good. I like the gore pics added in, just to show off how hard it was to install.

[Team_Mclaren]

wow 300 bucks is cheap!! I like it alot haha. My friend has the HKS hi-power installed on his Z, and it sounds amazing!!! but its like 6 times the price tho

[FiveFreshFish]

Nice. What's the weight difference?

[SilverBoost]

Originally posted by chris

if exhaust made him do that, imagine his laugh if he got the greddy twin turbo kit for his Z.

as for the exhaust, it sounds really nice

Actually I was hoping nobody would bring that up..... we all know based on his excitment over an exhaust, that going boosted would make his head blow clean off his shoulders, and well, we just don't need that happening. He seems like a good guy. :D ;)

[FivE.SeveN]

Rock, Z's represent y0! :nut:

[95EagleAWD]

Nice. :thumbsup:

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

wow... listen to it purr... i think i like the idle the best... but a resonator would help... i wish i could get my exhaust to get that low a rumble... damn my civics lack of power

[Honda_002]

really nice exhuast but man o' man i love the moan of a stock z exhaust:drool:

[DALLEN]

Originally posted by richardchan2002
Noooooo...... Why do you want such a loud car?

The stock 350Z exhaust note is :drool:

Agreed!!!!!

[*prettyboy*]

Hahah that laugh made it soo worth watching
i liked before, nice job how long did it take you ?

[iceburns288]

Originally posted by scat19
nice install job, the sound is a little too loud for me

Originally posted by Ekliptix
Try putting those restrictors in.

Originally posted by stevieo
maybe try getting one more resonator on it?

Originally posted by dj_rice
Sounds nice but yeah too too loud

Originally posted by Dj_Stylz
just a little loud

Originally posted by DALLEN
Agreed!!!!!
NO! :D

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
wow 300 bucks is cheap!! I like it alot haha. My friend has the HKS hi-power installed on his Z, and it sounds amazing!!! but its like 6 times the price tho
I love the HKS too, but it's 1800USD (but you can get em for 1200... still not cheap!)

Originally posted by FiveFreshFish
Nice. What's the weight difference?
Probably 20lbs?

Originally posted by *prettyboy*
Hahah that laugh made it soo worth watching
i liked before, nice job how long did it take you ?
About an hour.

[rith]

I have a similar exhaust made by DNX for sale. Used with 1000km for $280 obo. :) It's probably just as loud too. lol.

It's for a 350Z also..

[BlueFrenzy]

Great sound to it. Love the rumble at idle.

From what I know of Z's (which is very minimal), the stock exhaust was supposed to be designed well (other than the weight) ... so I'm wondering what does the butt-dyno say about the performance?

[iceburns288]

At first it felt like it lost some torque, and I still think it may have. Thing is I keep accidentally chirping the tires more though, even on (relatively) calm upshifts. I'd say there's a bit more power up top, but nothing to write home about.

The stock Z exhaust is fantastic, I just wanted a bit more ;). Yes, it is pretty good power-wise, except for the y-pipe. It narrows down to a 2" diameter where the pipes join. My next mod is a 2.5" to 3" y-pipe to cut that restriction out. Should flow quite a bit :D. The HFCs and exhaust combined are doing wonders for fuel economy and throttle response. Can't wait to find a y-pipe to complete my exhaust.

[andres_mt]

Wow sounds really nice...I'm glad you chose to upgrade the exhaust, you'll defenetely enjoy the sound of it as well as the added power and fuel economy. :thumbsup:

[Sprinter]

GJ on the installation man, thats alot of sweat and blood going into that awesome exhaust :thumbsup: