I've read all the comparative posts I could find AND listened to the various sound clips, but need some more feedback. First, the only sound clips I could find were for the 350Z. I guess the coupe exhaust would be close – but I’m looking for sedan info. I’m assuming sedan vs. coupe sound will be significantly different, even for the same brand (let’s use Stillen as an example). Is that true? I’m heavily leaning towards the Stillen, but am concerned it might be TOO loud.

From what I can discern from other posts, the Borla is the least noticeable of the dual cat-back systems (closest to stock sounding). Many like the sound. But… It appears to offer the least hp/tq gains. I would probably go with the Borla at the “old” price. They seem to be in the $800 range now with the price increase – now much closer to the Stillen. Also, the Borla seems to have a LOT of pieces (more places for leaks?).

The Fujitsubo sounds nice on the Z, but they don’t make a sedan system as far as I’m aware. Anyway, it is a little too raspy (too much high freq. content) for my taste. The aftermarket Y-pipe, coupe mid-pipe, HKS muffler combo seems to have received mixed reviews (plus all three would be nearly as $$$ as the Stillen).

Bottom line: The sedan exhaust is a little TOO quiet IMHO. I think the coupe stock exhaust sounds great, and don’t want to go much louder than that. Does that rule out the Stillen? Ideally, after optimizing the sound, I’d also like to have some noticeable power gain (maybe a real +10 rwhp gain?).

I know some think Stillen is “over-priced”. Neglecting that, how is the build quality compared to the other systems? We have a dyno-day coming up in NorCal and I would like to get the exhaust installed for that. So, I’ve gotta make a decision quick!

Finally, sorry about the duplicate posting. I figured that the Exhaust forum might be too new for people to regularly check, and I need some quick responses (so posted to Sedan as well).


2004.5 G35 Sedan | Garnet Fire + Willow | 6MT | Z-Tube

 

I don't know if this helps or not, but I just put the Stillen Cat Back exahust on my 6MT Sedan 4 days ago. I am a responsible adult, mother of three, love power, but have always been leary of the 6cyl after market exhausts for any car. I have to say, that the Stillen exhaust, although you can hear it, is really not that bad sound wise, but it's definately depends on your preference. In the car at cruise, I don't even hear it. Only when I'm hard excelerating to you know it's there. From the outside, it's got a deep throat, healthy sound to it. I'm in Cal, I'll let you hear mine if you're not to far away. The Stillen exhaust really wakes up the car, definate power difference. I love it. I've heard some negative things about Stillen on this site, but I have worked with those guys for almost a year and I will tell you, their professionalism is barnone, and I feel they have great quality workmanship. All in all, you're going to get a little more noise for the hp, so it's up to you.

2003.5 G35 6MT Sedan/Black w/ Graphite
Life is good!

 

OMG, I got my Borla installed today, XERD test pipe's, 7 wire grounding kit and crank pulley and it is SOSOSO different!! It feels like a whole diff. car. Im gonna post pics, my dyno and videos of the exhaust. The exhaust with the injen intake and xerd test pipes sounds like I cant even describe it. Me and the guy who installed my stuff at performance nissan were revving our cars, he has a PE TT 350z and my car sounded almost exactly like his car the 350z, so mean and loud but without the blow off valve!! Im just in awe hahah, just read my thread later!! Martin


Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
Injen CAI
B+G Springs
ADR M-Classic 19's..

 

The best advice is unfortunately not always the most feasible, that is to get a test drive or at the very least a ride of the system you are interested in. This area is purely too subjective from one person to the other base on word of exchange and what you're about to read is no different. Even the same individual will find their perception change depending on mood. 5pm, bumper to bumper traffic on a hot summer day. 8 out of 10 people is likely to wish their 'performance' exhaust is quieter. Likewise, the same amount of people would beg for a more aggressive exhaust while carving through the canyons on a cool autumn morning.

Personally, I too thought the Stillen was too loud during my very first taste short after it's release. I later realized the particular sample I had was polluted by other 'go fast' mods on that individual's car. If you don't have cats or test-pipes plan for your future ... I'd say the Stillen noise level is actually quite tolerable.

I've also have some experience with Borla. It was considerably quieter than the Stillen overall. In fact, the induction bark from the JWT Pop-charger intake (if so equipped) will easily mask the Borla above 3000rpm. Down low between a particular range, I would actually consider it to be closer to ‘droning’ than the Stillen, although it's actually still quieter than Stillen. Has to do w. the particular resonant frequency.

Lastly, I own the Fujitsubo 'Sedan' exhaust. Yes, Fuji does make a SEDAN specific model. Noise level is about in-line with the Borla. I would also say the tone is closer to Borla than Stillen, yet very different from the Borla ... if that makes any sense. Interesting you mention the Fujitsubo sounds too high and raspy to you. The Stillen imho is by far the higher pitched and raspier of the bunch. Typical sound clips are in fact very poor in recreating real-world fidelity. Ya just gotta hear it from the source w. your own ears. If you're looking for power to boot, then an after market Y-pipe is mandatory (i.e. Fujitsubo, JIC, NFC, etc.) with the Fujitsubo in order for it to be an apple-to-apple comparison to the Stillen and Borla (both replace the oem Y section). This is the part that could possibly set the Fujitsubo out of the reach for those that are more cost conscientious ... depending on the Y-pipe piece one decides to go with. In return however, it is again in my humble opinion that the build quality is the best of the bunch. No use of snap in piping sections with clamps, which are source of possible exhaust leaks (I have seen a few). All you'll see are beautifully TIG welded flanges that bolt together not unlike the OEM system.

Here's the bottom line.

Noise Level Concern:
1. Borla (on par w. below)
1. Fujitsubo (on par w. above)
2. Stillen (loudest)

Cost concern:
1. Borla (~$600)
2. Fujitsubo (~$640)
3. Stillen (~$900)
4. Fujitsubo + Y-pipe (~$935 w. NFC Y-pipe)

And finally ... this is important to some people. The 'Name' wrt JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) status. I agree this is very dumb, but is the same reason why the typical American thinks Infiniti is better than Nissan and Lexus is better than Toyota. Chances are if you're on this board you are not in the generalization.

1. Fujitusbo (JDM)
2. Stillen (non-JDM but enough heritage within the Nissan community)
3. Borla ( fill in blank )

Good Luck Shopping and let us know which one ends up being your new toy.

Cheers,


Clint (THX723)<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by THX723 on 07/26/04 11:33 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

here's comparison that Gurgen and I did last december. sound bites are a few posts down, around 12/11 or so.

Cheers, ted




'03.5 Sedan 5a: BS/G, Prem, Aero/Body, Sport, Nav
Click for MODS or Vote at Online Showoff

 

One oter suggestion, if anti-sway bars are in your future, you might consider getting them at the same time... you will need to drop the exhaust in order to install.

tluv and I had to drop my stillen exhaust this last weekend in order to get the Stillen sways in.

=======
Yes, the Stillen is louder. G35Lin has the Borla, and i think it is a def less noisy....but if you are going to install it yourself, the Stillen is MUCH easier.



'03.5 Sedan 5a: BS/G, Prem, Aero/Body, Sport, Nav
Click for MODS or Vote at Online Showoff

 

Your definately right about one thing, Stillen and Borla coupe/Z exhaust system's will not sound like the sedan versions. Injen announced a sedan system awhile ago (gee where is it), that one should sound like the coupe/Z system since the mufflers will be the same.

Sedan Stillen and Borla exhaust system owners with do not comment that their exhaust's are too loud in the usual way you'd expect. What does come up is a resonance or droning issue inside the car while under load. It effect automatic car's much more since the tranny tends to keep rpm's and load levels at just the rear areas to cause the resonance and keep it going. This effect's both the Stillen and the Borla systems. I've heard the Stillen from outside the car, it is by no means a loud exaust, struck me as too quite IMO. All you can do is buy the system and see where you stand, or call out for a sedan owner near you that has the Stillen and see if you can get a ride and check that way.

Even if you get the system and the drone bother's you, you could put on longer Magnaflow 4" round mufflers as resonators and tone it down, that's what I'd do.

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke

G35 6mt

 

Wow, thanks for the great advice! I simply can't listen to everything before making a decision - so I'll just have to make a "guess". I'm 99% sure it'll be Stillen. Most posts seem to comment on the Stillen having a "low rumble" almost "V8" like quality - sounds good to me. The Borla, XERD combo is a bit too radical for me - want to stay CARB legal. With all those parts to the Borla, looks like it'd be hard to install. Plus there seem to be several comments about "fit" issues. The Fuji + Y-pipe may be the best in terms of power/sound balance, but it appears I'd have to do some more research to find the right Y-pipe match. I figure for close to $1000, I'm paying for somebody else to do the "tuning" research for me (didn't realize that Stillen had gone through several protos.)! Finally, I think the reported ease of of installation for the Stillen seals the deal. Good point on the sway bars! I won't likely do those until after it's time to replace the OEM GS-Ds with some better rubber (tires alone might be good enough for me). Thanks for the help.

2004.5 G35 Sedan | Garnet Fire + Willow | 6MT | Z-Tube

 

I also wanted to comment that, many other car fanatic friends of mine, have commented that the Stillen exhaust sounds almost like a Ferrari or F1 syle car. Of course, nothing will ever sound like that, except for the true vehicles, but it sounds bitchen. I love it.

2003.5 G35 6MT Sedan/Black w/ Graphite
Life is good!

 

I do not believe that the Fuji, even with a Y-pipe will out power the Stillen.

I forgot to add that the Stillen does have a nice deep idle, I'd call it V8 in tone, but not in sound qualtiy, you can tell it's a six still.

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke

G35 6mt

 

Seriously, wait till I get my videos up tomorrow. The Borla does have a droning when coming to a stop that buzzes and when downshifting in second or rolling into first (auto) but its for like 10 sec's. The Borla and XERD test pipes is so amazing, the sound is ridiculous. It almost sounded like the tt 350z at the performance nissan shop with the injen exhuast. No rasp what so ever, and a deep rumble that turns into an m3 sounding engine with the injen above 4k rpm, truely amazing IMO!! And gains, HAHAHAH!!! Wow, I pull in every gear now and HARD!! No joking, I dont understand how people can say they dont feel it. The pulley gives me that instant low end, the grounding kit without a doubt has me shifting so quick, and the power of everything combined just makes the rev's fly around.. Martin


Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
Injen CAI
B+G Springs
ADR M-Classic 19's..

 

Go,

I agree with muuvova, the Stillen I've installed in my 6-mt sounds awesome and the workmanship is incredibly good! I can feel the additional ponies, and now my car sounds like it means business!

I'm super happy with the results...

Q

2003.5 Silver Sedan
6 Speed
6 Wire HGK
Z-Tube/Pop Charger
Stillen Cat-Back Exhaust