I just installed a coupe mid-pipe during my lunch break. The installation was very easy but the top of the coupe resonator made contact with a heat shield between it and the drive shaft, so I removed the shield. Has anyone else encountered this clearance issue?


*'03.5 MT6 Sedan, Premium, CB*
Z-tube, Pop-Charger, Autovation pedals, Minor de-badging

*'00 Saleen S281-SC*
Mucho mods. See it here!

 

I believe several had to do the same as you.

03 5AT Sedan, sunroof, splashguards, HKS muffler,
14 wire Grounding kit, Z Duct, Stillen HF/AB
Underbody rear diffusers, Drilled alum pedals,
Stillen sway bars S/H. Sport Tuned Suspension

 

I had the same exact thing...

The install would have taken 25 min. but the stock heat shield (directly under the driveshaft) and the small crossbar (again, directly under the driveshaft, but more toward the front of the car) were slightly in the way of the new Coupe midpipe (they were both actually just barely touching the new midpipe). Because the muffler shop guy thought these parts touching the new midpipe would cause it to rattle, he removed the heat shield and modified the crossbar by shortening it (he cut it and welded it back on to its brackets) and then reattched the crossbar so it doesn't touch the midpipe's resonator. With these 2 issues, the install took 1 hr. 15 min. at a cost of $100.

I'm still not sure if the heat shield is absolutely necessary so I left it off; unless someone tells me otherwise, it will probably stay off.

Nice sound with the Coupe midpipe, huh? I love it!



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum. Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by bsgoren on 09/30/04 06:41 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

I saw that cross bar you mentioned but it cleared the pipe just fine.

I must say I was expecting, a greater difference in sound between the sedan and coupe pipes; especially after dropping the gargantuan sedan mid-pipe and seeing the large complex-formed resonator on that thing. I notice a deeper tone on engine startup and idle. After the second day driving the car, I was able to pick up on other nuances. The exhaust is slightly more noticeable when driving at low speeds on smooth residential streets and also when decelerating in gear. Under heavy footed acceleration or WOT action, the Z-Tube/Pop Charger intake still drowns out the sound from the back end. I bought the pipe used for a good price and it is nice to drop 25 lbs. (according to our bathroom scale) in 25 minutes (installation time). The new pipe will keep me happy until I hear some cat backs in person.


*'03.5 MT6 Sedan, Premium, CB*
Z-tube, Pop-Charger, Coupe Mid-Pipe, Autovation pedals

*'00 Saleen S281-SC*
Mucho mods. See it here!

 

You're lucky that the Coupe midpipe cleared that crossbar ok. ;-)

We have an '03 FX35 and my '04.5 G35 Sedan. I wanted a deeper exhaust note, more similar to our FX35...and that's exactly what I got from the Coupe midpipe (it's not quite as deep, but close). It seems like you're not too happy with it, and you thought the difference would be greater; I found a significant difference in sound with the Coupe midpipe (although it's true that the Coupe midpipe's sound is heard more at the low rpm's and not as much when cruising around).

And, yes at the higher rpm's with WOT, the Z tube takes over (which is an awesome sound as well ;-). Now, if you're looking for a much louder, "street racer" sound, then only an entirely new cat-back system will do that I think...you may want to look at the Stillen cat-back and Borla cat-back systems for the G35 Sedan. Personally, I'm very happy with just the Coupe midpipe now (but I didn't want to go too loud with it)!



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum. Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by bsgoren on 10/01/04 05:22 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Overall, I am happy with the coupe pipe and would recommend it to someone who wants a little more edge to the exhaust note but does not want to go with a cat back. The mid-pipe is temporary until the day comes for a cat back (after wheels/tires/brakes). We do not need another car as load as the Saleen but I will check out as many systems as possible to find a nice compromise. I have read about several people ditching their “too loud” Stillens but I am still going to check it out along with Borla and anything else I can.

BTW, I consciously refrained from “auralizing” what the sound would from the Z-Tube and Pop Charger before in installed them. Those parts exceeded my expectations from the first mash of the pedal. [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]



*'03.5 MT6 Sedan, Premium, CB*
Z-tube, Pop-Charger, Coupe Mid-Pipe, Autovation pedals

*'00 Saleen S281-SC*
Mucho mods. See it here!